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A Lip Lift by Dr Julian De Silva, world-renowned Harley Street facial cosmetic and plastic surgeon in London, elevates the position and rotation of the upper lip using a refined technique that restores youthful harmony, softness, and natural expression.
A beautifully shaped upper lip is a defining feature of youthful attractiveness. With time, the distance between the base of the nose and the upper lip — the philtrum — lengthens, the upper lip rolls inward, and tooth show gradually disappears. This subtle shift changes the entire balance of the face.
Dr De Silva's lip lift is a specialised facial procedure that shortens the distance between the base of the nose and the upper lip (the philtrum). This allows the upper lip to rotate outward, increasing natural tooth show and restoring youthful balance to the lower face.
Unlike fillers, which add volume without correcting structure, a lip lift repositions the patient’s own tissue. This produces a more refined, permanent result that enhances lip shape while maintaining softness and natural expression.
Drawing on principles outlined in his published work, Dr De Silva recognises that elongation of the philtrum is a key but often overlooked sign of facial ageing. Correcting this proportion can subtly rejuvenate the entire face, improving the smile, profile, and overall facial harmony.
Around 1 hour
Outpatient
Twilight sedation or local anaesthetic
Minimal
7 - 10 Days
7 - 10 Days
Up to 18 months
Permanent








See verified patient results demonstrating refined lip shape, improved tooth show, and natural facial balance following lip lift surgery.








When it comes to a surgical lip lift, achieving a natural result requires precise control of shape, rotation, and tension. Scientific literature and Dr De Silva’s clinical experience highlight three essential principles that he meticulously applies in every procedure:
The upper lip must retain its natural slopes and curvature. Overcorrection can exaggerate the central lip or flatten the sides, disrupting balance.
The lift must be evenly distributed across the lip. Poorly designed procedures can cause excessive central elevation or downward turning of the lateral lip.
The red portion of the lip should form a smooth, continuous arc. Dr De Silva avoids sharp or artificial contours, preserving softness and natural movement.

Scar placement and closure are critical to a successful lip lift, particularly as the area sits at the centre of the face.
The incision is carefully positioned beneath the natural curves of the nasal base, where it blends into existing contours once healed.
Dr De Silva’s meticulous three-layer closure supports deeper tissues while minimising surface tension. This allows the scar to fade discreetly over time.
Millimetric accuracy ensures symmetry, refined lip rotation, and optimal healing.
Dr Julian De Silva is internationally recognised for his exclusive focus on facial surgery and his ability to deliver natural, balanced enhancements. Each lip lift is carefully designed with millimetre-level precision to harmonise with the patient’s facial anatomy, proportions, and aesthetic goals, prioritising subtlety, comfort, and refined outcomes.
Dr De Silva focuses exclusively on facial procedures, allowing him to refine the intricate artistry required for natural lip lift results. By specialising only in the face, he achieves a level of precision that enhances facial harmony rather than altering it.
Every lip lift is individually planned, taking into account philtrum length, lip shape and curvature, facial proportions, tooth show, ethnic and anatomical characteristics, and the patient’s desired level of enhancement. This bespoke approach ensures results that look natural and balanced.
Dr De Silva uses a meticulous triple-layer closure technique to conceal the incision within the natural curves beneath the nose. This advanced method allows the scar to fade discreetly over time while supporting optimal healing.
Procedures are performed under local anaesthesia or twilight sedation, providing a calm, comfortable experience. Patients typically recover quickly and feel clear-headed rather than groggy following treatment.
All lip lift patients benefit from Dr De Silva’s accelerated healing programme, which includes hyperbaric oxygen therapy, lymphatic drainage, red-light therapy, and regenerative medicine protocols. These treatments significantly reduce swelling and promote smoother, faster recovery.

Hear directly from patients about their experience, recovery, and results following lip lift surgery with Dr De Silva.


A lip lift is ideal for patients who have an elongated philtrum, are over 45 and experiencing age-related changes, or patients combining the procedure with facelift or eyelid surgery. Many international patients also seek Dr De Silva’s expertise in London for this precise, natural result. Careful evaluation is essential, as not every patient is a candidate, ensuring that outcomes remain balanced, harmonious, and matched to individual anatomy.
Initial swelling and tightness are expected during the first week. Most patients return to social activities within 7–10 days, using concealer if needed.
Over the following months, the scar softens and blends into the natural contours beneath the nose. Final scar maturation occurs gradually, often up to 18 months, with continued refinement of lip shape and smile.
Dr De Silva’s enhanced recovery programme, including regenerative medicine and advanced aftercare, supports faster resolution of swelling and optimal healing.
swelling, pink scar, mild tightness; concealer can be used
scar softens and blends
scar reaches final, refined appearance

A lip lift can address several age-related and anatomical concerns, including:
A long distance between the nose and upper lip
Loss of upper tooth show when smiling
A thin or inward-rolling upper lip
Flattening of the lip due to facial ageing
Dissatisfaction with repeated filler treatments
An imbalance between the lips, nose, and chin
Asymmetry of lip shape
Each surgical plan is customised to the individual’s anatomy, proportions, and aesthetic goals.

A lip lift provides a permanent solution to age-related changes. While fillers can temporarily increase volume, they do not address underlying proportions or philtrum length, and repeated use can lead to migration of product into the philtrum, distortion of natural muscle movement, and loss of crisp lip definition. By surgically repositioning the native tissue, Dr De Silva’s lip lift restores natural rotation, enhances tooth show, and preserves the soft, balanced curves of the upper lip without adding weight or altering expression.

