Should I Combine My Lip Lift With a Dermal Filler or Fat Injections?

Dermal fillers are a great temporary solution to plump thin lips. Fat grafting (aka transfer) serves the same purpose with more permanent results. Typically, the lips become elongated with the aging process. In some patients with elongated lips, lip fillers can create an unnatural appearance. Some patients can benefit from both a lip lift and filler, which can be done at the same time. This blog explores the benefits of adding fat grafting or fillers at the time of a lip lift. 

What Is a Lip Lift?

A lip lift is a facial surgery that shortens the distance between the bottom of the nose and the top of the upper lip, known as the philtrum. This small adjustment makes a significant visual impact, especially for those experiencing age-related lip elongation or sagging. Many patients choose to get a lip lift at the same time as a facelift.

The result is a more lifted, youthful appearance where the upper lip is plumper, and the mouth has a naturally perkier shape. Unlike fillers or fat transfer, a lip lift doesn’t just add volume; it repositions the lip for lasting enhancement. It’s an excellent choice for patients with a long upper lip (the space between the top of the upper lip and the base of the nose).

What Are Dermal Fillers?

Dermal fillers are injectable cosmetic treatments that can smooth wrinkles, add volume, and enhance contour. When it comes to lips, fillers (like those made from hyaluronic acid) are often used to plump, define borders, and improve symmetry. Results are immediate and last anywhere from 6 to 12 months, depending on the product and how your body metabolizes it.

Dermal fillers are especially popular because they’re non-surgical, customizable, and reversible. They’re a great entry point for patients wanting to enhance their lips without committing to surgery.

What Is Fat Transfer?

Fat grafting, or transfer, involves harvesting fat from another area of your body, like your thighs or abdomen, processing it, and then injecting it into the lips (or face) to restore volume. Unlike fillers, fat grafting offers a longer-lasting solution. Once the transferred fat establishes a blood supply and settles in, the results can be permanent.

Fat transfer is an appealing option for patients seeking a natural, long-term solution and who prefer using their own tissue rather than synthetic fillers. However, results can be slightly less predictable than dermal fillers, as not all fat survives the transfer process.

When Not to Use Lip Fillers or Fat Transfer 

While fillers and fat injections are excellent for enhancing volume, they do not lift or reshape the structure of the lip. If the upper lip is elongated or sagging due to age, adding filler or fat can actually weigh it down further, making it look “overdone.”

In these cases, a lip lift is the foundational step. By restoring ideal proportions and lifting the lip into a more youthful position, your surgeon can create a better “canvas” for additional volume, if it’s needed at all.

That’s why patients with both thin lips and a long or drooping upper lip may be better served by a lip lift or combining procedures, but in the right sequence and with careful timing.

Should You Combine a Lip Lift With Fillers or Fat Grafting?

While a lip lift corrects sagging and improves lip shape, some patients may still want a bit of additional volume after healing. That’s where fillers or fat transfer can come in.

However, timing matters. It’s generally recommended to wait at least six to eight weeks after your lip lift to allow swelling to subside and tissues to settle. Once the new shape of your lip is fully revealed, your surgeon or injector can determine how much additional volume (if any) is needed and where it should be placed.

Choosing whether to combine a lip lift with fillers or fat injections depends on your goals, lip anatomy, and how much rejuvenation you’re looking for. For many patients, a lip lift alone offers beautiful, natural-looking results. However, for others, adding subtle fullness later on can take the results to the next level.

Your Newport Beach, California, Lip Lift Expert

As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Boris Ackerman takes a meticulous approach to lip lift procedures. Schedule your Newport Beach lip lift consultation by calling (949) 759-3284 today or filling out our online contact form to achieve natural-looking and youthful lip enhancement results.