Lip Lift (Philtrum Shortening): Downtime
- Downtime at a glance
- Recovery timeline: treatment day to final result
- Common symptoms
- When can I do what? (Daily-life restrictions)
- Pain and anesthesia
- Tips for a smoother recovery
- Risks and side effects (the honest version)
- Spacing and combining with other procedures
- Who it may suit / who should be cautious
- Frequently asked questions
Downtime at a glance
A sutured incision remains below the nose, with stitches out at about 1 week. Swelling and tightness often last a few days to 2 weeks, and scar redness typically settles over a few months (individual results vary).
Typical downtime is 1–2 weeks (pronounced swelling lasts 3–4 days; scar redness and firmness last 1–3 months, and it can take 6 months or longer for the scar to become less noticeable — individual results vary), and most people feel comfortable being seen in public after Many people are able to return to desk work within 1 day to a few days. Because the incision and protective tape are visible below the nose, jobs that involve customer contact or being seen in public tend to be easier to manage after the stitches are removed (about 1 week later). Recovery varies from person to person.. How much swelling or bruising appears varies from person to person, depending on constitution and the extent of treatment.
Recovery timeline: treatment day to final result
The procedure is performed under local anesthesia, and most people can go home right afterward. Sutures and protective tape are placed below the nose. The anesthesia generally wears off within a few hours after surgery, and a throbbing pain or tightness tends to appear around that time — manage it with the prescribed pain medication. Some oozing of blood can occur, so rest quietly on the day of surgery.
Swelling tends to be at its strongest around this time. The area from below the nose to the upper lip may puff up, and the upper lip can appear turned outward. Cooling the area gently — without over-icing — and sleeping with your head elevated on an extra pillow tend to help the swelling subside. Keep the incision and tape dry.
For many people, the worst of the swelling has passed and things gradually begin to settle. Any bruising shifts from purple toward yellow as it fades. More people find they no longer need pain medication, though the tight sensation continues for a while longer.
This is the typical time for stitch removal (the exact timing depends on your surgeon's approach). After the stitches come out, a reddish line-shaped scar is visible; continue protecting it with tape. The swelling has gone down considerably, and many people find it easier to go out with a mask on.
Swelling and bruising have mostly settled, and for many people the area is hard to notice unless seen up close. Because redness and slight firmness of the scar remain, continue with the protective tape and sun protection. Facial expressions also become more natural.
The scar is still a reddish line, but with your doctor's approval it becomes easier to cover with foundation or concealer. The shape below the nose blends in more naturally than right after surgery, and for many people the tightness is barely noticeable anymore.
The scar's redness and firmness gradually fade, and it often matures into a whitish, less noticeable line. You start to get a sense of the final result around this time, but it can take 6 months to a year or more for the scar to fully settle, and recovery varies from person to person.
Bars show approximate swelling levels (individual results vary).
