Lip Reduction Surgical Procedure, Side Effects, Efficacy, Cost

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Is Surgery a Safe Way to Reduce Lip Volume?

Medically reviewed by Catherine Hannan, M.D., Plastic Surgery — Written by Kristeen Cherney on January 24, 2019

Pictures
Procedure
Side effects
Outlook
Who can get it?
Find a provider
Cost
Alternative treatments
Summary

Overview

You may have heard about lip augmentation surgery, a procedure that’s commonly done to make your lips fuller. Less commonly discussed is reduction surgery — this is done to decrease the volume in your lips. While not as prevalent, lip reduction surgery is useful if you want smaller lips, or if you don’t care for the results from a previous augmentation.

Surgery is much different from a dermatological procedure, and there are also more risks, including infection and scarring.

Still, lip reduction surgery is considered safe overall when performed by an experienced and board-certified provider.

Learn more about what to expect from this type of procedure to see if it’s the right fit for you.

Before and after

Lip reduction surgery

Lip reduction surgery involves removing skin tissues from the lower or upper lips, or sometimes both. This is done in an effort to reshape the entire lip area.

First, anesthesia — either local or general — is used so you won’t feel any pain.

During the procedure, a surgeon makes an incision in a horizontal line in the pink inner portion of your lip. This minimizes scarring.

The surgeon then removes excess fat and tissues from the lip to reduce its overall volume.

Once all the targeted tissues are removed, the surgeon will close up the incision with stitches. These usually fall off on their own within a few days or weeks.

“Brazilian” reduction

Some lip reduction procedures focus on slimming down only one of the lips. One such procedure is known as the “Brazilian” technique.

This procedure focuses on the shape of the lower lip, taking inspiration from a bikini line, which is traditionally more triangular-shaped at the bottom.

To achieve the desired shape and volume reduction, the surgeon removes a greater portion from the center of the lower lip.

Lip reduction surgery side effects

The lips are among the most sensitive parts of your body, so it’s important to work with an experienced surgeon to minimize your risk of side effects.

At the very least, you should expect redness, swelling, and slight pain within the first few days after your surgery. Bruising is also possible.

Less commonly, lip reduction surgery may cause:

infection
scarring
severe swelling
bleeding
allergic reaction (to the anesthesia)

Despite the risk of side effects, lip reduction is considered a safe procedure.

Lip reduction surgery recovery time

Swelling and redness can last for a few days, but you should be able to talk and move around more comfortably after this time.

It can take a week or two for the sutures to come out and for your lips to completely heal. While this can seem like a big time commitment, the time frame is a lot shorter compared to other cosmetic surgeries. As a general rule of thumb, you should expect to take a full week off work.

During recovery, your doctor may recommend applying ice packs to your lips. You might also consider over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen. See your surgeon if your postsurgery symptoms last longer than two weeks.

Lip reduction surgery candidates

Candidates for lip reduction surgery are generally those who want to change their facial appearance. Most people who get this type of surgery have naturally large lips, or they have larger than desired lips from a prior augmentation surgery.

Your lips can also change with age. Lip reduction may be a viable solution for any resulting asymmetry. It’s also common to get the lip reduction procedure in addition to other aesthetic treatments, such as dermal fillers. Lip reduction techniques may also be used as corrective procedures for cleft lip and palate.

Still, not everyone is a candidate.

Autoimmune and inflammatory diseases can limit your candidacy, especially if your condition causes frequent mouth sores. You’ll want to disclose your full medical history with your surgeon in advance so that you can limit your risk of side effects.

Smoking is also off-limits before surgery, as well as during your recovery.

You can’t get lip surgery if you have cold sores or other types of mouth sores. Infections around the mouth area can also limit your time frame for surgery. Your surgeon may ask that you treat the infection first and then schedule your procedure for a later time.

Be sure to tell your doctor if you have a history of cold sores or herpes blisters of the mouth. They’ll likely prescribe medication to prevent an outbreak while you’re healing.

Finding a provider

Lip reductions are performed by plastic surgeons. These are not done by aestheticians.

It’s important to shop around for the right surgeon before committing to a lip reduction procedure. You can start with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons’ search tool for providers in your area. Note that many plastic surgeons charge a consultation fee.

Once you’ve narrowed your search down to a few potential surgeons, call and set up a consultation. This is your opportunity to ask about the surgeon’s experience, as well as to look at their portfolio.

Surgery cost

Lip reduction, like other types of cosmetic surgeries, isn’t covered by insurance.

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of a lip reduction was $1,943 based on national data retrieved in 2017.

Your exact cost can vary by provider, location, and the extent of your surgery (treating one lip or both). Depending on your situation, you may need more than one surgery. Keep in mind that anesthesia is charged separately.

Due to the steep costs of cosmetic surgery, many providers now offer financing and payment plans. You can also ask your provider about any discounts or specials.

Lip reduction without surgery

While surgery is the only definitive way you can decrease volume in your lips, there are alternative methods to help reduce the appearance of lip size. Some possibilities include:

using dermal fillers in your cheeks to add volume in the upper part of your face
applying foundation or concealer on your lips before putting on any lip color
opting for darker color lipsticks and stains, and avoiding nude shades
trying facial exercises
staying hydrated to reduce inflammation in the lips

The takeaway

Lip reduction surgery may be a viable option if you’re looking for a permanent solution to reduce the volume of your lips. It’s important to discuss all the potential risks and required costs with a provider beforehand.

How we reviewed this article:

SourcesHealthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We only use quality, credible sources to ensure content accuracy and integrity. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.

2017 Plastic Surgery Statistics Report. (2018).https://www.plasticsurgery.org/documents/News/Statistics/2017/cosmetic-procedures-average-cost-2017.pdf
American Society of Plastic Surgeons. (2012). Lip shortening surgery often overlooked in facial rejuvenation, ASPS study reveals [Press release]. (2012).https://www.plasticsurgery.org/news/press-releases/lip-shortening-surgery-often-overlooked-in-facial-rejuvenation-asps-study-reveals%20
Chen CH, et al. (2013). Inverted-t lip reduction for lower lip repair in Van der Woude syndrome: A review and comparison of aesthetic results [Abstract]. DOI:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23290085
Dermal fillers. (n.d.).https://www.plasticsurgery.org/cosmetic-procedures/dermal-fillers
Fanous N, et al. (2007). The “bikini lip reduction”: A detailed approach to hypertrophic lips.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2696004/
Jittilaongwong P. (2018). Abstract: Experience of 9,000 cases on lip reduction surgery in Thailand. DOI:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6212187/
Oliver DW, et al. (2002). Lip reduction cheiloplasty for Miescher’s granulomatous macrocheilitis (Cheilitis granulomatosa) in childhood [Abstract].https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11952705
Niamtu J, III. (2010). Lip reduction surgery (reduction cheiloplasty) [Abstract]. DOI:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20206092
Sforza M, et al. (2012). The “Brazilian” bikini-shaped lip-reduction technique: New developments in cheiloplasty [Abstract]. DOI:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22535138

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Medically reviewed by Catherine Hannan, M.D., Plastic Surgery — Written by Kristeen Cherney on January 24, 2019

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