A lip lift shortens the space between the nose and upper lip, creating a more youthful, defined, and balanced appearance.

Lip Lift Surgery in New York City

A lip lift is a transformative cosmetic procedure that shortens the distance between the base of the nose and the upper lip, enhancing balance, youthfulness, and facial harmony. For patients seeking a permanent alternative to lip fillers, or wishing for more visible upper teeth when smiling, a lip lift provides long-lasting, elegant results. At Dr. Masoud Saman’s boutique Manhattan practice, every procedure is performed with artistry, precision, and a meticulous focus on scar healing.

What Is a Lip Lift?

A lip lift in NYC is a small but powerful procedure designed to shorten the philtrum (the space between the nose and upper lip). By lifting and reshaping this area, the lips appear fuller, more youthful, and more balanced in proportion to the rest of the face. Unlike injectable fillers, which temporarily add volume, a lip lift permanently repositions the lip for natural definition and contour.

There are different variations of the lip lift, including:

  • Bullhorn lip lift: The most common technique, involving a hidden incision beneath the nose.
  • Corner lip lift: Ideal for downturned lip corners that give a sad or tired appearance.
  • Italian lip lift: Uses two small incisions under the nostrils for subtle elevation.
  • Deep plane lip lift: A specialized technique refined by Dr. Saman to provide a tension-free closure and the best possible scar outcome.

How Dr. Saman’s Lip Lift Is Different

Many surgeons perform lip lifts, but few approach the procedure with the same level of detail and long-term planning. Dr. Saman is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who also specializes in ultrasonic rhinoplasty, deep plane facelift, and neck lift surgery. This broad expertise informs his nuanced approach to lip lift surgery. His refinements include:

  • Meticulous surgical technique: Every incision is placed and closed with precision to minimize scarring.
  • Deep plane approach: By lifting the lip in a deeper layer, closure is tension-free, leading to better healing and more natural results.
  • Specialized sutures: Selected to improve scar quality and optimize wound healing.
  • Postoperative protocol: Laser treatments at 6 weeks, when indicated, to refine scars and ensure optimal outcomes.
  • Corner lip lift expertise: For patients with downturned lip corners, this specialized lift restores balance and freshness.

Benefits of a Lip Lift

  • Enhances upper lip definition and fullness without over-reliance on fillers
  • Creates a youthful balance by shortening the philtrum
  • Improves “tooth show” when smiling
  • Refines downturned corners with a corner lip lift
  • Permanent results that age gracefully

Who Is a Good Candidate for Lip Lift Surgery?

You may be a candidate if you:

  • Have a long upper lip that makes the mouth look aged or unbalanced
  • Want more visible upper teeth when smiling
  • Prefer a permanent solution over temporary lip fillers
  • Have downturned lip corners that you would like lifted
  • Desire natural enhancement without the appearance of “overdone” lips

A consultation with Dr. Saman will help determine the best technique for your anatomy and goals.

Recovery After a Lip Lift

Recovery is straightforward, with most patients experiencing mild swelling and tightness during the first week. Sutures are removed around days 5–7, and makeup can usually cover any redness by 10 days. Thanks to Dr. Saman’s meticulous technique, tension-free closure, and laser scar management protocol, healing is optimized for a natural result with minimal visible scarring. Results continue to refine over several months. Visit our before and after gallery to see real patient outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions About Lip Lift

Is a lip lift permanent?

Yes. Unlike fillers, a lip lift is permanent. The results last for years, aging gracefully with your natural features.

Will there be a visible scar?

The incision is hidden beneath the base of the nose. With Dr. Saman’s deep plane technique, specialized sutures, and postoperative laser protocol, scars typically fade beautifully and become inconspicuous over time.

Can fillers be combined with a lip lift?

Yes, some patients benefit from a small amount of filler after healing for additional volume or contour. However, many find that a lip lift alone provides all the definition and balance they desire.

What is the difference between a bullhorn lip lift and a corner lip lift?

A bullhorn lip lift shortens the philtrum and improves overall lip proportion, while a corner lip lift specifically addresses downturned corners of the mouth. Some patients may benefit from both, depending on anatomy and goals.

Schedule a Consultation

If you are considering a lip lift in NYC, trust your face to an experienced surgeon who specializes in facial aesthetics. Dr. Masoud Saman combines advanced techniques, artistic vision, and meticulous care to create results that are elegant, natural, and timeless. Schedule a consultation today to explore whether a lip lift is right for you.

Close-up of a person's lips and part of their nose, with smooth skin and glossy lips illuminated in soft lighting as an example of desired aesthetic after lip lift surgery with Dr. Masoud Saman in New York.

Our Approach and Philosophy

Our approach to lip lifting is rooted in restraint; less is more. You don’t want to end up with a stretched, “bunny-like” mouth.

What Makes Our Results Superior?

  1. We use a modified deep plane technique that minimizes tension, leading to finer, more discreet scars.

  2. Our approach is guided by an artistic eye for beauty and facial harmony, ensuring natural, balanced results.

  3. Unlike standard techniques, we often address not just the central lip but also perform corner lip lifts when needed for optimal shape and expression.

  4. We utilize specialized multilayer suturing to support long-term results and refine healing.

  5. Our proprietary recovery protocols and advanced ancillary treatments are included standard, helping to enhance healing and final outcomes.

