- Oberhöchstadter Str. 8, 61440 Oberursel
- 06171 591 91
- Am Salzhaus 6, 60311 Frankfurt am Main
- 069 920 380 90
The Valentine’s Plasty is a surgical procedure to lift the corners of the mouth. A small amount of skin is precisely removed from both corners of the mouth, and the corners are permanently lifted using a special suture technique. The procedure is performed on an outpatient basis under local anesthesia, without general anesthesia and without the need for a hospital stay.
Along with the eye area, the mouth region is the part of the face that most strongly conveys emotions to others. As we age, the tissue in the midface sags, the nasolabial folds become more pronounced, and the corners of the mouth turn downward. This procedure differs from an injectable treatment in its approach: fillers add volume, whereas this procedure alters the position of the corners of the mouth—something that cannot be achieved with an injectable treatment. The threads remain in place for 5 to 7 days and are then removed to prevent indentations from the sutures.
Advantages · Who is it for? · Procedure · Aftercare Timeline · Risks · Costs · Alternatives · Team · FAQ · Date
Maybe you know the feeling: You feel good—balanced, content, full of life. But the mirror tells a different story. The corners of your mouth turn down, and your expression looks sad or sullen—even though you’re not feeling that way at all.
“I was constantly asked if I was tired or if something was bothering me. But I was just being myself. Over time, that really weighed on me.”—This is how one of our patients describes how she felt before the treatment.
Valentine’s Plasty is not about conforming to a beauty ideal. It’s about ensuring your face once again expresses what you truly feel—not sadness, not anger, but you.
We’ll guide you along this journey—with surgical precision, aesthetic sensitivity, and the goal of transforming negative lines into positive vectors.
Medically reviewed ✓
Written by Dr. med. Zeynep Potente
Board-Certified Specialist in Plastic and Aesthetic Surgery
✓ Member of the DGPRÄC (German Society of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgeons)
EBOPRAS – European Board of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery - ebopras.eu
✓ Over 20 years of experience in plastic surgery
✓ Specialization: Facial Surgery and Lip Aesthetics
📅 Last updated: August 11, 2026
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5.0 on Google · over 300 more reviews on Jameda
✓ Member of the DGPRÄC (German Society of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgeons)
✓ Our own certified operating rooms in Frankfurt and Oberursel
✓ Upturned corners of the mouth – The facial expression appears friendlier, fresher, and more relaxed
✓ Lasting results – One surgery, one lasting change
✓ A Small Procedure, a Big Impact – Outpatient procedure, performed under local anesthesia, minimal downtime
✓ No foreign materials – No fillers, no Botox – purely surgical, using the body's own tissue
✓ Natural Expression – Negative line vectors are converted to positive ones
✓ Can be combined – Ideal in combination with lip augmentation (autologous fat or hyaluronic acid) for a harmonious overall result
✓ Scars well hidden – The fine scars are located right at the corners of the mouth and fade reliably
✓ Immediate effect – The results are visible immediately after the procedure
When downturned corners of your mouth define your expression
As we age, the soft tissue of the midface sags. The nasolabial fold deepens, and the corners of the mouth turn downward—a process that becomes noticeable in many people as early as their mid-30s. The result: a facial expression that conveys sadness, exhaustion, or dissatisfaction, even though there is no reason for it. Exercise, creams, or massages cannot counteract these structural changes.
When noninvasive methods are not sufficient
Botox at the corners of the mouth or fillers in the nasolabial folds can temporarily alleviate the appearance of drooping mouth corners—but they do not actually lift them. Valentine’s Plasty solves the problem permanently at its root: through the precise removal of skin and a special suturing technique that structurally lifts the corners of the mouth.
If you want lasting results
You don’t want to undergo touch-up treatments every six months. You want to make a one-time investment and enjoy the long-lasting benefits of a friendlier, more expressive face. Valentine’s Plasty is designed exactly for that purpose.
When is a medical evaluation advisable?
