Most people return to work around one week after a lip lift, once the stitches are out, though swelling can make the lip look larger or tight for two to three weeks. The scar under the nose is usually pink for several months and matures over 12 to 18 months. The final shape of the lip settles at around three to six months. This guide gives a conservative timeline; your own recovery may be quicker or slower.
The first 48 hours
A lip lift is usually performed under local anaesthetic, so you can go home the same day. As the numbness wears off, the lip feels tight, swollen and tender, and simple painkillers are generally enough. Swelling often makes the upper lip look pouty or stiff, and it may appear over-corrected at first. Rest with your head raised, use cool packs wrapped in a cloth around the area, and keep the incision clean as instructed. Avoid aspirin and anti-inflammatory medicines unless advised.
Week one
- Eating: choose soft foods and eat in small bites; drinking through a straw is not advised, as pursing strains the stitches.
- Talking and smiling: keep facial movement gentle and avoid wide smiles and laughing where possible.
- Cleaning: clean the incision with saline or as directed and apply the recommended ointment.
- Teeth: brush carefully with a soft, child-sized brush and avoid stretching the lip.
- Stitches: these are usually removed at around five to seven days.
Bruising, if present, is usually mild. Many people choose to stay at home during this week.
Weeks two to six
Once the stitches are removed, most people return to desk-based work, and make-up can usually be applied over the scar once it is fully healed. Swelling continues to settle, and the lip starts to look more natural, although it may still feel firm, especially in the mornings. Gentle exercise such as walking is fine from the first days, but avoid strenuous exercise, heavy lifting and contact sports for around two to three weeks. Kissing and dental treatment should be delayed until the team advises it is safe.
Three to twelve months
Residual swelling, firmness and altered sensation gradually resolve over the first few months. The lip shape is usually close to final by three to six months. The scar under the nose moves from pink to pale over 12 to 18 months and typically becomes difficult to see in the natural crease, though it may remain visible at close range in some people. Very occasionally, the lip relaxes slightly with time.
Caring for your scar
Once the wound has closed, apply silicone gel as advised to help the scar flatten and soften. Protect it from the sun with a high-factor sunscreen or mineral make-up for at least a year, as sunlight can darken healing scars. Gentle massage may help firmness later on. Stop smoking and vaping, which impair healing and increase the risk of a wide scar. If the scar becomes raised or itchy, mention it at your review, as early treatment helps.
Warning signs
- Fever, spreading redness or pus: from the incision may indicate infection; contact the team the same day.
- Rapidly increasing swelling or bleeding: that does not stop with gentle pressure; contact the team urgently.
- A wound that opens: contact the team the same day.
- Chest pain or breathlessness: call 999.
Tightness, mild asymmetry and numbness of the upper lip are common in the early weeks and usually improve.
Planning ahead
Book about a week away from work and social events, arrange soft foods in advance, and plan your first review and stitch removal. Details of the procedure itself are on the lip lift page, and the lip lift risks guide covers possible complications in more depth.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does swelling last after a lip lift?
Most visible swelling settles within two to three weeks, but some firmness can persist for a few months.
When are lip lift stitches removed?
Usually around five to seven days after surgery.
When is it possible to return to work?
Most people return to desk-based work after about a week, once stitches are out.
Is a lip lift painful?
It is usually done under local anaesthetic, and afterwards discomfort is generally mild and controlled with simple painkillers.
Is it normal for the lip to look too short at first?
Yes. Swelling and tightness often make the lip look over-lifted in the first weeks. It usually relaxes as healing progresses.
When can lipstick be worn after a lip lift?
Lipstick on the vermilion can usually be worn after a week or two, but avoid applying products over the scar until it has fully healed.
