A lip lift shortens the distance between your nose and the border of your pink upper lip, increasing the amount of visible pink lip and refining the natural shape of your upper lip. It can help with a long or thinning upper lip, limited tooth show when smiling, or age-related changes in lip height and definition.
Unlike temporary fillers, a lip lift offers a permanent improvement in lip proportion. It can also support a more balanced appearance and enhance the natural curve of the Cupid’s bow.
Procedure Time
45 – 90 minutes
Anaesthetic
Local anaesthetic
Recovery
Back to light activity in 1 – 2 weeks. Soft diet for 1 week post-surgery. Sutures out at 1 week.
Final Results
2 – 3 months
Shortening the upper lip increases the width of your visible pink lip and brings a gentle lift to your Cupid’s bow. Lateral lifts can improve symmetry and lip show.
Refining the distance between your nose and upper lip supports a harmonious lower-face contour.
A lip lift provides lasting enhancement without the need for repeated treatments.
Greater tooth show and a subtly lifted upper lip can help your smile feel more open and natural.
Many people feel more comfortable in photographs, online, and in daily life when their lip shape matches how they feel.
We support you through surgery and beyond
Your consultation will be calm, detailed and pressure-free. Your surgeon will assess the height of your upper lip, lip shape, dental show and facial balance. You’ll talk through your goals, and the most appropriate technique will be explained clearly.
A personalised clinic letter will summarise the plan, risks and recovery.
To help you prepare safely:
Lip lift surgery is performed under local anaesthetic, with light sedation if needed.
An incision is made under the base of the nose or at the corners of the mouth, depending on the technique. Excess skin is removed, and the lip is gently lifted and secured with fine sutures.
A light dressing or ointment protects the area. You can go home shortly after your procedure.
Mild swelling, redness and tightness are normal during the first few days.
You should keep the incision clean and dry, apply ointment as directed, and avoid stretching your mouth.
Your sutures will dissolve or be removed after 5 – 7 days.
Most swelling improves by 2 weeks, and final results become clearer at 2 – 3 months.
At The Antler Clinic, you’ll be cared for by Consultant Plastic Surgeon Mr David Izadi, whose work combines advanced surgical expertise with the calm, honest approach patients value most.
With over two decades of experience in reconstructive, aesthetic, and hand surgery – including a dedicated cosmetic surgery fellowship, international fellowships in rhinoplasty and hand surgery – every plan begins with listening to what matters most to you.
A quick guide to the things most people want to know before and after their procedure.
Lip lift results are permanent. Ageing continues naturally, but the improved lip height and definition remain long-lasting.
A lip lift can gently increase the amount of tooth you show and create a more open smile. Your consultation will clarify what results you can expect based on your own face..
Most people describe mild discomfort or tightness for a few days after their lip lift. Pain is well-managed with over-the-counter pain medication.
Fillers add temporary volume, while a lip lift permanently shortens and lifts the upper lip to improve height and definition. They address different concerns.
Most swelling settles within 2 weeks of your lip lift. You can return to normal activity after 1 – 2 weeks, with final results visible at 2 – 3 months. Scars can take up to 18 months to fade.
A short scar sits under your nose or at the corners of your mouth and occasionally on the upper border of the pink lip skin. It usually fades well over several months and becomes discreet.
People with a long upper lip, minimal tooth show, thinning with age, lip asymmetry or a desire for lifted definition may benefit from a lip lift. We’ll discuss whether this procedure is a good fit for you during your consultation.
Non-surgical treatments cannot significantly lift or shorten the upper lip. Fillers can add volume, but they don’t replicate the effects of a surgical lip lift.
A lip lift is considered safe when performed by a trained surgeon. All surgery carries risks, which we’ll cover fully in your consultation. Your surgeon will send a comprehensive list of complications to you after your consultation
You should avoid wearing makeup around your incision for at least 2 weeks after your lip lift to support your healing.
