Are we pulling the muscle with a Lip Lift?

A common question is whether or not a lip lift is suspending "the muscle". This is due to some misunderstanding and marketing regrading lip lift. It is important to elevate the lip in what we refer to as the deep plane, as it is the layer that provides strength and support. However, this layer is right above the muscle. In most cases we do not lift the muscle itself for a variety of reasons, and we focus on the thick "SMAS" of the upper lip. However, in some cases the muscle itself is too long, or folds in onto itself, requiring use to lift it as well.
So, it is important to avoid skin only lifts, but the real layer of support is the SMAS, which is not truly the muscle. The muscle is altered in select cases only.