Worried about the scar? Here’s a patient 6 months after her lip lift and rhinoplasty. Her lips are injected (elsewhere) for volume. Pay attention to the lip lift scar at the base of the nose.

Lip Lift: Frequently Asked Questions

A lip lift is a specialized facial plastic surgery that shortens the distance between the upper lip and the base of the nose, creating a more youthful, defined, and aesthetically pleasing smile. Below, Dr. Masoud Saman, a NYC lip lift expert, answers the most common questions about this transformative procedure.

What is a lip lift?

A lip lift is a cosmetic procedure that shortens the space between the nose and the upper lip (the philtrum), creating more dental show and enhancing lip balance. The most common technique is the “bullhorn lip lift,” which removes a small strip of skin just beneath the base of the nose. Other variations include the corner lip lift, ideal for patients with downturned lip corners. At Dr. Saman’s practice, every lip lift is tailored to achieve natural, refined results.

How is Dr. Saman’s lip lift technique different?

Dr. Masoud Saman has developed a meticulous approach to lip lift surgery that focuses on both aesthetics and healing:

  • Meticulous technique: Every incision is placed and closed with the utmost precision to ensure the best possible scar outcome.
  • Deep plane lip lift: By working in a deep plane, Dr. Saman achieves a tension-free closure that reduces the risk of visible scarring and improves long-term stability.
  • Specialized sutures: Custom suture selection allows for optimal wound healing and minimal scarring.
  • Postoperative protocol: At 6 weeks, when indicated, laser treatments are used to optimize scar healing and refine results.
  • Corner lip lift expertise: For patients with downturned corners of the mouth, a corner lip lift can restore balance and a naturally refreshed expression.
What are the different types of lip lift?

There are several variations of lip lift, each designed for different needs:

  • Bullhorn lip lift: The most common type, performed beneath the base of the nose.
  • Corner lip lift: Lifts downturned corners for a more positive, balanced smile.
  • Italian lip lift: Uses two smaller incisions beneath the nostrils for subtle lifting.
  • Deep plane lip lift: A technique refined by Dr. Saman for tension-free closure and superior scar healing.
What is recovery like after a lip lift?

Most patients experience mild swelling and tightness for the first week. Sutures are removed around day 5 to 7. Makeup can usually cover any redness by 10 days. With Dr. Saman’s technique, scar healing is carefully supported with specialized sutures and, when indicated, a laser protocol at 6 weeks. Patients typically return to work or social activities within a week, and results continue to refine over the next few months.

How long do lip lift results last?

A lip lift is a permanent procedure. While natural aging continues, the shortened philtrum and improved proportions created by surgery are long-lasting. Scar refinement protocols and meticulous closure ensure results remain elegant for years. Patients often report that their lip lift results age gracefully and improve facial balance over time.

Who is a good candidate for a lip lift?

Ideal candidates include individuals with a long upper lip, thin lips, downturned corners, or those who want more visible dental show without relying solely on fillers. The procedure is also popular among patients seeking permanent, natural lip enhancement. A personalized consultation with Dr. Saman will determine the right approach for your anatomy and goals.

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Standard Request

  • While scarring depends on factors like skin type and genetics, as well postoperative care by the patients, in our practice we take every step to optimize healing and minimize visible scars. Through careful preoperative planning, strategic incision placement, and our refined deep-plane surgical technique, we reduce skin tension and support a smoother recovery. Our proprietary postoperative care protocols further enhance results. Patients from across New York City, including Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens, as well as other parts of the globe including London, Paris, Dubai, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami as well many other places choose us for natural-looking lip lift outcomes with minimal scarring and exceptional aesthetic precision.

  • For discerning individuals in NYC, New York, Long Island, Westchester, and New Jersey, and drawing patients from LA, London, Dubai, and around the world including CEOs and celebrities, Dr. Masoud Saman and our associate surgeons offer a hyper-specialized approach to lip lift surgery. We perform both central and corner lip lifts using refined techniques that enhance the mouth’s shape while preserving natural expression and overall facial balance. Trained alongside world-renowned surgeons internationally, Dr. Saman brings an artistic eye and deep understanding of facial proportions to every case, a philosophy shared and upheld by our carefully selected surgical team. Our modified deep-plane approach reduces tension on incisions, leading to finer scars. Our proprietary postoperative protocols, including PRF, LED light therapy, and medical-grade scar treatments, support optimal healing and exceptional results. Trusted by those who expect the highest standard of care, we deliver subtle, lasting enhancements tailored to each patient’s unique beauty.

  • The cost of a lip lift at our NYC practice reflects the precision, experience, and elevated care we provide every patient. For procedures performed by Dr. Saman, the surgical fee for a central lip lift is $8,000, a corner lip lift is $7,000, and both together are $12,500. When performed by one of our highly trained associate surgeons, pricing is generally 30% lower. All procedures include a comprehensive consultation, meticulous surgical technique, and our full postoperative recovery protocol and advanced scar care. We are committed to delivering natural, elegant results with minimal scarring and an exceptional recovery experience.

“I’ve seen how something as subtle as a lip lift can have a profound impact, rejuvenating the face and bringing everything into harmony. It’s often overlooked or overdone, but when done thoughtfully, it quietly transforms."

— Dr. Saman