Common symptoms
| Symptom | Likelihood | When it appears | How long it lasts | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swelling (below the nose and upper lip) | High | Day of surgery to the next day | Pronounced swelling for 3–4 days; mild swelling for about 1–2 weeks | The area from below the nose to the upper lip may puff up, and the lip can look turned outward. The degree varies from person to person |
| Tightness (a pulling sensation in the skin) | High | Day of surgery | Tends to ease gradually over about 1–2 weeks | Because the skin is sutured shorter, a pulling sensation is common when you smile or open your mouth wide |
| Bruising (purple to yellow) | Medium | Day of surgery to 2 days after | About 1–2 weeks | Bruising may appear below the nose or on the upper lip, changing color as it fades. It can take some time before it becomes easy to conceal |
| Scar redness and firmness (induration) | High | After stitch removal onward | 1–3 months (it can take 6 months or longer for the scar to become less noticeable) | The incision is usually placed along the border between the nose and lip, but redness or a raised area may remain for a while |
| Numbness or dulled sensation from below the nose to the upper lip | Medium | Day of surgery | Several weeks to several months (in rare cases it can last longer) | The area may feel temporarily dull until sensation returns. If it persists, consult your doctor |
| Difficulty closing the mouth / stiffness when smiling | Medium | Day of surgery | About 1–2 weeks | Facial expressions usually return to normal as the swelling and tightness subside |
When can I do what? (Daily-life restrictions)
| Activity | Typically OK from | Key point |
|---|---|---|
| Makeup (areas away from the incision and tape) | From the next day (as long as you avoid the incision and tape; follow your doctor's instructions) | Eye makeup, blush, and the like are often fine from the next day. Do not touch the incision itself or the tape |
| Makeup (over the incision / foundation) | After stitch removal (confirm your doctor's approval) | Wait until the incision is dry and settled. Start by covering it with concealer, and always confirm the timing with your doctor |
| Face washing | From the next day (do not rub the incision; follow your doctor's instructions) | Avoid rubbing the tape and the area around the incision; wash gently with foam. You may be instructed to replace the tape after washing |
| Shower (from the neck down) | Same day to the next day (keep the face and incision dry; follow your doctor's instructions) | Showering from the neck down is often possible early on. Follow your doctor's instructions on when the face and incision may get wet |
| Bathing (soaking in the tub) | After stitch removal (follow your doctor's instructions; about 1 week as a guide) | Increased circulation can worsen swelling, so avoid long soaks until then |
| Alcohol | Around 3–7 days after, as a guide (once swelling and bruising have settled; follow your doctor's instructions) | Alcohol boosts circulation and can prolong swelling and bruising, so keep it to a minimum during downtime |
| Light exercise (walking, etc.) | From about 1 week after, as a guide (follow your doctor's instructions) | Exercise that raises blood pressure or circulation can contribute to swelling and bleeding. Resume gradually, starting with light activity |
| Strenuous exercise / weight training | From about 2–3 weeks after, as a guide (follow your doctor's instructions) | Allow extra time before movements that strain the incision or involve bearing down |
| Sauna / hot stone spa | From about 2–3 weeks after, as a guide (follow your doctor's instructions) | High heat promotes circulation, making swelling more likely, and can also affect wound healing, so allow plenty of time |
| Protective tape on the incision | Several weeks to several months (for the period your doctor instructs) | Continue as instructed by your doctor to help keep the scar from becoming raised or noticeable |
| Sun protection for the scar (UV care) | As soon as the incision has closed, continuing for several months | UV exposure on a healing scar can easily cause pigmentation, so protect it with sunscreen or tape |
| Opening the mouth wide / laughing hard | From about 1–2 weeks after, as a guide (follow your doctor's instructions) | Until the stitches come out, limit wide mouth movements and big bites when eating to avoid straining the incision |
Pain and anesthesia
The typical pain level is Mild. Local anesthesia (by injection) is standard. For those who are particularly sensitive to pain or anxious, nitrous oxide or intravenous sedation may be available in combination (availability differs by medical institution). Strong pain during surgery is generally said to be unlikely because local anesthesia is used, though you will feel a brief sting when the anesthetic is injected. After surgery, once the anesthesia wears off, a throbbing or stinging pain and tightness may appear; in most cases this is said to be manageable with the prescribed pain medication. How pain is felt varies from person to person.
