Named Incisions of the Lips

1. Bullhorn Incision (Subnasal Bullhorn Lip Lift)

• Shape: A single curvilinear incision shaped like the horns of a bull, running from one nostril base across to the other
• Location: In the natural crease at the base of the nose (subnasal area)
• Purpose: The most common lip lift technique; shortens the philtrum (space between nose and lip), elevates both the center and sides of the upper lip, and increases vermilion show
• Advantage: Scar hidden within the nasal base crease

2. Gullwing Incision (Direct Lip Lift)

• Shape: An incision along the top border of the upper lip resembling the wings of a flying seagull
• Location: Directly at the vermilion-cutaneous border (white roll)
• Purpose: Removes excess skin just above the upper lip to create a more defined vermilion border and fuller upper lip
• Disadvantage: Scar sits at the visible lip border; can erase the natural white roll; least popular technique

3. Italian Lip Lift (Double Incision)

• Shape: Two small separate crescent/oval incisions, one under each nostril
• Location: Subnasal, bilateral
• Purpose: Provides a more subtle lift than the bullhorn; elevates the lateral peaks of the lip; enhances the philtrum columns
• Advantage: Smaller, better-hidden scars; more natural result
• Disadvantage: Does not lift the central lip (Cupid's bow) as effectively

4. Central Lip Lift

• Shape: A single small incision at the base of the nose (central only)
• Location: Midline subnasal
• Purpose: Elevates only the center of the upper lip (Cupid's bow); shortens the philtrum centrally
• Difference from bullhorn: Does not extend laterally, so side lifting is absent

5. Corner Lip Lift (Corner of Mouth Lift)

• Shape: Small excisions at the corners of the mouth
• Location: Oral commissures bilaterally
• Purpose: Elevates downturned or drooping mouth corners; creates a subtle upward turn (smile appearance)
• Often combined with a central/bullhorn lift

6. V-Y Advancement (V-Y Lip Lift)

• Shape: Incision made in a "V" shape, closed in a "Y" shape
• Location: Vermilion area of the upper or lower lip
• Purpose: Increases vermilion volume and eversion without excising skin; mucosal-based advancement
• Advantage: Adds fullness without implants; scar concealed within the lip

Summary Table

Named Lip Incisions - With Diagrams

Overview: All 5 Techniques Compared

1. Bullhorn Incision (Subnasal Lip Lift) - Step-by-Step

• Incision: Single curved line shaped like bull's horns, placed in the nose-lip crease
• Skin removed: A 5-8 mm strip of philtrum skin
• Effect: Shortens philtrum, exposes more pink vermilion, lifts center + sides
• Scar: Hidden in the nasal base shadow - virtually invisible once healed
• Most common technique overall

2. Gullwing Incision (Direct Lip Lift)

• Incision: Along the upper vermilion border in the shape of a flying seagull
• Effect: Defines and advances the lip border; increases vermilion show
• Scar: Sits at the visible lip border (white roll) - most visible of all techniques
• Note: Can erase the natural white roll; used selectively for precise lip border definition

3. Handlebar / Upper Lip Lift Incision

• A variant of the subnasal technique showing the skin excision pattern with vertical closure lines
• Demonstrates how skin is removed and advanced superiorly with vertical sutures

4. Corner Lip Lift (Wedge Excision / Grin Lift)

• Incision: Small triangular (wedge) excisions at both oral commissures
• Effect: Lifts downturned mouth corners into a slight upward position
• Often combined with the bullhorn technique for full upper lip rejuvenation

Summary Table