To think that when Dr. Randal Haworth started his practice over 30 years ago, he was one of only a handful of leading plastic surgeons who specialized in lip reshaping surgery. Now, as one of the world’s most renowned lip lift experts, he has witnessed how upper lip lifts have exploded in popularity thanks to the influence of social media on the young and old alike. However, as with any trend, unintended consequences may arise such as the “neonatal deformity,” which originates from the congenital Apostrophe Lip. I first described this latter labial morphology in a chapter I authored for “Aesthetic Surgery of the Facial Skeleton”, a textbook edited by Dr. Steven Baker in 2019.
What Is an Apostrophe Lip?
You might not recognize the name, but you’ve likely seen the effect: the pink vermilion (the visible part of the lip) is full and prominent only in the center, while the outer thirds taper off or even disappear. This narrowing gives the mouth a stylized, doll-like appearance reminiscent of Kabuki makeup, where the lips are intentionally painted small and central.
While deliberate in performance art, this effect is aesthetically unflattering when unintentional—and unfortunately, upper lip lifts performed without addressing corner anatomy often exaggerate this deformity.
How an Upper Lip Lift Can Create A Neonatal Lip
Regardless of type, if an upper lip lift is performed without taking into account the oral commissures and lateral upper vermilion, a preexisting apostrophe lip can be exacerbated. The slope from the Cupid’s bow to the oral commissure (mouth corners) becomes unnaturally steep. The outer pink vermilion rolls inward or disappears entirely, leading to a pinched, slit-like appearance akin to that of a newborn. In essence, a neonatal deformity. Patients from around the world have come to me distressed by this outcome, often feeling disfigured and despondent.
The Medialized Corner Lip Lift: A Powerful Solution
Enter the medialized corner lip lift—a precise, elegant surgical solution I’ve refined over the years to correct these issues. It not only repositions the corners of the mouth upward but also:
- Restores lost vermilion by rolling it outward, eliminating that paradoxically tightlipped “rosebud” look.
- Corrects asymmetry, which is present in the majority of mouths.
- Improves the marionette folds (those stubborn lines running from the corners of the mouth downward) that facelifts often miss.
- Softens the harsh slope from Cupid’s bow to oral commissure, restoring a balanced, natural curvature.
This is a high-precision procedure involving design and execution tolerances as fine as a quarter millimeter. But when done correctly, the results are not only restorative—they are transformative.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve undergone an upper lip lift and are unhappy with the corner distortion or feel like your lip looks smaller or more “pursed” than before—know that you’re not alone. These issues are more common than many realize, but they are entirely correctable.
Performed under local anesthesia, the medialized corner lip lift offers a sophisticated solution to restore harmony and confidence to your face.
Dr Randal Haworth
Beverly Hills 2025
‘It is amazing what a different hairstyle, well-contoured makeup and perhaps some “photoshopping” can do to make anyone look like a superstar,’ Dr Randal Haworth told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday. Despite the fact she’s nearing her forties, Dr Haworth recognized how Kyly has undergone a ‘startling transformation’ in recent years.
‘Most people I know would seize the opportunity to look better if given half a chance – and nowadays they can without even stepping foot in a plastic surgeon’s office,’ said Dr Haworth. ‘Her straight brunette hair contributes a good deal to her change (she was formerly blonde) and perhaps deftly applied makeup.’
Dr Haworth noted that while makeup can certainly help change the appearance of facial features, he assumed Kyly’s ‘higher hairline gives a subtle clue’ that she is taking advantage of a simple ‘DIY’ beauty hack.
‘Sometimes Kyly seems to employ the old trick of pulling your hair tightly back into a ponytail for a quick tightening fix of the eyebrows and upper face,’ he said. ‘Even though she looks different, as a hyperaesthetic plastic surgeon, I feel that Kyly looks great.’
CEO of DrHaworth.com told Daily Mail Australia: ‘Erin has opted for a “less is more” approach in regards to maintaining and enhancing her facial appearance. This is often the wisest choice for those who make their living in front of the camera.’
‘I am quite confident she has neither changed her nose nor augmented her cheeks or jawline. However, her face does seem more elegantly defined perhaps with the help of a little makeup alongside a loss of ‘baby fat’,’ stated the Beverly Hills surgeon.
Tamara Jaber, the ex-wife of Kyle Sandilands debuted a dramatic new look during an appearance on The Morning Show last week. She has stayed quiet on the subject of cosmetic procedures. Dr. Haworth, a Beverly Hills plastic surgeon believes her changing look may be the result of a little nip and tuck. Haworth told The Daily Mail ‘I believe Miss Jaber has followed what many do when coming to Hollywood in search of change, whether in their personal or professional lives. And that is to seek out the services of a plastic surgeon’
Dr Haworth claimed that Tamara may have had surgery to refine the shape of her nose. ‘It does not take a hyperaesthetic specialist such as myself to ascertain she has undergone a rhinoplasty,’ Haworth said. Haworth also claimed that her elevated and refined cheeks, fuller lips and noticeably defined jawline have contributed to her overall facial transformation.
‘Her eyebrows are a tad too elevated into a pointed arch similar to Captain Spock, which is most likely the result of Botox. Ironically, this shape can be softened with a further small shot of Botox above each arch. I have a small suspicion Botox was also injected in and around her chin because her smile in recent pictures seems somewhat restricted and stiff,’ he explained.
‘Balance’ breasts are designed to ‘fly under the radar’, so to speak, leaving little evidence of surgical change. According to Dr. Haworth, ‘balance’ breasts are supposed to ‘look, feel and behave naturally’ and, as such, this is the surgery most likely chosen by Elyse. ‘It is obvious to me that Elyse had this balanced type of breast augmentation which is natural and well proportioned with the rest of her body,’ Haworth claimed. ‘This was likely achieved with cohesive silicone gel implants placed under her pectoralis major muscle.’
