If you want your lips to appear fuller without actually adding volume, you can opt for a Botox® lip flip. A lip flip is a cosmetic treatment involving precisely placed Botox injections that can give you a pouty look. It’s an ideal option if you want a more subtle result than lip fillers.
A lip flip procedure entails exact targeting of the top edge of the lip muscle. Getting it done by a professional, highly credible cosmetic surgeon like Dr. Steven Goldman allows for a successful and safe procedure.
Find out what you need to know about a lip flip as we answer the most frequently asked questions about this popular procedure.
While your lip will not appear fuller immediately after the Botox™ or similar product is injected, you can expect to see results within a few days. This is because it takes time for the orbicularis oris muscle (the target muscle in the upper lip border) to relax.
You may observe tiny bumps for a few minutes and mild discomfort at the injection site. There can also be some bruising, but this is minimal due to the small needle size.
After the treatment:
What to Expect After a Lip Flip
While your lip will not appear fuller right after Botox™ is injected, you can see the results in a few days or so after the lip flip treatment is administered. This is because it takes time for the orbicularis oris muscle (the target muscle in the upper lip border) to relax.
You may observe tiny bumps for a few minutes and slight pain in the injection site. There can also be some bruising, but this is minimal, given the needle size.
After the treatment, avoid strenuous activities such as working out, until the next day. Don’t sleep with your face down on the pillow that night. Be gentle with your lips for a day or so, so no heavy puckering (like a weightlifting face). And don’t press on or pick at your lips.
The actual injection generally takes less than a minute.
Since no filler is injected, the lip flip doesn’t have to relax or settle, but it takes 1-2 weeks for full effect of the Botox™, although the onset of relaxation begins in about 4 days for most patients.
Getting a lip flip allows you to have a fuller upper lip (and sometimes lower lip), by everting or unfurling the lip, to make it look more pouty, creating the illusion of increased lip volume.
This is ideal for patients who want a subtle, natural look.
While different lip-enhancing procedures and products can produce excellent results, the ideal choice for you will depend on your aesthetic goals and on the physical characteristics of your lips.
If you’re leaning more toward a Botox™ lip flip, you can expect the following benefits:
Much like other cosmetic procedures, a Botox lip flip also has limitations. These include:
Lip flips are generally low-risk and safer than other lip augmentation procedures. However, as the amount of Botox injected increases, the lip can over relax, causing temporary difficulty with:
These side effects are uncommon and resolve as the Botox™ wears off.
The lip flip uses a tiny needle, but this is still a needle, so there is mild pain. Most patients do not feel the need for numbing cream or even ice. And the injection generally takes less than a minute.
Since fillers are more dramatic than the lip flip, they generally are not used together. The principal exception to this is the patient with many lip lines (wrinkles). Such patients may benefit from relaxation of the muscle as well as filling of a deflated lip. But it’s always best to ask your doctor what will give you the best result.
A lip flip lasts for 3-4 months in most patients, but occasionally up to 6 months. Lip fillers do last longer in most patients, usually 4-6 months.
If you’re after a subtle, less artificial but fuller-looking lip, then a lip flip is for you. It is also less expensive than filler, usually only $60-120 worth of Botox™ is needed. Also, if you have a gummy smile, the lip flip can be adjusted to help evert the lip but also lower it with an additional small Botox™ injection to help lower the upper lip.
If you want more drama, lip filler is probably a better option, but the goal is still a natural, esthetic look. As always, discuss the options with your plastic surgeon.
Dr. Steven Goldman, FACS, FAAFPRS, is a triple-board certified plastic surgeon – one of the few in the world. He is certified in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Facial Plastic Surgery, and Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery. His refined injection techniques have made him a sought-after trainer for injectable companies. His team has extensive experience with injectables, non-surgical technologies, and surgery.
At The Surgeon’s Spa – Beachwood and The Surgeon’s Spa – Westlake, our nurse injectors, nurse practitioner, and physician assistant embody esthetic excellence and a culture of safety. Our goal is to have a long standing relationship with our patients by taking superlative care of them, helping them find the best treatment options for their individual needs and goals.
Our staff are trained for precision and safety by Dr. Goldman himself.
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