Summary

• Lip Lift is a surgical procedure which addresses the shape and proportions of the lips and mouth
• Lip Lift recovery time is typically 4-6 weeks
• To aid the Lip Lift healing process, it is important to sleep with your head slightly elevated and follow your surgeon’s recovery and aftercare instructions
• Cadogan Clinic includes a comprehensive recovery and aftercare support package with all Lip Lift procedures

What is a Lip Lift?

Lip Lift surgery is a popular procedure which adjusts the shape and proportions of the lips and mouth and is often performed as an alternative to Lip Filler treatment for patients who wish to achieve permanent results.

Cadogan Clinic is a UK-leading surgical centre of excellence based in Chelsea, London. Our specialist Consultant Facial Surgeons are experts in performing Lip Lift surgery, and 100% of Cadogan Clinic’s surgical patients would recommend the Clinic to their family and friends.

There are several types of Lip Lift surgery to address different concerns and achieve different results:

• Bullhorn Lip Lift: The most popular type of Lip Lift, a Bullhorn Lip Lift involves removing a small amount of skin from between the upper lip and the nose, increasing the visible height of the upper lip
• Corner Lip Lift: By removing small amounts of skin from above the outer lip corners, downturned lips are corrected, giving the face a more open and friendly expression
• Lower Lip Lift: For patients concerned about the shape or proportions of their lower lip, a Lower Lip Lift involves removing small amounts of skin from beneath the lower lip to improve volume and visibility

Many patients choose to combine a Lip Lift with other facial procedures, such as Facelift or Neck Lift to enhance the final results.

Lip Augmentation procedures are increasingly popular, mainly thanks to their transformative impact on overall facial appearance, without being an especially arduous procedure. In 2025, the International Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ISAPS) reported that Lip Enhancements were the tenth most popular procedures globally. In 2022, the global Lip Augmentation market was valued at $6.4 billion, and was projected to increase to $11.61 billion by 2030.

If you are considering Lip Lift surgery, Cadogan Clinic’s team of specialist surgical advisors are on hand to discuss your questions and match you with the best Consultant Facial Surgeon to perform your procedure.

Lip Lift is a surgical procedure which enhances the shape and proportions of the lips and mouth to address a range of concerns, including expression, injury and the natural effects of ageing.

Lip Lift Recovery Tips

One of the most important aspects of Lip Lift recovery, to prevent complications and ensure you achieve the best results, is to closely follow your surgeon’s aftercare instructions.

Your Consultant Facial Surgeon will discuss what you should expect during your Lip Lift recovery at your consultation, but you will also receive support from your personal surgical advisor and the pre-operative team to make sure you are fully prepared.

What You Should Do During Lip Lift Recovery

• Sleeping position: It is important to sleep on your back, with your head slightly elevated to aid Lip Lift healing and reduce swelling
• Eating soft foods: Especially during your early Lip Lift recovery, you should prioritise eating soft foods to protect your incisions and reduce strain around your mouth
• Cold compresses: Holding a cold compress on the surgical area a few times a day can help to reduce swelling
• Wound care: As the mouth is an area which can easily become contaminated with food, it is essential to keep your incisions and dressings clean and dry to prevent complications

What You Shouldn’t Do During Lip Lift Recovery

• Strenuous exercise and activity: Strenuous exercise and activity, such as heavy lifting, can place strain on the incisions, which may result in complications and slow healing
• Tanning: The skin is especially fragile during healing, and exposure to UV light from the sun or tanning beds may result in Lip Lift scarring becoming darker and more visible. As the mouth and lips are hard to keep covered, it is essential to wear sunscreen and reapply regularly
• Travel: Long-distance travel should be avoided as it can be tiring, reducing the body’s natural healing capacities, and slowing recovery
• Eating excessive salt and sugar: High levels of salt and sugar in food are dehydrating and may affect healing time and the quality of the final result

Your Consultant Facial Surgeon and Cadogan Clinic’s expert surgical nurses are on hand throughout your Lip Lift journey to provide support and Lip Lift recovery tips to ensure you achieve the best results.

Is Lip Lift Painful?

Following Lip Lift surgery, it is normal to experience slight discomfort in the first few days of recovery. Most patients find that this can be controlled with standard pain relief medication. Common sensations during this stage of recovery include:

• Tightness
• Numbness
• Itching
• Tingling

It is also normal for there to be some swelling and bruising around the mouth and lips following during the early stages of Lip Augmentation recovery. This can take 2-3 weeks to fully resolve, and your surgeon may recommend cold compresses to help accelerate the healing process.

Although some slight discomfort is normal after a Lip Lift, if you have any concerns or spot any unusual signs, you should contact the Clinic for further assessment.

Any slight discomfort after Lip Lift surgery is normal and should resolve within the first few days of recovery. You will receive full aftercare support from your medical team at Cadogan Clinic to ensure your recovery is smooth and successful.

What Lip Lift Aftercare Support Does Cadogan Clinic Provide?

Cadogan Clinic provides a comprehensive recovery and aftercare service as standard with all Lip Lift procedures. Thorough and attentive recovery and aftercare are a crucial part of any surgical procedure to prevent complications and achieve the highest possible outcomes.

Following your Lip Lift surgery, you will be given the phone number for Cadogan Clinic’s dedicated nursing team, who provide 24/7 recovery support, if you require assistance.

During your Lip Lift recovery, you will have a series of follow-up appointments with our specialist nurses and your Consultant Facial Surgeon to monitor your progress and assess your healing and results. It is important to attend these appointments in person, at our award-winning Clinic, to ensure your medical team has the best possible visibility and oversight of your recovery.

Cadogan Clinic’s focus on high-quality recovery and aftercare support means that our teams maintain industry-leading safety standards:

• The Clinic’s surgical infection rate is 0.01%, compared with a 4.7% national average
• Our overall surgical revision rate is 0.8%, compared with an average of around ~10%

Cadogan Clinic’s Consultant-led service emphasises the importance of comprehensive recovery and aftercare support following Lip Lift surgery to maintain the highest standards of patient safety and surgical outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions