Long Philtrum
The distance from nose to lip exceeds youthful proportion (typically >15mm).
Face · BodyCode Aesthetics
Lip Lift / Lip Enhancement
Reveal Your Smile.
A surgical lip lift shortens the philtrum and reveals more of your natural upper lip — a permanent, natural alternative to fillers.
45 min
Surgery Time
Local
Anaesthesia
5–7 days
Recovery
Permanent
Results
Abuja, Nigeria
Lagos, Nigeria
What is a Lip Lift?
Natural. Permanent. Lifted.
A subnasal (bullhorn) lip lift shortens the distance between the base of the nose and the top of the upper lip — a distance that lengthens with aging and obscures the upper lip.
At BodyCode Aesthetics this 45-minute procedure under local anaesthesia exposes more pink lip permanently — giving a more youthful, balanced smile without the recurring cost or unnatural plumpness of fillers.
- Permanent — no recurring filler costs
- Reveals more natural pink lip
- Shortens an elongated philtrum
- More youthful smile
- Scar hidden at base of nose
- Quick 45-minute procedure under local
Is It Right for You?
Ideal Candidates
Lip lift suits patients with a long philtrum, thin-looking upper lip, or a smile that hides the upper teeth.
Thin Upper Lip Appearance
Your upper lip appears thin because most of it is hidden beneath a long philtrum.
No Visible Upper Teeth at Smile
A youthful smile shows upper teeth — lip lift exposes them again.
Filler Fatigue
You want a permanent alternative to ongoing lip fillers.
Realistic Expectations
You understand a lip lift exposes existing lip rather than adding volume.
Not Suitable If…
Lip lift is not recommended in patients with active perioral infection, recent injectable filler in the lip (wait 6 months), or those seeking volume rather than exposure.
Step by Step
The Procedure at BodyCode Aesthetics
A precise 45-minute office procedure under local anaesthesia.
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01
Consultation & Measurement
Precise measurement of philtrum, photographs, and discussion of expected outcome.
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02
Pre-Op Preparation
Avoid blood-thinning medications and alcohol for several days before.
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03
Local Anaesthesia
Local anaesthetic applied; you remain awake throughout.
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04
Bullhorn Incision
A bullhorn-shaped incision is marked at the base of the nose — hidden in the natural shadow.
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05
Skin Removal
A precise crescent of skin is removed to shorten the philtrum.
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06
Closing
Multi-layer closure with very fine sutures for minimal scarring.
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07
Immediate Discharge
You go home immediately — no recovery monitoring needed.
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08
Follow-Up
Sutures out at 5–7 days; review at 4 weeks.
Flexible financing & payment plans available — confirmed at your consultation.
See financing options
Why Choose Us
Why BodyCode Aesthetics?
Precise Technique
Lip lifts demand sub-millimetre precision — we measure carefully and never over-correct.
Hidden Scar Technique
Bullhorn incision tucked precisely under the nostrils in the natural shadow.
Natural Aesthetic
Subtle exposure, not exaggeration. You should look like a younger version of yourself.
In-Office Convenience
A 45-minute procedure under local — no hospital admission needed.
Two Premium Clinics
Performed in Abuja and Lagos.
Healing Journey
Recovery Timeline
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01Day 1 – 3 Immediately Post-Surgery
Initial Healing
Some swelling and bruising at base of nose. Tight feeling on smiling. Soft foods only.
- Soft foods
- Gentle cleansing
- Cold compresses
- No wide smiling
- No large bites
- No straws
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02Days 4 – 7 Sutures Out
Sutures Removed
Sutures removed at day 5–7. Bruising fading. Most patients comfortable in public.
- Begin normal eating
- Camouflage makeup
- No vigorous facial expressions yet
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03Week 2 Social Return
Back at Work
Most patients return to work. Minor residual swelling fades over 2–3 weeks.
- Resume normal activity
- Begin scar care
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04Weeks 3 – 6 Scar Maturation
Scar Fades
Fine scar at base of nose continues to fade.
- Silicone gel
- SPF on scar
- Avoid sun on scar
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052 – 3 Months Final Results
Permanent Lip Lift
Final lip position visible. Scar mature and inconspicuous.
- Daily SPF
- Continue scar protection 6 months
Compression
- No compression needed
Diet & Hydration
- Soft foods first 5 days
- Small bites only
- No straws (suction stress)
- Avoid alcohol 1 week
Activity Guide
- Resume daily activity from day 2
- Gym from week 1
- Avoid impact sports for 2 weeks
Scar & Skin Care
- Silicone gel from week 2
- SPF daily for 6 months
- No direct sun for 3 months
Transparency First
Risks & Considerations
Every patient deserves complete honesty. These risks are rare when surgery is performed by BodyCode Aesthetics' expert team.
Scar Visibility
A fine scar at the base of the nose; usually settles to be inconspicuous over months.
Asymmetry
Minor side-to-side differences can occur; revision is rare and minor.
Over-Lift
Excessive shortening looks unnatural — we measure and plan precisely to avoid this.
Sensation Changes
Temporary altered sensation near the lip; resolves over weeks.
Numbness
Brief numbness common; resolves over weeks.
Recurrence (Slight)
A tiny amount of philtrum lengthening can occur over many years; very subtle if at all.
Our Commitment to Safety
Lip lifts are precise office procedures performed in our clinical facilities under strict sterile technique.
How is a lip lift different from filler?
Filler adds volume temporarily (6–12 months). A surgical lip lift permanently reveals more of your existing upper lip by shortening the philtrum. Many patients prefer the natural result.
How visible is the scar?
The scar sits in the shadow at the base of the nostrils. With proper scar care it becomes inconspicuous within 3–6 months.
Will my lip look bigger?
More pink lip will be visible, giving the appearance of a fuller lip — but without the bulkier "filler" look.
When can I smile normally?
Avoid wide smiling for the first week. After sutures come out, smiling is fine.
Can I combine lip lift with filler?
Yes — many patients have a lip lift first and add modest filler later if more volume is desired.
Will it interfere with eating or speaking?
Soft foods and small bites for the first 5 days. Normal speech and eating resume by week 2.
How long does it last?
Permanent. Tiny amounts of philtrum lengthening can occur over many years but the lift is essentially lifelong.
Can men have lip lifts?
Yes — the procedure is performed in both men and women.
Is the procedure painful?
No — performed comfortably under local. Mild tightness afterwards is managed with paracetamol.
How do I book a consultation?
Click "Book Consultation" or WhatsApp us. Our team will respond within 24 hours.
How much does treatment cost?
Cost depends on the procedure, the time required and any combined treatments. Contact us for a personalised quote.
Do you offer financing?
We offer flexible payment options. Contact us for current arrangements.
Lip Lift / Lip Enhancement
Book a private consultation with our board-certified surgeons. We typically respond within one working day.