What is a lip lift?
A lip lift shortens the distance between the nose and upper lip (philtrum) to create a fuller, more youthful, more curved lip appearance. It is a permanent alternative to fillers for patients with an elongated philtrum.
A lip lift should be seen as complementary to — not a replacement for — fillers. While fillers add volume, a lip lift exposes more of the visible red lip ("show") and produces a more curved and youthful appearance. The ideal result often comes from combining both approaches when appropriate.
Who is a candidate?
Candidates include patients with an elongated nose-to-lip distance, thin upper lip appearance (reduced visible red lip), age-related lip drooping, and those who have not achieved sufficient results with fillers.
Ideal philtrum height is 12-15 mm. Patients above this and those repeatedly using fillers to fake fullness are good candidates. Lip lift applies to both women and men with a disproportionately long philtrum.
Bullhorn lip lift technique
The most commonly used modern technique is the "bullhorn". An inverted-M or horn-shaped incision is made along the base of the nose, beneath the nostrils. This incision hides in the natural crease of the nasal base.
How is the surgery performed?
Typically under local anesthesia. A small incision at the base of the nose shortens the philtrum. The scar is hidden in the natural nasal-base crease. Surgery takes 30-45 minutes.
Generally performed as a day procedure; no hospital admission required. Properly placed, the scar becomes virtually invisible at 6-12 months.
Recovery timeline
First week: Mild swelling and tightness. Office workers return at 5-7 days.
Weeks 2-4: Swelling fully resolves. Social activities normal.
Months 3-6: Scar maturation. Silicone gel application is recommended.
Risks and complications
Scar visibility (can remain prominent if technique is suboptimal), asymmetry, under/over-shortening. A low-complication-profile surgery.
Lip lift in Istanbul — Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ayhan Işık Erdal's practice
Dr. Erdal's private clinic is located in central Istanbul, in the Nisantasi district. Address: Teşvikiye Cad. No:9/12, Istanbul. The clinic is easily accessible from major Istanbul hotels and from Istanbul Airport (IST) and Sabiha Gökçen Airport (SAW).
Lip lift is a short-procedure surgery requiring delicate technique; experience is important for scar quality. International patient coordination includes video consultation prior to travel, airport-hotel transfer, English-speaking medical team, accommodation at partner hotels, and full postoperative follow-up. Patients typically stay in Istanbul for 5-7 days. WhatsApp consultations are available at +90 544 850 72 32 for international inquiries.
Before & After Gallery
Real patient results. Photos shared with patient consent. Individual results may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Fillers add volume; a lip lift raises the lip to show more of the vermilion. They work through different mechanisms and can sometimes be complementary.
The scar sits in the natural crease at the base of the nose and fades significantly with proper care.
Under local anesthesia, no pain during surgery. Mild post-operative discomfort and tightness are managed with simple pain relief.
Immediate improvement is seen, but the final shape emerges at 2-3 months as swelling resolves. The scar continues to mature for 6-12 months.
No. A lip lift does not affect facial expressions. Natural smiling, speaking, and movement are fully preserved.
Yes. The lip lift provides structural correction while fillers add volume. They complement each other beautifully. Fillers are typically added after lip lift healing is complete.
Patients with already short philtrum, active herpes, keloid tendency at the incision site, or unrealistic expectations may not be suitable candidates.
Soft foods for the first few days. Avoid foods requiring wide mouth opening. Normal diet can resume after about 1 week.
Yes. Philtrum elongation occurs in men too. Incision planning is carefully adapted for the mustache area.
Typically 3-6mm of skin is removed. The exact amount is individually calculated based on philtrum length and facial proportions. Over-shortening must be avoided for natural results.
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