The BOTOX lip flip doesn't actually increase volume in the lips, although it can make the upper lip look a bit fuller when it's performed by a skilled injector. Doesn't address the lower lip.
While dermal fillers increase lip size, a lip flip only creates the illusion of a larger lip without adding volume. Lip flips are less invasive and expensive than dermal fillers.
A lip flip is a cosmetic procedure that uses Botox to enhance the appearance of your lips, specifically your top lip.
Using Botox to perform a Botox lip flip can help relax a very small area of the orbicularis oris muscle (the muscle that surrounds the lips). Relaxing tension in this muscle can allow the lip to flip upwards, creating a poutier look."
The upper lip's skin and the nose's base are very closely linked. As such, if a plastic surgeon doesn't have the appropriate skills or experience, a lip lift can distort the appearance of the nose, particularly the base and the nostrils. However, this only occurs when a lip lift is done poorly.
Normal lip flip side effects
Your skin should return to normal within a few hours. Bruising is also possible, but uncommon, with proper technique. It is normal to feel a sensation of heaviness as the Botox lip flip takes effect.
It typically takes about 4 weeks for the filler to settle in and achieve the final, desired look. The results will typically last about 6 months.
To perform a Botox lip flip, our injectable specialists make a series of injections just above the upper lip, into the orbicularis oris muscle, which encircles the mouth.
If you think your lip filler is on the move – be it days, weeks, months, or years after your injections – you may not be imagining it. Fillers that are incorrectly injected or not suitable for the lips can end up migrating outside the vermillion border, resulting in a 'trout mouth' or 'duck lip' appearance.
Lip Flip Treatment Recovery
Patients should avoid exercise for the remainder of the day and avoid sleeping face down that night. For a few hours after treatment, patients can expect to have a small bump at the site of injection.
The Botox lip flip involves injecting 4-6 units of Botox above the upper lip at the center (near the cupid's bow) and near the corners of the mouth.
A lip flip will make your lips look fuller without adding additional volume. The result is a subtle enhancement that will last around three months. Lip filler adds volume to your lips and smooths out the lines on your lips. The result is a more dramatic enhancement that can last up to a year.
The upper lip should be slightly larger than the lower lip with a gentle curve that peaks at what's called cupid's bow. The hinge of the upper lip comes in the form of the central philtrum that separates the two sides. Your upper teeth should also overlap the lower teeth by one millimeter.
A lower lip lift, in general, is done by excising skin with the idea that we're going to change the contours of the lip. While not as common as an upper lip lift, a lower lip lift can help patients with thin lower lips that may not be a good candidate for lip fillers.
You can carefully eat or drink shortly after your lip flip procedure. However, take care not to eat any messy foods that may cause you to wipe your face or lips for at least three days. Avoid using drinking straws or smoking for at least three days. Puckering or contracting your lips may cause the Botox® to migrate.
The Russian technique accentuates the cupid's bow to resemble a heart-shape by injecting additional volume and lift into the center of the lips, while the sides still remain relatively in line with the face. The result is doll-like while still appearing naturally full and plump.
Patients typically experience tenderness and swelling in the lips during the first 24 hours after their BOTOX lip flip. To aid in recovery and optimize results, patients should carry out the following for the first few days: Apply cold ice packs for 10-minute intervals to reduce inflammation.
Your doctor will advise that you avoid certain things beginning several days before your lip flip procedure. You should avoid ibuprofen and aspirin, as well as other products that thin the blood. You should also abstain from smoking, alcohol, taking multivitamins, and even fish oil.
With lip flips, your lips only appear plumper. The actual volume of your lips doesn't increase. Instead, it gets rearranged to make your lips look full and natural. During a dermal filler, your lips are injected with a substance made from hyaluronic acid, which creates a structured and hydrated appearance in your lips.
Done incorrectly or performed on unsuitable patients, a Botox lip flip can easily impact the integrity of the lip structure and affect how you talk, smile, etc.
As with any surgical procedure, not everyone's smile is suitable for a lip flip – even those who may be good candidates for lip fillers. "The ideal patient is someone who has a hyperactive muscle around their mouth that causes their upper lip to turn in or pull up dramatically when they smile," Dr. Amalfi says.
It is normal to feel a sensation of heaviness as the Botox lip flip takes effect. After a few days, patients will notice a slight feeling of heaviness in the lip, indicating that the Botox has taken effect.
During a lip flip procedure, your healthcare provider injects Botox into parts of your upper lip. After about a week, the injections make your lip look fuller or “poutier” without adding any volume to your lip. Lip flips generally look more natural than lip fillers.