What Is The Difference Between A Lip Lift And Lip Fillers?

While both procedures aim to enhance the appearance of the lips, they do so in very different ways. Lip fillers use injectable substances to temporarily increase volume, whereas a lip lift is a surgical procedure that shortens the philtrum (the space between the nose and upper lip), allowing more of your own natural lip to show.

Why Might Someone Choose A Lip Lift Instead Of Fillers?

Lip fillers can add volume but do not effectively correct a long philtrum or refine the lips’ shape. In some cases, fillers may create a puffy or overly artificial look, particularly for patients with naturally long upper lips. A lip lift offers a more structural and permanent solution that lifts and repositions the lip for a naturally elegant result.

Can I Still Get Fillers After A Lip Lift?

Yes. In some cases, a subtle amount of filler may be used after a lip lift to enhance volume or fine-tune proportions, but many patients find the surgical result alone provides the ideal level of enhancement. In certain cases, subtle fat grafting can be performed at the time of the lip lift to enhance the lip volume further.

Will I Have Visible Scars?

Dr. Zamani most commonly performs the subnasal lip lift (also called a bullhorn lip lift). This procedure discreetly conceals the incision at the base of the nose, where it heals beautifully into the natural crease. Thanks to her meticulous technique and careful incision placement, scars typically heal exceptionally well and become nearly imperceptible over time.

Is a Lip Lift Painful?

A lip lift is performed under local anesthesia, so there should be no pain during the procedure. After the procedure, minor swelling, bruising, and discomfort are well-managed with cold compresses and pain medication as needed.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

Dr. Zamani requires patients to return to the practice a week after surgery to monitor recovery and remove any sutures. Further follow-up appointments will be scheduled to support your recovery journey as needed.

How Long Until I See Results?

While positive changes are seen immediately following the procedure, some swelling and bruising are expected initially. Results will continue to improve over time as swelling and tightness subside. It is common for the lips to continue to settle for up to 6 to 12 months after the procedure.

Is A Lip Lift Permanent?

Yes, a lip lift provides long-lasting results. Unlike fillers that require ongoing maintenance, a lip lift achieves permanent changes in the position and appearance of the upper lip.

Can I Combine a Lip Lift With Other Procedures?

Yes, indeed! Many of our patients who have received a lip lift in Beverly Hills have combined it with subtle fat grafting to enhance the volume of the lips further. A lip lift is often performed in tandem with a facelift for comprehensive facial rejuvenation.

What Are the Risks Associated With a Lip Lift?

As with any surgical procedure, a lip lift involves some degree of risk. Potential complications include bleeding, infection, poor wound healing, numbness, asymmetry, or visible scarring. In rare cases, lip movement or sensation changes may occur during the initial healing period. Following Dr. Zamani’s detailed pre- and post-operative instructions is essential. This includes proper incision care, avoiding strenuous activities, and attending all scheduled follow-up visits. A curated recovery protocol—which may include scar care, skin care, and supplements—will be provided to help ensure the most beautiful and natural-looking result possible.

Beverly Hills, CA

Lip Lift

Introduction

Introduction to Lip Lift

A well-defined, balanced upper lip can enhance the facial aesthetic, lending a youthful and elegant appearance by naturally volumizing and reshaping the lips. A lip lift is a subtle yet powerful procedure that shortens the distance between the nose and upper lip (known as the philtrum), gently turning the lip upward to reveal more of the pink lip and permanently giving the impact of filler lips — all without the need for fillers or ongoing maintenance. In the hands of Dr. Zamani, this minimally invasive procedure becomes a remarkably versatile tool — capable of reshaping the lips, enhancing volume, or refining balance with precision to complement your facial features and aesthetic goals.

Internationally recognized female plastic surgeon Dr. Maryam Saheb-Al-Zamani is an expert in facial anatomy and lip aesthetics. At her Beverly Hills practice, she offers private consultations to help patients throughout Los Angeles achieve the beautiful, natural-looking lips they’ve been dreaming of.

Lip Lift Breakdown

Lip Lift Surgery

A lip lift shortens the space between the nose and upper lip, enhancing lip shape and increasing visible fullness.

Recovery

You can resume non-strenuous work one week after surgery but wait three to four weeks before resuming physical exercise.

Anesthesia

Local anesthesia (with or without sedation)

Surgery Length

1 hour

A close-up portrait of a light-skinned woman with long, brown hair. She gazes upward and slightly to her right, with a contemplative expression. One hand gently touches the side of her face. She wears a silver, beaded or sequined top and long, silver drop earrings. The background features a light beige or taupe wall. Soft, diffused lighting highlights her features, creating a gentle glow over her skin. - Lip Lift in Beverly Hills, CA

What is a
a Lip Lift?

A lip lift targets the upper lip by creating a fuller and natural upper lip as well as a more balanced look to the face by shortening the space between the nose and the upper lip, also known as the philtrum. This movement reveals more of the vermillion, the pink portion of the lips that is typically pressed inward, creating the impression of a fuller and more youthful upper lip. Lifting the lip rather than filling it improves lip shape and enhances the cupid’s bow without the need for volume-based fillers. The result is a naturally fuller-looking, more defined lip, and a more harmonious facial balance. A lip lift can be a quick and low recovery procedure to provide youthful rejuvenation to the face.

What are the
benefits of
a Lip Lift?

