Face — Treatment
Not the lip itself,
the line above.
A lip lift is not a filler. It does not add volume to the lip — it shortens the philtrum, the space between the base of the nose and the upper lip, which lengthens with age. The result: more visible upper-lip red, more visible teeth in a smile, more proportionate balance.
What it is & what it isn't
A central lip lift uses a small bull-horn incision hidden in the natural shadow under the nose. A small amount of skin is removed, the upper lip is elevated by a few millimetres, and the red of the lip (the vermillion) becomes more visible. The corner lip lift is a separate procedure for the outer mouth corners that turn down with age.
What it isn't
Not a filler. Fillers add volume by injecting hyaluronic acid into the lip body — the lip looks fuller but the philtrum stays long. The lip lift addresses the opposite axis — the proportion between nose and mouth, not the lip's volume. Some patients benefit from both, in different proportions; we will tell you honestly.
The practical detail
What you are actually committing to.
- Procedure time
- 30–45 minutes
- Anaesthesia
- Local
- Stay in Antalya
- Typically 1–2 days
- Flying home
- Next day
- Light exercise
- Typically 1 week
- Full exercise
- Typically 2 weeks
- Final result
- Typically 3–4 months
- Scarring
- Hidden in the natural shadow at the base of the nose
- Permanence
- Permanent
These figures are typical ranges, for planning your trip. Your own treatment and recovery timeline is assessed and decided by Dr. Meral — at consultation, and again as your healing progresses.
How it unfolds
The consultation
We measure the philtrum length and the visible upper-lip red at rest and in a relaxed smile. The amount of skin to remove — usually three to five millimetres — is decided here, with you, with a mirror.
The plan
Markings drawn under the nose in the natural shadow line. The shape of the incision (a gull-wing or bull-horn pattern) is chosen to disappear into the existing crease.
The surgery
Local anaesthesia. The marked skin is excised. The deeper tissue is repositioned and closed in layers — the deeper layers absorb the tension, the skin closes without pull, the scar settles into the existing shadow.
The first night
Mild swelling. A small dressing. Most patients eat soft food the same evening.
Recovery
Among the gentlest face procedures. Swelling for 5–7 days; sutures out at day 7. The scar is pink for two to three months, white and hidden in the natural shadow by six months. The result looks subtle at week one, settled at month three. Most patients return to work in a week.
A typical course, not a promise — healing differs from person to person. Dr. Meral reviews you at each follow-up and decides when each step is right for you.
This may be for you if
- Your upper lip has lengthened with age — the space between nose and lip is more than 15–18mm
- Your upper teeth no longer show in a relaxed smile, when they used to
- You want more visible lip red without adding volume to the lip body
- You're comfortable with a small scar at the base of the nose — well-hidden but real
This is not for you if
- You want fuller lips — fillers or fat grafting are more appropriate
- Your philtrum is naturally short and you've simply lost lip volume — again, this is a filler or fat question
- You're chasing a celebrity reference rather than your own proportions
- You expect the scar to be invisible — it is well-hidden, but it is a real scar
Begin
A conversation,
not a quote.
- +90 532 508 39 50
- info@mertmeral.com
- Hours
- Monday — Saturday · 09:00 — 19:00 (UTC+3)