Lip Flips are so in. They are quick, as in 20 minutes. Cost-effective, as in under $100. And, the results of a lip flip procedure can look amazing.
But, as with any Tox treatment, the results don’t last forever.
If you’re hoping to look and feel like your favorite self, we’ll share everything you need to know, including what it is, the difference between lip flips and lip filler, what the treatment looks like, what your alternatives are, and what a good candidate should expect this cosmetic procedure.
Lip Flips are a cosmetic injectable treatment that create a subtle appearance of more pronounced or fuller looking lips, without adding volume to the top lip itself. The treatment is performed with a neuromodulator – think BOTOX, Xeomin, Juvederm, or Dysport – to temporarily relax the lip muscles from contracting as strongly. The goal of this Lip enhancement is not a dramatic volume increase but enhanced visibility and prevention of inward curling when smiling.
Clients generally seek lip flips for a few reasons, including a desire to increase upper lip visibility, achieve a more symmetrical smile, reduce the appearance of a “gummy smile” (where you see the gums above the teeth when smiling), or make thin lips look thicker.
When clients get a Botox lip flip, they're typically aiming for a subtle enhancement in lip appearance. The desired shape often includes:
- Slight Upward Curl: People seek a gentle upward curl of the upper lip, creating a natural and youthful appearance without looking overdone.
- Enhanced Vermilion Border: They often desire a more defined vermilion border, which is the natural edge of the lips, for added lip definition and shape.
- Subtle Fullness: The goal is to achieve a subtle increase in lip fullness, particularly in the upper lip, without significantly altering the overall lip volume.
- Balanced Symmetry: Individuals aim for balanced symmetry between the upper and lower lips, ensuring a harmonious and proportionate lip shape.
Cupid’s Bow - Less than 10% of people natually have a prominent V shape to the upper lip. This shape is often associate with youth and therefore a commonly requested lip shape.
Overall, good lip flip results from Botox injections are ones that enhances their natural lip contours, providing a more youthful, defined, and balanced appearance to the lips.
A lip flip treatment can help address a gummy smile by relaxing the muscles responsible for lifting the upper lip excessively when smiling, thereby reducing the visibility of the gum line. By injecting a small amount of botulinum toxin (such as Botox or Xeomin) into specific muscles around the upper lip, the lip flip technique causes these muscles to relax, allowing the upper lip to cover more of the gums when smiling. This results in a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing smile, with less gum exposure. Overall, the lip flip helps to create a more harmonious lip-to-gum ratio and can enhance confidence in individuals with a gummy smile.
People may feel that a lip flip is important for enhancing their appearance because it offers a relatively quick and minimally invasive way to achieve subtle improvements in lip shape and fullness. By relaxing the muscles around the upper lip with botulinum toxin injections, a lip flip can create the illusion of fuller lips, enhance lip definition, and provide a more youthful appearance without the need for lip fillers or surgical augmentation. Additionally, a lip flip can help address concerns such as a gummy smile or asymmetry, leading to increased confidence and satisfaction with one's overall facial appearance. Overall, people may view a lip flip as an effective and convenient option for enhancing their lips and achieving their desired aesthetic goals.
One of the most common questions clients ask if what is the difference between a lip flip and lip filler, and which one is right for them. You should speak with you provider about your goals, as well as understand the pros and cons of each treatment such as cost, comfort and risks or side effects.
A lip flip uses a neuromodulator like BOTOX or Xeomin to inject a few units of Tox above the lips to relax the muscle which prevents the upper lip from contracting and ultimately results in a lip the is flipped up and looks fuller. This lip augmentation in the orbicularis oris muscle uses a small amount of Botox, and requires no plastic surgery and is not a surgical procedure.
Lip Filler is when a medical professional inject hyaluronic acid into the lips themselves to give them a more full look. Filler is advantageous in that is actually makes your lips more full and lasts longer. The disadvantage is the treatment is materially most expensive, can be more uncomfortable and has higher risk of side effects.
