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Lip Lift in Dubai

A lip lift in Dubai permanently shortens the distance between the nose and upper lip — revealing more of the upper vermilion, improving tooth show at rest, and creating a sharper, more youthful lip-nose junction. Unlike fillers, the results are permanent and age naturally over time.

What is Lip Lift in Dubai?

A lip lift — most commonly performed as a subnasal bullhorn lip lift — is a short surgical procedure that removes a small amount of skin from beneath the nose to shorten the
philtrum. The philtrum is the area of skin between the base of the nose and the upper lip border. As we age this area elongates, causing the upper lip to descend, the vermilion to become less visible, and the teeth to show less at rest.

A lip lift reverses this by permanently repositioning the upper lip to a higher, more youthful position — without adding volume. The result is a more defined cupid’s bow, greater vermilion show, improved tooth display at rest, and a cleaner, more refined lip-nose junction.

Unlike lip fillers which add temporary volume and require repeated maintenance, a lip lift creates a permanent structural
change that ages naturally and does not require ongoing treatment. It is increasingly chosen by patients who want lasting improvement rather than a repeated cycle of filler treatments.

Are You a Good Candidate for Lip Lift Surgery in Dubai?

You may be a good candidate if you:

Have an elongated philtrum
the distance between your nose and upper lip is longer than ideal
Have reduced vermilion show your upper lip appears thin or less visible than you would like
Have limited upper tooth show at rest
Feel that the area beneath your nose appears heavy or flat
Are looking for a permanent improvement rather than repeated
filler treatments
Are in good general health and a non-smoker or willing to stop smoking before surgery.
Have realistic expectations
about the extent of improvement

Dr. Leonard will assess your full medical history, skin condition,
weight stability, and overall health during consultation before recommending whether a body lift is the appropriate procedure for your individual situation.

Types of Lip Lift surgery in Dubai

The subnasal bullhorn lip lift is the most commonly performed lip lift
technique and the gold standard for philtral shortening. A bullhorn-shaped excision of skin is made directly beneath the nose — following the natural contour of the nostrils — and the upper lip is elevated and
secured in its new position. The resulting scar sits discreetly within the natural crease at the base of the nose and is typically well concealed once healed. This technique provides the most predictable, lasting improvement in philtral height and vermilion show.

A corner lip lift — also known as a smile lift — addresses downturned
mouth corners that create a sad or stern resting expression. Small
excisions are made at the outer corners of the mouth to elevate the lip corners into a more neutral or gently upturned position. This can be performed as a standalone procedure or in combination with a subnasal bullhorn lift depending on the patient’s anatomy and goals.

The Italian lip lift uses two smaller incisions — one beneath each nostril — rather than a single connected incision across the philtrum.
This technique is preferred in certain anatomical presentations where a more localised correction is required or where the surgeon wishes to reduce tension across the central philtrum. The results are similar to the bullhorn technique with a slightly different scar pattern.

In selected patients, Dr. Leonard combines a subnasal lip lift with
micro fat grafting to the cupid’s bow or white roll. This allows for
both structural repositioning and subtle volume restoration in a
single procedure — ideal for patients with both philtral elongation and loss of lip volume.

What to Expect — LIP lift in Dubai

Before your LIP lift

Your journey begins with a personal consultation with Dr. Leonard. He will assess your philtral height, vermilion show, cupid’s bow definition, tooth display, and overall facial proportions before recommending the most appropriate technique. Pre-operative instructions include stopping smoking at least 2 weeks before surgery and avoiding blood-thinning medications.

During your LIP lift

A lip lift is performed under local anaesthesia as a day procedure —
no general anaesthesia or overnight hospital stay is required. The
procedure typically takes 45 minutes to one hour. Dr. Leonard carefully marks the planned excision before the procedure to define the exact amount of skin to be removed and the precise positioning of the new lip height. The skin is removed, the upper lip is elevated and secured, and the incision is closed with fine sutures designed to
minimise scarring. Patients return home the same day.

After your Lip lift

Mild swelling and bruising around the upper lip and nose are expected for the first one to two weeks. Sutures are typically removed within five to seven days. Most patients feel comfortable returning to work and social activities within one to two weeks. The lips may appear slightly over-elevated immediately following surgery — this is expected and resolves as swelling subsides. Final results are visible within four to six weeks as the lip settles into its new permanent position.

Recovery Timeline — LIP Lift Surgery Dubai

Timeframe

What to Expect

Day 1–3

Mild to moderate swelling and bruising around the upper lip
and nose. Avoid touching the suture line. Cold compresses can help reduce swelling. Soft diet recommended.

Day 4–7

Sutures removed by Dr. Leonard at follow-up appointment.
Swelling beginning to reduce.

Week 2

Most patients return to work and social activities. Bruising largely resolved. Avoid strenuous exercise and facial stretching.

