QUIZ: Lip Flip vs. Fillers for Plump and Shapely Lips
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Hobgood Facial Plastic Surgery: Todd Hobgood, MD
8415 North Pima Road #120
Scottsdale, AZ 85258
Phone: (480) 214-9955
Hours:
Monday-Friday: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
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In women with very thin lips, particularly in the vertical dimension, injectable dermal fillers only increase the volume of the lip. This is sometimes referred to as a “duck bill appearance.” Facial plastic surgeon Dr. Todd Hobgood offers a surgical lip enhancement procedure (also called lip vermilion advancement, or simply a lip lift) to give people from the Scottsdale, Arizona, area fuller, very natural-looking lips. Additional benefits include reducing thin wrinkles around the lips and improving facial geometry by shortening the skin above the upper lip.
Surgical Lip Enhancement Before & After Photos
Before & After
Case: 1 of 8
Subnasal Lip Lift
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
Before & After
Case: 2 of 8
Vermilion Advancement
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
Before & After
Case: 3 of 8
This patient sought a comprehensive facial rejuvenation to address the visible effects of aging, particularly along the jawline, cheeks, and around the mouth. Their goals included restoring facial balance, improving skin texture, and creating a more youthful lip contour. After a detailed consultation, the patient and Dr. Todd Hobgood develope... Read More
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
Before & After
Case: 4 of 8
This patient sought treatment for lower facial laxity, lip elongation, and skin texture concerns associated with facial aging. Her goals were to restore natural-looking facial contours, improve lip proportion, and address surface irregularities while preserving her individual features. After consultation with Dr. Todd Hobgood, she elected to... Read More
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
Before & After
Case: 5 of 8
This patient, a woman in her 60s, pursued surgical facial rejuvenation with the goal of addressing changes related to aging and restoring facial balance. Her main concerns included sagging along the jawline and neck, loose skin around the eyes, and thinning of the upper lip. She sought a natural result, aiming to look refreshed rather than “d... Read More
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
Before & After
Case: 6 of 8
This patient, a woman in her 60s, sought surgical lip enhancement in Scottsdale & Phoenix to improve the balance and vitality of her perioral region. Over time, she noticed a thinning of her upper lip and increased distance between her nose and mouth, both common age-related changes. Her goal was perioral rejuvenation—restoring youthful p... Read More
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
Before & After
Case: 7 of 8
Revision Deep Plane Facelift, Endoscopic Browlift, Subnasal lip lift, CO2 laser resurfacing
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
Before & After
Case: 8 of 8
Deep Plane Facelift + Subnasal Lip Lift
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
How does the aging process affect the lips?
For most of us, the lips are affected the natural aging process. These changes are the result of a gradual decline in the amount of soft tissue around the lips combined with damage from aging, sun exposure, and repetitive movements. Patients may find that the lips lack the definition and height they once had. Bothersome vertical lines, sometimes called lipstick lines or smoker’s lines, often develop above and below the lips due to soft tissue thinning, skin changes, and repetitive movement (such as sipping through a straw). Because of these changes, many people are interested in restoring a more youthful, natural look.
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I cannot say enough amazing things about Dr. Hobgood. From my very first consultation, I knew I was...
I truly could not have asked for a better outcome! Dr. Hobgood is an incredible doctor who genuinely...
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What options are available for lip enhancement?
Dr. Hobgood offers both surgical and nonsurgical options for lip enhancement.
Injectable Fillers
There are a variety of soft tissue fillers such as JUVÉDERM® Ultra XC, VOLBELLA® XC, VOLLURE™ XC and many other products that may be injected into the lips to correct changes due to aging. Precise placement can enhance the border of the lip and provide a gentle lift to key locations for natural-looking enhancement. Fillers are very effective in camouflaging mild vertical lines around the lips. Dr. Hobgood and his experienced aesthetic nurse Ashley perform lip injections right in the office; most fillers contain anesthetic for enhanced comfort.
Lip Advancement
People who are bothered by very thin lips often choose surgical lip advancement. This procedure involves making a precise incision along the lip vermilion (outer border of the lip), removing a strip of skin above the lip, moving the vermilion upward and outward, and suturing it in place. This procedure is performed after the lips are numbed. Stitches are removed after about 5 days. The small incision line heals quite well along the length of the lip. Most patients are cleared to reapply lipstick after 7 to 10 days.
Subnasal Lip Lift
The subnasal lip lift is our most popular surgical lip enhancement surgery. The goal of this surgery is shorten the upper lip, improve fullness of the upper lip, and increase upper tooth show. As we age, the upper lip will typically lengthen, flatten, and cover the upper lips. This procedure, typically performed under a local anesthetic in the office, uses incisions under the nose to achieve results. It is quite popular because the incisions heal so well, and patients can return to normal activities very quickly. The stitches are removed after about 7 days. We perform this procedure on patients from as early as 30 years of age to over 80. The typical cost for a subnasal lip lift ranges from $6,000 to $8,000.
Our Nonsurgical Experts
Dr. Hobgood's aesthetic team creates customized treatment plans tailored to each patient's cosmetic needs. Ashley Smith is a registered nurse injector specializing in BOTOX® and filler injections, while licensed esthetician Brooke Scatchard is a certified laser technician.
Meet Our Expert TeamIs BOTOX® Cosmetic helpful for lip enhancement?
BOTOX Cosmetic injections can decrease muscular movement and reduce wrinkling of the overlying skin. For this reason, caution must be used around the lips to prevent difficulties with speaking, smiling and eating. In specific cases, Dr. Hobgood may recommend injecting a very small, precise amount of BOTOX into the skin above the upper lip or the chin area. The effects typically last for 3 to 4 months.
How do I choose my lip enhancement surgeon?
Lip enhancement with injectable fillers is an extremely precise and “operator dependent” procedure. Augmentation with implants and surgical lifts require experience. Be sure that your doctor is knowledgeable about the various FDA-approved fillers and alternative procedures as well. This will allow you to make the most educated decision for your specific lip type. No 2 patients are identical and a variety of approaches are commonly employed in a single patient. Also be sure that your surgeon is board certified and a member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. The surgery center should also be accredited by AAAHC (Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care).
Ready To Get Started?
Discover how a lip lift can refresh your look by scheduling your visit today. Request a consultation online or call Hobgood Facial Plastic Surgery at (480) 214-9955 to start your journey.
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Reviewed for clinical accuracy by Dr. Todd C. Hobgood on April 23rd, 2026.