The “Neonatal Deformity” is the Upper Lip Lift’s Unwanted Offspring

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.

Kabuki performance artist's lips
Kabuki-style makeup mimicking an Apostrophe lip — note the abrupt loss of vermilion toward the corners, creating a slit-like mouth.

Kabuki lips
Another example of a stylized Kabuki “rosebud” mouth, often unintentionally replicated by improper upper lip lifts.

Overfilled lips due to both patient and practitioner perception drift
Before and after correction of an apostrophe lip using a medialized corner lip lift. This patient had chronic filler injections that exacerbated the deformity, narrowing the vermilion into a slit-like central zone.

How an Upper Lip Lift Can Create A Neonatal Lip

Lips of a Neonate
The neonatal deformity gets its name from the naturally recessed corners and centralized vermilion seen in newborns—charming in infants, but unflattering in adults.

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.

Classic Neonatal deformity
Classic Neonatal lip deformity after an upper lip lift without regards to the oral commissures
A moderate neonatal lip deformity
A moderate neonatal lip deformity after an upper lip lift and an inadequate traditional corner lip lift

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.

Neonatal lip deformity stemming from past upper lip lift.
This patient required a direct revision of her previous upper lip lift to correct pleating at the nasal base and a medialized corner lip lift to correct the neonatal deformity. A lower V–Y plasty was also performed.
Asymmetrical, neonatal, deformity after upper lip lift and simultaneous rhinoplasty
Another case of asymmetrical neonatal lip deformity after having undergone a previous upper lip lift simultaneous with a rhinoplasty. Dr. Randal Haworth corrected this with a medialized corner lip lift along with medical dermabrasion of her upper lip lift and nasal base/past rhinoplasty scars.. The vermilion was central and collapsed at the corners.

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

BIRTHDAY GIRL ELLEN GETS NEW $1M FACE

Birthday girl Ellen

Gets new $1m face!

Talk show queen Ellen Degeneres has gifted herself with a new million – dollar face for her 61st birthday in January. Terrified she ‘ll be dumped by her 15- years – younger wife Portia de Rossi , Ellen has erased the ravages of time with extensive plastic surgery , sources say .

Now top doctors tell Globe the Funny Gal looks younger than ever !

“It’s quite obvious she underwent a full face lift ___ and everything else , as well !” noted new York plastic surgeon  Dr. Yoel S. Shahar dishes to Globe .

He believes the chat-fest diva has also had a neck lift , forehead lift, brow lift, eyelid  surgery, fillers and a chemical peel to smooth out the area around her lips.

” She’s had almost everything done that can be done __ and  I suspect a nose  job, too , ” adds  Dr. Shahar, who has not treated Ellen .

Top Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Randal Haworth says the hint of scars around Ellen’s ears indicates a face-lift .

” Her smooth facial appearance firm firm jawline  and barely there jowls are unusual for a person of Ellen’s age and provide further evidence that she had a face-lift ” says Dr. Haworth, who has not treated her .

Dr. Shahar estimates Ellen coughed up close to 50000$ on her most recent cosmetic tweaks __ and that’s on top of previous pricey procedures !!

The former stand- up comic reportedly went under the knife in 2014 and had even more work done in 2015 !

“The noticeable scars on her neck are most likely a result of a face –lift and / or neck lift “

Renowned New York City plastic surgeon Dr. Ramtin Kassir , who has not treated Ellen , said at the time. ” Her neck and jawline appear rejuvenated and defined. She doesn’t  have sagging skin  and her skin appears smooth and wrinkle-free “.

Adds  a source: “Over time , Ellen has spent at least 1$ million on her face alone !

” She ‘s very much aware of the age difference between her and Portia. She’ll do anything to turn back the hands of time – and money is no object!”

DailyMail – Oct 22, 2018

Kyly Clarke’s unexpected physical change has generated a lot of speculation over the past few years. A leading plastic surgeon has declared the 37-year-old’s changing looks over the years could be the result of a subtle mixture of DIY ‘tricks’. ‘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.’ Full Article

The surprising DIY tricks of Kyly Clarke Revealed, how she achieved her remarkable appearance ‘without stepping foot in a surgeon’s office’

Kyly Clarke’s unexpected physical change has generated a lot of speculation over the past few years. A leading plastic surgeon has declared the 37-year-old’s changing looks over the years could be the result of a subtle mixture of DIY ‘tricks’.

