Alias Name
Upper Lip Shortening

Procedure Detail
Philtrum – is the vertical column in the middle area of the upper lip. A short philtrum signifies youth and beauty. Whereas a long philtrum makes a female’s face less feminine. A lip shortening procedure should address not only the vertical length of the skin of upper lip but also the shape and fullness of the vermilion. The skin excision is immediately below the nose in the crease below the nostril rim (alar) and the columella. The incision extends into the floor of the nostril so as to minimize its visibility. After skin is excised, a portion of the orbicularis iris is also excised and resuspended to the base of the nose so as to give a more durable result and also to evert the upper lip.

Features
If the philtrum ratio is too long, one will look old. The effect of shortening can restore youthfulness.

Benefits
Look younger, youthful appearance.

Recommended
Philtrum too long.

Suitable Candidate
Philtrum ratio is too long; thin upper lips; ‘trout pout’ appearance.

Popularity
⭐⭐⭐✩✩

Safety
⭐⭐⭐✩✩

Complexity
⭐⭐⭐✩✩

Pros
The result is obvious and incision scar can be hidden well.

Cons
The incision is on the skin, there is a risk of scar hyperplasia; there is a possibility of retraction.

Unsuitable Candidate
Patients with high blood pressure, diabetes, or infectious diseases; those who take steroids and aspirin for a long time; women during menstruation and pregnancy; those with maxillary protrusion, upper lip center too high, and philtrum is thick (the result may be unsatisfactory).

Scar
No

Treatment Time
1-1.5 hr

Anesthesia Method
Local anesthetic

Treatment Course
Single Time

Procedures Technique
Surgery

Sustainability
Permanent

Recovery Period
6 months

Qualification
Practitioner in medical aesthetics or plastic surgeon

Pain Scale
No pain

Before the Procedure

1. Women avoid menstrual periods to avoid increased bleeding or swelling.
2. Do not take steroid and aspirin anticoagulants within two weeks before surgery.
3. Don’t wear makeup on the day of surgery, and no jewelries.
4. It is recommended to postpone the operation if you have the following lip conditions: oral ulcers, folliculitis and other infections, acute inflammation, etc..
5. Pre-pregnancy (three months) or late pregnancy (three months) postponed surgery.
6. Men need to quit smoking one week in advance.
7. Routine physical examination, blood pressure, electrocardiogram, etc..

0-6th days
Severe swelling period from 0 days to 6 days Recovery Tips: Postoperative edema, bruising, and congestion in the operation area are normal.

Aftercare methods:

1. Apply ice for 30-60 minutes after the operation and apply ice 3-4 times a day for 3 days after the operation.
2. On the night after the operation, wound may be painful. If necessary, you can take painkillers or sleeping pills to help you sleep.
3. Take cold liquid food on the same day, cannot use a straw, you can use a spoon; eat a normal diet after 2 days.
4. Oral antibiotics for 3 days to prevent infection.

7th days
7 days for the stitches to be removed. Recovery Tips:
7 days for the stitches to be removed at the hospital (because the procedure is different, the stitches must be removed at the hospital at the time of the doctor’s order).

Aftercare methods:

1. Keep the wound clean to prevent infection.
2. The wound should not be wet within 24 hours after the thread is removed.
3. The wound should not be rubbed.
4. Light diet and no spicy and irritating food.

8-15th days
Recovery tips:
Swelling gradually reduced, mild pain.

Aftercare methods:

1. Within one week after surgery, avoid smoking, alcohol and spicy food.
2. Within one week of surgery, avoid exaggerated expressions, talk as little as possible, avoid laughing and yawning.
3. You can brush your teeth after surgery but Be gentle and do not touch the wound.

16-30th days
16 to 30 days tissue recovery period. Recovery tips:
Generally, the post operation symptoms, most of them gradually disappear after 1-2 weeks; if you find swelling, congestion or increased pain, please contact your doctor immediately.

Aftercare methods:

1. Topical scar removal cream can be used 1 week after stitch removal and healing. After the scar removal cream has dried and formed a protective film, the surface can be put on makeup.

31-90th days
31 days to 90 days stable period. Recovery Tips:
Within 2-3 months after surgery, the incision may be slightly red, slightly hard, and occasionally itching, it will gradually recover. Generally, the car will not be seen from a distance.

Care methods:

1. Scars are generally stable around 3-6 months after surgery, minimize exaggerated expression activities, and use topical scar cream to prevent them; if it is still obvious, further treatment may be needed (if hyperplasia occurs, hormone injections can be injected into the scar; if the scar is flat or sunken, laser light can be used later).

Reminder
The above postoperative care is for reference only. Due to individual differences and different surgical procedures, the recovery cycle, suture removal time and aftercare methods will be different. The specific plan is to follow the doctor’s advice.