Lip reduction surgery (reduction cheiloplasty)

This article discusses and presents options related to the cosmetic reduction of enlarged lips, primarily in ethnic populations. No formal study is performed. The author presents a literature review and discusses his personal 26-year experiences in lip surgery. When basic tenets are followed, cosmetic lip reduction is a predictable procedure with very little morbidity. Although lip augmentation is a popular cosmetic procedure, a certain percentage of the population desires smaller lips. Reduction cheiloplasty is a safe and predictable procedure that has been performed over a half century. This procedure is relatively simple and has a moderate learning curve. Cosmetic lip reduction is safe and effective, and has a high level of patient acceptance when certain diagnostic and treatment criteria are fulfilled.