All surgery carries some degree of risk. Potential risks include swelling, scarring, asymmetry, or delayed healing. These are minimised through careful patient selection, surgical technique, and structured aftercare.
Dr De Silva cautions that smoking significantly increases the risk of scarring and delayed healing and should be avoided before and after surgery.
Located at 23 Harley Street, London, Dr De Silva is internationally recognised for natural artistry, technique, and World Class patient care.
Discover how a beautifully balanced lip lift can transform your confidence and rejuvenate your entire face.

Dr. Julian De Silva is a renowned facial cosmetic surgeon at Harley Street, London, specializing in facelift, blepharoplasty, and rhinoplasty. Known for natural-looking results, he has treated top celebrities and uses advanced technology for fast recovery. Dr. De Silva is also a recognized author and educator in aesthetic surgery.
A lip lift is a subtle yet powerful surgical procedure that shortens the distance between the nose and upper lip, restoring a youthful balance and increasing the visible "pink" of the lip. Many of my patients choose it when lip fillers no longer give a natural result or they want a permanent enhancement. The length can sometimes be long because of genetics (e.g. hypermobility) or sometimes becomes longer with facial ageing.
My signature lip lift technique focuses on natural results, precise harmony with the entire face, and hidden incisions that heal discreetly. I’ve refined this over 20 years of specialising only in facial surgery. It’s often combined with other enhancements for a more holistic result, this can include a lateral lip lift to reduce asymmetry and regenerative medicine to enhance recovery and healing.
Typically, the surgery takes 45–60 minutes and is performed at my private clinic on Harley Street, London, under our patented Twilight Sedation technique (avoids the need for general anaesthesia). If there is marked asymmetry, the procedure can take up to 90 minutes.
Many patients are afraid of looking overdone, especially after seeing photos online of poorly executed lifts that distort the lip or create a “permanently surprised” look. Dr De Silva specialises in millimetre level refinement of the face, and marks the lip with you to achieve the result you are looking for. Our customised lip lift technique is designed to enhance the natural balance of your face, not change your identity. The goal is always: you, just subtly better. In fact, friends may comment you look refreshed, without knowing why.
The incision under the nose is a common concern, there have been patients who have not had good healing or scars in this area (Allure article on lip lifts). Dr De Silva’ uses a triple-layer closure technique with the finest sutures to ensure excellent healing. The technique is of key importance, patient selection and meticulous measurements of this area. The incision is hidden in the shadow of the nose, and Dr De Silva frequently offers regenerative therapies and post-op laser treatments to minimise scar visibility. Most patients have a scar that is nearly invisible by 3 months, or final result is as long as 12–18 months. From Dr De Silva’s experience over more than a decade of this surgery, less than 5% of patients have troublesome scars, these can be effectively treated with a combination of revision, CO2 laser resurfacing and radiofrequency.
Absolutely. A lip lift is frequently combined with a facelift & neck lift, blepharoplasty and sometimes rhinoplasty, to achieve global facial balance. In many cases, subtle lip enhancement is the “final touch” to a rejuvenated face. Further information on facelift surgery: Link.
Most of my patients return to daily activities within 1 to 2 weeks. There may be swelling and tightness in the first week. My fast recovery protocol includes the use of regenerative medicine (including your own growth factors from PRP) and silicone gel after surgery.
Yes. A longer upper lip is associated with ageing. By shortening it subtly, we restore youthful proportions, enhance the pink vermillion of the lip, and reframe the smile. The effect of shortening this distance is generally a more youthful appearance.
This is a permanent procedure. Unlike fillers that require maintenance every 6–12 months, a lip lift offers long-term results that age naturally with the face.
Lip fillers have their place in enhancing volume, especially in younger patients or those seeking reversible results. However, when overused or poorly placed, they can distort the natural lip shape. A lip lift primarily shortens the philtrum, however also rotates the upper lip creating a more fuller up lip, natural enhancement with no filling.
With Twilight Sedation, most patients feel calm and comfortable throughout. Post-op discomfort is mild and few or our patients require pain relief or analgesia. We have had patients comment they barely felt anything.
Pricing varies depending on complexity and whether combined with other facial procedures. Consultations are personalised, and we will provide a transparent fee breakdown. Send us photographs and medical history and we we can advise you on price.
No, we will evaluate and discuss with you what you are looking to achieve and mark your lip with a mirror to ensure this is achieved. Our aesthetic is built around natural results. Friends and family may say you look refreshed, but they won’t know why, this is the art of refined facial surgery.
Yes. Many of my patients come to me wanting to dissolve old filler and replace it with a more elegant, structural improvement. Lip lift is ideal in these situations, especially when filler has made the lip look heavy or unnatural.
Safety is paramount. We use a patented sedation technique that’s been published in peer-reviewed journals, combined with a world-class facility and anaesthetist. You’re in highly experienced hands.
It depends on anatomy, age, and your desired outcome. I always carry out a detailed facial analysis, sometimes using 3D imaging or golden ratio facial mapping to assess harmony and proportion.
Yes, we always prioritise confidentiality and trust. Many high-profile individuals value the subtlety of my work and private location.
I’ve specialised only in the face for over 20 years. I’ve performed thousands of facial procedures, with lip lifts becoming increasingly requested by patients seeking elegant rejuvenation.
No, it is a permanent structural change. That’s why it’s essential to choose a surgeon with detailed understanding of facial balance. A scarred lip lift can be improved with tissue remodelling techniques (including CO2 laser and radiofrequency).
Ideal patients include those with a long upper lip, thinning lips with age, or patients who’ve had too much filler and want a permanent, refined solution. The procedure is often chosen by both younger and mature patients looking for enhanced facial harmony.