Your healthcare provider injects botulinum toxin into the corners of your mouth (oral commissures) and the edges of your lips (vermillion border). The botulinum toxin relaxes the muscles around your upper lip, which makes your lip “flip” upward a tiny bit (eversion) and appear larger than normal.
A lip flip involves injecting a type of abobotulinumtoxin A, such as Botox, Dysport, or Jeuveau, into the top lip. The goal is to relax the orbicularis oris muscle, which helps form and shape the lips. The injection encourages the top lip to relax and “flip” outwards, giving the subtle illusion of a fuller lip.
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.
Here are a few things to know about the lip flip procedure itself: 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.
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.
Unlike other lip flips, the Nurse Shara technique allows for both the top and bottom lips to be flipped to create a kissable pout that does not require the use of filler.
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.
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.
For fuller lips, patients typically require 0.5-2 syringes of lip filler, however, we only inject . 5-1 syringe at a time.
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.
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.
After about 10 days it should be back to business as usual.”
Like most Botox procedures, there is no real recovery period with a lip flip. Once the appointment is over, you'll be able to return to your routine immediately. Note that there may be some minor swelling immediately after the injection, but this usually resolves within a few hours or a day at the most.
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.
Overall, Botox Flip Lip should not be a painful treatment, patients may feel a sharp scratch at the injection points but overall this is just described as minimal discomfort rather than pain. Patients may continue to feel mild discomfort after treatment, but this will fade over 24 hours.
Hyaluronic acid, or HA, naturally occurs in the body and not only attracts moisture (and volume) to the lips but also stimulates the lips' own ability to produce more collagen. This means you get immediate, natural-looking results and you also see a gradual improvement in your lip area as collagen increases. Dr.
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.
This muscle relaxation can also help smooth vertical lines around the lips. Most patients notice the effects within a few days of treatment, with full results in about one week.
Botox lip flip is not a permanent cosmetic procedure. To maintain the results, you'll need to repeat the procedure roughly every 3 to 4 months, or as long as it takes for the effects of the Botox injections to wear off.
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.
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.
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.
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.