Is a Lip Lift Painful?

Not generally. Patients do not generally feel the procedure itself due to the use of anesthesia; there is some discomfort to be expected in the weeks following the surgery. This includes swelling, bruising, and tightness, all of which can be easily managed with over-the-counter pain medication, ice packs, and other remedies that are included in your recovery instructions.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

Patients should expect a consultation to kick off the process, a pre-surgical visit, the surgery itself, and a series of follow-up visits to ensure proper healing. These follow-up appointments also ensure there are no complications and allow our team to make any necessary changes to your recovery instructions.

How Long Until I See Results?

The results of a lip lift are immediate; however, you won’t be able to see your final results until about 3-6 months post-treatment. This is due to the swelling and bruising during your recovery period, which are most prominent in the first couple of weeks. After this, they gradually subside, allowing patients to continue their normal routines and social activities.

Can I Combine a Lip Lift with Other Procedures?

You can absolutely combine a lip lift with additional procedures if you want to tackle several concerns in a single surgery. For patients seeking more comprehensive results, we typically recommend rhinoplasty, a brow lift , or eyelid surgery , depending on your goals. During your consultation, we will walk through your options together to create a customized surgical plan per your needs.

What Are the Risks Associated with a Lip Lift?

Possible side effects may include swelling, bruising, temporary numbness, asymmetry, infection, or scarring. Because the incision is placed discreetly beneath the nose, scarring is well concealed and continues to fade over time with proper care. Some patients may also experience temporary tightness or changes in sensation as the area heals. During your consultation with Dr. Lauren Moy, all risks will be discussed thoroughly, along with individualized strategies to minimize complications and support healing.

Beverly Hills, Ca

Lip Lift

Introduction

Introduction to Lip Lift

If you’ve ever felt like your upper lip looks long, flat, or less defined (especially when you smile), you’re not alone. Natural aging and even genetics can cause the upper lip to elongate, softening facial proportions and diminishing lip visibility. A lip lift is a beautifully subtle surgical solution that creates a youthful look around the mouth by gently raising the upper lip and enhancing its natural shape. Unlike fillers, which add volume, a lip lift improves lip position and structure for long-lasting results. Performed by Dr. Moy in the greater Los Angeles area, this procedure can refresh your entire lower face, creating a brighter smile, improved definition, and a naturally fuller appearance that still feels like you.

What is a Lip Lift?

A lip lift is a surgical procedure that shortens the distance between the upper lip and the base of the nose to make a more lifted, defined appearance. Over time, this space can naturally lengthen due to aging, leading to a thinner-looking upper lip and less visible tooth show when smiling. A lip lift gently elevates the upper lip, restoring balance and enhancing facial harmony.

Unlike lip fillers, which add volume, a lip lift improves lip shape and position. By subtly raising the lip, the procedure enhances the cupid’s bow, increases upper tooth show, and creates a naturally fuller appearance without adding artificial volume.

Who Are the Best Candidates For a Lip Lift?

Lip lifts are a great choice for individuals in Beverly Hills, Torrance, or the general Los Angeles area who feel their upper lip appears long, thin, or less defined, particularly when smiling. Patients who have lost lip shape due to aging, or who want more upper-teeth show and a gently lifted appearance, also greatly benefit from this procedure, as do those who are tired of maintaining lip filler but want a long-lasting enhancement. Ideal candidates are in good overall health, are non-smokers (or willing to stop smoking before surgery), and have realistic expectations for refined, natural-looking results.

What Are the Benefits of a Lip Lift?

A lip lift offers both aesthetic refinement and long-term structural improvement. One of the primary benefits is enhanced lip definition, particularly along the cupid’s bow. Patients often notice improved visibility of their upper teeth when smiling, a hallmark of a naturally youthful face.

Additional benefits include a permanently shortened upper lip, subtle enhancement without ongoing filler maintenance, and results that look elegant rather than overdone.

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What’s the First Step?

Get started with a personalized consultation here in the Los Angeles area. Your facial proportions, lip structure, and aesthetic goals will be carefully evaluated by Dr. Moy, along with measurements to determine the ideal amount of lift that maintains facial harmony while enhancing your natural features.

