Lip Lift in Shreveport
A lip lift is one of the most rewarding procedures we perform at our Shreveport practice. In the properly selected patient, this single surgery can restore a more youthful balance to the lower face, and the results are lasting. Most people will notice that something looks different, refreshed, more vibrant, but they rarely pinpoint exactly what changed. That subtlety is the hallmark of a well-performed lip lift.
What Is a Lip Lift?
A lip lift is a surgical procedure that shortens the distance between the base of the nose and the upper lip border. This measurement, called the philtrum, naturally lengthens over time, contributing to a thinner, less visible upper lip and reduced tooth show when smiling. The procedure addresses these changes through a small, carefully placed incision at the base of the nose.
The upper lip lift achieves three key goals: it shortens the distance between the nose and upper lip (in a youthful face this distance is usually about 1cm), it allows for more natural tooth exposure, and it helps to roll out a lip that has become turned in or inverted. This allows for the red or pink portion of the upper lip to become more visible and enhanced.
The result is a more defined Cupid’s bow, improved facial proportions, and a natural, permanent enhancement that does not require ongoing maintenance. As part of our full range of facial plastic surgery options, the lip lift is one of the most targeted ways to rejuvenate the central face.
Lip Lift vs. Lip Augmentation with Fillers or Fat Transfer
Patients exploring lip augmentation often weigh several approaches. Dermal fillers add volume by injecting hyaluronic acid directly into the lip tissue. They can be a good starting point, but the results are temporary (typically six to twelve months) and carry risks of migration, asymmetry, and the overfilled appearance many patients want to avoid.
Fat transfer to the lips, sometimes called fat grafting, uses your own tissue harvested from another area of the body. While fat grafting to the lips can provide a soft, natural feel, the volume retention varies and multiple sessions may be needed.
A lip lift takes a fundamentally different approach. Rather than adding volume, it repositions the existing lip tissue to increase the visible pink of the upper lip and shorten the philtrum. The improvement is structural and permanent. For patients who have tried fillers and want a lasting solution, or for those who simply prefer a one-time procedure, a lip lift in Shreveport at our practice offers an alternative that addresses proportion and shape rather than volume alone.
What Can a Lip Lift Do for You?
A lip lift focuses on improving the upper lip’s position and visibility while maintaining a natural appearance.
- Shortens the space between the nose and lip for improved facial proportions
- Enhances natural tooth show when smiling
- Rolls the lip outward to increase visible pink lip
- Creates definition along the Cupid’s bow
- Provides long-lasting results without ongoing filler treatments
Who Is a Good Candidate for a Lip Lift?
This procedure is suitable for young candidates who don’t show much of the upper lip and want to increase lip show in a way that’s more natural and permanent than filler, as well as patients who want to shorten the distance between the nose and upper lip for a more balanced appearance and regain fullness from a lip that has gradually turned inward over time.
During your consultation, we evaluate the length of the philtrum, the degree of existing lip show, your skin quality, and your overall facial anatomy. A good candidate typically has a philtrum measurement that is longer than the ideal range, limited upper tooth visibility, or dissatisfaction with the proportions of the lower face. Candidates who have previously relied on lip augmentation plastic surgery alternatives like injectable fillers and want a permanent change are also well suited to this procedure.
What to Expect During the Procedure
A lip lift is performed through a small incision hidden beneath the nose along the natural contours of the nostrils. This careful placement allows the scar to heal discreetly within the crease and become much less noticeable over time. During the procedure, a precise amount of skin is removed to gently elevate the upper lip into a more youthful position. Lip lift surgery is typically performed under local anesthesia with light sedation and usually takes about one hour.
Meticulous technique is essential for achieving a natural-looking result and optimal healing. Dr. Lindsey Pennington uses careful tissue handling and refined suturing techniques to minimize tension on the incision and support clean scar healing. Patients also receive detailed pre-operative and post-operative instructions so they know exactly how to prepare and what to expect throughout recovery.
One of the most common concerns patients have about lip lift surgery is scarring. In most cases, lip lift scars continue to soften and fade over time, becoming increasingly difficult to see as healing progresses.
Lip lifts can also play an important role in overall facial balance and rejuvenation. Rather than creating an overdone appearance, the goal is typically to restore youthful proportions by shortening the distance between the nose and upper lip while enhancing the natural shape of the lips. Dr. Pennington often combines lip lifts with procedures such as facelifts, laser resurfacing, fat grafting, and brow lifts to create balanced, natural-looking results tailored to each patient’s facial features and goals.
Recovery and Downtime
Most patients can return to light daily activities within a few days. Swelling and mild bruising around the upper lip are common during the first week and gradually improve. Sutures are typically removed within five to seven days. We recommend limiting strenuous exercise and wide mouth movements for the first two to three weeks to support optimal healing.
The incision will appear pink initially and continues to fade over the following months. We guide every patient through a personalized scar care protocol to support the best cosmetic outcome. Our practice also offers concierge-level postoperative services, including assistance with overnight nursing (included in surgical fees), advanced recovery protocols, sitter services coordination, transportation, and low-sodium, anti-inflammatory meal planning with a local chef meal prep service. Our what to expect resource walks you through each phase of recovery in detail.
Why Choose Dr. Pennington for Your Lip Lift in Shreveport
Dr. Lindsey Pennington is the first female double board-certified facial plastic surgeon with a private practice in Louisiana. A Louisiana native, she graduated from Tulane University and earned her medical degree with research honors from the University of New Mexico School of Medicine. She completed her residency in otolaryngology and head and neck surgery at Louisiana Health Sciences Center in Shreveport, followed by specialized training in facial plastics and reconstructive surgery under the guidance of a former president of the American Academy of Facial Plastics and Reconstructive Surgery.
Her focus is exclusively on the face, which means every procedure she performs, from a lip lift to rhinoplasty to blepharoplasty, draws on a deep understanding of facial anatomy and proportion. Dr. Pennington has been voted #1 Plastic Surgeon by Shreveport-Bossier Magazine for four consecutive years and regularly presents research at national conferences. All surgical procedures are performed at Evangeline Surgical Suites, our private, accredited surgery center right here in Shreveport.
From your first consultation through your final follow-up, our team is here to make sure you feel informed, comfortable, and well cared for. We also offer flexible financing options to help make your procedure accessible.
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Before & After
Schedule Your Lip Lift Consultation in Shreveport
If you are considering a lip lift, the next step is a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Pennington. During this visit, we will evaluate your facial anatomy, discuss your goals, and help you understand exactly what this procedure can accomplish for you. Call our Shreveport office at (318) 216-5366 or request a consultation online to get started.
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