After booking, the treatment is fairly simple. You’ll need to sign a consent form and health questionaire. Once you meet with qualified provider, you’ll review your goals and make sure this treatment is right for you.
The treatment should take a few minutes to maybe 20 minutes, depending on the duration of your consult. The injections themselves are fairly quick.
The cost will depend on a few factors such as your geography, provider, and the type of neuromodulator used in the treatment. As a general rule of thumb, lip flips will require at least two and no more than 10 units of Botox, Xeomin, etc and will be priced around $12. Depending on the Provider, it is possible to find a lower price as well as be charged more (e.g. by a Plastic Surgeon in NYC, who has a high opportunity cost of doing this small treatment). In general, around $100 is reasonable but it can often be less if you need fewer units.
Look, needles are never fun but with the right provider it isn’t too bad. But, with a Lip Flip you can get a topical numbing cream to decrease sensitivity. And, there’s hopefully minimal to no downtime.
As a rule of thumb, neurotoxin (e.g. BOTOX, Xeomin, etc) last around 3 months. For some clients, results can last 4 or even 6. But, around 3 months is a reasonable expectation before results begin to fade. Also, it’ll take a few days to two weeks to full kick in after your treatment.
Following an appointment, some general guidelines include
- Avoid Massaging or Rubbing the Lips: Refrain from massaging or rubbing the lips excessively, as this can potentially displace the injected botulinum toxin and affect the outcome of the treatment.
- Follow-Up Appointments: Attend any scheduled follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider to assess the results and determine if any touch-ups are needed to maintain the desired lip shape.
- Avoid Sun Exposure: Limit sun exposure to the lips and use a lip balm with SPF protection to prevent sun damage, which can potentially degrade the effects of the lip flip treatment over time.
- Healthy Lifestyle: Maintain a healthy lifestyle, including staying hydrated, eating a balanced diet, and avoiding smoking, as these factors can impact the overall health and appearance of the lips.
- Follow Your Provider's Instructions: Follow any additional post-treatment instructions provided by your healthcare provider, such as avoiding certain medications or activities that may interfere with the effectiveness of the lip flip.
By adhering to these recommendations, clients can help ensure that the results of their lip flip treatment last as long as prescribed. When a client gets a Botox treatment for the vermillion border from a board-certified provider and follows their treatment plan — for a lip lift, lip lines or lip look, they should generally be happy with the results of their cosmetic treatment. If you have questions, don’t pout or frown from the corners of the mouth, just speak with your provider about potential lip flip side effects.
Most often, one appointment is sufficient. That said, some treatments to benefit from a touch-up after about two weeks. This time frame allows the healthcare provider to assess the results, address any concerns, and determine if any touch-up treatments are needed for optimal outcomes. And, for clients who wish to maintain the benefits of their Lip Flip should rebook around every 3-4 months.
As a general rule, you should refrain from intense workouts and excessive alcohol intake 24 hours post-treatment. Your result should appear within days to 2 weeks, peaking around 2-4 weeks post-treatment. Sometimes, a touch-up is needed so you shouldn’t hesitate to ask about touch-up treatments. And you and your providers should align on when to following up to ensure satisfaction.
Potential side effects of a lip flip treatment when using botulinum toxin can include, but are not limited to:
- Bruising: Bruising at the injection site is a common side effect and usually resolves within a few days.
- Swelling: Some swelling at the injection site may occur, which typically subsides within a few days.
- Redness: Temporary redness or irritation at the injection site may occur but usually resolves quickly.
- Tenderness: The area around the injection site may feel tender or sensitive for a short period after the treatment.
- Rare Complications: While uncommon, rare complications such as infection, allergic reactions, asymmetry, or unintended changes in speech or smile may occur. These complications are more likely if the treatment is not performed by a skilled and experienced injector.
It's important to discuss them with your healthcare provider before undergoing the treatment.
If after reading this far you’re still interested, we’d invite you to book a Lip Flip treatment in the convenience of your home home. All Pinch Providers are board certified Nurse Practitioners, for upfront pricing competitive with a medical spa, in the comfort of your own home.