This appointment is also your opportunity to discuss concerns, review before-and-after results, and ask detailed questions about recovery and expectations. If a lip lift is the right choice, pre-operative instructions will be provided to prepare you for surgery.

What to Expect on the Day of Lip Lift Surgery

A lip lift with Dr. Moy is performed as an outpatient procedure in or around Los Angeles under local anesthesia, sometimes with light sedation. The surgery generally takes about one hour, during which a small incision is carefully placed at the base of the nose in a naturally concealed area, allowing a precise amount of skin to be removed.

Once the lip is gently elevated and shaped, the incision is closed. Because of the strategic placement, the scar blends discreetly into the natural crease beneath the nose.

After a brief recovery period, patients return home the same day with detailed aftercare instructions.

Dr. Lauren Moy, MD, FAAD, wearing black scrubs, a surgical mask, and a green hair net, looking down while performing a precise dermatological procedure.

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Lip Lift Recovery

Your Guide to Post-Lip Lift Care

Swelling, tightness, and mild bruising are common during the first one to two weeks following surgery, with most patients feeling comfortable returning to light activities within several days, though social downtime may last 7–10 days, depending on swelling. Sutures are usually removed within a week. As healing progresses, the lip settles into its new position, and final results become more refined over several weeks to a few months. The scar continues to fade and soften over time.

How Much Does a Lip Lift Cost in Beverly Hills & Torrance, CA?

The cost of a lip lift in Beverly Hills, Torrance, and the greater Los Angeles area is based on each individual’s surgical plan. This takes into account the complexity of the procedure, whether additional procedures are being performed concurrently, your surgeon’s expertise, and facility/anesthesia fees. Since no two surgeries are exactly alike, a consultation is the best way to determine the cost based on your goals and needs. During this appointment, we will break down the pricing and explore financing options, if needed.

Why Choose Dr. Moy?

A Los Angeles native, Dr. Lauren Moy is a triple-board-certified cosmetic and facial plastic surgeon serving Beverly Hills, Torrance, and the surrounding areas, and is celebrated for her ability to achieve beautifully natural results with minimally invasive techniques. Having trained alongside her father, Dr. Ronald Moy, she continues a legacy while offering her own thoughtful, innovative approach to aesthetic care. With more than 20 peer-reviewed publications and advanced training in dermatology, Mohs surgery, and cosmetic procedures, Dr. Moy pairs clinical expertise with regenerative medicine and modern recovery protocols to support smoother healing. Her education spans Siena College and Albany Medical College, dermatology research at Harbor-UCLA and USC, and a chief residency role at Loyola University Medical Center. Above all, Dr. Moy is known for her compassionate, highly personalized care, ensuring every treatment plan reflects each patient’s individual needs and vision.

Lip Lift FAQ’S

Not generally. Patients do not generally feel the procedure itself due to the use of anesthesia; there is some discomfort to be expected in the weeks following the surgery. This includes swelling, bruising, and tightness, all of which can be easily managed with over-the-counter pain medication, ice packs, and other remedies that are included in your recovery instructions.
The results of a lip lift are immediate; however, you won’t be able to see your final results until about 3-6 months post-treatment. This is due to the swelling and bruising during your recovery period, which are most prominent in the first couple of weeks. After this, they gradually subside, allowing patients to continue their normal routines and social activities.
You can absolutely combine a lip lift with additional procedures if you want to tackle several concerns in a single surgery. For patients seeking more comprehensive results, we typically recommend rhinoplasty, a brow lift, or eyelid surgery, depending on your goals. During your consultation, we will walk through your options together to create a customized surgical plan per your needs.
Possible side effects may include swelling, bruising, temporary numbness, asymmetry, infection, or scarring. Because the incision is placed discreetly beneath the nose, scarring is well concealed and continues to fade over time with proper care.

Some patients may also experience temporary tightness or changes in sensation as the area heals. During your consultation with Dr. Lauren Moy, all risks will be discussed thoroughly, along with individualized strategies to minimize complications and support healing.

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