What a lip flip is
The muscle that circles the mouth is called the orbicularis oris. You use it to purse your lips, drink through a straw, whistle and form many sounds. In a lip flip, a provider places a few small injections of a neuromodulator, such as Botox, along the border of the upper lip. The muscle relaxes a little, and the lip turns slightly outward. Nothing is added to the lip. The change comes only from the way the muscle holds it. The amount and placement are decided by the provider, and we do not publish doses.
How long a lip flip commonly lasts
For many people, a lip flip lasts around two to three months, sometimes a little less or a little more. That is shorter than the 3 to 4 months many people describe for the forehead or frown lines. The reason is movement. The mouth works almost constantly through talking, eating and drinking, and very small amounts of product are used to keep the lip functioning normally, so the effect tends to wear off earlier than in larger, less busy muscles. Results usually start to show within a few days and settle at around two weeks. Read how long does Botox last for timing in other areas.
What people notice during those months
- A slightly fuller look to the upper lip, especially when smiling.
- Less of the upper lip rolling inward or disappearing during a wide smile.
- For a while, some people find it harder to drink through a straw, whistle, spit or say certain sounds clearly. This usually eases as the effect fades.
- A gradual return to how the lip looked before, rather than a sudden change.
Lip flip and lip filler are different treatments
A lip flip changes how the lip sits. Lip filler adds volume to the lip itself. A flip can make the upper lip look a little fuller without changing its size, while filler can change shape, definition and volume in both lips. Filler usually lasts longer, commonly several months to around a year, and hyaluronic acid filler can usually be dissolved by a provider if needed. A flip cannot be dissolved, but it wears off on its own. Some people choose one, some try a flip first, and some combine both with a provider's plan. Compare the wider picture in Botox vs filler and read how long do dermal fillers last.
Who tends to ask about a lip flip
People often ask about it when the upper lip seems to disappear when they smile, when they want a subtle change without added volume, or when they want to try a temporary option before deciding on filler. A lip flip does not add volume to a thin lip, and it does not change the lower lip, so a provider may suggest a different approach depending on your goal.
What the appointment looks like
The visit usually begins with a consultation where the provider watches your lips at rest, while talking and while smiling. If a lip flip is appropriate, the area is cleaned and a few small injections are placed along the upper lip. The injections take only a few minutes. Many people return to daily plans the same day, following the aftercare their provider gives.
Reasons a provider may say no or ask you to wait
A provider may decline or delay treatment during pregnancy or breastfeeding, with an active skin infection or cold sore in the area, with certain medications, or with certain neuromuscular conditions. Ask a licensed provider.
Questions to ask your provider
- Is a lip flip or lip filler a better fit for what I want?
- How long does a lip flip usually last for your patients?
- How might it affect drinking, speaking or playing a wind instrument?
- When will I see the full result?
- Can a lip flip be combined with filler, and in what order?
- How do you quote price for a lip flip?
What it costs
Price varies by clinic, ask for a quote. A lip flip is usually a small treatment area, but quotes depend on the product, the provider's training and your city. Read more on Botox cost and lip filler cost.
General information, not medical advice. A licensed provider decides whether a treatment is right for you.
Performed by licensed medical professionals. Who may perform it depends on your state's rules.