Surgical lip lifts can be done via various types of incisions, as well as internally. (The internal approach will not remove skin or shorten the distance between the upper lip border and the skin.

Two commonly described methods of lip lift are the subnasal (or "bull-horn" shaped) incision, and the "gull-wing" incision. The subnasal, or "bull-horn" incision sits along the natural crease at the lower border of the nose, following the natural contour. The "gull-wing" incision sits just above the upper border of the lip.

A non-surgical option for lip lift is by injection of fillers to the lips. This will not remove excess skin, but may be able to give the appearance of a lifted upper lip once volume is added to the upper lip itself (effect varies with injection technique).