At a glance
- What is a lip lift? A procedure that removes a thin strip of skin under the nose to shorten the philtrum. The upper lip rises and its red part becomes more visible.
- How is it different from fillers? Fillers add volume, temporarily. A lip lift changes the height of the lip, permanently.
- Who is it for? A long or thin upper lip that hides the teeth at rest, due to age or naturally. It does not suit an already short lip.
- What is the recovery like? One hour under local anaesthesia, as a day case. Stitches out after five to seven days, social life after one to two weeks, scar hidden under the nose.
- How much does it cost in Turkey? On quote, in a package including a 5-star hotel and transfers, well below the roughly £3,000 to £5,500 charged by UK private clinics.
An upper lip that lengthens with age, upper teeth no longer visible at rest, fillers that add volume without rejuvenating: a lip lift raises the lip by a few millimetres for a fuller, younger mouth, with a lasting result and no injected product.
What is a lip lift?
A lip lift, or upper lip lift, shortens the space between the base of the nose and the lip, called the philtrum. The surgeon removes a thin strip of skin just under the nose, which raises the upper lip. The red part of the lip becomes more visible and the mouth looks fuller.
With age, the upper lip lengthens and thins, and the upper teeth show less at rest, which gives a tired look. A lip lift corrects this ageing and also suits younger patients with a naturally long philtrum.
Lip lift, fillers or fat grafting: what are the differences?
| Technique | What it corrects | Duration of result |
|---|---|---|
| Subnasal lip lift | Long philtrum, drooping upper lip, teeth not visible at rest | Long-lasting |
| Corner lip lift | Downturned corners of the mouth, sad look | Long-lasting |
| Lip fat grafting | Lack of volume, using your own fat | Long-lasting for the fat that takes |
| Hyaluronic acid | Lack of volume, lip contour | Temporary, a few months |
| Lip reduction | Lips felt to be too thick | Permanent |
Fillers add volume but do not shorten a long lip; too much filler on a long lip can even make the mouth look heavy. A lip lift works on height, which often makes fillers unnecessary.
Who is it for?
- a long upper lip that hides the upper teeth at rest;
- a thin upper lip with little visible red;
- an ageing mouth with a lengthening, flattening lip;
- disappointment after repeated fillers that gave a swollen look.
It does not suit an already short lip, which would show too much teeth or gum. The surgeon measures lip height and tooth show before proposing it.
How does the procedure go?
- Anaesthesia: local, sometimes with light sedation.
- Duration: about one hour.
- Incision: along the base of the nose, in the natural crease, drawn to measure beforehand.
- Hospital stay: day case, back to the hotel the same day.
A few millimetres are enough. A good lip lift raises the lip just enough to reveal its red part and a little of the teeth, without freezing the smile.
Recovery and scar
- First days: the lip is swollen and looks too high; this settles within one to two weeks.
- Stitches: removed after about five to seven days.
- Social life: after one to two weeks, with a little make-up if needed.
- Scar: pink for a few months, then fading into the crease under the nose; protect it from the sun.
In Turkey, plan about five to seven days on site, until the stitches are removed.
What are the risks?
Visible or widened scar, asymmetry, a lip raised too high, change in nostril shape, temporary reduced sensation. The surgeon's experience and a precise incision design limit these risks.
How much does a lip lift cost in Turkey?
The price is set on quote, depending on the technique and any combined procedures, such as lip fat grafting or a corner lift. The package includes the procedure, a 5-star hotel and transfers with driver. As a comparison, UK private clinics usually charge around £3,000 to £5,500 for the procedure alone.
A lip lift is often combined with other facial procedures, such as a rhinoplasty or a deep plane facelift.
Our surgeons
At Aram Clinic, lip lifts are performed by plastic surgeons experienced in facial surgery, in Istanbul and Izmir.
Dr Mehmet Karaaltin (Istanbul)
A graduate of the Cerrahpaşa Faculty of Medicine in Istanbul, certified by the Turkish Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of EBOPRAS and ISAPS, he has more than 25 years of experience. As an ISAPS member surgeon, he provides ISAPS insurance for the cosmetic procedures he performs. He performs facial plastic surgery and created the SMART Template technique for rhinoplasty, which makes him well placed when a lip lift is combined with a nose job.
Dr Tolgahan Alpaydin (Izmir)
A graduate of Ege University (Izmir), he completed his plastic surgery residency there (1995–2001), then a microsurgery fellowship and aesthetic surgery training at the Cleveland Clinic Foundation (USA). He has directed the Izmir Aesthetic and Plastic Surgery Clinic since 2003. Facial aesthetic surgery, from facelift to rhinoplasty, is one of his main specialisations.
Dr Orhan Fahri Demir (Istanbul)
Trained at Gazi University (Ankara) and in plastic, reconstructive and aesthetic surgery at Ege University, he has practised as a plastic surgery specialist at Memorial Bahçelevler Hospital in Istanbul since 2025, with more than eight years of clinical and academic experience. He specialises in facial surgery and ultrasonic rhinoplasty, and also treats lips with fillers when surgery is not needed.
Frequently asked questions
Does a lip lift replace fillers?
It works on height, not volume. Many patients no longer need fillers afterwards, but both can complement each other.
Is the result natural and long-lasting?
Yes, if it is well measured. The removed skin does not come back, and the lip keeps the benefit for many years.
Can I have a lip lift after fillers?
Yes. The surgeon assesses the remaining product and may suggest waiting for it to dissolve, or dissolving it, before surgery.