Lip Reduction

Abstract

Aims and Background

This study discusses the surgical technique and the ideal candidates for lip reduction as well as highlights the low-risk, yet efficacious nature of this in-office procedure.

Historical Aspects

Lip augmentation procedures such as hyaluronic acid fillers and lip lift surgery are the most common cosmetic lip treatments; however, lip reduction is growing in popularity.

Anatomy

The lips are highly vascularized and sensitive tissue supplied by the superior and inferior labial arteries and innervated by the trigeminal nerve.

Patient Selection

Patients may be ideal candidates for lip reduction surgery if they possess a large upper and/or lower lip and desire decreased lip volume and projection.

Techniques

The senior author's surgical technique entails marking an elliptical incision along the wet–dry border, excising the mucosal tissue en bloc, and closing the wounds following the rule of halves.

Postoperative Care

Patients are instructed to follow a soft diet for 1 week and activity restrictions for 2 weeks as well as to frequently apply Aquaphor or Vaseline to the wounds.

Conclusion and Clinical Relevance

Lip reduction surgery is a cosmetic procedure intended to decrease lip size and projection. Lip reduction is a safe and relatively quick in-office procedure that is associated with minimal downtime.

Keywords

lips - lip reduction - reduction cheiloplasty - cheiloplasty - lip surgery

Publikationsverlauf

Accepted Manuscript online:
28. Mai 2025

Artikel online veröffentlicht:
12. Juni 2025

• References

• 1 Votto SS, Read-Fuller A, Reddy L. Lip augmentation. Oral Maxillofac Surg Clin North Am 2021; 33 (02) 185-195
• 2 Popenko NA, Tripathi PB, Devcic Z, Karimi K, Osann K, Wong BJF. A quantitative approach to determining the ideal female lip aesthetic and its effect on facial attractiveness. JAMA Facial Plast Surg 2017; 19 (04) 261-267
• 3 Kar M, Muluk NB, Bafaqeeh SA, Cingi C. Is it possible to define the ideal lips?. Acta Otorhinolaryngol Ital 2018; 38 (01) 67-72
• 4 Czarnecki ST, Nanda RS, Currier GF. Perceptions of a balanced facial profile. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 1993; 104 (02) 180-187
• 5 Heidekrueger PI, Juran S, Szpalski C, Larcher L, Ng R, Broer PN. The current preferred female lip ratio. J Craniomaxillofac Surg 2017; 45 (05) 655-660
• 6 Heidekrueger PI, Szpalski C, Weichman K. et al. Lip attractiveness: a cross-cultural analysis. Aesthet Surg J 2017; 37 (07) 828-836
• 7 Martín-Cruces J, Cuendias P, García-Mesa Y. et al. Proprioceptive innervation of the human lips. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2024; 307 (03) 669-676
• 8 Schlieve T, Kolokythas A. Anatomic Considerations of the Lips. In: Kolokythas A. eds Lip Cancer. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer; 2014. . 10.1007/978-3-642-38180-5_2
• 9 Prendergast PM. Anatomy of the Face and Neck. In: Shiffman MA, Di Giuseppe A. eds Cosmetic Surgery: Art and Techniques. Springer; 2013: 29-45
• 10 Kruse-Lösler B, Presser D, Metze D, Joos U. Surgical treatment of persistent macrocheilia in patients with Melkersson-Rosenthal syndrome and cheilitis granulomatosa. Arch Dermatol 2005; 141 (09) 1085-1091
• 11 Piccinin MA, Zito PM. Anatomy, Head and Neck, Lips. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; ; June 5, 2023
• 12 Brody-Camp S, Raggio BS. Lip Implants. In: StatPearls. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; ; Published online 5AD