Lip treatment? Lip lift? Bullhorn lip lift? Lip corner lift?

Curved and full lips stand for sensuality and femininity. However, not all women naturally have this shape. In addition, lips can become thinner and longer with age. Aesthetic medicine and surgery can improve the fullness and shape of the lips. Today, mainly natural and biodegradable products such as autologous fat or hyaluronic acid are used to improve the shape and volume of the lips.

However, a narrow upper lip, the visibility of the lower incisor edges and the accentuation and lifting of the red of the lips are other key features of a beautiful mouth. The surgical treatment for an elongated upper lip (“philtrum”) is the so-called “bullhorn lip lift”. The corner lip lift can also be used to lift drooping corners of the mouth.

What is a bullhorn lip lift and why does this procedure have this name?

The optimum distance between the upper lip and nose is 12 – 14 mm. When the mouth is relaxed and open, 2 to 4 mm of the upper incisors should be visible. With increasing age, however, the distance can increase significantly and the face appears older.

With the bullhorn lip lift, excess skin is removed from the upper lip area to permanently shorten the upper lip. In a corner lip lift, triangular skin is removed from the outer corners of the mouth to permanently lift the corners of the mouth.

This method makes the lips, which tend to be narrow and flat due to genetic predisposition or age, appear more feminine, the upper lip is emphasized and the teeth are more visible when smiling.

This makes your face appear more open, sympathetic and attractive. As the shape of the removed skin is reminiscent of bull horns, this procedure is known as a “bull horn lip lift”.

What other lip treatments are there and how do they differ from the Bullhorn Lip Lift?

A corner lip lift is often performed with the bullhorn lip lift to lift the outer corners of the mouth.

Lip injections with hyaluronic acid are another very low-risk option for lip treatment. Hyaluronic acid is an endogenous, biological and naturally degradable product and has the ability to bind water. This can change the volume of the lips, the shape of the lips, but also the corners of the mouth (so-called “corner lip lift”) and lift the corners of the mouth. Karisma is ideal for treating so-called barcode wrinkles (upper lip wrinkles). Karisma is a new generation soft filler based on natural ingredients that counteracts and reverses skin ageing. The result is fresh, radiant and plump skin – immediately – with a long-lasting effect and can be combined with other treatments.

Likewise, annoying lip lines (so-called smoker’s lines) can be easily smoothed out. The results are immediately visible and there is no downtime. With an additional treatment with botulinum, the red of the upper lip can also be lifted (so-called “lip flip” treatment).

In most cases, botulinum treatment takes effect after 48 to 72 hours and the maximum effect is achieved after 1 to 2 weeks. When treating with hyaluronic acid, the proportions and harmony of the upper and lower lip must be taken into account. In particular, the so-called golden ratio (1 : 1.618) must be observed. In the case of asymmetrical lip shape, lump formation or vascular occlusion, the hyaluronic acid can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase.

The results after a hyaluronic acid treatment usually last between 6 and 12 months, after which the treatment can be repeated. With the Bullhorn Lip-Lift, on the other hand, a permanent result is achieved and follow-up treatment or fine correction is very rarely necessary.
An alternative treatment method to hyaluronic acid is lip treatment with autologous fat.

In this natural form of treatment, liposuction is performed on a desired area, the fat is prepared accordingly and injected into the lips. With this treatment, approx. 40-50% of the fat dissolves in the first 3 months, with the remainder being retained in the long term.

How does a bullhorn lip lift or lip corner lift work?

The procedure is performed under local anesthesia and can be performed on an outpatient basis. The operation takes approx. 45 – 60 minutes.

Where does the scar run?

The incision is made along the wings and bridge of the nose. The so-called “corner lip lift” involves a triangular skin removal at the outer corners of the mouth in order to lift the outer corners of the mouth. The scars are thus hidden in the area of the natural skin fold below the nasal entrance or along the red of the lips and are therefore usually barely visible.

Who is suitable for a bullhorn lip lift or corner lip lift?

The procedure is suitable for all women who feel their lips are too narrow and too long. The corner lip lift can be performed alone or in combination with a bulhorn lip lift. Due to genetic predisposition or the natural ageing process, the lips appear narrower over time, which increases the distance between the nose and mouth and makes the face look older.

Therefore, there is actually no age limit for the procedure. The various treatment methods are discussed in detail in an individual consultation.

What are the risks of a bullhorn lip lift or corner lip lift?

The risks of the treatment are low. As with all surgical procedures, wound healing disorders or infections can occur. However, these complications are very rare due to the good blood circulation in the facial area.

Swelling, bruising or redness may occur for a few days, which often subsides on its own. A permanent loss of sensation in the upper lip is not to be expected after the operation has healed.

What do I need to consider after the operation?

You should cool the upper lip for a few days after the operation. I also recommend avoiding excessive talking or intense chewing during the healing phase and eating a cool, soft diet. I also recommend avoiding physical exertion until the wound has healed (usually after 7 days).

The stitches are removed after 5 to 7 days, after which there is usually hardly any trace of the procedure. To optimize the cosmetic result, a laser treatment (https://tremp-plastic-surgery.com/laser/) or a radiofrequency microneedle treatment (https://tremp-plastic-surgery.com/microneedling/) can be carried out after the stitches have been removed. If desired and required, a CO2 laser treatment can be carried out after 6 weeks and 12 weeks (https://tremp-plastic-surgery.com/co2-laser/). You must then massage the scar daily with an oily or silicone scar cream for up to a year after the operation and use a sun protection factor of 50. Basically, there are hardly any restrictions on your ability to work; after 3 – 5 days you are usually able to socialize again, but it takes about 3 months to achieve the final result.

How high are the costs?

As this is an aesthetic procedure, health insurance companies do not cover the costs. Depending on the additional services and duration of the operation, you will receive a detailed written cost estimate from us.

The costs for the planned operation must be transferred at least 7 days before the procedure so that the date can be confirmed. This advance payment, which is customary in the industry, is necessary in order to be able to make the reservations and preparations for your operation.