The lips play a defining role in the overall balance and beauty of the face, but deciding how to enhance them isn’t always straightforward. Many patients seek fuller, more youthful lips but aren’t sure whether a surgical lip lift or non-surgical dermal fillers will deliver the best results. Under the expert care of double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Jill Hessler, Hessler Plastic Surgery offers both approaches, tailored precisely to your facial structure and goals.
Let’s explore how to determine which treatment is the right fit for you.
Understanding the Lip Lift
A lip lift is a surgical procedure designed to raise the upper lip by shortening the space between the nose and the mouth. This outpatient procedure is performed in-office under local anesthesia and takes about an hour.
Benefits of a lip lift include:
- Reveals more of the pink part of the upper lip
- Allows the upper teeth to become more visible when smiling
- Enhances overall facial balance and youthfulness
- Creates a subtle, natural lift without added volume
- Offers permanent results with no need for maintenance
Lip lifts are not just for older patients. While traditionally used to combat aging-related elongation of the upper lip, they are now equally popular among younger individuals looking for long-lasting lip enhancement.
Understanding Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are non-surgical treatments that use hyaluronic acid to plump the lips, smooth lines, and enhance lip shape. Results are temporary, usually lasting six to twelve months, and offer subtle to significant volume increases, depending on the product and technique used.
Common lip fillers Dr. Hessler uses include:
- Restylane Silk: Softens vertical lip lines and subtly plumps lips.
- Restylane Kysse: Adds volume with a natural feel that adapts to facial movement.
- Juvéderm Volbella: Contours and smooths lips with long-lasting results.
Which Is Right for You? Key Considerations
- Longevity: A lip lift is permanent. Dermal fillers, while long-lasting, will require repeat treatments to maintain results.
- Desired Outcome: If you're looking to shorten the distance between your nose and upper lip, show more teeth when you smile, or improve lip asymmetry, a lip lift may be ideal. If you're aiming for fuller lips without surgery, fillers are likely the better option.
- Facial Structure: A thorough facial assessment with Dr. Hessler will help determine whether your natural anatomy favors a lift or added volume. For example, some patients benefit from a combination of both.
- Downtime: Fillers involve little to no downtime. A lip lift, while minimally invasive, involves sutures and a short healing period.
Expert Lip Enhancement Tailored to You
Dr. Hessler takes a highly personalized approach to every lip enhancement treatment, whether surgical or non-surgical. She guides each patient toward the ideal solution to create beautifully balanced, natural-looking results that fit your lifestyle and goals.
If you're considering a lip lift or fillers in Palo Alto, San Jose, or anywhere in the Bay Area, trust your care to Dr. Hessler, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon and nationally recognized Allergan and Galderma trainer. From your first consultation to your final follow-up, our team is committed to providing a seamless, empowering experience. Contact us today to get started.
