Can a V-Y Plasty Lift The Lip? A common misconception in cosmetic surgery is that a V-Y plasty—often marketed as a "scarless lip lift"—actually lifts the lip. In reality, this procedure involves making internal incisions to push the inner lip tissue (mucosa) outward, much like pushing a rug to create a wave. This maneuver increases the visible red portion of the lip (the vermilion), enhancing volume but not altering the distance between the nose and the upper lip. Without shortening this philtral distance, no true lifting occurs.Many before-and-after images used to promote V-Y plasties show patients with closed mouths, which can be misleading. A fuller upper lip resting on the lower lip can create the illusion of a lifted appearance—but when the mouth is open, it's clear that no vertical change has occurred. In short, while a V-Y plasty can volumize the lips, it does not anatomically lift them. For patients seeking a genuine lip lift, procedures that reduce the distance between the nose and the lip are necessary.