Surgical lip lift – Bull Horn Lip Lift

Surgical lip plasty, known as the Bull Horn Lip Lift, is a procedure that shortens an overly long distance between the nose and the mouth and lifts the vermilion border. Unlike hyaluronic acid filling, it does not add volume with a product, but permanently changes the proportions of the lip and the smile.

With age, the distance between the base of the nose and the vermilion border lengthens, and the upper lip rolls in and disappears when smiling. The procedure is performed by a surgeon under local anesthesia, restoring a younger, more exposed appearance to the lip and harmonizing the lower part of the face.

The Bull Horn Lip Lift is worth considering when the following occur:

• an overly long distance between the nose and the upper lip (a so-called long lip)
• a narrow, barely visible vermilion border of the upper lip
• drooping corners of the mouth giving the face a tired or sad expression
• the upper teeth disappearing when smiling
• a desire to permanently improve lip proportions without using fillers

After a consultation and careful planning of the extent of resection, the surgeon administers local anesthesia. The procedure usually takes from 40 minutes to 1 hour.

The procedure involves removing a section of skin in the shape of “bull horns” just below the nose and lifting the lip, so that the scar hides in the natural fold of the skin at the base of the nose. Depending on needs, variants that modify the technique are used — the Corner Lip Lift to correct drooping corners or the Gullwing Lip Lift to widen the vermilion border. The wound is closed with precise sutures.

The upper lip is lifted, the vermilion border becomes more visible, and the proportions of the whole face become more harmonious and youthful. Swelling appears immediately after the procedure, so you assess the final result once it subsides.

The scar at the base of the nose remains almost invisible once healed. The results are permanent and usually do not require repeating the procedure.

In the first few days, protecting the wound and sutures and limiting movement of the lip are crucial. Remember to:

• cool the mouth area with compresses, limiting swelling
• limit facial expressions and avoid broad smiling
• follow a liquid or semi-liquid diet for the first few days
• avoid hard and hot foods
• keep the area around the sutures clean as instructed
• take the recommended painkillers as needed
• come in to have the sutures removed between day 10 and day 14

We do not perform it in cases such as:

• blood clotting disorders
• poorly controlled chronic diseases (diabetes, hypertension)
• active viral or bacterial infections
• pregnancy and breastfeeding
• a distance between the base of the nose and the mouth of less than 15 mm
• all teeth being visible when smiling
• lips excessively filled with hyaluronic acid
• a tendency to form keloids and allergy to anesthetic agents

The final qualification is carried out by the surgeon during the consultation.