Rejuvenating the Aging Upper Lip: The Longevity of the Subnasal Lip Lift Procedure

Objective: This study sought to retrospectively analyze the longevity of the subnasal lip lift procedure on the aging upper lip by determining if the amount of skin resected was maintained. Methods: Patients who underwent subnasal upper lip lift procedure of 5-mm resection with the senior author (S.W.P.) from 2006 to 2020 were identified for a total of 52 patients who met inclusion criteria. Pre- and postoperative measurements of nasal base to upper lip vermillion border and vermillion height were taken. Longevity of results were measured through percentage retention of 5-mm lift and percentage improvements of lip show. Results: The percentage retention of the 5-mm lift and percentage improvement of lip measurements were maintained over time with a slow decline. The average percentage improvement of lip show was 48.2%. Patients <5 years out from surgery had 50.1% improvement compared with 40.3% for those ≥5 years out (p = 0.569). Conclusions: The subnasal lip lift procedure shortens the vertical height of the elongated upper lip and gives increased vermillion show with predictable results.