Lip Lift in Buenos Aires —
Upper Lip Lift

What is a Lip Lift?

The Lip Lift — also known as upper lip lift, subnasal lip lift, or bull-horn lip lift — is the surgical procedure that shortens the distance between the base of the nose and the vermilion border of the upper lip. By removing a strip of skin in that area, the upper lip everts: it turns outward, exposing more pink mucosa and restoring the volume, projection, and definition that the upper lip loses with aging — or that was never present in younger patients with a naturally long philtrum.

Unlike hyaluronic acid, which temporarily hydrates and fills but does not correct lip geometry, the Lip Lift acts on the underlying structure: it durably modifies the proportional relationship between the nose and the lip. The result is a younger, more defined, and more prominent upper lip — without the overly inflated appearance often associated with excessive filler.

Why does the upper lip age?

Over time, the skin of the philtrum — the space between the base of the nose and the lip border — stretches and lengthens. This elongation causes the upper lip to visually "disappear": the vermilion border retracts inward, the Cupid's bow flattens, and the corners of the mouth tend to drop. The result is the characteristic appearance of perioral aging: a thin lip, a long philtrum, and an expression that can read as discontent even when the person is relaxed.

In younger patients, the ideal aesthetic proportion indicates that the distance between the nasal base and the vermilion border should not exceed 11 to 13 mm. When that distance is greater — whether due to aging or anatomy — the Lip Lift is the most precise surgical tool to correct it.

Who are the ideal Lip Lift candidates?

The Lip Lift is a versatile procedure indicated both in the context of facial rejuvenation and for aesthetic improvement in younger patients. In the consultation we evaluate the philtrum anatomy, the nose-to-lip proportion, and the general condition of the perioral area to determine whether the Lip Lift is the best solution — or whether it should be combined with other procedures.

• Elongated philtrum: distance between the base of the nose and the upper lip border greater than 13–15 mm, visually creating a lip that is "absent" or disappears when speaking and smiling.
• Thin upper lip: little visible mucosal volume, with a flat or retracted vermilion border that is not fully corrected with fillers.
• Erased Cupid's bow: loss of definition of the central arch of the upper lip, one of the first signs of perioral aging.
• Downturned corners: the corners of the mouth point downward, creating an expression of displeasure or sadness at rest.
• General perioral aging: a lip that has lost projection and definition as part of the facial aging process, especially in combination with laxity of the mid and lower face.
• Younger patients with aesthetic goals: women and men from age 25–30 with a proportionally long philtrum who wish to improve the aesthetics of the upper lip without repeated fillers.
• Complement to the Deep Plane Facelift: the Lip Lift acts as the "finishing touch" of complete facial rejuvenation, addressing the perioral area that a facelift — by its nature — cannot directly correct.

There is no minimum age requirement: what matters is the anatomy and proportion of the philtrum. In the consultation we analyse front and profile photos, measure the lip proportions, and define the most appropriate surgical plan for each case.

The surgical technique: Bull-Horn Lip Lift

The standard and most widely used technique for the Lip Lift is the bull-horn incision: a curvilinear incision made at the base of the nose, precisely following the contour of the columella and the nasal wings. This specific shape of the incision allows the scar to be completely hidden at the natural border where the skin of the nose meets the upper lip — an anatomical zone where scars mature to near invisibility.

1. 1
   Consultation and preoperative planning Measurement of the philtrum-to-vermilion distance, photographic analysis from the front and profile, simulation of the expected result. We define the amount of skin to resect — typically between 3 and 5 mm — and whether the Lip Lift is performed alone or in combination with other facial procedures.
2. 2
   Local anesthesia plus sedation The Lip Lift is performed with local anesthesia infiltrated in the perioral area, complemented by intravenous sedation for maximum comfort. When combined with the Deep Plane Facelift, it is performed under general anesthesia. The patient feels no pain during the procedure.
3. 3
   Bull-horn incision at the base of the nose The incision follows the contour of the nasal columella and the nasal wings — the characteristic "bull-horn" shape that gives the technique its name. This location is the most favourable for scarring, as the skin-to-nasal mucosa junction forms an anatomical border that naturally conceals the cut line.
4. 4
   Resection of the philtrum skin strip A 3 to 5 mm ellipse of skin from the philtrum area is precisely removed. This resection shortens the distance between the nasal base and the vermilion border, causing the upper lip to evert upward and outward — revealing more pink mucosa and restoring the natural volume of the lip.
5. 5
   Closure and suture removal Incisions are closed with very fine sutures — typically non-absorbable, for greater precision in healing — which are removed between days 7 and 10. The area requires gentle care during the first week: avoiding excessive lip tension, sun protection, and applying the recommended post-operative treatments.

