Thinking about Lip Advancement?
This page contains all the information you need to make an informed decision to start your journey.
Take the first step toward enhancing your facial harmony with our specialized lip advancement procedure. This subtle yet transformative treatment can help balance your facial profile and create more defined lips for a naturally beautiful appearance. Our board-certified team will guide you through personalized options tailored to your unique features and aesthetic goals. Schedule your confidential consultation below to learn if lip advancement is right for you.
What Is Lip Advancement?
Lip advancement is a specialized cosmetic surgical procedure designed to enhance the appearance and volume of the lips by increasing the visible red portion, also known as the vermilion. This procedure is commonly used to correct thin lips by improving their vertical height and overall fullness, giving the lips a more youthful and aesthetically pleasing look. Lip advancement can be performed on the upper lip, lower lip, or both, depending on the patient’s goals and facial proportions. It is a popular choice for individuals looking to improve lip definition and contour without relying on injectable fillers. This technique provides a permanent solution for lip augmentation, making it an appealing option for those seeking long-lasting results.
How is Lip Advancement Performed?
The lip advancement procedure involves the precise removal of a small strip of skin to reposition and advance the natural red part of the lips. There are two main surgical approaches:
1Subnasal Incision (Upper Lip Only)
Often referred to as a “bullhorn lip lift,” this technique involves making an incision hidden beneath the base of the nose. The surgeon then lifts the upper lip, which increases its height and enhances the appearance of the vermilion.
2Direct Vermilion Advancement
This technique is used for both the upper and lower lips. It involves making an incision along the border of the vermilion (where the red part of the lip meets the skin) and advancing the lip tissue forward to create a fuller appearance. This method allows for precise control over lip shape and symmetry.
At What Age Can You Get a Lip Advancement?
Lip advancement surgery is not restricted by age, making it a versatile option for both younger and older patients. Candidates for this procedure may range from individuals in their 20s seeking a more defined lip contour to older adults who have experienced age-related thinning of the lips. Because lip thinning can be congenital or develop over time, the ideal age for this procedure depends more on aesthetic needs and individual anatomy rather than a specific number. Anyone in generally good health who is unhappy with the shape or fullness of their lips may be considered for lip advancement, regardless of age.
What Can Lip Advancement Accomplish?
Lip advancement can significantly enhance the aesthetic appeal of the lips and lower face. By surgically increasing the visible red portion of the lips, the procedure creates a more balanced and proportionate lip appearance. The benefits of lip advancement include:
- Fuller, more defined lips without the need for ongoing filler treatments
- Improved facial harmony by balancing the upper and lower lip proportions
- Correction of asymmetry or congenital lip deficiencies
- Permanent enhancement that does not diminish over time
Whether the goal is to achieve a subtle improvement or a more dramatic transformation, lip advancement offers a customizable solution tailored to each patient’s facial structure and aesthetic goals.
Who is a Candidate for Lip Advancement?
Ideal candidates for lip advancement surgery are individuals who are dissatisfied with the size, shape, or prominence of their lips. Common concerns among candidates include:
- Naturally thin or flat lips that lack volume
- Aging-related lip thinning and loss of definition
- Desire for a permanent alternative to lip fillers
- Facial imbalance or asymmetry caused by underdeveloped lips
Candidates should be in good overall health, have realistic expectations, and not have any active infections or serious medical conditions that could impair healing. A consultation with a board-certified facial plastic or cosmetic surgeon is the best way to determine if lip advancement is the right choice.
Why Choose Dr Garcia?
Dr. Garcia’s focused expertise in rhinoplasty (nasal surgery) and surgery of the aging face benefit his patients. As an educator, he has published numerous papers and has presented several research topics at international events. As a doctor, he is a frontrunner in the advancement of facial plastic surgery in Jacksonville.
Dr. Garcia’s certifications with the American Board of Facial Plastic Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology, as well as his advances in the field of facial plastic surgery have contributed to him being North Florida’s premier facial plastic surgeon since 2001. Read a selection of patient reviews for Dr. Phillip Garcia below.
