What is a Lip Lift?

A Lip Lift is a surgical procedure which enhances the shape and proportions of the lips and mouth. It is often recommended as a permanent alternative to non-surgical Lip Fillers.

Cadogan Clinic’s team of expert Consultant Facial Surgeons are specialists in performing Lip Lift surgery at our state-of-the-art facilities in Chelsea, London, with outstanding leadership rated by the CQC.

The lips can be affected by a wide range of concerns, including:

• Imbalanced proportions between the upper and lower lips
• Downturned lips
• Atypical lip shape
• Lip asymmetry affecting different areas of the lips

Concerns affecting the lips can arise from a number of causes:

• Ageing
• Genetics
• Injury
• Medical conditions, including facial palsy or cleft lip

Lip Lift can be a transformative procedure that can significantly impact the face, despite being a reasonably straightforward surgery that often takes less than an hour to complete. In 2022, the global Lip Augmentation market was valued at $6.4 billion, projected to increase to $11.61 billion by 2030.

If you are interested in the different types of Lip Lift and which procedure may be right to address your concerns, Cadogan Clinic’s dedicated surgical patient advisors are on hand to discuss the options and match you with one of the best Consultant Facial Surgeons in the UK.

Lip Lift surgery is a simple and straightforward procedure that improves the shape and proportions of the lips and mouth to enhance expression and address a wide range of concerns.

Corner Lip Lift vs. Bullhorn Lip Lift

There are different types of Lip Lift surgery depending on the concerns you wish to address and the areas of the lips and mouth that are affected.

Corner Lip Lift and Bullhorn Lip Lift are both popular Upper Lip Lift procedures that achieve different results and address different concerns.

What is a Corner Lip Lift?

A Corner Lip Lift primarily addresses the position of the outer corners of the lips.

During a Lip Corner Lift, your surgeon will remove small triangular areas of skin from above the outer corners of the lips. The incisions are then carefully closed to reduce visible scarring, resulting in the outer corners of the mouth becoming lifted.

An Outer Corner Lip Lift takes around 60 minutes to complete and is typically performed under general anaesthetic.

What is a Bullhorn Lip Lift?

Also known as a Subnasal Lip Lift, a Bullhorn Lip Lift is the most common type of Lip Lift and targets the middle portion of the upper lip and the philtrum.

Your surgeon makes an incision beneath the nose in the shape of a bullhorn, shortening the philtrum and lifting the upper lip into a new position, allowing more vertical height to show.

Similar to a Corner Lip Lift, a Bullhorn Lip Lift takes around 60 minutes to complete and is most commonly performed under general anaesthetic.

Corner Lip Lift and Bullhorn Lip Lift are two of the most popular types of Lip Lift surgery, either addressing the outer corners or the centre of the lips, depending on a patient’s personal concerns.

Corner Lip Lift vs. Bullhorn Lip Lift: Differences in Results

Although both Lip Corner Lift and Bullhorn Lip Lift enhance the shape and proportions of the lips, they achieve different results, depending on the concerns they are being carried out to address.

Corner Lip Lift Results

A Corner Lip Lift targets the outer corners of the mouth and lips.

Results from a Corner Lip Lift include:

• Upturned lip corners, improving expression and the shape of the lips and addressing a sad mouth appearance
• Improved lip symmetry in patients who are affected by conditions such as facial palsy
• Enhanced definition of the lip border, achieving improved lip shape

Bullhorn Lip Lift Results

Bullhorn Lip Lift addresses the central portion of the lips, in particular, the upper lip.

Bullhorn Lip Lift results will include:

• Increased upper lip volume achieved by shortening the philtrum
• Improved lip proportions and balance between the upper and lower lip to address concerns around a thin upper lip
• Reduced appearance of lip scarring
• Improved lip shape, including reshaping areas affected by concerns such as a cleft lip or facial palsy

While Corner Lip Lift results improve the shape and expression of the outer corners of the mouth, Bullhorn Lip Lift enhances the volume and proportions of the central upper lip.

Corner Lip Lift vs. Bullhorn Lip Lift: Differences in Recovery

Lip Lift recovery times can vary depending on certain personal factors and the exact nature of the procedure you have undergone.

In most cases, Lip Lift recovery is relatively straightforward, and you can expect to return to most of your normal daily activities within a couple of weeks.

Cadogan Clinic provides a comprehensive recovery and aftercare package with every Lip Lift procedure to ensure you achieve the best possible results:

• Follow-up appointments with our specialist surgical nurses and your surgeon to monitor your recovery and results
• 24/7 phone support available from our dedicated nursing team
• Any medication provided by your medical team before you are discharged

Corner Lip Lift Recovery

• Swelling and bruising: It is normal to experience swelling and bruising around the surgical site for 2-3 weeks
• Sleeping position: Your surgeon will recommend sleeping on your back for at least 3 weeks after your procedure to prevent your incisions from becoming irritated
• Exercise: You should avoid all strenuous activity and exercise for 4-6 weeks to prevent strain from being placed on your incisions
• Full recovery: Full recovery following a Corner Lip Lift typically takes 4-6 weeks

Bullhorn Lip Lift Recovery

• Swelling and bruising: After a Bullhorn Lip Lift, swelling and bruising can take 2-3 weeks to resolve
• Sleeping position: To prevent irritating your incisions, you should sleep on your back for 3-4 weeks
• Exercise: It is important to avoid all strenuous activities and exercise for up to 6 weeks after a Bullhorn Lip Lift
  Full recovery: Following a Bullhorn Lip Lift, full recovery usually takes 4-6 weeks

During your consultation at Cadogan Clinic, your surgeon will discuss your likely recovery period, as well as how you should prepare for your recovery ahead of your procedure.

Recovery following both Corner Lip Lift and Bullhorn Lip Lift is relatively straightforward, and Cadogan Clinic’s comprehensive recovery package ensures that you are well prepared and supported throughout.

Words From Our Founder