Subnasal (bullhorn) lip lift
The most common approach. A strip of skin shaped like a bullhorn is removed in the crease just beneath the nose, shortening the philtrum and lifting the central upper lip. The scar sits at the base of the nose.
Model Face · Lip enhancement
Lip Lift
A lip lift shortens the space between your nose and upper lip, rolls the lip outward and lets a little more of your teeth show when you smile. It’s structural, which is exactly what filler can’t be.
- SurgicalPerformed by Dr. Khan
- About an hourConsultation fees are currently waived
- Sugar Land, TXServing Greater Houston
About the procedure
A lip lift removes a thin strip of skin, most often just beneath the nose, to shorten the philtrum, the distance between the base of the nose and the edge of the upper lip. As that distance shortens, the upper lip turns slightly outward, looks fuller and shows more of the upper teeth at rest and when you smile. Because it changes the lip’s structure rather than adding volume, the improvement doesn’t dissolve the way filler does.
It is a small procedure with a specific purpose. The patients who do well with it have a genuinely long upper lip or a thin lip that hides their teeth; the ones who don’t are often better served by filler. Dr. Khan is candid about which group you fall into.
What it addresses
- A long upper lip, by birth or from aging
- A thin upper lip with little visible pink lip
- Teeth hidden when you smile or speak
- Loss of lip definition and a flattened Cupid’s bow
- Downturned mouth corners
- Reliance on repeated filler appointments for fullness
What it doesn't do
- A lip lift does not add volume to the lower lip or to the body of the upper lip the way filler does. The two are sometimes used together.
- It leaves a fine scar at the base of the nose. It is placed to hide in the crease, but it is permanent.
- It is not suitable for everyone. A short philtrum, very little skin to remove or a history of poor scarring can rule it out.
The Empowered approach
How Dr. Khan approaches a lip lift
She measures the philtrum and looks at the lip in relation to the nose, teeth and chin before deciding how much skin to remove. Taking too little leaves the result underwhelming; taking too much can pull the nostrils or create a lip that looks tense, and that is hard to reverse. Her planning sits deliberately on the conservative side of that line.
The incision is placed in the natural crease at the base of the nose and closed in layers with very fine sutures so it settles as a thin line. Normal lip movement and sensation are preserved, and when filler, a rhinoplasty or another facial procedure would improve the overall balance, she’ll tell you.
Who it may suit
You may be a candidate if…
- You have a long upper lip, a thin upper lip or little tooth show that bothers you.
- You would rather have a lasting structural change than ongoing filler treatments.
- You are in good general health, do not smoke or are willing to stop, and heal well from small incisions.
- You are comfortable with a fine scar at the base of the nose that fades but doesn’t disappear.
- Dr. Khan confirms candidacy in person after measuring philtrum length and examining lip and facial proportions.
Candidacy is confirmed at your consultation, after an examination and a review of your medical history.
Model What to expect
- 01
Consultation
About an hour with Dr. Khan to measure lip proportions, discuss technique options, compare a lip lift with filler and review before-and-after photos.
- 02
Your plan
A written plan covering the technique, how much skin will be removed, anesthesia planning and pre-operative instructions. Pricing is reviewed with your plan.
- 03
Procedure day
The planned strip of skin is removed, the lip is lifted and the incision is closed in layers with fine sutures. The procedure itself is relatively brief.
- 04
Recovery and follow-up
Sutures are removed at an early follow-up visit. Dr. Khan checks the scar at scheduled visits, and established surgical patients have a direct way to reach her after hours.
Recovery
Healing takes time, and it varies.
Swelling and some bruising of the upper lip peak in the first week. A soft diet and limiting big mouth movements help protect the incision. Sutures come out at an early visit, after which most swelling settles over the second week and many patients return to work within one to two weeks.
The lip area heals well because of its rich blood supply. Exercise resumes gradually over the following weeks as Dr. Khan clears it. The scar looks pink at first and fades substantially over several months with sun protection and the scar care she recommends.
Risks and limitations
What you should know before deciding.
Every surgery carries risk. These are the ones most relevant to this procedure; Dr. Khan reviews your personal risk profile and the alternatives with you before anything is scheduled.
- A visible, widened or raised scar at the base of the nose
- Asymmetry of the lip or a Cupid’s bow that doesn’t sit evenly
- Over-correction, with a lip that looks tense or too much tooth show
- Temporary numbness or tightness of the upper lip
- Infection, hematoma (a collection of blood) or delayed healing
- Subtle change in nostril shape if too much skin is removed
Before & after
Before & after results.
Before-and-after photographs for lip lift are not currently featured on this page. Explore the patient gallery to view available results, or ask to see cases like yours at your consultation.
Every photograph in the gallery is one of Dr. Khan's own patients, shared with consent. Individual results vary.
FAQ
Lip Lift questions
Every answer here is general information. Your own plan, risks and recovery are discussed in person at your consultation.
Is a lip lift better than lip filler?
They do different things. Filler adds volume to the lip and is temporary, with no downtime. A lip lift shortens a long upper lip, rolls it outward and increases tooth show through a structural change that lasts. If your concern is a long philtrum or hidden teeth, filler won’t solve it; if you simply want more volume, a lip lift may be more than you need. Many patients use both, and Dr. Khan will tell you which fits your anatomy.
How visible is the lip lift scar?
The subnasal incision sits in the crease at the base of the nose, where the shadow of the nose helps hide it. It is closed in layers with very fine sutures and looks pink at first, then fades over several months into a thin line that most people don’t notice in conversation. How it matures depends on your skin and healing. Corner and direct lip lifts place scars closer to the lip edge, which is part of why they are used more selectively.
How long does a lip lift last?
Because a lip lift removes skin and repositions the lip rather than adding volume, the shortened philtrum and increased tooth show are long-lasting. Your lips will still age naturally, and the upper lip can lengthen slightly again over many years, but the improvement doesn’t dissolve the way filler does and doesn’t require maintenance treatments.
What is recovery like after a lip lift?
Expect swelling and some bruising for the first week, with a soft diet and gentle mouth movement while the incision heals. Sutures are removed at an early visit. Most swelling settles in the second week, many patients are back at work within one to two weeks, and exercise returns gradually once Dr. Khan clears it. Discomfort is usually mild.
Who may be a candidate for a lip lift?
You may be a candidate if you have a long upper lip, a thin upper lip with little tooth show, are in good health and want a lasting change rather than temporary volume. A very short philtrum, a history of thick or raised scars, or a preference for a quick, reversible treatment can point toward filler instead. Age matters less than anatomy. Dr. Khan confirms candidacy in person after measuring your lip proportions.
Can a lip lift be combined with other procedures?
Yes. It pairs naturally with rhinoplasty, since the nose and upper lip shape each other’s proportions, and with facial fat grafting or fillers when volume is also wanted. Patients having a facelift sometimes add a lip lift to refresh the mouth at the same time. Dr. Khan advises on combinations based on your goals and what can be done safely in one plan.
Request a consultation
Talk through lip lift with Dr. Khan.
Consultation fees are currently waived. Plan on about an hour with Dr. Khan, in person in Sugar Land or virtually, to talk through goals, candidacy and the approach that fits you.
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Call (281) 716-3224 · Mon–Fri 9 AM–5 PM · Sugar Land, Texas · Virtual consultations available