Lip Lift in Dallas, TX
Lips
Bullhorn Lip Lift
Want a fuller, more youthful upper lip? Dr. Sarah Saxon brings her Austin-based expertise to patients at her Dallas office, performing more lip lifts than almost any other surgeon in Texas. This precise, in-office procedure shortens the space between your nose and upper lip using a subnasal bullhorn technique, creating a naturally balanced smile. Schedule your Dallas lip lift consultation today!
Want a fuller, more youthful upper lip? Dr. Sarah Saxon brings her Austin-based expertise to patients at her Dallas office, performing more lip lifts than almost any other surgeon in Texas. This precise, in-office procedure shortens the space between your nose and upper lip using a subnasal bullhorn technique, creating a naturally balanced smile. Schedule your Dallas lip lift consultation today!
Serving Dallas and North Texas
What is a Lip Lift?
A lip lift is a surgical procedure that aims to shorten the upper lip. An incision is made in the natural crease just under the base of the nose, and skin is removed. Think of a lip lift as a facelift for your mouth!
This procedure is typically done under local anesthesia in the office. It’s a quick and easy procedure to recover from, and it can bring more balance to the face.
A youthful and attractive upper lip is full and short allowing upper tooth show with the mouth slightly open. It’s a procedure that can bring a subtle change to create a big impact!
Benefits of a Lip Lift
- More youthful and attractive upper lip
- Improve facial proportions
- Improve appearance of a downturned mouth
- Increase exposure of the upper teeth
- Can give the appearance of more lip volume
- Allows for more natural results with lip fillers
- Short in-office procedure with minimal downtime
Am I a candidate for a lip lift?
A long upper lip is one of the most common reasons patients seek out a lip lift. If this describes you, here’s what’s likely driving it:
Aging: Over time, the skin gradually loses collagen and elastin, which causes it to stretch and lose its youthful contour. The upper lip is often one of the first places this shows up, alongside sagging and fine lines elsewhere on the face.
Genetics: For some patients, the bone structure in the midface is simply built with more vertical length, which naturally translates to a longer upper lip independent of age.
Prior Rhinoplasty: Patients who’ve had a nose job that lifted the nasal tip sometimes notice their upper lip appears longer afterward. It’s often more of an optical effect than an actual physical change because the eye is drawn to the newly exposed space between the nose and lip.
A lip lift is a minimally invasive procedure, but a few preparation steps make a real difference in your results and recovery:
Smoking: Nicotine interferes with healing and raises the risk of complications. Plan to stop smoking at least one month before your procedure.
Medications & Supplements: Some common medications and supplements thin the blood and increase bleeding risk. You’ll receive a specific list of what to avoid in the two weeks leading up to surgery.
Alcohol: For the same reason, avoid alcohol for about a week before your lip lift.
Getting Home: Because the procedure is done under local anesthesia, most patients are able to drive themselves home. If you opt for anti-anxiety medication beforehand, arrange a ride instead.
What to expect after your lip lift:
Sutures: Fine external sutures are used to keep the incision clean and minimize scarring.
Swelling: Mild swelling and some numbness are normal in the first days and improve steadily.
Lip Movement: You’ll want to avoid straws and pursing your lips while healing. Dr. Saxon will walk you through easy workarounds.
Scar Care: Most patients can wear makeup over the area starting around the two-week mark, along with a silicone gel to support healing.
Tightness: A feeling of tightness and some pink discoloration at the incision can persist for a few weeks and will continue to fade.
Remember, healing varies. Follow Dr. Saxon’s instructions for a smooth journey to your beautiful new smile!
Dr. Saxon’s
Approach - The Art of the Lip Lift
A lip lift offers a precise way to achieve a more youthful and balanced smile. Dr. Sarah Saxon, a leading facial plastic surgeon in Dallas, TX has honed her technique to deliver natural-looking results with minimal downtime.
Here's a closer look at Dr. Saxon's preferred method
Subnasal Bullhorn Incision: This technique involves a strategically placed incision in the shape of a bullhorn just below the base of your nose. This placement helps to minimize scarring as the incision heals.
Precise Measurement and Removal: Dr. Saxon meticulously measures the upper lip to determine the exact amount of skin needed for removal. This ensures a balanced and natural-looking outcome.
Deep Sutures for Optimal Healing: To minimize tension on the incision and promote optimal healing, Dr. Saxon utilizes special deep sutures placed within a supportive layer of the lip. These sutures remain in place for approximately 3 months.
Layered Closure for a Flawless Finish: After removing the precise amount of skin, Dr. Saxon closes the incision using two suture layers. Deep sutures provide internal support, while dissolvable external sutures minimize surface scarring. These external sutures are typically removed within 5-7 days.
Optional Corner Lift: In some cases, Dr. Saxon may recommend adding a corner lip lift technique to address downturned or inverted corners of the mouth. This additional procedure further enhances the youthful and balanced appearance of your smile.