If you are prone to scarring (keloids or hypertrophic scars), we will discuss in detail beforehand whether the procedure is suitable for you. Smokers should abstain from nicotine for at least 4 weeks before and after the surgery, as it significantly impairs wound healing. If you have an active infection or a cold sore, we will postpone the procedure and recommend antiviral prophylaxis.
We take the time to listen to you. During a detailed consultation, we’ll examine your mouth, discuss your goals, and work with you to develop a personalized treatment plan.
What we'll discuss:
Preparation:
The incision lines are marked precisely at both corners of the mouth. Careful planning is crucial for achieving a natural-looking result and ensuring that the scars are barely noticeable later on. Local anesthesia is administered and takes effect within a few minutes—making the procedure itself completely painless.
The procedure:
A small, precisely measured piece of skin is removed from each corner of the mouth. Using a special suturing technique, the corners of the mouth are lifted and secured in their new position. The entire procedure usually takes 45 to 60 minutes. Since both sides are treated during the same session, a symmetrical result is guaranteed.
Suture Removal:
The sutures remain in place for 5 to 7 days. Removal is quick and painless. This timing is important: If the sutures are removed too late, they may leave marks—we’ll remind you of your appointment in plenty of time.
Combination with lip fillers:
Valentine’s Plasty can be excellently combined with lip augmentation—either using autologous fat or hyaluronic acid. Both procedures complement each other perfectly: The surgical lift permanently corrects the position of the corners of the mouth, while lip augmentation creates harmonious balance in volume and contour. This combination can be performed in a single session.
Where does the treatment take place?
In our own certified treatment rooms—on an outpatient basis, discreetly, and in a trusting atmosphere. From preparation to follow-up care: everything under one roof.
Local anesthesia: Valentine’s Plasty is performed under local anesthesia as standard. You are awake but feel nothing. Many patients appreciate this option because they can go home immediately afterward and are not restricted by general anesthesia.
Twilight Sleep: Upon specific request, a twilight sleep is also possible—please feel free to ask us about it.Our anesthesiologist, Dr. Livia Köhler, will personally care for you throughout the entire surgery.
The First 24–48 Hours: Rest and Cooling
Immediately after the procedure, the corners of your mouth will be swollen and slightly red. Cool the areas regularly with a soft cold compress—do not place it directly on the skin. Avoid wide mouth movements, vigorous chewing, and stretching the mouth area. Sleep with your upper body slightly elevated.
Days 3–7: Suture removal
The swelling subsides a little more each day. Small bruises at the corners of the mouth are possible and completely normal. The stitches will be removed after 5 to 7 days—this appointment is mandatory to prevent scarring. Once the stitches are removed, you can gently cover the areas and apply light makeup.
Week 2: The results are becoming visible
Most of the swelling has subsided, and you can see the lifted results. The scars are still reddish at this point—this is completely normal and part of the healing process. Light daily activities and office work can be resumed without any problems starting in week 2.
Weeks 3–6: Daily Life and Scar Care
Starting in week 3, you will return fully to your normal daily routine. Intensive scar care begins: daily application of special scar ointments or silicone gel, as well as gentle scar massages, once the wounds have completely healed.
Exercise, Sun, and Sauna: Take a 2–4-week break
You should avoid strenuous exercise for 2 to 3 weeks. Avoid saunas and swimming pools for at least 3 weeks. It is especially important to consistently protect the scars from UV radiation with SPF 50+ sunscreen for at least 12 months—sun exposure significantly slows down the fading process.
The final result after 6–12 months
The full final result—including faded scars—becomes apparent after 6 to 12 months. The lifted position of the corners of the mouth is permanent. The scars fade to barely visible, light-colored lines right at the corners of the mouth.
As with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks associated with Valentine’s Plasty. We will discuss these in detail with you:
Common (temporary):
Rare:
Very rare:
Important: The quality of the scar depends largely on the precision of the incision, the suturing technique, and consistent scar care. We use the finest suture materials and provide you with a detailed scar care plan to take home.
Our experienced team minimizes risks through precise surgical techniques, personalized planning, and close follow-up care.
