Skin Care Education

Lip Flip

A subtle treatment that uses a small amount of neuromodulator injected above the upper lip to gently relax the muscle, causing the lip to roll slightly outward and appear fuller at rest without adding any physical volume.

What Is a Lip Flip?

A lip flip is a neuromodulator treatment that involves injecting a very small amount of botulinum toxin into the orbicularis oris muscle just above the upper lip border. The orbicularis oris is the circular muscle that surrounds the mouth and controls lip movement. When a small amount of neuromodulator is placed precisely into this muscle at the upper lip, it relaxes the top edge of the muscle slightly. This relaxation causes the upper lip to roll gently outward and upward, making more of the lip surface visible at rest and creating the appearance of a fuller upper lip without any added volume.

The lip flip does not change the actual size or volume of the lip. It changes how the lip sits. In some people, the upper lip naturally curls inward when relaxed, which can make the lip look thinner than it actually is. Relaxing the muscle that causes this inward curl allows the lip to display more of its natural volume in a resting position. The result is a subtle improvement in the appearance of lip fullness that works with the lip’s existing shape rather than altering it.

The lip flip is sometimes used as an alternative to lip filler for those who want a more subtle change or who are not ready for the commitment of filler. It can also be used alongside lip filler to enhance the eversion of the upper lip and make the result look even fuller. It is a quick, low-cost, and low-commitment treatment that suits those who want a modest improvement in their upper lip appearance with minimal intervention.

What to Expect

The procedure involves a small number of injections, typically four to six, placed precisely along the upper lip border and just above it. The injections are quick and most people find them very manageable. A topical numbing cream can be applied beforehand for those who prefer it, though the small number of injection points means many people opt to proceed without.

The whole procedure takes five to ten minutes. There is no significant downtime. Some mild swelling and occasional small bruises at the injection sites are normal and settle within a day or two. The effect of the treatment begins to appear within three to five days and is fully established at two weeks.

An important thing to be aware of is that the muscle relaxed in a lip flip is involved in certain lip movements including pursing, drinking through a straw, playing a wind instrument, and some speech patterns. Some people find these activities slightly more difficult in the first few weeks after treatment as they adjust to the changed muscle tone. This effect is temporary and fully resolves as the neuromodulator wears off.

Who It’s For and Results

The lip flip is best suited to those with a naturally thin or inward-curling upper lip who want a subtle improvement in its appearance without adding physical volume. It is a good option for those who are new to aesthetic treatment and want to start with something modest and reversible, for those who want to enhance the result of lip filler already in place, and for those whose primary concern is how much of the upper lip is visible at rest rather than the overall size of the lips.

It is less suited to those who primarily want significantly fuller lips, as the lip flip does not add volume and the change it produces is subtle. For those wanting a more noticeable increase in lip size, lip filler is the more appropriate treatment. The two can be combined for those who want both added volume and enhanced eversion of the upper lip.

Results from a lip flip typically last six to eight weeks, which is shorter than most other neuromodulator treatments because the small amount used breaks down relatively quickly. This short duration can be seen as an advantage for those who are trying the treatment for the first time and want to see how they feel about the result before committing to a longer-lasting change.

Frequently Asked Questions: Lip Flip

Lip filler adds physical volume to the lips using a hyaluronic acid gel that is injected directly into the lip tissue. It changes the actual size and shape of the lips and produces a more dramatic and longer-lasting result. A lip flip uses neuromodulator to relax the muscle above the upper lip, causing it to roll outward without adding any volume. The change is subtle and temporary. The lip flip suits those wanting a modest, natural-looking improvement. Filler suits those wanting more noticeable volume and shape. The two can be used together for a combined effect.

Some people notice a temporary change in certain lip movements after a lip flip, particularly activities that require precise lip control such as drinking through a straw, pronouncing certain sounds, or playing a wind instrument. This is because the muscle being relaxed is involved in these movements. The effect is mild for most people and fully temporary, resolving as the neuromodulator wears off over six to eight weeks. If precise lip control is important for professional or personal reasons, this is worth discussing with the provider before treatment to ensure the lip flip is an appropriate choice.

A lip flip typically lasts six to eight weeks. This is shorter than most other neuromodulator treatments because the small amount of product used breaks down more quickly. Some people find the short duration a useful feature when trying the treatment for the first time, as any result they are not fully happy with will naturally resolve within a couple of months. For those who like the result, repeat treatments every six to eight weeks maintain the effect consistently.

Yes, and this is a common combination. Lip filler adds volume and shapes the lips, while a lip flip enhances the eversion of the upper lip, making it appear to sit more forwardly and display its volume more prominently. The two treatments complement each other well and are often performed in the same session or with the lip flip added a few weeks after filler has settled. The combined approach suits those who want both a meaningful increase in lip volume and the subtle additional definition and eversion that the flip provides.