Difference Between Types of Lip Lift Surgery?

With the Bullhorn or Subnasal lip lift, incision placement
is concealed within natural skin creases underneath the nose. With the Italian
lip lift, incision placement is concealed within the nostrils. The relative
benefit of the Italian lip lift is potentially 'invisible' scars given their
placement in a location that is not visible to the average onlooker. The relative
disadvantage of the Italian lip lift is that it does not affect the lip
distance between the nostrils due to its more limited incision. A hybrid lip
lift may be undertaken, sometimes called an 'endonasal lip lift', which
conceals a portion of the scar within the nostrils while incorporating a
subnasal component to the incision between the nostrils.

Great question. My colleagues have explained in great detail the differences in techniques; pros and cons. What I prefer to do in my practice is take variations of these to suit a patient's individual needs. No one person is alike so procedures should be customized to fit the specific needs of the patient. Kind regards,Gary Horndeski M.D.

There are many variations of lip lift techniques. The direct lift above the vermilion is an option that is out of favor today because it interferes with an important anatomical feature that is the white line separating the vermillion from the skin and forming the cupids bow. The sub nasal techniques are a much better option. The shape and the size of the incision will depend on the individual patient's requirements and the goals that are established after examining the patient. One can plan on lifting the center of the lip more than the sides. In this case the skin excision should be wider in the center and taper off to the base of the nostrils. In other situations, a wider excision is done laterally. A great degree of artistic evaluation is needed to achieve a best results. This is one the most artistic and rewarding surgeries that I do. You have included a picture and I assume you want to know what needs to be done in this particular case. It this case an incision is made going from the base of the ala, and then it goes into the nostril, then it continues in the angle between the columella and the lip into the other nostril and then under the other alar base. An even amount of skin is taken from the center and the sides to try to maintain the pleasing shape of this lip. This person obviously needs to be evaluated carefully to decide exactly what works for them and how much lifting is required, but the person in this picture is a great candidate.