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Cosmetic Surgery · San Diego, California

Lip Lift in San Diego

A short surgery that removes a strip of skin just under the nose to shorten the space between nose and lip, rolling the upper lip outward so more pink lip shows and the mouth looks fuller and younger at rest. Permanent, and the fix for a long upper lip that filler makes worse. Compare San Diego clinics below and request a free consultation.

Typical cost in San Diego

$3,000 to $6,000

per procedure · USD

A general range for San Diego, rounded for guidance. Confirm exact pricing with each clinic.

Surgeon directory

Lip Lift surgeons in San Diego

Plastic surgeons in San Diego who list lip lift among their procedures. Tap any surgeon to view details and request a consultation.

Lip Lift surgeons in San Diego

8 surgeons on this page. Tap a pin for details, or close the map to compare the list.

La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre in San Diego

La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre

San Diego

4.9 (699) · Google

La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre is a plastic surgery practice in San Diego, California, rated 4.9 stars across 699 Google reviews, performing 27 tracked procedures.

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Balikian Facial Plastic Surgery in San Diego

Balikian Facial Plastic Surgery

San Diego

5.0 (278) · Google

Financing available

Balikian Facial Plastic Surgery is a plastic surgery practice in San Diego, California, rated 5 stars across 278 Google reviews, performing 12 tracked procedures.

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SKY Facial Plastic Surgery in San Diego

SKY Facial Plastic Surgery

San Diego

4.9 (390) · Google

SKY Facial Plastic Surgery is a plastic surgery practice in San Diego, California, rated 4.9 stars across 390 Google reviews, performing 12 tracked procedures.

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Changes Plastic Surgery & Spa in San Diego

Changes Plastic Surgery & Spa

San Diego

4.9 (263) · Google

Financing available

Changes Plastic Surgery & Spa is a plastic surgery practice in San Diego, California, rated 4.9 stars across 263 Google reviews, performing 22 tracked procedures.

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Amir M. Karam, M.D in San Diego

Amir M. Karam, M.D

San Diego

4.7 (312) · Google

Amir M. Karam, M.D is a plastic surgery practice in San Diego, California, rated 4.7 stars across 312 Google reviews, performing 4 tracked procedures.

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Ranch & Coast Plastic Surgery | Dr. Paul Chasan in San Diego

Ranch & Coast Plastic Surgery | Dr. Paul Chasan

San Diego

4.8 (173) · Google

Financing available

Ranch & Coast Plastic Surgery | Dr. Paul Chasan is a plastic surgery practice in San Diego, California, rated 4.8 stars across 173 Google reviews, performing 24 tracked procedures.

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John M. Hilinski, M.D. in San Diego

John M. Hilinski, M.D.

San Diego

4.7 (211) · Google

John M. Hilinski, M.D. is a plastic surgery practice in San Diego, California, rated 4.7 stars across 211 Google reviews, performing 15 tracked procedures.

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See all 32 plastic surgeons in San Diego →

Nearest Lip Lift providers to San Diego

No San Diego clinics list Lip Lift yet. These are the closest cities where providers are available now.

About Lip Lift

A short surgery that removes a strip of skin just under the nose to shorten the space between nose and lip, rolling the upper lip outward so more pink lip shows and the mouth looks fuller and younger at rest. Permanent, and the fix for a long upper lip that filler makes worse.

Sessions

One procedure; permanent

Downtime

Sutures under the nose for about a week, swelling for 1 to 2 weeks, scar maturing over a year

Good candidate

People with a long upper lip, a thin upper lip that filler over-projects, or an upper lip that hides the teeth when the mouth is relaxed; most often people over 35, when the lip lengthens with age

  • Permanently shortens a long upper lip and shows more of the lip's pink
  • Reveals the upper teeth at rest, a marker of a youthful mouth
  • Fixes the problem filler cannot: length rather than volume
  • Scar hides in the crease at the base of the nose
Read the full Lip Lift guide →
At a glance

Lip Lift in San Diego: the numbers

16 plastic surgery practices in the San Diego area list lip lift. From Google Places listings; hours and locations change, so confirm with the practice.

  • Together the 16 with Google reviews hold 3,369 reviews at an average rating of 4.8; 10 have 100 or more.
  • Where they are: San Diego (11), Del Mar (2), La Jolla (2), Coronado (1).
From their own websites

What San Diego lip lift practices state about themselves

What 12 San Diego practices that list lip lift say on their own websites (checked September 2026); one that does not mention something may still offer it, so ask at your consultation.

  • 3 of 12 state certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
  • Other boards named: American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (3), American Board of Otolaryngology (3)
  • 2 of 12 state they are Fellows of the American College of Surgeons (FACS)
  • 1 of 12 state an accredited surgical facility
  • 2 of 12 state a free consultation
  • Languages practices say they speak: Spanish (1)
  • 4 of 12 show before-and-after photos on their site

Techniques named for lip lift: Italian lip lift, Gullwing lip lift, Deep plane lip lift, Bullhorn technique, Subnasal (Bullhorn) Lip Lift, Italian Lip Lift, Direct Lip Lift.

