Is a Lip Lift Scar Noticeable? Healing, Prevention & Revision Options

When we think about the “perfect” smile, we often focus on teeth. But the real magic lies in the lips – their fullness, shape, and the way the philtrum frames them – all working together to create facial balance.

You can get the perfect smile by having a lip lift. It’s quick and easy, but it does involve incisions and sutures/stitches. Because of this, you may be concerned about lip lift scars. After all, you don’t want them to detract from your beautiful new smile.

This post will go over everything you need to know about a lip lift scar so you can feel confident about your decision regarding this procedure.

Where Is the Lip Lift Scar Located?

The most commonly performed variation of this procedure is the subnasal or bullhorn lip lift. As the name suggests, the incision is made directly underneath the base of your nose, and this follows the natural crease between the nose and the upper lip. 

This technique takes advantage of the inherent contour of the skin, and what’s great about a bullhorn lip lift scar is that it typically heals more softly and blends better with the surrounding texture. Even though you have a lip lift scar under your nose, you won’t see it as the scar heals. It’ll become tucked away into the fold so that it’s almost invisible.

When the surgeon is done with your procedure, they’ll close the incision with fine sutures, which support precise tissue alignment and minimize any disruption to the surrounding skin. As far as lip lift scar healing goes, you’ll see a thin line of scar tissue in the first week since the incision will begin healing from the outside in. Over the weeks and months, you’ll experience deeper collagen remodeling, so the scar will gradually do the following as blood flow and tissue strength normalize:

• Soften
• Flatten
• Fade in color

What a Normal Lip Lift Scar Looks Like Over Time

Now that you have the big picture of how lip lift scars should heal, let’s zoom in. Here’s a more granular look at what a normal lip lift scar looks like over time.

1 Week Post-Op

You’ll experience the initial inflammatory phase in the first week after a lip lift. It’ll look red or pink, slightly raised, and possibly swollen. Keep in mind that this is completely normal, as your body is actively repairing tissue by laying down new collagen and sealing the incision.

Often, surgeons will remove non-dissolvable sutures at or near the end of this week. Afterward, you may notice more scabbing or slight dryness along the incision line. The scar is typically more visible and may feel firm to the touch.

1 Month Post-Op

Most of the swelling should have subsided by one month post-op. In addition, the initial redness will start to soften.

The scar will probably still be a fine pink line, but it’ll be thinner and less raised than in the first week. Some patients may be able to conceal the scar with makeup at this point, but there will still be healing going on underneath.

Of course, collagen production and tissue remodeling will continue this month. As a result, you may see significant changes in your scar’s appearance in the following months.

3-6 Months Post-Op

After three months post-op, the scar should enter a more mature phase of healing. This means that:

• The pink or reddish coloration fades
• The scar flattens and becomes more flexible
• Its contrast with the surrounding skin lessens

For many patients, their scars will become a very thin and pale line that blends into the natural crease beneath their noses. It can take 6 months or even up to a year for the scar to fade completely; it’ll depend on how quickly your deeper collagen continues to reorganize and soften.

How Dr. Valdez Minimizes Scarring

Dr. Valdez minimizes scarring by using meticulous surgical planning and placement for his lip lifts. He’ll place the incision precisely in the natural crease beneath the nose so that the scar is hidden in a contour. In addition, he’ll use finely calibrated sutures to close the incision.

Most importantly, he’ll thoroughly go over the aftercare instructions with you to ensure that you completely understand how to take care of yourself after the surgery.

How to Reduce Scarring

How noticeable your scar is will depend on how your body heals. But there are certainly ways to reduce scarring.

The first is to use silicone therapies, which are available in gel or sheet form. Either way, the silicone forms a protective layer over the healing incision, and this:

• Hydrates scar tissue
• Regulates collagen formation
• Prevents excessive scar thickness

You should also practice sun protection by using a high-SPF sunscreen on the healed scar every day. Combine this with physical protection, like a wide-brimmed hat to shade your face.

If your scar remains red, raised, or more visible than desired, then professional treatments can help, such as vascular-targeting lasers and ablative or fractional CO2/Erbium lasers.

Lip Lift Scar Revision

Not all lip lift scars need revision, but you may need one if the scar is persistently thick, wide, raised (hypertrophic), or hyperpigmented. Generally speaking, you should wait at least 6-12 months for the scar to mature before pursuing revision.

Your options include:

• Topical and silicone therapies
• Microneedling
• Laser resurfacing
• Injectables (such as corticosteroids)
• Surgical scar revision

Schedule Your Lip Lift Consultation Today

Yes, you’ll have a lip lift scar if you go through with the procedure. But if you get an excellent surgeon, they’ll place the incision strategically so that once you’re healed up, no one will be able to notice that you even have a scar.

So don’t hold yourself back from a surgery that can change your smile for the better, just because you’re uneasy about scars. Now that you understand where a lip lift scar is located, you’ll have peace of mind knowing it’s not noticeable at all.

If you feel like you’re ready for a lip lift, then schedule a consultation with us now. Dr. Valdez serves patients not only in the local area, but also in the US and Canada. We have a bilingual team that can help you every step of the way.