The Face & Skin Center

CHEILOPLASTY: Surgery to improve the shape of the lips

Full lips have become a symbol of sensuality and youth. As part of the aging process, the lips become more thin and reduced in height. Some people are born with thin or flattened lips. Many physicians have used the injection of materials such as fat or collagen to produce a fuller, larger lip. All of these substances provide only temporary augmentation of three to six months at the most. A more recently developed procedure known as the lip advancement can provide a permanent solution. All persons may not be a candidate for this procedure. Little increase in actual fullness is gained, but the height of the lip can be considerably increased. This may be particularly important for the older patient. Men are not particularly good candidates since their beard hair may then grow too close to the lips. All patients must be willing to accept temporary deformity and lumpiness of the lip border.

How is the procedure performed?

When performed alone, this procedure can be carried out under light sedation and just a local anesthesia. Incisions are marked out so as to remove a strip of skin along the upper or lower lip border, and then the red portion of the lip is advanced to meet the new skin edge. The lip is always over-corrected in the beginning to account for some recoil. Self-dissolving sutures are used which disappear in five to seven days. The lip must be cleaned with hydrogen peroxide several times a day and an antibiotic ointment applied.

How long is the recovery period?

Healing is usually complete in one week and lipstick can then be applied. Pain is minimal. As previously mentioned, irregularity and lumpiness of the lip margin may persist for several weeks.

What are the possible complications?

True complications of this procedure are rare. Scarring along the lip margin may occur due to healing factors beyond the surgeon's control. Asymmetry of the lip margin requiring revision surgery is an uncommon problem, but can usually be readily corrected.