Lip Lift
Conveniently located to serve the areas of Englewood and Denver, CO

A lip lift is a surgical procedure designed to enhance the appearance of the upper lip. This cosmetic surgery aims to elevate the upper lip, creating a more youthful and vibrant smile while improving overall facial aesthetics. A well-defined upper lip can significantly enhance facial balance, attractiveness, and confidence.
At Colorado Facial Plastic Surgery, Dr. Mario Imola and Dr. David Kowalczyk are some of the best cosmetic surgeons in Colorado and have an impeccable reputation for achieving excellent lip lift results.
If you are interested in exploring your lip lift treatment options, please schedule a consultation. Contact our office online or call (303) 839-7980 to begin planning your lip lift.
Contents
- 1 About Lip Lift Procedures
- 2 Benefits
- 3 Ideal Candidates
- 4 Personal Consultation
- 5 Preparation
- 6 Procedure
- 7 Recovery
- 8 Results
- 9 Cost of a Lip Lift in Colorado
- 10 FAQ
- 10.1 Are lip lifts permanent?
- 10.2 Are there non-surgical alternatives to a lip lift?
- 10.3 How long will it take to recover after a lip lift?
- 10.4 Will I have scars after a lip lift?
- 10.5 Will I need more than one lip lift procedure?
- 10.6 Can I combine a lip lift with other procedures?
- 10.7 Will my lips feel numb after a lip lift?
- 10.8 Do lip lifts require general anesthesia?
- 11 References
About Lip Lift Procedures
A lip lift is a surgical procedure designed to enhance the appearance of the upper lip. Unlike temporary solutions like dermal fillers, which require regular maintenance, a lip lift offers long-lasting improvements by addressing structural concerns. The procedure involves removing a small amount of skin from the area between the upper lip and the base of the nose (philtrum) to lift the lip and expose more of the pigmented lip tissue, also known as the vermilion. (1) Shortening the philtrum can create the appearance of a smoother upper lip. This technique redefines the lip’s contour and improves the overall proportions of the face. Dr. Imola and Dr. Kowalczyk tailor each lip lift procedure to the individual’s unique facial anatomy and aesthetic goals, ensuring natural and harmonious results that complement the rest of the face.
Benefits
At Colorado Facial Plastic Surgery, some of the benefits our lip lift patients see include:
- Improved Symmetry: A balanced upper lip enhances overall facial uniformity.
- Youthful Appearance: Elevating the lip counteracts signs of aging, restoring confidence and youthfulness.
- Defined Cupid’s Bow: The procedure allows for enhanced contouring of the upper lip, creating attractive peaks.
- Decreased Gummy Smile: For individuals with excessive gum exposure when smiling, a lip lift provides a more ideal grin.
- Quick Recovery: Patients often return to their normal activities fairly quickly following the procedure.
- Minimal Scarring: Incisions are strategically placed to ensure they heal well and remain inconspicuous.
- Long-Lasting Results: The effects of a lip lift are long-lasting, unlike fillers that require regular touch-up appointments.
It has been shown that the aesthetic results of lip lift procedures are long-lasting and associated with high patient satisfaction. (2) The benefits of lip lifts are not just physical, either, as many patients report a noticeable increase in self-confidence, which can contribute to improvements in overall quality of life.
Ideal Candidates
Lip lift procedures are ideal for individuals who are dissatisfied with the appearance of their upper lip. Ideal candidates often include individuals who are experiencing:
- Loss of lip volume
- An elongated distance between the nose and the upper lip
- Asymmetry or irregularities in the upper lip structure
- A desire for a fuller, more defined upper lip
Personal Consultation
The first step on your journey toward the lip aesthetic you desire is scheduling a personal consultation with Dr. Imola or Dr. Kowalczyk at Colorado Facial Plastic Surgery. This meeting will allow you to discuss any questions or concerns and help you learn more about the lip lift procedure. This consultation is also an opportunity for Dr. Imola or Dr. Kowalczyk to get to know you. During this consultation, Dr. Imola or Dr. Kowalczyk will assess your facial anatomy and your current health and discuss your goals. Once they understand your goals and anatomy, they will create a personalized treatment plan tailored to your needs.
Schedule your consultation today by submitting our online contact form or calling our Englewood office at (303) 839-7980.
Preparation
Dr. Imola and Dr. Kowalczyk will provide you with detailed preoperative guidelines to ensure you are fully prepared for your surgery. Adhering to these instructions is crucial to ensure a smooth and successful procedure and subsequent recovery process.
