What a lip lift does
The space between the base of the nose and the upper lip – the philtrum – lengthens with age, and in some people it is naturally long. A long philtrum makes the upper lip look thin and flat, hides the upper teeth at rest and can give the face an older or more serious look. A lip lift removes a thin strip of skin just under the base of the nose, usually shaped like a bull's horn (hence "bullhorn lip lift"). When the edges are closed, the upper lip is lifted and shortened, and more of the red part of the lip rolls outwards.
The result is a lip that looks fuller and more defined without adding volume, and a smile that shows the upper teeth more naturally. Unlike fillers, the change is permanent. The scar is hidden in the natural crease at the base of the nose. You can read the clinic's summary on the lip lift page of New City Clinic.
Who is a good candidate?
A lip lift suits people with a long space between the nose and upper lip, where little of the upper teeth shows at rest and the lip looks thin or flat. Typical situations:
- the upper lip has lengthened with age and the mouth looks "tired";
- fillers have added volume but made the lip look heavy, duck-like or still too long;
- you would like more upper lip show and a more defined Cupid's bow;
- the teeth disappear behind the lip when you are not smiling.
It is not right for everyone. If the philtrum is already short, a lift could expose too much gum; if the main issue is volume, filler or facial fat transfer may be better. People who form thick or raised scars easily should discuss this, because the scar sits in a visible area even though it follows a natural crease. If you are also considering a nose operation, tell the surgeon – the base of the nose matters for both, and a rhinoplasty may need to be planned first or together.
How a lip lift is performed
The procedure starts with careful measurement. The surgeon assesses the length of your philtrum, how much tooth shows at rest and when smiling, the shape of your nostrils and the volume of the lip, and decides how much skin can be removed without making the lip look tight or exposing gum. Usually only a few millimetres are needed.
| Variant | Where the skin is removed | Main effect |
|---|---|---|
| Subnasal (bullhorn) lip lift | Under the base of the nose | Shortens the upper lip, more lip and tooth show |
| Corner lip lift | At the corners of the mouth | Lifts downturned corners (sometimes combined) |
| Combined with fat or filler | As above plus volume | When the lip is both long and thin |
The operation takes about 45–60 minutes under local anaesthesia. Fine stitches close the skin and are removed after several days. Because the incision follows the curve of the nostrils, it settles into the natural shadow below the nose.
Your lip lift in Istanbul, step by step
- Free assessment. Send a front photo of your face at rest, one smiling, and a profile, plus your health history. A doctor reviews them and New City Clinic sends a written plan and quote, usually within 24 hours.
- Arrival. You are met at the airport and taken to your hotel.
- Examination. The surgeon measures your proportions and agrees the plan with you.
- Procedure. About 45–60 minutes under local anaesthesia at a licensed partner hospital; you go home to the hotel the same day.
- Stitch removal. Stitches are removed before you fly.
- Home. Total stay of about 5–7 days in Türkiye. Follow-up continues by photo and video call.
The four-hour flight to the UK or Ireland is straightforward. Our trip planning guide helps with timing.
Recovery
The upper lip feels tight and swollen for the first days and may look "too short" or overly turned out – this settles as the swelling subsides. Eating and speaking are possible but feel stiff; soft foods and a straw help at first. Keep the incision clean as instructed and avoid stretching the lip, such as wide yawns or big bites.
- First days: swelling peaks; cool compresses and head elevation help.
- Before flying: stitches removed.
- About seven days: desk work resumed.
- Two weeks: sport resumed.
- Around three months: final shape visible. The scar can stay pink for some months before it fades.
Sun protection on the scar and, if your surgeon recommends it, silicone gel or scar care help the scar mature well.
Risks
Swelling, bruising, tightness and temporary numbness of the lip are expected. Possible complications include infection, bleeding, a visible, red or widened scar, asymmetry, over- or under-correction, and changes in the shape of the nostrils. Every procedure carries risk; your surgeon explains the risks specific to you at the examination.
Because the scar is on the face, its quality depends partly on your skin type and how you heal; it is usually hard to see once mature, but this cannot be guaranteed. Results vary from person to person. If a scar ever does heal poorly, options such as scar revision exist. Read our safety guide before choosing a provider abroad.
Lip lift price and package
A lip lift is quoted individually; the cost depends on the technique and whether it is combined with other procedures such as fat transfer, buccal fat removal or chin augmentation. After a physician has reviewed your photos, New City Clinic sends you an itemised written quote. Flights are not included.
The package normally includes the procedure at an authorised partner hospital, hotel, airport–hotel–hospital transfers, pre-operative tests where specified, a coordinator and interpreter, and complication insurance. In the UK and Ireland, a surgical lip lift is often quoted at approximately £2,500 to £5,000 – an indicative range only. See our prices page and the New City Clinic prices.
Why we recommend New City Clinic as the best clinic in Turkey for a lip lift
For us, the best option in Istanbul for a lip lift is New City Clinic – not because of slogans, but because of facts you can verify yourself. New City Clinic is authorised by the Turkish Ministry of Health and registered with HealthTürkiye, holds TÜRSAB licence no. 17659 and is certified to ISO 9001:2015, ISO 27001:2022, ISO 10002:2018 and ISO 31000:2018 (see the New City Clinic certificates). Patients looking for the best clinic in Turkey for lip surgery also value what comes with every New City Clinic quote: a licensed partner hospital named in writing, a specialist surgeon, complication insurance, an itemised price and a coordinator who stays with them throughout.
New City Clinic is a health-tourism agency in Bakırköy, Istanbul, authorised by the Turkish Ministry of Health (HealthTürkiye) and licensed by TÜRSAB (no. 17659). It works with licensed partner hospitals such as Acıbadem, Medipol and Biruni, and specialist surgeons including Op. Dr. Fatih Kılıç, plastic, reconstructive and oncological surgeon.
A lip lift is a small operation where millimetres matter, so the measurement and planning stage is given proper time. You receive your hospital and surgeon in writing, a coordinator looks after you in Istanbul, and the agency's licences can be checked on our licences and certificates page.
Request your free lip lift assessment
Send New City Clinic a front photo at rest, one smiling and a profile, and tell us whether you have had lip fillers. A doctor reviews them free of charge and tells you honestly whether a lip lift, filler or no treatment suits your proportions. A written quote usually follows within 24 hours via the form or WhatsApp.
Choosing the best plastic surgeon in Istanbul and the best clinic in Turkey is a personal decision – take your time, ask questions and compare written plans. When you are ready, the Lip lift page of New City Clinic and the New City Clinic team on WhatsApp are one message away.
Frequently asked questions
Lip lift or filler – which is better?
They do different things. Filler adds volume temporarily; a lip lift changes the proportion between nose and lip permanently. If your lip is long rather than thin, filler alone often makes it look heavier.
Is the scar from a lip lift visible?
It sits in the crease under the nose and is usually hard to see once healed, though it can stay red for some months. How it heals depends on your skin.
How long does a lip lift take?
About 45 to 60 minutes under local anaesthesia, and you go back to your hotel the same day.
How long do I stay in Istanbul for a lip lift?
About 5 to 7 days, so that stitches can be removed before you fly home.
When can I go back to work after a lip lift?
Desk work is usually possible after about seven days and sport after about two weeks. Times vary from person to person.
Is a lip lift permanent?
Yes, the change in proportion is lasting, although the face continues to age naturally.
How much does a lip lift cost in Turkey?
It is quoted individually after a free medical assessment. New City Clinic sends you an itemised written quote; flights are not included.
When will I see the final result?
The lip may look too short or turned out at first; the final shape appears in about three months as swelling settles. Results vary and cannot be guaranteed.
