Lip flips are a cosmetic procedure in which BOTOX® injections are used to relax the muscles in your lips. The BOTOX® goes directly to the orbicularis muscles in the upper lip and relaxes them, giving you a more youthful lip appearance. Unlike lip fillers, lip flips don't give you fuller lips.
But can a lip flip achieve the same effect? Similar to fillers, a lip flip can provide an inviting, attractively enhanced smile by causing the upper lip to unfurl and tilt upward, but it doesn't provide the same amount of volume that fillers do.
Unlike lip filler, the lip flip will not add volume—but the lip flip can accentuate the results of your lip filler. To treat a gummy smile, this may also involve injections to relax the lip elevator muscles (levator labii superioris alaeque nasi), which extend from the sides of the nose to the upper lips.
A lip flip is a nonsurgical procedure that makes your lips appear fuller. Your healthcare provider injects botulinum toxin into the corners of your mouth (oral commissures) and the edges of your lips (vermillion border).
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.
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.
As with all injectable treatments, there is some downtime involved after a BOTOX lip flip. According to Dr. Dauwe, all patients should abstain from putting pressure on their lips for 3 – 4 days after their appointment. This includes activities like kissing.
About two to three days after a lip flip, patients will notice that their upper lip appears larger as the muscle relaxes. The maximum results are evident a week to 10 days after treatment. These are not drastic results, but they are noticeable to patients, especially when comparing pre- and post-treatment photographs.
If you already have a decent amount of volume in your lips but would like to alter the shape, a lip flip might be the better choice. If you want added volume and longer-lasting results, then lip fillers may be what you're looking for.
In order to get the most attractive results, there are a few things you should avoid after lip injections. First, stay out of extreme temperatures for at least 48 hours following your appointment. Avoid going into a hot tub or sauna and abstain from smoking.
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 is important to keep in mind that the Botox lip flip only lasts three to four months, and you'll need to return for treatment about two to three times as often as you would for filler injections.
Possible Side Effects for Botox Lip Flip
It may affect your: whistling, speech, and or drinking. These only last a few days as your body adjusts for them, and also depends on how much your lip lifts as well.
For removing lip lines, you'll need about 6 average units. If you're interested in having lip flips, you'll need around 4-6 units. If you aim for plumper lips, Botox is best paired with dermal fillers. With just a few simple injections, our providers can erase your wrinkles and fine lines in no time with Botox.
Shah says, "An ideal candidate for a lip flip would be someone who has a thinner upper lip and is interested in making the upper lip look slightly bigger. Also it's ideal for someone who is not ready to have fillers injected and wants only a natural and subtle look."
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. However, they have a shorter effect than dermal fillers, which last between 6 and 18 months.
Doesn't address the lower lip.
While the lip flip can create the illusion of fuller lips overall, BOTOX is not injected into the lower lip during this procedure.
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.
Just as with traditional facial Botox, lip flip results take time. While some patients see the results in as early as three to four days, you'll get the full lip flip look 10 to 12 days after your injections.
Lip flips have a high success rate and are most suitable for people who are looking to achieve plumper, fuller lips without having filler injected. Many people feel that when they smile, their upper lip seems to disappear, or that they are showing too much gum when they smile, also known as a gummy smile.
Don't apply pressure to the treated area. Avoid exposure to the sun and heat. Don't lie down or bend below the waist for four hours.
Lip flips have no impact on kissing, and your partner will not be able to feel any difference in the texture of your lips aside from the more “flipped out” lip position. Though any impact on oral sex will be extremely minimal, it may become a bit more difficult to cover your teeth with your lips.
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.
Answer: Lip Flip
If your Botox has worn off, you can get it injected again after two months. If it was your first time having that area injected, your injector may have used a more conservative dose.
The Good: Yes, lip fillers will change the shape of your smile. For a truly significant change to your smile, ask your doctor to inject the lip filler into the parentheses lines that can be found on either side of the mouth. This can help to fill in thinner smiles, and reduce the lines around the mouth.