A Botox lip flip injects botulinum toxin type A into the center of the lip, the orbicularis oris muscle. This allows the lip to relax and curl up. Botox is a prescription neurotoxin medication that can be injected for temporary muscle weakness. This can help to smooth out wrinkles, reduce the signs of aging, and also enhance the look of your upper lip. A Botox lip flip can be a cost-effective, quick nonsurgical procedure that can define your upper lip and improve a gummy smile. The Botox lip flip does not add volume, but it can be used to accentuate a lip filler procedure.
Botox causes temporary paralysis in the muscles and blocks specific nerves to improve your appearance cosmetically.
How Does a Botox Lip Flip Work?
With a Botox lip flip, around 4 to 6 units of Botox are injected into the upper lip in the orbicularis oris muscle. This is the center part of the lip or near the cupid’s bow. Botox is also injected near the corners of the mouth.
Benefits
One of the biggest benefits of the Botox lip flip is that it can create the illusion of more plump lips by defining the edge of the lip, or the vermillion border. The Botox lip flip creates a subtle enhancement to your upper lip. This can provide a more natural look, as it amplifies the existing shape of your lips without exaggeration. The Botox lip flip is considered to be a safe and effective procedure with little to no recovery time. It is noninvasive and does not require surgery. The procedure can be done in minutes, and you can go directly back to your normal activities. A Botox lip flip is affordable and cost-effective. It generally requires fewer units of Botox than wrinkle-reducing procedures.
The lip flip is also temporary. If you decide it is not the look you are going for, your lips will return to normal in a few months.
Botox Lip Flip vs. Lip Filler
A dermal filler is a gel that is injected into the lips to add more volume. This procedure actually creates fuller lips, whereas a lip flip produces a more natural effect and the illusion of more volume without adding materials. The dermal filler boosts lip volume and creates definition. It has immediate results as opposed to the Botox lip flip, which can take up to a week to produce results. A common type of dermal filler uses hyaluronic acid, which exists naturally in the body and can serve to add moisture and volume to the skin. Lip filler procedures cost more than a Botox lip flip. They involve a more invasive procedure, which can increase the potential risk factors and side effects. The results of a lip filler last longer — around 6 to 18 months on average.
Dermal fillers are one of the most common nonsurgical cosmetic procedures second to Botox injections.
Who Is a Candidate?
If you are in good physical health and do not have a history of negative reactions to botulinum toxin, you can be a good candidate for a lip flip.
People with thinner lips, with a lip that curls under, or those with a gummy smile are great candidates for a Botox lip flip. If you have wrinkles or fine lines on your upper lip due to aging, a Botox lip flip can also reduce the appearance of these and therefore reduce these signs of aging.
Side Effects
As with any procedure, there are potential risk factors and side effects associated with a Botox lip flip.
Botox is considered a safe and effective cosmetic treatment and significant adverse reactions are rare, especially if you do not have an underlying health condition or allergic reaction to botulinum toxin. One of the most common side effects of Botox injections is that the muscle can become overly relaxed. This can make it difficult to use a straw, whistle, speak clearly, or keep liquids in your mouth. This is typically temporary, however. There can also be reactions in the injection site, including swelling, infection, bruising, redness, or pain. Additional less common side effects can include allergic reactions, headache, breathing issues, dizziness, neck or back pain, cough, or dry mouth. Botox injections have been used safely for more than 20 years. They are FDA-approved to treat wrinkles in the face. While a lip flip is an off-label use for Botox, it is still deemed safe and effective.
How Long Does a Botox Lip Flip Last?
A Botox lip flip will typically last about three to four months on average. The botulinum toxin will wear off at this point, and your lip will return to the way it was before.
This is in contrast to a dermal lip filler, which can last nine months to a year or a surgical procedure that can be more permanent.
Cost
The cost of a Botox lip flip will depend on how many units of Botox are necessary to achieve your desired results. Botox generally costs around $10 to $15 per unit, so if it takes 6 units for a lip flip, your cost will usually be under $100.
A Botox lip flip is considered an affordable noninvasive alternative to more expensive procedures, including dermal fillers and cosmetic surgery. On average, a lip flip will cost you between $80 and $200 each time.
Pros & Cons
There are many upsides and a few potential downsides to getting a Botox lip flip.
Pros:
- A Botox lip flip can subtly define and enhance the appearance of your upper lip.
- Botox lip flips create a natural amplification of your appearance.
- The lip flip is affordable and temporary.
- A Botox lip flip is nearly painless with no recovery time.
- A lip flip can allow more of your lip to show when you smile and less of your gums.
- The Botox lip flip is a noninvasive, fast, and nonsurgical cosmetic procedure.
Cons:
- The lip flip can be too subtle and not create actual volume in your lips.
- It can take up to a week to see results as opposed to lip filler, which produces immediate enhancement.
- The Botox lip flip can make it harder to pronounce certain words, whistle, drink with a straw, use a spoon, spit after brushing your teeth, or rub your lips together.
- The lip flip is temporary and will need to be done again in three to six months to keep up with the results.
Where to Get a Botox Lip Flip
It is important to use a trained professional for Botox and lip flip procedures. It can be done in a specialty clinic or office as a same-day procedure.
Doctors receive accreditation from their state medical board, but it is important to find a surgeon who has a certification from the American Board of Cosmetic Surgery, as these professionals are trained in performing these procedures. Be sure to find a doctor who is experienced with performing Botox lip flips.
FAQs
How long does a Botox lip flip last?
A Botox lip flip usually lasts between three and four months, but it can last up to six depending on your body and how much you move your lips.
What does a Botox lip flip do?
The Botox lip flip temporarily relaxes your upper lip muscles to create the appearance of more volume as it allows your lip to flip up.
Why choose a Botox lip flip?
The Botox lip flip can be a good option if you are deciding on lip enhancements, as it is a short-term procedure that allows you to test out if you like it.
Is the Botox lip flip safe?
The Botox lip flip is considered a safe and fast procedure with few side effects and a quick recovery period.
References
Botox. (December 2021). U.S. National Library of Medicine (NLM).
Heard About the Botox Lip Flip? Here Are the Pros & Cons. (April 2021). American Board of Facial Cosmetic Surgery (ABFCS).
Beware What You Inject: Complications of Injectables – Dermal Fillers. (April- June 2018). Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery (JCAS).
Botulinum Toxin Type-A for Lip Augmentation: “Lip Flip”. (May 2021). Journal of Craniofacial Surgery.
The Use of Botulinum Toxin A in Upper Lip Augmentation. (September 2020). Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology.
What Is a Botox Lip Flip? Experts Weigh In. (December 2019). Harper’s Bazaar.
Lip Flips: What You Need to Know About the Lip Plumping Treatment. (May 2021). Cosmopolitan.
Botox. American Osteopathic College of Dermatology (AOCD).
Choosing a Cosmetic Surgeon. American Board of Cosmetic Surgery.
