Curved and full lips stand for sensuality and femininity. However, not all women have this shape naturally. 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 degradable products such as autologous fat or hyaluronic acid are used to improve the shape and volume of the lips.
However, a narrow upper lip, visibility of the lower edges of the incisors, and accentuation and elevation of the red of the upper lip are other essential features of a beautiful mouth. The surgical treatment of an elongated upper lip (“philtrum”) is the so-called “Bullhon Lip Lift”. With the “Corner Lip Lift”, drooping corners of the mouth can be lifted at the same time.
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. 2 to 4 mm of the upper incisors should be visible when the mouth is relaxed and open. 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. With the Corner Lip Lift, a triangular skin removal is performed on 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, more feminine, the upper lip red is emphasised and the teeth are more visible when smiling.
This makes your face look more open, sympathetic and attractive. As the shape of the excised skin is reminiscent of bullhorns, this procedure is called a “bullhorn lip lift”.
What other lip treatments are available and how is it different from the Bullhorn Lip Lift?
Often with the Bullhorn Lip Lift, a Corner Lip Lift is also performed to lift the outer corners of the mouth.
Lip injections with hyaluronic acid is another very low-risk option for lip treatment. Hyaluronic acid is an endogenous, biological and naturally degradable product and has the property of water binding. 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 ideally suited for the treatment of so-called barcode wrinkles (upper lip wrinkles). Karisma is a new generation soft filler based on natural ingredients that counteracts and reverses skin aging. The result is fresh, radiant and plump skin – immediately – with a lasting effect and combinable with other applications.
Likewise, disturbing lip margin wrinkles (so-called smoker’s lines) can be easily smoothed out. The results are immediately visible and there is no downtime. With an additional treatment of botulinum, the red of the upper lip can also be lifted (so-called “lip flip” treatment).
In most cases, the treatment effect with botulinum occurs after 48 – 72 hours, the maximum effect is achieved after 1 – 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 must be taken into account (1 : 1.618). 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 -12 months, then the treatment can be repeated. With the Bullhorn Lip-Lift, on the other hand, a permanent result is achieved, a 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 is dissolved in the first 3 months, the remaining part remains for a long time.
What is the procedure of Bullhorn Lip Lift rsp. Corner Lip Lift?
The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia and can be done on an outpatient basis. The operation takes approx. 45 – 60 minutes
Where does the scar run?
The incision is made along the nostrils and the bridge of the nose. The so-called “corner lip lift” involves a triangular skin removal at the outer corners of the mouth to lift the outer corners of the mouth. The scars are therefore hidden in the area of the natural skin fold under the nasal entrance or along the red of the lips and are therefore usually barely visible.
Who is suitable for a Bullhorn Lip Lift rsp. Corner Lip Lift?
The procedure is suitable for all women who find their lips 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 aging process, the lips appear narrower over time, increasing the distance between the nose and mouth and making the face appear older.
There is therefore actually no age limit for the procedure. The various treatment methods are discussed in detail during an individual consultation.
What are the risks of a Bullhorn Lip Lift rsp. Corner Lip Lift?
The risks of the treatment are low. As with all surgical procedures, disturbances in wound healing or infection 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 subside on their own. Permanent loss of sensation in the upper lip is not to be expected after the operation has healed.
What do I have to keep in mind after the operation?
After the operation you should cool the upper lip for a few days. I also recommend avoiding excessive talking or intensive chewing during the healing phase and eating a cool and soft diet. I also recommend no physical exertion until the wound has healed (usually after 7 days).
The sutures are removed after 5 to 7 days, after which there is usually hardly any trace of the procedure. To optimize scar cosmetics, a laser treatment(https://tremp-plastic-surgery.com/laser/) or radiofrequency microneedling treatment(https://tremp-plastic-surgery.com/microneedling/) can be performed after suture removal. 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 will then need to massage the scar daily with an oily or silicone-based scar cream for up to a year after the operation and use sun protection factor 50. In principle, there are hardly any restrictions on your ability to work; after 3 – 5 days you will generally be able to socialize, but it will take around 3 months to achieve the final result.
What are the costs?
As the procedure is an aesthetic treatment, the health insurance companies do not cover the applications. Depending on the additional procedures 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 operation so that the appointment can be definitively confirmed. This advance payment, which is common in the industry, is necessary in order to make the reservations and preparations for your operation.