Gene K. Lee, MD, MPH

Lip Lift in Beverly Hills, CA

A lip lift is a short, targeted surgery that shortens the distance between the base of the nose and the upper lip, making the upper lip more visible and balanced. By lifting the upper lip rather than simply adding volume, a lip lift has the ability to enhance lip definition, improve tooth show, and refine the proportions of the lower face.

At LA MÔEM Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, Dr. Gene K. Lee performs surgical lip lift as part of a comprehensive facial rejuvenation approach. The procedure is customized to your anatomy, smile, and facial features so the result looks natural and fits the rest of your face.

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Who Is a Good Candidate for a Lip Lift?

A lip lift is best for patients whose concern is lip length and position, not just volume. Many people notice that the space between the nose and the upper lip, called the philtrum, lengthens with age, or they are born with a naturally long upper lip that hides most of the pink lip.

You may be a good candidate if you have:

A long space between the base of your nose and your upper lip
A thin or rolled-in upper lip, especially at rest
Little to no upper tooth show when you smile
A flat upper lip, despite fillers
Desire for a more defined Cupid’s bow and youthful lip shape

Ideal candidates are in good general health, do not smoke, and understand what surgical lip lift can and cannot do. Fillers can add volume, but cannot consistently shorten the upper lip or improve philtral length the way surgery can. During your consultation, Dr. Lee will help you decide whether a lip lift, fillers, or a combination is best for your goals and facial balance.

How Does a Lip Lift Improve Lip Shape and Facial Proportions?

The upper lip plays a key role in the overall balance of the lower face. When the philtrum is too long or the upper lip is rotated inward, the mouth can look flat, aged, or expressionless. A lip lift changes the position and rotation of the upper lip rather than simply inflating it.

A lip lift can:

Shorten the philtrum
Increase visible pink lip
Improve tooth show
Enhance the Cupid’s bow
Complement other facial features

By correcting the underlying proportions and support, a lip lift can often reduce the amount of filler needed or eliminate the need for frequent upper-lip filler sessions.

What Happens During a Lip Lift Procedure?

At LA MÔEM Plastic Surgery, a lip lift is typically performed using a carefully planned incision hidden along the base of the nose. This is often called a subnasal or bullhorn lip lift because the incision shape follows the natural curves under the nose.

Key steps usually include:

Precise markings: Dr. Lee measures the current philtrum length and plans how much to shorten it while maintaining natural lip movement and closure. The planned excision is customized to your nose shape, lip length, and smile.
Local anesthesia: Many lip lifts are performed under local anesthesia in an office-based setting. You remain awake but comfortable, with the upper lip and surrounding area thoroughly numbed.
Skin removal and lift: A thin strip of skin is removed beneath the nose. The upper lip skin and deeper tissues are then lifted and secured higher, shortening the groove between the nose and upper lip and rotating the upper lip slightly outward.
Layered closure: The incision is closed in layers to support a thin, flat scar hidden in the natural crease at the base of the nose. Over time, this typically becomes subtle.

The entire procedure is relatively brief, but planning and careful attention to detail are critical. Dr. Lee focuses on creating symmetry, preserving normal lip movement, and avoiding an over-shortened or unnatural look.

How Is a Lip Lift Different From Lip Fillers or a Lip Flip?

A lip lift is a surgical procedure with structural impact. Fillers and neuromodulators are non-surgical and temporary.

Lip fillers

Add volume and definition using injectable gel. They can improve lip fullness but do not shorten the philtrum or significantly increase tooth show in patients with a long upper lip. Overuse can create a heavy or overfilled look.

Lip flip

Relaxes specific muscles around the mouth to let the upper lip roll outward slightly, showing more pink lip. The effect is subtle and temporary and does not address lip length.

Lip lift

Permanently shortens and lifts the upper lip by adjusting the skin and soft tissue between the nose and lip. It increases visible vermilion and tooth show without counting solely on added volume.

Many patients at LA MÔEM benefit from a lip lift first to fix underlying proportions and then use conservative fillers for fine-tuning if needed. Dr. Lee also offers non-surgical treatments for patients who are interested in improvement without surgery.

What Is Recovery Like After a Lip Lift?

After a lip lift, the upper lip and base of the nose will feel tight and swollen. Mild bruising, soreness, and transient changes in lip movement or sensation are common early in healing.