You will need to avoid excessive sun exposure that could damage your skin. You must also temporarily stop taking blood-thinning medication for 1-2 weeks, under medical supervision. If you smoke, you will need to stop smoking temporarily. Patients will also need to stop drinking alcohol for 24-48 hours before and after their procedure. Dr. Imola and Dr. Kowalczyk will provide specific instructions based on your lifestyle and aesthetic goals to help you achieve optimal results. These will vary for each patient, so please follow all instructions carefully.
Procedure
A lip lift is a relatively straightforward outpatient procedure, typically lasting anywhere between one to two hours, but it can last longer depending on whether or not other procedures are added. The procedure often begins by administering local anesthesia to ensure patient comfort throughout the procedure.
Your surgeon will then mark the skin and make a small, precisely placed incision at the base of the nose to remove a small strip of excess skin. After making the necessary adjustments, they will close the incision with fine sutures to minimize visible scarring.
Recovery
Most patients can return home to rest after their procedure. The overall recovery process from a lip lift procedure will depend on your personalized treatment plan and whether or not you need additional treatments to achieve your aesthetic goals. Patients can expect some swelling, bruising, and mild discomfort in the days following the procedure, although these are natural and will subside relatively quickly for most people. Most patients can return to their normal activities within a week.
You will receive detailed post-operative care instructions to help ensure a smooth and successful recovery. We will help you schedule follow-up appointments in the subsequent weeks for your surgeon to monitor your healing process.
Results

Colorado Facial Plastic Surgery has developed a track record for producing satisfied patients thanks to its professionalism and meticulousness when performing procedures. Results from lip lift procedures can be long-lasting and life-changing for many patients. When utilizing the techniques used by Dr. Imola and Dr. Kowalczyk, lip lift procedures are directly associated with high patient satisfaction rates. (2) Many patients notice that their lips appear fuller and more youthful-looking. It may take several weeks for the full results to be noticed, as results become increasingly more apparent as swelling subsides and healing progresses. Once fully healed, patients can expect a more defined and proportionate upper lip and enhanced facial harmony.
Cost of a Lip Lift in Colorado
The cost of a lip lift procedure will depend on the complexity of the surgery and whether or not you need additional procedures to achieve your desired look. Dr. Imola and Dr. Kowalczyk will provide a fully transparent, detailed estimate of the price of your procedure during your personal consultation. Colorado Facial Plastic Surgery also offers financing options to help make treatments more accessible.
Take the first step in your lip lift treatment by scheduling a consultation online or by calling (303) 839-7980.
FAQ
Are lip lifts permanent?
During a lip lift, your surgeon will make permanent modifications to your skin. However, you may experience changes to your skin over time from aging.
Are there non-surgical alternatives to a lip lift?
Dermal fillers can create the appearance of fuller-looking lips, but fillers do not last as long as a lip lift and may not work for all patients.
How long will it take to recover after a lip lift?
Your recovery process will depend on your specific treatment plan and your health. Most patients make a significant recovery in less than two weeks, but your recovery time will depend on your treatment plan.
Will I have scars after a lip lift?
We make a very thin incision and use fine sutures to reduce the appearance of scarring for a natural appearance. We can answer any questions you have about your treatment plan during your consultation.
Will I need more than one lip lift procedure?
You should not need more than one lip lift procedure to achieve results. However, if you experience changes to your skin over time, we can restore your appearance with a touch-up appointment.
Can I combine a lip lift with other procedures?
Yes, we can combine a lip lift with other cosmetic procedures such as a facelift, neck lift, brow lift, rhinoplasty, and more!
Will my lips feel numb after a lip lift?
Yes, numbness is a common side effect of a lip lift. Numbness will fade as anesthesia continues to wear off, as swelling dissipates, and as you heal.
Do lip lifts require general anesthesia?
Lip lifts do not regularly require general anesthesia. We can perform this procedure with a patient receiving local anesthesia only on the lips.
References
- Zhao H, Wang X, Qiao Z, Yang K. Different Techniques and Quantitative Measurements in Upper lip lift: A Systematic Review. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Published online March 1, 2023:1-13. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-023-03302-5
- Raad Alnami, Ahmed S, Alashrah AS, et al. Aesthetic and Functional Outcomes of Simultaneous Rhinoplasty and Lip Lift Surgery: A Systematic Review. Cureus. Published online November 10, 2024. doi:https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.73369