Week 2–4

Swelling continuing to resolve. Lip beginning to settle into
its final position. Scar maturing — may appear pink or slightly raised initially.

Month 1-3

Final result becoming clearly visible. Scar fading and softening. Lip position stable and natural.

Month 3-6

Scar fully matured. Final result complete — permanent improvement in philtral height, vermilion show, and lip-nose junction definition

Why Patients Choose Dr. Leonard for Lip lift in Dubai

A lip lift is a small procedure with a significant impact on facial appearance. The margin
for error is minimal — even a millimetre of miscalculation in excision width or positioning can produce an unnatural result that is difficult to revise. The precision required demands a surgeon with both technical skill and a deep understanding of facial proportion and aesthetics.

Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Certified by the German Board of Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery — one of the most rigorous certification standards in Europe.

Trained at World-Leading Institutions

Medical education at Goethe University Frankfurt with internships at UCLA and Imperial College London.

Three-Dimensional Facial Planning

Dr. Leonard approaches every lip lift with a three-dimensional focus on the
entire mouth frame — considering philtral height, vermilion show, cupid’s bow symmetry, tooth display, and the relationship between the lips and nose as a complete aesthetic unit. Every plan is individually designed for the patient’s specific facial anatomy.

Every Procedure Performed Personally

Dr. Leonard performs every lip lift personally — from consultation and surgical planning through to the procedure and all follow-up appointments. Patients are never
passed to a junior team member at any stage.

Everything you need to know before booking your consultation.

How long does a lip lift last?

A lip lift is a permanent procedure —the structural change to the philtrum does not reverse over time. The lips
will continue to age naturally following the procedure, but the improvement in philtral height and vermilion show is lasting. This is one of the key advantages of a lip lift over repeated filler treatments.

Will there be visible scarring after a lip lift?

The incision is made directly beneath the nose — within the natural crease at the base of the nostrils — allowing the scar to sit in a naturally concealed location. With proper wound care and sun protection during healing, the scar typically becomes very discreet within three to six months. Dr. Leonard uses fine suturing techniques specifically to minimise scar visibility.

Is a lip lift painful?

A lip lift is performed under local anaesthesia — the area is fully numbed before the procedure begins. Patients may feel mild pressure during the procedure but should not experience pain. Post-operative discomfort is typically mild and well managed with standard pain relief medication.

Can a lip lift be combined with fillers?

Yes — a lip lift and lip fillers address different concerns and can be combined. A lip lift shortens the philtrum and repositions the upper lip. Fillers can add volume to the lip body if desired. Dr. Leonard will advise on whether a combined approach is appropriate during consultation.

How is a lip lift different from a lip flip?

A lip flip uses a small amount of Botox to relax the muscle along the upper lip border — causing the lip to curl slightly outward and appear fuller. It is temporary, lasting around three months, and does not shorten the philtrum. A lip lift is a permanent surgical procedure that structurally repositions the upper lip. The two procedures address different concerns and are not interchangeable.

Can a lip lift make lips look unnatural?

In experienced hands a lip lift produces a natural result — improving proportion and definition without creating an artificial appearance. The most common cause of unnatural lip lift results is excessive skin removal. Dr. Leonard plans each procedure with millimetre-level precision, ensuring the amount of skin removed is appropriate for the patient’s
anatomy — prioritising a natural result at all times.

How soon can I wear makeup after a lip lift?

Makeup around the lip and nose area should be avoided for at least one week following surgery while sutures are in place. After suture removal — typically at day five to seven — light makeup can be applied with care. Full makeup
application is generally appropriate from two weeks post-operatively.

Can a lip lift be reversed?

A lip lift is a permanent procedure and cannot be fully reversed. This is why precise surgical planning and conservative excision are essential. Dr. Leonard takes a measured, staged approach — never over-correcting in a single procedure — to ensure the result is natural and achievable without the risk of requiring revision.

How long after lip fillers can I have a lip lift?

It is generally recommended to wait for any existing lip filler to dissolve — either naturally or with hyaluronidase — before undergoing a lip lift. This allows Dr. Leonard to accurately assess your natural lip anatomy during consultation and plan the procedure based on your true baseline proportions.

The first step is a conversation — not a commitment.

A lip lift consultation with Dr. Leonard is a focused clinical assessment — not a sales conversation.
He will evaluate your philtral height, facial proportions, and goals honestly and advise on whether a lip lift,
fillers, or a combination approach is the right solution for you.

Consultations available at Seline Clinic, Jumeirah and Mubadala Health Dubai, Jumeirah Beach Road.

Consultations & Surgeries

Seline Clinic Dubai
Villa 623, Jumeirah Street
Umm Suqeim 1
Dubai,
United Arab Emirates

Mubadala Health Dubai
Part of Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
Sunset Mall, First Floor
Jumeirah Beach Road, Jumeirah 3
Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Contact

+971 544 215 215

booking@drleonard.ae

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