Typical early recovery guidelines include:

Keeping the head elevated, especially for the first few days
Using cold compresses as directed to reduce swelling
Avoiding excessive lip movement early on
Eating softer foods at first
Not stretching or pressing on the incision line

Any sutures that need to be removed are typically taken out within about a week, depending on Dr. Lee’s technique. Most patients are comfortable resuming light social interactions inside 7 to 10 days.

How Long Until the Final Lip Lift Result Is Visible?

Initial swelling improves significantly over 2 to 3 weeks. The lip position, tooth show, and philtrum length become easier to evaluate as swelling subsides. The scar under the nose continues to fade over several months.

Most patients achieve a stable result within 3 to 6 months, though fine scar maturation can continue beyond that. Dr. Lee will provide detailed incision-care instructions to support the best possible scar quality.

What Results Can You Expect From a Lip Lift?

A well-planned lip lift creates a subtle yet obvious improvement in the upper lip and lower face. It should make your mouth more expressive and youthful without drawing attention to the surgery itself.

Expected benefits include:

Shorter, more balanced distance between the nose and upper lip
Fuller-looking upper lip without overfilling
Improved visibility of Cupid’s bow and central lip
Enhance upper tooth show when talking or smiling
Better proportional harmony with the nose, chin, and jawline

Because the procedure changes the underlying structure rather than relying on temporary volume, results are considered permanent. Natural aging continues, but most patients maintain a more attractive lip proportion long term.

Meet Gene K. Lee MD, MPH

Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

At LA MÔEM Plastic Surgery, Dr. Gene K. Lee combines advanced surgical training with a thoughtful, ethical approach to aesthetic care. Known for his natural-looking results and deep respect for each patient’s unique goals and cultural identity, Dr. Lee creates personalized treatment plans focused on safety, integrity, and long-term satisfaction. When you choose Dr. Lee, you’re choosing a surgeon who values your trust and is dedicated to helping you look and feel your best—authentically.

Who Is Not a Good Candidate for a Lip Lift?

A lip lift may not be appropriate if:

You already have a very short philtrum
Your lip exposure at rest is already high
You have unrealistic expectations about dramatic lip enlargement
You are unable or unwilling to follow postoperative instructions or avoid smoking during healing

In some cases, patients are better served by fillers, a lip flip, or a staged approach rather than immediate surgery. Dr. Lee will evaluate your anatomy and goals honestly and recommend the option that makes the most sense for you.

How Does a Lip Lift Fit with Other Facial Procedures?

Because the mouth is central to facial expression, a lip lift is often planned in combination with other facial surgeries to maintain balance.

A lip lift can be combined with:

Facelift to improve the midface and jawline while tackling central facial aging
Neck lift for comprehensive lower-face and neck rejuvenation
Eyelid surgery or brow lift for complete harmony across the eyes and mouth
Non-surgical treatments, such as fillers and skin quality procedures, to improve surrounding areas

Planning multiple procedures together can sometimes optimize recovery scheduling and help ensure that changes in one area complement changes in another.

Why Choose LA MÔEM Plastic Surgery for a Lip Lift?

LA MÔEM Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills is led by Dr. Gene K. Lee, a board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon with a strong focus on facial balance and natural-looking outcomes. The practice’s philosophy stresses precise, thoughtful changes that enhance your features without making you look like you’ve been operated on.

For lip lift patients, this means:

Detailed evaluation of your nose, lips, teeth, and chin to preserve harmony
Customized incision design and lift amount based on your proportions
Conservative, structure-based planning to avoid an overdone look
Access to a full suite of facial and non-surgical options when a combination approach is best

To learn more about the practice and related procedures, explore the variety of facial plastic surgery procedures offered at LA MÔEM, including facelift, and learn more about LA MÔEM Plastic Surgery.

How Can You Schedule a Lip Lift Consultation?

If you are considering a lip lift to improve upper lip shape, tooth show, or lower-face balance, the next step is a customized consultation with Dr. Gene K. Lee at LA MÔEM Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills.

You can:

Request an appointment through the practice Contact page
Call the office using the phone numbers listed on the website
Review other facial options on the Face and Non-Surgical pages before your visit

During your consultation, Dr. Lee will review your goals, evaluate your facial proportions, and present a straightforward plan so you can decide whether a lip lift is the right procedure for you.