Lip Lift

The lip lift at Amir Karam MD shortens a lengthened philtrum and restores upper lip proportion using a subnasal incision technique. A precise strip of skin is removed just beneath the nose, elevating the red lip border and improving the philtrum-to-lip ratio. The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia with IV sedation with one to two weeks of recovery. It is suited to patients whose upper lip has elongated with age or whose cupid's bow has receded.

Lip lift surgery at the Carmel Valley practice of Dr. Amir Karam addresses one of the most consistent but often overlooked signs of facial ageing: the gradual elongation of the philtrum — the strip of skin between the base of the nose and the upper lip border. As this distance increases over time, the red lip appears to recede and thin, and the upper teeth become less visible at rest. The lip lift procedure corrects this by removing a precisely measured strip of skin directly beneath the nostrils (a subnasal bullhorn incision), lifting the upper lip to restore a more youthful proportion between the nose and lip border. Dr. Karam's approach emphasises proportionality over volume. Rather than relying on fillers to inflate lip size, the lip lift structurally repositions the lip to improve the relationship between philtrum length and lip fullness — producing more harmonious and longer-lasting results. The scar is concealed in the natural contour at the base of the nose and typically heals to become inconspicuous. The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia with IV sedation in the practice's surgical suite. Recovery involves mild swelling and bruising over the first one to two weeks. The lip lift is frequently combined with Vertical Restore as part of a comprehensive facial rejuvenation plan, since the facelift improves cheek, jawline, and neck zones but does not directly address the perioral area. Together, the procedures address the full face in a single surgical episode. The practice is located at 11943 El Camino Real in Carmel Valley, accessible from La Jolla, Del Mar, Rancho Santa Fe, and the broader San Diego metro. Consultations are available in-person or via Zoom. Pricing starts at $20,000.