Safe and professional
Felt I was in very safe and professional hands from my first consultation with Bo. ESPECIALLY on the day of the operation itself, when I was very n…
Thomas Hansen
About the treatment
A lip lift creates a fuller, more defined lip by lifting the upper lip and revealing more of the red part of the lip. The procedure shortens the distance between the nose and the upper lip and creates a more youthful smile. The incision is placed discreetly under the base of the nose, so visible scarring is minimised. The result is permanent and brings elegance and balance to the face.
At Caolín, your lip lift is always planned on the basis of an individual assessment of your facial proportions, the natural shape of your lips and your personal wishes. We place emphasis on a result that looks discreet, harmonious and genuine.
At a glance
- Price
- From DKK 24,900
- Anaesthesia
- General anaesthetic
- Duration
- 1-1.5 hours
- Hospital stay
- 1-3 hours
- Downtime
- A few days
- Socially presentable
- Approx. 14 days
- Final result
- After 3–6 months
How is the surgery performed?
The surgeon removes a small strip of skin at the junction between the base of the nose and the skin of the upper lip. The shape resembles a ”bullhorn”. The precise amount of skin removed is carefully measured and is crucial to the result.
Once the skin has been removed, the position of the upper lip is raised, and the red part of the upper lip is rolled slightly forward and made more visible. The incision is closed with very fine stitches in the skin crease under the nose, where the scar is camouflaged in the natural shadows.
Techniques
Lip lift (bullhorn lift)
The incision is made in the skin crease directly beneath the base of the nose, in a bullhorn shape that curves along each nostril. This gives a symmetrical and precise lift of the entire upper lip and is the most commonly used technique.
Central lip lift
A variation in which the incision is limited to the centre, under the nose. Suitable for patients who mainly want to accentuate the Cupid's bow and the volume of the central lip rather than lift the entire upper lip. Gives a slightly more limited, but very precise and natural result.
Corner lip lift
This technique raises the corners of the mouth, which can droop with age and give a permanently downturned expression. It can be performed as a standalone procedure or combined with a bullhorn lip lift for overall rejuvenation of the area around the mouth.
The scar and why placement is crucial
The scar is what most people ask about when it comes to a lip lift. It is placed in the skin crease under the nose, where it is camouflaged by the natural shadows, lines and changes in skin texture. In most patients it is almost invisible once fully healed, but achieving this requires surgical precision, meticulous suturing and experience.
At Caolín, scar placement and uncompromising suturing are an integral part of the surgical planning. We use the finest stitches and techniques to minimise the scar and ensure the best possible healing. In the first months the scar is visible and red; this fades gradually, and the scar is typically almost invisible after 3-6 months.
When is a lip lift relevant?
A lip lift can be relevant for both younger and older patients. Most of our patients who have a lip lift come to us with:
A long philtrum
The distance from the base of the nose to the red of the lip is too long, either from birth or as a result of ageing. A philtrum longer than approx. 1.5–1.8 cm can give an empty, flat appearance to the area around the mouth.
The upper lip has drooped
The red part of the upper lip is less visible at rest, the teeth are covered, and the area around the mouth looks flat.
Loss of the youthful curve of the upper lip
The characteristic curve in the outline of the upper lip (the Cupid's bow) has become less pronounced with age.
Filler does not give the desired result
Many find that filler in the upper lip adds volume, but does not lift the position of the lip itself or shorten the philtrum. A surgical lift addresses this.
Reviews
What our patients say
Good to know
Questions and answers
Here you will find the whole process step by step — from consultation to the first weeks at home. If there is anything you cannot find an answer to, bring it up at your consultation.
Filler adds volume and can accentuate the upper lip to some extent, but does not change the position of the upper lip or shorten the philtrum. A surgical lip lift addresses the structure itself: it raises the position of the upper lip, shortens the philtrum and permanently reveals more of the red part of the lip. The two treatments can be combined, but if you want more fullness alongside your lip lift, we most often recommend fat grafting.
The scar is placed in the skin crease directly under the nose, where it is camouflaged by the natural shadows and skin texture. It is red and visible for the first months, but fades gradually and in most people is almost invisible after 6–12 months. Correct placement and closure are crucial, and something we give very high priority.
A successful lip lift looks natural because it restores a proportion that was once there or was anatomically lacking. It is not about creating bigger lips, but about bringing the position of the upper lip and the length of the philtrum into balance with the rest of the face. An excessive lift gives an unnatural look, which is exactly why precise measurement and aligning expectations with your surgeon are so important.
− Fat grafting to the lips: Your own fat is injected into the lips for natural, soft volume. Combined with a lip lift, it provides both position and fullness, and it is a preferred approach at Caolín.
− CO2 laser: CO2 laser improves skin quality and reduces fine lines and wrinkles on the lips.
− Facelift and neck lift: A lip lift fits naturally into an overall facial rejuvenation plan and can advantageously be performed in the same session.