What Can I Expect From My Lip Lift Results?
Your lip will almost immediately look shorter after your procedure, but you will have some swelling. Final results are generally seen in about 3 months once all swelling subsides. You should not have any change to your lip movement, and you should still be able to close your mouth normally.
In older individuals, previous smokers, or those with very thin skin, the lip can relax some, so skin treatments like microneedling and Morpheus8 are recommended to build collagen and strengthen the skin. This can help your results last longer.
A lip lift does not address fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth, so combining your surgery with laser skin resurfacing is recommended for this.
Finally, a lip lift can give the appearance of fuller lips if the lips already started with fairly good volume. If the lips are very thin; however, a lip lift will need to be combined with lip augmentation for best results.
Who should NOT get a lip lift?
Overgrown Midface: If your long upper lip stems from a long midface, orthognathic surgery (facial bone correction) might be better suited first, followed by a lip lift.
Severe Overbite or Weak Chin: These can prevent proper mouth closure after a lip lift. Orthognathic surgery can be done to correct an overbite, and a weak chin can be addressed with either a chin implant or sliding genioplasty
Dr. Saxon will assess your unique features to determine the best course of action for achieving your desired facial balance.
Lip Lifts, Lip Flips, and Lip Fillers: Which Do I Choose?
There is a lot of confusion surrounding lip procedures. Some may think that a lip lift is an alternative to lip fillers due to confusing messaging or false advertising. Although a the procedure can give the illusion of more lip volume in certain circumstances, it will not give the same results as lip filler. This includes adding significant volume or lip definition. Dermal fillers may be needed after your procedure if this is the desired outcome.
A lip flip can sometimes give a temporary appearance of a shorter lip. Only small amounts of neuromodulator can be used to achieve this safely since adding too much can cause the upper lip to not move at all. Because of this, results generally do not last very long.
In addition, a lip flip inherently prevents the orbicularis oris muscle from contracting fully since it partially paralyzes the muscle. After a lip flip, most have difficulty articulating certain words and they cannot use straws or purse their lips. Dr. Saxon highly recommends a lip lift over a lip flip for more natural and long-lasting results.
Lip Lift FAQs
Is a lip lift right for me?
The best candidates are patients bothered by an elongated upper lip who want a more balanced, proportionate look. A consultation with Dr. Saxon is the best way to find out if you’re a good fit based on your anatomy and goals.
Read our blog, “Am I A Candidate For A Lip Lift,” to learn more.
How long is a lip lift procedure?
Plan for about an hour in the office, though this can run longer if you’re combining it with another procedure.
What kind of anesthesia is used for a lip lift?
Local anesthesia is standard for this procedure, though sedation is available for patients who prefer it or who are combining treatments.
Is recovery painful after a lip lift?
Most patients describe the discomfort as mild and manageable with over-the-counter pain relief. Some swelling and light bruising are normal and typically resolve within a couple of weeks.
How soon can I return to work or normal activities after a lip lift?
Most patients feel comfortable returning to work and light daily activities within 5 to 7 days, once the external sutures are removed and initial swelling has noticeably improved. Strenuous exercise, and activities that stress the lips like using a straw or pursing the lips, should be avoided for about 2 weeks. Makeup can typically be worn over the incision starting at the 2-week mark. Full resolution of tightness and any residual swelling continues gradually over the following weeks as final results settle in.
What are the risks of a lip lift?
As with any surgery, there’s a small risk of infection, bleeding, asymmetry, or scarring. Dr. Saxon takes a number of precautions to minimize these, and you’ll be given everything you need for proper incision care afterward.
Will there be a visible scar after a lip lift?
The incision is placed carefully along the base of the nose specifically to keep it discreet. Some scarring is unavoidable with any surgery, but it typically fades significantly with proper care.
Click here to learn more about how to reduce scarring after a lip lift.
Can a lip lift be combined with other procedures?
Absolutely! Lip lifts are frequently paired with rhinoplasty, dermal fillers, or a facelift for a more complete rejuvenation.
How long does a lip lift last?
The results of the procedure are permanent, although some natural aging may occur over time. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and skincare regimen can help prolong the results. Click here to learn more.
When will I see the final results of my lip lift?
What does a lip lift cost?
Pricing varies by patient, but the typical range in Texas runs $3,000–$6,000.
Read here to learn more.
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Why choose Dr. Saxon for a lip lift in Dallas?
Dr. Sarah Saxon is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who sees patients at her Dallas office in addition to her main Austin practice. Her patients come from all over the country to enjoy her artistic surgical experience for natural and beautiful results.
While simple in concept and a minor surgical procedure, the lip lift requires years of practice to perfect. Dr. Saxon has the skill and experience to deliver consistently beautiful lip lift results to patients who come to her from throughout the United States. Dr. Saxon’s extensive experience has led her to develop her own lip lift technique, and has a specialized regimen to reduce the risk of scarring.
Trust your smile to an expert. Reach out to us today!