Tips for a smoother recovery
- For the first few days after surgery, sleeping with your head elevated on an extra pillow — keeping the area above heart level — tends to help the swelling subside
- Cool the area moderately within the range your doctor instructs (do not leave ice on continuously, to prevent frostbite, and keep the incision and tape dry)
- Limit salt and alcohol, and avoid bearing down, bending forward, or keeping your head down for long periods
- Do not smoke (smoking impairs blood flow and can slow wound healing)
- Continue the protective tape and UV care exactly as your doctor instructs, and do not rub or touch the incision
- Until the stitches come out, avoid opening your mouth wide when eating and making strong facial expressions, to keep strain off the incision
- Take prescribed medications (antibiotics, pain relievers, etc.) as directed, and get plenty of sleep and good nutrition
Risks and side effects (the honest version)
- A scar will remain. Redness or raised scarring (hypertrophic scars or keloids) can occur, and how noticeable it becomes varies with individual constitution and healing
- Dissatisfaction with the result is possible — asymmetry, a shape different from what you envisioned, or more or less shortening than expected (correction may require revision surgery)
- Infection, hematoma, or reopening of the sutured wound (wound dehiscence) can occur
- Numbness or dulled sensation below the nose and in the upper lip may remain temporarily (and, in rare cases, for an extended period)
- The upper gums may become more visible (a gummy-smile-like appearance), and your expression when smiling may change
- Because the excised skin cannot be put back, the procedure generally cannot be reversed
- Results and recovery vary from person to person, and no particular outcome is guaranteed. If you have concerning symptoms or worries, do not try to judge them yourself — contact the medical institution where you had the procedure
Spacing and combining with other procedures
If you have a major occasion such as a wedding or photo shoot, it takes time for the scar's redness to settle, so having the surgery at least 1–2 months beforehand — ideally 3 months or more — gives you a comfortable margin. The time needed varies from person to person, so if the date is already set, consult your doctor in advance. This procedure is generally intended to be completed in a single surgery. If a revision is needed, it is considered in consultation with your doctor after the scar and tissue have fully settled (as a guide, 6 months or later). The timing depends on how you heal.
| Combined procedure | Timing | Wait time | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hyaluronic Acid Filler (lips) | Wait required | After the swelling has settled (as a guide, 2–4 weeks or later, at your doctor's discretion) | When swelling from both treatments overlaps in the same area, progress becomes hard to assess, so an interval is generally left to avoid infection risk and a mismatch in the final result. |
| Botox Injection (around the mouth) | Wait required | After the post-surgical swelling and tightness have settled (as a guide, 2–4 weeks or later, at your doctor's discretion) | It is considered preferable to wait until the wound is stable, so the injection does not affect the movement of the muscles around the mouth or wound healing. Because the treatment areas are close together, a doctor's judgment is needed. |
| Nose Surgery (Nasal Tip Plasty, Alar Reduction, etc.) | Wait required | At your doctor's discretion (several weeks to several months, unless deliberately planned as same-day combined surgery) | These areas sit close to the space below the nose, so swelling and wounds would overlap. Unless deliberately performed together as planned, they are usually scheduled on separate days while monitoring recovery. |
| Medical Hair Removal / Laser Treatment Around the Upper Lip | Not recommended | After the wound has fully healed (as a guide, 1–3 months or later; confirm with your doctor) | Applying laser to a wound or reddened area risks pigmentation or worsening of the wound, so it is avoided until the surgical site has settled. |
| Procedures in Distant Areas (Double Eyelid Surgery, etc.) | Wait required | Decided in consultation with your doctor, taking the strain on your body into account | Even when the areas are far apart, downtime and risks can overlap, so staggering the timing to prioritize recovery is sometimes recommended. |
Who it may suit / who should be cautious
May suit you
- Those bothered by a long space between the nose and upper lip who want to change the impression of their mouth area
- Those bothered that their upper teeth barely show when they smile, or that their upper lip looks thin
- Those seeking a structural change that injectable treatments are unlikely to provide, and who want to consider surgery with a full understanding of its risks
- Those who can set aside time for the downtime and for follow-up visits for stitch removal and wound care
Consider carefully
- Those with a major event (wedding, photo shoot, etc.) within the next month
- Those who know they are prone to problematic scarring (keloids or hypertrophic scars) — be sure to consult a doctor in advance
- Those who would find it difficult to stop smoking (smoking can slow wound healing)
- Those not fully at peace with the fact that this surgery cannot be reversed
- Those who cannot set aside time for follow-up visits and downtime