The cost depends on the extent of the procedure and any combinations involved.
| Performance | Costs starting at |
|---|---|
| Valentine's Plasty (surgical corner-of-the-mouth lift) | 1.500 € |
| Combination with Hyaluronic Acid for Lips | + 350 € |
| Combination with Autologous Fat Grafting to the Lips | + 1.500 € |
| In addition: Anesthesia (twilight sleep) | individual |
| Consultation | free |
What's included in the price?
Cash acquisition?
Valentine’s Plasty is an aesthetic procedure and is not covered by either public or private health insurance. We’d be happy to advise you on financing options.
Alternatives to Valentine’s Plasty
Depending on your current situation and preferences, other options may also serve as a useful supplement or a first step:
Useful Combinations
Valentine’s Plasty is most effective as part of a harmonious overall treatment plan for the mouth area:
We provide honest, personalized advice—only what truly suits you and restores your natural look.
Permanent. The removed skin does not regrow, and the corners of the mouth remain in their lifted position. Although the natural aging process continues, the surgical correction remains in place. This is the key advantage over Botox or fillers: a single procedure with permanent results.
The scars are located right at the corners of the mouth—in a natural transition zone of the face. They are reddish and slightly raised at first, but with consistent scar care, they fade within 6 to 12 months into barely visible, light-colored lines. They can be easily covered with light makeup during the healing phase.
Yes—that’s actually a very good idea. Botox injected into the depressor muscle (which pulls the corners of the mouth downward) will give you an initial idea of how lifted corners of the mouth look on your face. The effect lasts 3 to 4 months. If you’re convinced afterward, you can make the result permanent with Valentine’s Plasty.
During the procedure, you won’t feel a thing thanks to the local anesthesia—at most, you might feel a brief prick from the needle. Afterward, a slight feeling of tightness is normal and can be easily managed with standard pain relievers. Most patients describe the recovery period as very tolerable.
The stitches will be removed after 5 to 7 days. This timeframe is intentionally set early: If stitches remain in place too long, they leave visible indentations in the skin, which make the scars look worse. We will remind you of this appointment in advance.
Yes—and that’s one of the most popular combinations. Valentine’s Plasty lifts the corners of the mouth, while lip augmentation (with hyaluronic acid or autologous fat) adds additional volume and contour to the lips. Both treatments complement each other very well and can be performed during the same session.
Most patients avoid close social contact for the first 5 to 10 days—as long as the swelling is still visible and the stitches have not yet been removed. With light makeup once the stitches are removed, many feel comfortable being out in public again after just one week.
There is no set age limit. The key factors are the individual’s anatomy and the degree of sagging. Many patients undergo the procedure in their mid-30s to 40s, when age-related sagging of the corners of the mouth becomes clearly visible. Younger patients with genetically predisposed drooping corners of the mouth can also benefit from the treatment.
Please avoid blood-thinning medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or vitamin E for 5 to 7 days before the procedure (unless medically necessary). You should avoid alcohol for 24 hours beforehand. Female smokers should strictly abstain from nicotine for at least 4 weeks before and after the surgery. If you have a history of cold sores, we recommend starting antiviral prophylaxis 3 days before the procedure.
Duration of treatment: 45–60 minutes
Anesthesia: Local anesthesia (twilight sleep upon request)
Hospitalization: Outpatient – no hospital stay required
Suture Removal: after 5–7 days (firm deadline)
Incapacity for work: About 5–7 days (a break from social activities is recommended)
Sport: after 2–3 weeks
Socially Acceptable: After about 1 week (with light makeup)
Result visible: immediately – permanently after 6–12 months (scar maturation)
Shelf life: Permanent
Can be combined with: Hyaluronic Acid Lip Fillers, Autologous Fat, Bullhorn Lip Lift, Botox
Costs: starting at €1,500
Acquisition of a pharmacy: None (cosmetic treatment)
Follow-up inspection included: Yes, suture removal + follow-up appointment in 2 weeks
Write to us! We will be happy to advise you!
