Why Does the Upper Lip Age?
Over the years, the distance between the base of the nose and the pink border of the lip (vermilion) tends to lengthen. Aesthetic literature places the ideal youthful measurement between 12 and 15 mm; above that range, the face takes on a tired appearance and vertical wrinkles (misnamed “smoker’s lines”) become more pronounced.
Teresita’s Case: From 22 mm to 14 mm
Our patient had a nasolabial distance of 20–22 mm, volume loss, and fine wrinkles. We opted for an Upper Lip Lift (or lip advancement) under local anesthesia: a small incision hidden at the lip border allowed us to remove excess skin, shorten the distance to ~14 mm, and add natural projection. The procedure lasted 15–20 minutes, and the improvement was immediate.
Key Benefits of the Upper Lip Lift
- Permanent results — unlike temporary fillers.
- Smooths perioral wrinkles by tightening the removed skin.
- Increases “dental show” (amount of teeth visible when smiling), adding youthfulness.
- Versatility: it can be performed alone or together with blepharoplasty, genioplasty, or facelift for comprehensive rejuvenation.
Innovations and Current Trends
Dr. Ben Talei popularized the “Cupid Lift,” guided by a mathematical formula — the Cupid Equation — to optimize symmetry and volume in 30–60 minutes.
Systematic reviews describe ideal ratios (philtrum-vermilion 2–2.9) and confirm greater durability compared to filler-only treatments.
Is This Procedure for You?
- Nasolabial distance > 15 mm.
- You want definitive results without frequent touch-ups.
- You wish to improve vertical wrinkles and lip visibility.
- If your distance is already short (< 10 mm) or you have a tendency for keloid scarring, a personalized assessment is required.
Conclusion
An Upper Lip Lift is a quick, safe, and high-impact “secret” for rejuvenation: it restores youthful proportions, enhances the lip, and smooths wrinkles in a single session. As we saw with Teresita, 15 minutes were enough to achieve a remarkable and permanent change.
Do you have questions or want an evaluation? Contact us and discover if this procedure is the key to your next smile.
References
- Clevens, R. “Which Lip Lift Procedure Fits You? Lip Lift Techniques Explained”
- Allure. “Meet the Lip Lift, the Permanent Alternative to Lip Filler”
- People. "This Plastic Surgeon Uses a 'Cupid Equation' to Design Perfect Lips"
- “Different Techniques and Quantitative Measurements in Upper Lip Lift”