Feminizing Lip Lift: Sculpting a More Harmonious & Feminine Smile at WIH Hospital

The lips are central to facial expression and a key determinant of perceived gender. For many transgender women, the area between the nose and upper lip, known as the philtrum, may appear longer, and the upper lip itself thinner or less everted, contributing to a more masculine facial presentation. At WIH International Hospital, our Feminizing Lip Lift is a specialized cosmetic procedure meticulously designed to enhance the shape and fullness of the upper lip, creating a more youthful, vibrant, and distinctly feminine appearance that beautifully complements your overall facial feminization.

Understanding Feminizing Lip Lift for Facial Feminization

A Feminizing Lip Lift is a precise surgical procedure focused on reshaping the upper lip and the philtrum for individuals seeking to feminize their facial features. This technique specifically addresses masculine characteristics such as:

  • An Elongated Philtrum: The vertical distance between the base of the nose and the upper lip. A longer philtrum is often associated with male facial anatomy.
  • A Thin Upper Lip: Lacking projection or fullness, often exacerbated by a long philtrum.
  • Minimal Upper Tooth Show: When smiling or at rest, very little of the upper teeth are visible, which can be perceived as less youthful or feminine.

By surgically shortening the philtrum, this procedure encourages the upper lip to roll slightly outwards, creating a more pronounced, aesthetically pleasing, and feminine lip contour with increased visibility of the upper teeth when smiling or speaking.

Why Choose Lip Lifting Surgery?

Over time, the lips may lose volume and definition due to aging or genetics. Lip lifting surgery offers several benefits, including:

  • Improved Lip Proportion: Achieving a more harmonious balance between the upper and lower lips.
  • Enhanced Smile: Creating a more youthful and engaging smile.
  • Reduced Lip Lines: Minimizing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles around the mouth.
  • Long-Lasting Results: Offering a permanent enhancement compared to temporary fillers.

Why is the Feminizing Lip Lift Crucial in Facial Feminization Surgery?

The upper lip and philtrum are subtle yet powerful indicators of facial gender. For transgender women, the Feminizing Lip Lift plays a crucial role in Facial Feminization Surgery (FFS) by:

  • Creating Ideal Feminine Proportions: A shorter philtrum and a fuller, more everted upper lip are quintessential feminine traits, balancing the lower face.
  • Enhancing Smile Aesthetics: Increased tooth show creates a more engaging, youthful, and authentically feminine smile.
  • Alleviating Gender Dysphoria: Directly addresses a specific area of the face that may contribute to a masculine appearance, significantly aiding in gender affirmation.
  • Harmonizing with Other FFS Procedures: Seamlessly integrates with procedures like feminizing rhinoplasty, jaw reshaping, or chin contouring to achieve a cohesive, overall feminine facial aesthetic.
  • Achieving Focus on Feminine Lip Shape: Our surgeons focus on not just shortening the philtrum, but also on the subtle curvature, projection, and eversion of the upper lip to achieve that ideal feminine shape.

A good candidate for Feminizing Lip Lift surgery

  • An elongated philtrum
  • A thin upper lip
  • Minimal upper tooth shows when smiling
  • Realistic expectations
  • Desires a more feminine, youthful, and well-proportioned upper lip and smile.

The Feminizing Lip Lift Procedure at WIH Hospital

Initial Consultation

Your journey begins with a thorough and confidential consultation. Our surgeon will conduct a comprehensive assessment of your facial features, lip proportions, and aesthetic goals for a feminine appearance. This detailed discussion will allow us to create a personalized surgical plan tailored to your unique anatomy and desired outcome.

Anesthesia

For your comfort and safety, the Feminizing Lip Lift surgery is typically performed under local anesthesia with optional sedation. This ensures you remain relaxed and pain-free throughout the procedure.

Precise Incision Placement (Subnasal “Bullhorn” Technique)

The most common and effective incision technique for feminizing lip lifts, often referred to as the Subnasal “Bullhorn” Lip Lift, involves a small, discreet incision made precisely along the base of the nose, hidden within the natural shadows and contours of this area. The shape of the incision resembles a bullhorn, allowing for targeted removal of skin directly beneath the nostrils. This strategic placement ensures that any resulting scar is exceptionally well-concealed and typically unnoticeable once healed.

The Lip Lifting Technique

Through the precisely placed incision, a carefully measured amount of excess skin and underlying tissue is removed from the philtrum. The remaining skin and upper lip musculature are then gently lifted and re-suspended to the desired higher position. This surgical procedure achieves:

  • Shortening of the Philtrum: Reduces the vertical distance between the nose and the upper lip.
  • Upper Lip Eversion: Encourages the pink part of the upper lip to roll subtly outwards, increasing its visible volume and creating a fuller appearance.
  • Enhanced Tooth Show: Increases the amount of upper teeth visible when the mouth is at rest or during a relaxed smile, contributing to a more youthful and feminine expression.

Incision Closure

The incision is then closed with fine sutures, which are typically removed after a few days. Our surgeons employ advanced suturing techniques to ensure optimal healing and minimal scarring, blending seamlessly with the natural contours of your face.

Benefits of Feminizing Lip Lift

  • Achieves a More Feminine Lip Shape
  • Shortens the Philtrum
  • Increases Upper Lip Fullness
  • Improves Facial Balance
  • Reduces the Appearance of Fine Lines
  • Long-Lasting, Natural Results
  • Boost Confidence

FAQ

While individual facial harmony varies, generally, a shorter philtrum is considered more feminine and youthful. The ideal length can depend on your overall facial proportions, but a typical range considered aesthetically pleasing for a feminine face might be around 11-13 mm. Your surgeon will discuss your specific measurements during the consultation.

Initially, you may experience some temporary swelling and stiffness that can slightly affect your speech or make eating certain foods a little challenging. However, this is typically temporary and resolves within the first few weeks as swelling subsides and your muscles adapt to the new lip position. Most patients return to normal speech and eating habits quickly.

Yes, it is very common for Feminizing Lip Lift to be combined with other Facial Feminization Surgery procedures. It harmonizes beautifully with procedures such as feminizing rhinoplasty (nose surgery), chin reduction, or jawline contouring to create a comprehensively balanced and feminine lower and mid-face. Your surgeon will advise on the most beneficial combination of procedures for your specific goals.

Lip fillers use injectable substances to add temporary volume to the lips. While they can enhance fullness, they do not shorten the philtrum, permanently evert the lip, or significantly increase tooth show. A Feminizing Lip Lift is a permanent surgical procedure that addresses the underlying anatomy by shortening the philtrum and subtly repositioning the lip, offering a long-lasting solution for true structural enhancement and feminization, which fillers cannot achieve.

The incision for a Feminizing Lip Lift (Sub-nasal “Bullhorn”) is strategically placed discreetly along the natural crease at the base of the nose, making it exceptionally well-concealed. While any surgery results in a scar, with proper healing and meticulous surgical technique, the scar typically becomes very inconspicuous and blends seamlessly with the natural facial contours over time.

The results of a Feminizing Lip Lift are considered permanent. The surgical alteration to the philtrum length and upper lip position is a structural change. While the natural aging process will continue to affect your facial tissues over time, the fundamental enhancement achieved by the lip lift is designed to be long-lasting.