Lip reductions are possible but depend on the underlying cause. If you have undesirable fullness from fillers, it is important to have at least two rounds of dissolving injections first. If you have naturally large lips, reconstructive principles can be used to surgically reduce your lip size.
clear and transparent costs
You will receive a clear quotation setting out the cost of your treatment and what is included before you decide whether to proceed.
A new consultation is charged at £200.
Follow-up consultations are charged at £150, unless the appointment forms part of an agreed surgical package or postoperative follow-up pathway.
Consultation fees are payable regardless of whether surgery is subsequently arranged. A consultation provides assessment, advice and discussion of treatment options; it does not guarantee that surgery will be recommended or offered.
Patients are kindly asked to provide at least three working days’ notice if they need to cancel or rearrange an appointment.
Non-attendance, or cancellation with less than three working days’ notice, will incur a fee of £125. This fee reflects the clinical time reserved for the appointment and the difficulty of offering the appointment to another patient at short notice.
For self-pay patients, surgery is usually provided as a fixed-price package. This is intended to give patients clarity and reassurance about the cost of their planned procedure.
Your written quotation will confirm what is included. In most cases, the package price includes:
Hospital fees for the planned procedure
Surgeon’s fee
Anaesthetist’s fee, where applicable
Standard postoperative follow-up appointments relating to the procedure
Routine aftercare directly related to the planned surgery, as specified in your quotation
Package prices are based on the procedure agreed at the time of booking. If the surgical plan changes, if additional procedures are requested, or if further treatment is required outside the agreed package, additional fees may apply.
Self-pay surgical packages usually include a period of cover for the treatment of complications directly related to the procedure. The exact terms, duration and exclusions of this cover are set by the hospital where your surgery is performed.
Depending on the hospital, complication cover may apply for a defined period, which may be 6 or 12 months. Full details will be provided by the relevant hospital before surgery.
Complication cover is not a guarantee that all future treatment, revision surgery or additional procedures will be provided without charge. Cover may not apply to unrelated medical problems, pre-existing conditions, treatment required outside the hospital’s terms, or surgery requested for aesthetic preference rather than a recognised complication.
In an emergency, patients should seek urgent medical attention through the most appropriate service, including NHS emergency care where necessary.
Every effort is made to achieve the best possible outcome, but no surgical procedure can guarantee a specific result, perfect symmetry, invisible scarring or complete satisfaction. Healing, scarring, swelling and final results vary between individuals.
If revision surgery is required because of a complication, eligibility for cover will depend on the hospital’s package terms and the clinical circumstances.
If surgery has been performed to an appropriate clinical standard, but a patient remains dissatisfied with the aesthetic outcome or wishes to pursue further refinement, any revision or additional surgery will usually incur further charges. These may include hospital fees, surgeon’s fees and anaesthetic fees.
Unless specifically included in your written quotation, additional costs may apply for investigations, scans, specialist opinions, extra procedures, further hospital admissions, prescriptions, dressings, garments, travel, accommodation, time off work or treatment unrelated to the planned surgery.
The written quotation and the hospital’s own terms and conditions will take precedence over any general information provided on this website.
Payment terms, deposits, cancellation policies and refund arrangements are determined by the hospital where your procedure is booked. These will be provided to you before surgery.
Surgery can only proceed once all required payments have been received and all relevant consent, preoperative assessment and hospital requirements have been completed.
To help make treatment more affordable, you may choose to spread the cost of your procedure through a personal medical loan with Chrysalis Finance. Subject to eligibility and approval, Chrysalis offers a range of flexible finance options, allowing you to pay for your treatment in manageable monthly instalments rather than a single upfront payment.
The hospitals we work with offer finance options through Chrysalis Finance. Please contact your chosen hospital directly for further information or to discuss any questions.
Get in Touch
A consultation at The Antler Clinic is simply a chance to talk – to ask questions, explore your options, and decide what feels right for you.
You’ll leave with clarity, reassurance, and the same calm support that defines everything we do.