‘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.’

Full Article

Erin Molan Opposes Nose Job Allegations After Plastic Surgeon Claims She ‘Invested in under the radar’ Cosmetic Work

Erin Molan has stated her nose is 100% natural after claims she ‘invested in under the radar’ cosmetic work.

Dr Randal Haworth claimed she has possibly undergone a breast augmentation, non-surgical fillers and a potentially ‘subtle’ rhinoplasty.

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.’

He continued: ‘In certain photographs, her nose now appears slimmer even though it still retains her characteristic round tip and overly arched nostrils. A subtle rhinoplasty would have accomplished this. It is also apparent that her lips were likely enhanced with an off-the-shelf injectable filler such as Juvéderm or Restylane lending her a more pleasingly plump pout. However, describing the specifics of her enhancement is more challenging because Erin has adopted a relatively conservative wardrobe when flaunting her physique.’

Further more, Dr Haworth stated the supposed surgical conclusion was ‘in proportion to the rest of her body… thus avoiding a potentially jarring transformation’.

Full Article

Plastic Surgeon Claims WAG Jessie Habermann Has Transformed Through Cosmetic Work

The small town country girl and former grid girl has made a slow and steady rise over the past eight years to become one of Melbourne’s top WAGs. A leading plastic surgeon claims Jessie has ‘stayed ahead of the game’ by enhancing her features with cosmetic procedures.

Dr. Randal Haworth told Daily Mail Australia he believes Jessie has undergone a breast augmentation, as well using Botox and fillers.

Jessie Habermann‘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.

Dr. Haworth also recognized that Jessie’s eyebrows appeared subtly higher over the years, and her lips, fuller.

‘Her eyebrows in certain photographs appear elevated into a more graceful arch which, at her age was most likely attained with Botox,’ he declared.

The celebrity surgeon also described: ‘A hyaluronic acid filler such as Juvéderm or Restylane was the most likely culprit behind her present pleasingly plump lips. What is more obvious is her augmented bosom. Certain dresses reveal unnaturally round breasts with clearly defined edges. To me, that spells breast augmentation until proven otherwise. Despite this, I feel the size of her breasts do complement the rest of her body,’ Dr. Haworth stated.

The plastic surgeon proceeded: ‘All in all, I feel Jessie has matured into a young beautiful woman who is obviously comfortable in her own skin.’

DailyMail – Sep 11, 2018

Tamara Jaber 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. Original Article

Leading Plastic Surgeon Discusses Biggest Loser star Michelle Bridges’ “enthusiastic use of fillers and Botox”

The Biggest Loser star Michelle Bridges has helped thousands of people with her fitness program.

According to Beverly Hills-based plastic surgeon Dr. Randal Haworth, she may have undergone her own transformation.

‘It appears Michelle’s striking facial change came from an enthusiastic use of fillers and Botox. Unfortunately, the manner in which they were used tends to detract from her natural facial harmony rather than enhance it.’ said Dr. Haworth.

Dr. Haworth went on to describe the tell-tale signs of Michelle’s supposed cosmetic work.

Blair Thomas‘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.

Dr. Haworth also described how Michelle appears to have used a filler such as Juvéderm to plump her lips and under-eye hollows.

‘In certain angles, the filler seems to have accentuated her long upper lip which is a sign of aging. A tell-tale sign that filler was used to treat under-eye hollows is bulging below her lower eyes next to the nose. I can see Michelle has those when she is smiling in recent photographs.’

Original Article

Elyse Knowles’ fuller bust likely achieved with cohesive silicone gel implants

The Block winner Elyse Knowles has long been known for her stunning figure. Rumors have been circulating that she has surgically enhanced her physique, with whispers she has previously gone under the knife to increase her bust size. Beverly Hills plastic surgeon Dr. Haworth offered his thoughts on Elyse’s appearance. He explained there are several types of surgical breast implants, including ‘spotlight’, ‘rejuvenation’ and ‘balance’. Haworth is under the impression Elyse has undergone the latter procedure.

Elyse Knowles ‘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.’

Original Article

Tamara Jaber has transformed her look

Tamara Jaber

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 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.

Original Article

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