Our patients who have received a lip lift in Beverly Hills and the greater Los Angeles Area have enjoyed its long-lasting results and boost in self-esteem. Some other benefits include:

A subtle lift and increased visibility of the pink upper lip
A shorter distance between the nose and upper lip
Enhanced definition of the cupid’s bow
Improved teeth show
Improved symmetry and facial harmony
Youthful rejuvenation
Long-lasting fuller lips without repeated filler injections

Who are the
best candidates
for a Lip Lift?

A lip lift in Beverly Hills and the greater Los Angeles area with Dr. Zamani is suitable for individuals who wish to enhance the appearance of their lips. Some other characteristics of ideal candidates include:

Has a long philtrum (the space between the upper lip and nose)
Desires greater lip definition without adding volume
Feels their upper lip appears too thin or lacks youthful shape
Wants a permanent alternative to lip fillers
Non-smoker and in good health
Has realistic expectations

During your consultation, Dr. Zamani will assess your facial anatomy, skin quality, and aesthetic goals to determine if a lip lift is right for you.

What’s the
first step?

The first step in getting a lip lift in Beverly Hills is to schedule a consultation with double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Zamani. During this appointment, Dr. Zamani will talk to you about your medical history and aesthetic needs, as well as any concerns you might have about the procedure and its associated risks, benefits, or recovery time. She will examine your face in detail, outline the incision points, and give you an idea of the procedure. This is a great time to ask any questions you might have as well as to share any ideas you might have for combined procedures.

If you and Dr. Zamani decide that a lip lift is the best procedure for you, she will design your surgical plan. You can then take it to our patient concierge for scheduling and pricing and to receive any pre-operative instructions for an optimum surgery.

What to expect
on the Day of Lip Lift Surgery

On the day of your lip lift in Beverly Hills, Dr. Zamani and her staff will welcome you, get you settled in the procedure room, and review your surgical plan to ensure your full comfort. Lip lift surgery is typically performed in-office under local anesthesia and takes about 45 minutes to one hour. Dr. Zamani will mark the area precisely before removing a small strip of skin beneath the base of the nose. She will then elevate the upper lip and close the incision with fine sutures.

Lip Lift
recovery

After your lip lift in Beverly Hills, our staff will monitor you in the recovery room until you feel ready to leave. Patients are recommended to have a family member or a friend drive them home.

Recovery from a lip lift is relatively quick. Most patients experience mild swelling, bruising, and tightness around the upper lip, which gradually resolves within one to two weeks. It is normal for the upper lip to appear somewhat swollen and stiff initially, which may make speaking or smiling feel awkward in the first few days. However, this temporary effect typically subsides as the healing progresses. Stitches are usually removed within 5–7 days. Dr. Zamani will provide you with a personalized recovery plan, which may include post-operative skincare and scar management to ensure optimal healing. Most patients feel comfortable returning to social activities within a week.

Patients are recommended to take one week off work and avoid any strenuous activity for three to four weeks.

How much
does Lip Lift
cost in Beverly HillsCA?

The cost of a lip lift in Beverly Hills varies depending on the complexity of your anatomy and whether it is being combined with other procedures. Following your consultation with Dr. Zamani, you will receive a personalized quote. Her patient concierge will assist you with scheduling and review all available pricing and payment options.

Why Choose
Dr. Zamani?

Dr. Maryam Saheb-Al-Zamani (known to her patients as Dr. Zamani or affectionately as “Dr. Z”) is a double board-certified aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgeon with advanced fellowship training in aesthetic facial, breast, and body procedures. She has had an accelerated career growth, bringing the latest surgical and non-surgical treatment options to serve her patients and teach future aspiring surgeons. She serves on the editorial board of leading journals in the field of aesthetics (The Aesthetic Surgery Journal and The Aesthetic Surgery Journal Open Forum) and has multiple journal and book chapter publications.

As a top-rated female plastic surgeon in Los Angeles, Dr. Zamani has an aesthetic-focused practice. She offers her patients a unique female perspective and approach that other doctors can’t match.

She is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS) and the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada in Plastic Surgery (RCPSCPS).

Lip Lift FAQ’S

Lip fillers can add volume but do not effectively correct a long philtrum or refine the lips’ shape. In some cases, fillers may create a puffy or overly artificial look, particularly for patients with naturally long upper lips. A lip lift offers a more structural and permanent solution that lifts and repositions the lip for a naturally elegant result.
Dr. Zamani most commonly performs the subnasal lip lift (also called a bullhorn lip lift). This procedure discreetly conceals the incision at the base of the nose, where it heals beautifully into the natural crease. Thanks to her meticulous technique and careful incision placement, scars typically heal exceptionally well and become nearly imperceptible over time.
As with any surgical procedure, a lip lift involves some degree of risk. Potential complications include bleeding, infection, poor wound healing, numbness, asymmetry, or visible scarring. In rare cases, lip movement or sensation changes may occur during the initial healing period.

Following Dr. Zamani’s detailed pre- and post-operative instructions is essential. This includes proper incision care, avoiding strenuous activities, and attending all scheduled follow-up visits. A curated recovery protocol—which may include scar care, skin care, and supplements—will be provided to help ensure the most beautiful and natural-looking result possible.

Rediscover

Timeless Beauty

A lip lift is a minimally invasive and quick option for people with thin lips who want fuller ones. If you’re ready to enhance your natural beauty with a subtle yet transformative procedure, a lip lift with Dr. Zamani may be the perfect solution. Schedule your consultation today to learn how this elegant procedure can restore youthful balance and definition to your smile.

Schedule a consultation

@dr.maryamzamani