What is a lip flip? 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).
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.
Unlike fillers, Botox®️ and Dysport®️ are neuromodulators that relax muscles of the target area. In the case of a lip flip, these neuromodulators work to relax the muscles on the upper lip (near the cupid's bow and corners of the mouth), which then cause the upper lip to “flip” slightly upward.
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.
During the procedure
It should take only around 10 minutes. The doctor likely won't numb your lips beforehand, because the procedure isn't very painful. Some people have compared it to the sensation of having a pimple on your lip. The doctor will inject Botox into the center and corners of your upper lip.
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.
Who is a candidate? 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.
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.
This is a great treatment for those who are especially concerned about a thin upper lip or who have a “gummy” smile. Like Botox injected anywhere else, results last 3 – 6 months on average. Lip flips might last a little less time than Botox used in other places because such of the smaller amounts used.
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.
While a full syringe of lip filler costs between $500 and $1000, the Botox lip flip typically requires only 4-6 units of Botox, which cost between $10 and $15 each. While Botox to treat an area of facial wrinkles may require as many as 50 units of Botox, a Botox lip flip will likely cost less than $100.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
7. How Much Botox Is Needed for a Lip Flip? Botox lip flip involves injecting between 2-8 units of Botox depending on what results you are trying to achieve. To enhance the top lip and add the subtle appearance of volume requires fewer injections than correcting a gummy smile.
2) Lip Flip
Getting a lip flip procedure aims to resolve your gummy smile--the smile where our upper lips push farther back to show our gums. Lip flips also make our lips look fuller and plumper. Our plastic surgeons will inject about 4-6 units of Botox at the orbicularis oris as the lips are a bit rolled up.
Both the lip flip and lip filler can decrease lines in the lips called “smoker's lines” or “kissing lines.” The lip filler will last longer on average though. For someone with a long philtrum column (the distance between the bottom of the nose and top of the lip) the lip flip can be used with lip filler.
The injections are placed in the area where the smokers lines are, close to the red border (vermillion border) of the lip. The injections sometimes also cause a slight eversion of the border of the lip, i.e. the lip can look slightly fuller. The muscles are injected. It takes about 30 seconds.
The cost for Botox Cosmetic injectable powder for injection 50 units is around $378 for a supply of 1 powder for injection, depending on the pharmacy you visit. Quoted prices are for cash-paying customers and are not valid with insurance plans.
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."