Screen legend Audrey Hepburn knew the value of a beautiful smile and said: “I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls.” A smile can be one of the most striking features a person possesses. It communicates warmth, confidence, and approachability. All of these, without saying a single word!
The lips play an important role in framing and enhancing a smile. The distance between the nose and the upper lip, the shape of the Cupid’s bow, and the fullness of the vermilion border all contribute to the harmony of a smile.
It’s in response to this quest for many to have a perfect pout and smile that surgical lip lifts have become so popular. An article on Glob Med says: “Lip enhancement procedures have been very popular in the last few years, with more and more people getting cosmetic treatments for fuller and lifted lip appearance.”
Historically, surgical procedures led the lip enhancement market, but injectable fillers have become increasingly popular over the years. However, for those with a long upper lip or thin upper lip height, fillers can sometimes create an unnatural projection. They may also fail to address the vertical proportion between the nose and mouth.
The ‘lip lift’, a procedure offered by 111 Harley St. in London, offers a more permanent, structural improvement.
Dr Yannis Alexandrides, Founder of the clinic explains, “A lip lift is about harmony. It redefines the balance of the lower face so that the lips sit in proportion with the rest of the features. Our aim is always to create results that look natural, elegant, and personal to each patient.”
The lip lift is typically performed under local anaesthesia. This makes it a relatively quick and low-risk surgical option compared to more invasive facial procedures. The technique involves a carefully-planned incision at the base of the nose, which is then used to remove a small strip of skin. The upper lip is gently lifted and reshaped before the incision is closed with fine sutures, typically hidden within the natural creases of the nose for minimal visible scarring.
The result is an immediate enhancement of the lip’s shape and position, creating a more open and inviting smile.
The lip contour is left fuller and better defined, with patients often finding that after the procedure, they no longer need to rely on as much lipstick or lip liner in the way they did previously.
Also, lip lifts can subtly improve dental show. This is the number of the upper teeth that are visible when the mouth is at rest or smiling. In youthful faces, the upper teeth are often visible even when the lips are relaxed. However, with age, the lips can elongate and cover them. A lip lift can restore this youthful dental exposure, adding to the vibrancy of a smile.
The 111 Harley St. lip lift procedure combines surgical precision with artistic sensibility to ensure results that suit the patient’s facial anatomy and personal preferences.
Each consultation begins with an in-depth analysis of the face’s proportions. This includes a study into how the lips interact with the nose, chin, and cheeks. This holistic perspective ensures that the enhancement blends seamlessly, avoiding the ‘overdone’ look which can sometimes occur when only one feature is altered in isolation.
Dr Alexandrides notes, “We always look at the entire face rather than just the lips. The goal is not simply to shorten the upper lip. It’s to create a proportion that looks natural both when the face is at rest and when smiling. This is what makes the difference between a technically successful procedure and a truly beautiful result.”
Recovery from a lip lift is generally straightforward. Most patients experience mild swelling and bruising for the first week, with sutures typically removed after five to seven days. Many are able to return to work or social activities shortly thereafter, although complete healing and softening of the incision site can take several weeks.
Unlike fillers, the results of a lip lift are permanent. However, natural ageing will continue to influence the lips over time.
The lips are often considered one of the most expressive features of the face, and they play a crucial role in how we are perceived. In a 2020 study published in the Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, researchers found that fuller, well-defined lips are strongly associated with perceptions of youth and attractiveness across cultures. This helps explain why treatments that enhance lip structure and balance, rather than simply volume, are growing in popularity.
While lip lifts are still less common than non-surgical lip fillers, awareness is rapidly increasing thanks to social media, celebrity influence, and word-of-mouth from satisfied patients. Interestingly, BAAPS reports that many patients who opt for surgical lip enhancement are in their 40s and 50s, using the procedure as a subtle anti-ageing measure rather than a purely cosmetic transformation.
The rise in ‘Zoom face’ awareness during and after the pandemic may have also played a role. With more people scrutinising their facial features on video calls, demand for procedures that enhance symmetry and proportion, especially in the lower third of the face, has surged.
Another fascinating point is that lip lifts, when performed by skilled surgeons, have one of the highest patient satisfaction rates among facial cosmetic surgeries, due to the immediacy and longevity of the results.
For many patients, the benefits of a lip lift extend far beyond physical appearance. Feeling more confident in one’s smile can have a profound impact on self-esteem, social interactions, and even professional life. A confident smile can be perceived as more engaging, trustworthy, and approachable. These are qualities which hold value in both personal and business settings.
111 Harley St.’s patients often report that their new lip shape not only enhances their smile but also changes how they carry themselves. “I used to hide my smile in photos,” says one recent patient. “Now I actually look forward to smiling. It’s completely changed how I feel about my appearance.”