− Corner lip lift: Can be combined with a bullhorn lift to address both the position of the upper lip and the direction of the corners of the mouth in the same procedure.
Yes, and it is a combination we often recommend at Caolín. The lip lift lifts and repositions, while fat grafting provides natural, soft volume in the lip itself. The result is more harmonious than either procedure on its own and more natural than filler alone.
The philtrum is the area between the base of the nose and the red border of the upper lip – the two vertical ridges that run down towards the lip. The ideal length varies from face to face, but is typically between 1.2 and 1.8 cm. Above 1.8–2 cm, the upper lip starts to look flat. A lip lift can bring the distance back to a more harmonious proportion.
Yes, a long philtrum and a drooping upper lip affect men and women equally. At Caolín, the technique and extent of the procedure are tailored to masculine facial features and proportions.
The swelling subsides significantly within the first week and, for most people, is acceptable after 10–14 days. The final result, with the scar fully matured and all remaining swelling gone, is seen after 3–6 months.
The result is permanent in the sense that the removed skin does not grow back. The ageing process continues naturally, but from a lifted starting point.
A surgical lip lift is a relatively gentle procedure, but it requires great precision: slightly too much or too little skin can significantly affect the result. The most relevant risks are a visible scar, asymmetry, an excessive lift and temporary stiffness in the upper lip. Choosing an experienced surgeon is crucial. At Caolín, all our surgeons have extensive experience with surgical lip lifts.
Every treatment journey at Caolín starts with a thorough, no-obligation consultation, where the surgeon assesses your anatomy, the length of your philtrum and the proportions of your lips, and advises you on the technique that will give the most natural and harmonious result for you.
You are welcome to bring someone with you, and you can always contact us with questions along the way.
The process
What to expect at Caolín
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Consultation
The process starts with a thorough consultation, where you meet your plastic surgeon in calm, reassuring surroundings. Here we talk about your wishes, your expectations and the changes you would like to achieve.
At Caolín, a lip lift is tailored to your individual facial structure and your wishes. You will receive a thorough review of your options and the risks associated with the different surgical solutions, and the surgeon will ask about your health to make sure you are suitable for surgery. By law, there is a mandatory cooling-off period of 7 days after the consultation before you can give your final consent to cosmetic surgery. It is important to us that you feel well informed, at ease and met with both expertise and understanding throughout the entire process.
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Before the surgery
You must stop taking medication containing acetylsalicylic acid one week before the surgery and avoid herbal remedies — particularly fish oil, ginger and vitamin D — from three weeks before. Any blood-thinning medication will be agreed with the surgeon.
You must stop smoking for at least 4 weeks before and 6 weeks after the surgery. On the day of surgery, have a shower, avoid body lotion on the surgical area and come in loose clothing without jewellery.
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During the surgery
During the surgery, an incision is made under the nose that follows the nostrils and the nasal septum. A piece of skin and subcutaneous tissue is removed, so that the distance from the red part of the lip to the nose is shortened and the lip appears more prominent.
The tissue is stitched in several layers to make the scar as discreet as possible, and the skin is closed with a fine suture. The surgery is usually performed under general or local anaesthetic. General anaesthetic is most often chosen, as it is more comfortable for you and gives the surgeon the best working conditions. A nurse will welcome you and show you to your room, where you change and have a drip inserted. The anaesthetist goes through the anaesthesia with you, and the surgeon marks the area to be operated on.
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After the surgery
After the surgery, you will be taken to the recovery room, where a nurse will keep an eye on you. Depending on the extent of the surgery, you may be discharged after a few hours.
Make sure someone collects you, as you must not drive yourself. We recommend that you have an adult with you for the first 24 hours.
Book a free consultation at Caolín
Your journey begins with a personal consultation. Here we go through your wishes and options, so that together we can create a treatment plan that feels right for you.
The specialists
Bo Sonnich Rasmussen, MD, PHD
Founder & Chief Plastic Surgeon
Bo Sonnich Rasmussen is a consultant in plastic surgery and one of the Nordic region's leading specialists in cosmetic breast surgery and advanced facial surgery, and one of the few surgeons to master endoscopic facelift without visible scars. He holds a PhD in breast reconstruction using stem-cell-enriched fat grafting and is internationally recognised for his work and research in the field.
Frederik Kølle, MD, PHD
Founder & Chief Plastic Surgeon
Frederik Kølle is a certified and internationally recognised plastic surgeon specialising in facial and cosmetic surgery as well as advanced fat grafting and body contouring. He is among the Nordic region's leading experts and masters the full spectrum of facial and breast surgery.
Related treatments
Financing your treatment
We offer financing, so you can spread the cost of your treatment. If you have any questions about financing, you are always welcome to contact us – or ask at your consultation.
The calculation is indicative. Credit assessment and terms are set by Resurs Bank.