Aesthetic reduction of the upper lip

The upper lip, given its surface anatomy and morphology, should be no more than 2 cm high. Therefore, to reduce the upper lip we propose an incision at its highest portion similar to the letter M which extends into the nasal vestibula. We aim at a real reduction of the height of the lip as well as restoration of its natural concavity through a scar situated obscurely, and which tends to disappear within a few months postoperatively. In patients in whom the upper lip is less than 2 cm high but the vermilion is minimal, we use Gillies' technique and make curvilinear incisions. We have also observed correction of the perioral wrinkles using this technique.