Recovery: what to expect day by day

Lip Lift recovery is one of the most manageable in facial surgery. The operated area is small and the procedure is short, which translates to limited swelling and a quick return to daily life. Here is what happens at each stage:

• Days 1 to 3: localised swelling in the upper lip and lower nasal area — completely expected. The lip may look slightly swollen and taut. Cold compresses are applied, rest with the head elevated, and a soft diet is followed to reduce lip movement.
• Days 4 to 7: swelling visibly subsides. The suture line is minimal and begins to fade. Most patients feel comfortable going out in public in an informal setting.
• Days 7 to 10: suture removal. This is the key milestone in Lip Lift post-op. Without sutures, the scar settles into its definitive position and the maturation process begins. International patients who had only the Lip Lift can plan their return from this point.
• Week 2 onwards: progressive return to normal life, including a regular diet and moderate activity. Sun protection continues over the philtrum area and the prescribed scar-care treatments are applied.
• At 2–3 months: the scar has fully matured and becomes virtually invisible — hidden at the border of the nose and the lip. The definitive Lip Lift result is fully appreciated.

Results: long-lasting, natural, and filler-free

The result of a Lip Lift is long-lasting. The philtrum skin that is removed does not regenerate: the shortening of the nose-to-lip distance and the eversion of the upper lip are maintained over time, while natural aging continues. This is perhaps the most compelling argument in favour of the Lip Lift over hyaluronic acid treatments: these last 6 to 12 months, require repeated applications, and carry the risk of product accumulation.

The Lip Lift does not fill the lip from the inside: it lifts it from the outside. That difference shows in the result. The lip looks fuller because more pink mucosa is visible — not because it is swollen. The Cupid's bow regains definition. The corners of the mouth reposition towards a more neutral and youthful expression. And the philtrum — that space that betrayed the aging — is visibly shortened.

From an aesthetic standpoint, the goal is always a result that integrates naturally with the patient's features. We are not looking for an "operated" lip: we are looking to restore the proportions that time or anatomy did not provide. Those around the patient will notice she looks "wonderfully fresh" without being able to identify exactly why.

Cost of Lip Lift in Buenos Aires

The fee for a Lip Lift at my practice in Buenos Aires is defined individually during the valuation consultation, according to each patient's needs and whether the procedure is performed on its own or combined with other surgeries. When the Lip Lift is performed as part of the complete facial rejuvenation package alongside the Deep Plane Facelift, Necklift, Temporal Fossa Lift, and Blepharoplasty, the cost per procedure is significantly lower than performing each one individually. As a personalized medical service, we do not publish prices — everything is arranged during the initial consultation.

Buenos Aires combines first-class surgical quality and infrastructure with the convenience of arranging the pre-operative consultation remotely through photographic analysis. The cost of each procedure is defined individually in the assessment consultation, according to each patient's needs.

Why choose Buenos Aires for Lip Lift?

Buenos Aires is one of the most established medical tourism destinations in the Spanish-speaking world, and for reasons that go well beyond the exchange rate. The city combines first-class medical infrastructure with a recovery experience that no other Latin American capital can match.

Palermo and Recoleta: the ideal environment for recovery

Dra. Jenny's practice is located at Av. Santa Fe 3192, in the heart of Palermo/Recoleta — Buenos Aires' most vibrant and prestigious neighbourhood. This location offers international patients everything they need for a comfortable and pleasant recovery:

• Affordable and comfortable Airbnbs a few minutes from the practice, at very favourable prices compared to hotel costs in other cities. The area offers dozens of modern, well-equipped apartment options, ideal for the post-operative period.
• Safe, walkable neighbourhood with everything needed within walking distance: pharmacies, supermarkets, cafés, and light-cuisine restaurants ideal for recovery.
• Parque Las Heras just a few blocks away, perfect for the first gentle walks during recovery — moderate outdoor movement promotes circulation and accelerates healing.
• Línea D subway less than 5 minutes on foot, with direct connection to the city centre and the airport. High-frequency public transport available from day one.
• Excellent dining: Mediterranean, Argentine, and international cuisine restaurants on every block, with healthy options and special diets for the post-operative period.
• 24-hour pharmacies in the area, with all post-operative supplies available without needing to import them.

The minimum recommended stay for the standalone Lip Lift is 7 days. For the combination with the Deep Plane Facelift, we plan 15 days in Buenos Aires — more than enough time to perform the surgery, complete the initial post-operative check-ups, and enjoy the city before returning home.

Frequently Asked Questions about Lip Lift