Surgical Lip Enhancement
Full and vivacious lips have always been recognized as aesthetically important features. Although some of us are born with thin, ill-defined lips, the appearance of our lips is now within our control.
For a lip augmentation procedure1, a piece of tissue is borrowed from somewhere in your body and grafted onto one or both lips. Commonly, a biocompatible synthetic material is used for a more permanent result.
People who are endowed with excessively generous lips can also benefit from lip reduction procedures. The incision is placed inside the mouth and is invisible. To learn more about Dr. Rizk’s lip enhancement procedures in NYC, contact his office and book a consultation today.
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Lip Enhancement Overview
There are several types of lip lifts available in NYC, including gull-wing lip lift, bullhorn lip lift, corner lip lift, and Italian lip lift:
- With a gull-wing lip lift, the incisions are made along the vermilion (border) of the upper lip (more or less in the shape of an M, or “gull-wing”). This type of lip lift is made to extend the border of the lip, and sometimes leaves a visible scar.
- A bullhorn (subnasal) lip lift involves an incision at the base of the nose. Like the gull-wing lip lift, it is named for the shape of the incision. It is performed in order to shorten the distance between the nose and the upper lift.
- The corner lip lift procedure is performed to address drooping at the corners of the mouth. The incision is placed at the oral commissures — the corners of the upper lift.
- An Italian lip lift is a slight variation of the bullhorn lip lift; instead of one long incision, two shorter incisions are made at the base of each nostril.
The type of lip lift you and Dr. Rizk select will depend on what you are trying to accomplish with the procedure. The main thing that distinguishes the different techniques is the type and placement of the incision(s).
Real Patient Results
Before
After
35 year old female who underwent bullhorn sub nasal lip lift to emphasize cupid’s bow. note that it looks natural and does not protrude out as with a filler. the distance between nose and upper lip border an is important aspect of facial attractiveness.
*Results may vary.
Before
After
35 yo female who opted to undergo a lip lift to decrease distance between nose and upper lip which is flat with a non-distinct cupid’s bow. A short distance between nose and upper lip and a lifted cupid’s bow is one of the key elements of facial beauty. Very often this cannot be achieved with fillers alone as fillers tend to push upper lip forward instead of up.
*Results may vary.
Before
After
Patient is shown 6 months after a bullhorn lip lift, don from a small incision under the nose.
*Results may vary.
Before
After
This is a lip lift on a 55 yo female who has a long distance between her mouth and her upper lip. Fillers alone would not help this patient as it would push lips too much forward rather than upwards. The postoperative picture is only 6 days postoperatively so patient is still red and stitches are still dissolving.
*Results may vary.
Benefits of a Lip Enhancement
Some of the benefits of lip enhancement procedures include:
- Improves the overall appearance of the lips
- Results in a fuller, more youthful appearance
- Changes the shape of the lips to create a more appealing look
Lip enhancement procedures2 in New York can help patients achieve their cosmetic goals quickly and safely. Learn more by booking a consultation today.
Risks Associated with Surgical Lip Enhancements?
Surgical lip enhancements are generally regarded as safe, low-risk procedures. With this in mind, while complications from a lip enhancement surgery are rare, they may include the following:
- Stiffness
- Temporary discomfort
- Scarring
- Numbness
- Speech problems
Dr. Rizk assesses each patient and discusses the possible side-effects prior to each procedure so that his patients can make an informed decision and achieve the best possible results.
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Why Choose Dr. Rizk for Your Lip Enhancement in NYC?
As one of the leading facial plastic surgeons and cosmetic experts in New York City, Dr. Rizk has extensive experience conducting lip enhancements in NYC. He has a keen eye for detail and discusses each patient’s goal before the procedure in order to help you achieve your objectives.
To learn more about Dr. Rizk’s lip enhancement procedures in NYC, contact his office and book a consultation today.
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Dr. Rizk was voted by his peers as a Top Doctor in 2025 – For the 21th consecutive year!
Connolly Best Doctor
Dr. Rizk featured in Town & Country Magazine as one of the masters of the subtle lift and tweak that will turn back time
Voted by peers to New York Magazine's 2013 Top Doctors
New Advances in Facelifting Techniques by Dr. Sam Rizk
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Lip Enhancement FAQs
Who is a good candidate for a lip lift?
As with any cosmetic procedure, candidates for lip lifts should be in good health and have realistic expectations. An ideal candidate for this procedure typically is looking for longer-lasting results than injectable fillers can provide. The procedure is often performed on patients experiencing the effects of age or a poorly performed previous procedure. Patients also choose lip enhancement surgery to address:
- Thin, flat lips
- Increased distance between the nose and lips (which can hide the lips)
- Unbalanced lips
- An upper lip that appears too long
What is the cost of a lip lift?
The cost of a lip lift varies, depending on your location, the experience of the surgeon you choose, and the complexity of the procedure. To get an accurate quote, contact a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon in your area.
Are lip enhancements permanent?
Lip enhancement surgery produces permanent results. With this in mind, it’s important to note that the body changes as we age, so you may see natural age-related changes after the procedure. If you are interested in learning about the different lip rejuvenation methods available, contact a double board-certified plastic surgeon in your area.
How long does lip surgery take to heal?
The recovery time of any lip enhancement procedure will vary depending on the patient and the technique used. Your facial plastic surgeon should create a tailored recovery plan to help accelerate your recovery as much as possible after the procedure.
Is lip surgery safe?
Lip enhancements are widely regarded as a safe procedure, but there are risks as with any other treatment. Dr. Rizk has performed lip enhancement procedures for years and has perfected his techniques in order to minimize the chances of side-effects3 for his patients. He will go over the potential risks associated with the procedure beforehand so that you can make an informed decision.
References
1 Sabrina Brody-Camp; Blake S. Raggio. Lip Implants. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK546691/. Accessed January 27, 2021.
2 American Society of Plastic Surgeons.Roy Kim, MD | San Francisco, CA. The best lip enhancement treatment for you. Available: https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/blog/the-best-lip-enhancement-treatment-for-you. Accessed January 27, 2021.
3 WebMD. Lip Augmentation. Available: https://www.webmd.com/beauty/cosmetic-procedures-lip-augmentation#2-5. Accessed January 27, 2021.
By Dr. Sam S. Rizk, M.D., FACS.
Dr. Rizk is a double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon who specializes in rhinoplasty surgery and is a recognized expert on the latest advances in facial plastic surgery techniques. He performs a range of facial plastic surgeries at his New York practice.
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Consultations are by appointment. Call the practice and the team will talk you through the options and what to expect.
1040 Park Avenue at 86th Street, New York, NY 10028 · Hours are not published on the practice's website — please call.