Upper Lip Lift VS Filler: When An Upper Lip Lift May Suit Your Goals

Many turn to lip fillers to achieve the coveted full lip effect, unaware of the upkeep it takes to sustain the look. Say you’ve missed multiple appointments or a global pandemic requires you to stay home for months at a time, it can interfere with your maintenance. Luckily, fillers aren’t the only solution to get the lip pout that you’ve always wanted. If you are looking for a more permanent solution that requires less upkeep, upper lip lift surgery is a great option for many patients. Let’s discuss upper lip lift vs filler! 

So, what is an upper lip lift?

An upper lip lift is also known as philtrum surgery which is used to decrease the space between the bottom of a patient’s nose and their upper lip (philtrum) while increasing the size and fullness of their upper lip. Essentially, this hour-long procedure entails the removal of a wedge of skin between the nostrils and upper lip to enhance the position, size, and appearance of the lip. 

What are the perks of an upper lip lift?

While other non-invasive treatments can provide a beautiful result, upper lip lift surgery may better suit a patient’s goals and lifestyle. If any of the following align with you, then you may be a good candidate for upper lip lift surgery: 

1. You want a more “feminine” look.

Sometimes the distance between the nose and the top lip is longer than you may feel comfortable with. This elongated area can actually result in a more “masculine” look, however this can easily be corrected by shortening the philtrum area to provide a more “feminine” look.

2. You don’t want to keep getting lip filler. 

Many people choose upper lip lift surgery vs filler because they are tired of the upkeep required to maintain their lip enhancement and want a more permanent option. Depending on your metabolism and the injectable used, lip filler results can last anywhere from 6 months - 1 year. To maintain the enhanced look, lip filler patients typically need to visit their provider once a year whereas an upper lip lift patient only needs to have surgery once to keep their desired look. 

3. You desire a more consistent look.

If you are seeing a top-notch lip specialist, you shouldn’t be able to notice a difference. However, each time you receive lip filler, there is room for a slight variance. During the upper lip lift surgery process, your plastic surgeon is able to plan out the correction based on your needs, so that you end up with a permanent look that is consistent with your desires. 

4. You want to be cost effective. 

Upper lip lift surgery typically ranges from $2,000 - $3,000. Lip filler can range anywhere from $400 - $2,000 depending on the product used and the number of syringes required to achieve your desired look. As mentioned previously, lip filler requires maintenance so each time you visit your provider, you will need to pay for maintenance filler in order to upkeep your results whereas surgery is one and done. Surgery is more expensive upfront, but you will save a significant amount of money throughout the years. 

There are a variety of perks and benefits for both upper lip lift surgery vs filler to consider. While some patients do not wish to undergo surgery and feel nervous about more permanent results in case they want to make any adjustments down the line, others may prefer a permanent look that does not require any upkeep. It’s completely up to you, your lifestyle, and goals. If you’re considering which is the better option for you, feel free to book a consultation with our team! Call us at (407) 377-5438 or fill out our online form here to request a virtual or in-person consultation. We look forward to chatting with you!