In their words

Ranch & Coast Plastic Surgery | Dr. Paul ChasanA lip lift is typically performed under local anesthesia and takes about an hour to complete.
Center for Cosmetic Surgery: Sassan Alavi, MDLip Lift Surgery provides permanent results. It is performed under local anesthesia and involves an incision at the base of the nose.
Jaibaji Plastic SurgerySubnasal (Bullhorn) Lip Lift: The most common technique, using an incision beneath the nose to lift and reshape the upper lip
La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery CentreIf you feel like your upper lip is too thin or long and detracts from your overall appearance, a surgical lip lift is a popular, long-lasting alternative to lip fillers or lip flips.
Sadrian Plastic Surgery, Laser & Skin Care Institute of San DiegoUnlike temporary solutions like fillers, a lip lift provides a long-lasting transformation by precisely reshaping the cupid's bow and lifting the upper lip to unveil a fuller, more expressive smile.
Show 14 more statements →
Ranch & Coast Plastic Surgery | Dr. Paul ChasanRecovery for a lip lift procedure is about two to four days and patients notice a refreshed, younger looking appearance.
Center for Cosmetic Surgery: Sassan Alavi, MDA lip lift involves the removal of skin and tissue beneath the nose and typically takes less than one hour to complete.
Jaibaji Plastic SurgeryItalian Lip Lift: Uses two small incisions beneath the nostrils for a subtle lift with minimal scarring
La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery CentreItalian lip lift : This is similar to the bullhorn lip lift, except the incisions appear as 2 smaller crescent shapes below the nostrils.
Balikian Facial Plastic SurgerySometimes trying to inject a thin upper lip with filler will not lift it, but only gives it a duck-like appearance. That is where a surgical lip lift, especially a Deep Plane Lip Lift , comes into play.Dr. Balikian’s Signature deep plane lip lift is a refined, advanced approach that offers more natural and durable results than traditional methods.
SKY Facial Plastic Surgerylip lift surgery provides lasting results by shortening the distance between the lip and nose and revealing more of the vermillionLip lift surgery is accomplished with a small incision beneath the nose or along the border between the red and white lip (vermillion border).
Changes Plastic Surgery & SpaA lip lift is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that shortens the distance between the base of the nose and the upper lip (called the philtrum).By removing a small strip of skin just beneath the nose - often using the "bullhorn" technique - we gently lift the upper lip
John M. Hilinski, M.D.Dr. Hilinski typically performs the upper lip lift procedure in about 30 minutes.The subnasal lip lift technique hides the incision under the nose, making the scar minimally visible. Over time, the scar fades and blends with the natural skin crease.
Dr. Jordan KaplanLip lift surgery can be performed as a stand-alone procedure or with other cosmetic procedures such as lip augmentation or facial rejuvenation
Faces Plus: Dr. Steven CohenA Lip Lift is a surgical procedure designed to enhance the appearance of the upper lip by shortening the distance between the bottom of the nose and the upper lip.
FAQ

Lip Lift in San Diego: common questions

How much does Lip Lift cost in San Diego?

Lip Lift generally runs $3,000 to $6,000 per procedure, and each San Diego clinic sets its own price. The biggest variables are the provider's experience level and the specific device or product used. Newer technology and senior injectors price at the upper end. Pricing is quoted in US dollars (USD). Request a consultation from any of our listed San Diego clinics for a personalized quote.

How long do Lip Lift results last?

Results vary by patient, but most San Diego providers report 6 to 18 months of sustained benefit from a full Lip Lift series.

Can I wear makeup after Lip Lift?

Most patients wait 24 hours before applying makeup to avoid irritation on freshly-treated skin.

Lip lift or lip filler?

Filler adds volume. A lip lift shortens the distance between nose and lip and rolls the lip outward, which shows more of the lip without adding to it. If your upper lip is long, so that the pink part is thin and your teeth do not show when your mouth is relaxed, filler makes the lip look heavier and longer, and a lift is the honest fix. If your lip is a good length but simply thin, filler is the right tool, and cheaper.

Where is the scar?

In the crease where the base of the nose meets the lip, following its natural curve, sometimes called a bullhorn shape. In experienced hands it heals into a faint line that the shadow under the nose hides. It is red and visible for the first months and matures over a year. Ask to see healed results at one year, straight on, before booking.

What is the recovery?

Sutures under the nose for about a week, swelling of the upper lip for one to two weeks, and a stiff upper lip for a few weeks that gradually softens. Most people are comfortable in public at one to two weeks. The result is visible immediately and refines as swelling settles.

What does it cost?

Typically $3,000 to $6,000 including surgeon and facility, performed under local anesthesia in the office. A permanent result for roughly the cost of several years of lip filler.

Request a Free Lip Lift Consult