A small Botox injection relaxes the upper lip.
For many years, the sole response to thin lips was dermal filler. Dermal fillers are fantastic for adding volume; however, not everybody wants that ‘plumped’ appearance, and quite a few individuals are scared of the dreaded ‘duck lips’ ending. Hence, the Lip Flip came into existence.
This treatment has gone viral on social media because it gives a subtle, natural result, without increasing volume at all. It fixes the specific physical issue of the upper lip folding inside and disappearing while smiling. At the Lin Health Europe Clinic, we carry out a Lip Flip Procedure where the muscle is relaxed just enough to reveal more of your natural pink lip resulting in a pouty look that is 100% you, only more visible; it’s a quick treatment during a lunch break.
The Science: Botox, Not Filler
A very common misunderstanding is that a Lip Flip includes filler. This is not the case. The Lip Flip Procedure employs Neuromodulators (such as Botox or Dysport).
Your mouth is encircled by a round muscle called the Orbicularis Oris. This muscle functions like a drawstring, both keeping the mouth closed and puckering the lips. In some people, this muscle contracts so strongly when smiling that it causes the upper lip to roll inward against the teeth. By injecting tiny microdoses of Botox into the vermilion border (the lip line), we temporarily relax the top portion of this muscle. Hence, the lip has to ‘flip’ or roll outward a bit, thus showing more of the mucosal surface, which is naturally pink. The illusion of a bigger lip is obtained by merely displaying more of what is already there.
The Ideal Candidate: The “Disappearing Act”
Who should consider a Lip Flip in lieu of filler? It is especially aimed at the following:
- The Disappearing Lip: The lip is hardly visible only when smiling but looks absolutely fine at rest.
- The Gummy Smile: You reveal too much gum tissue above your teeth when you smile excessively. The Lip Flip Procedure covers the gums by preventing the lip from elevating too far, thereby creating a more balanced smile.
- Filler Phobia: These are patients who like to make a subtle change but are scared of the volume or projection that comes with Hyaluronic Acid fillers.
If you desire actual volume (a physically larger lip), then don’t expect a Lip Flip to be helpful to you. For volume, you have to go for filler. Nonetheless, a lot of patients at Lin Europe Clinic opt for a Hybrid Lip, which is a combination of a small amount of filler for volume and a Lip Flip for shape.
The Procedure: 10 Minutes, No Downtime
The Lip Flip Procedure can be done very quickly. There is no need to apply a numbing cream as the injections are extremely superficial and are done in a jiffy.
With the use of an extremely small insulin needle, we inject 4 to 6 units of Botox along the upper lip line. This is usually done at two points near the Cupid’s bow and two points near the corners of the mouth. The sensation is like a brief needle prick. You may go back to work or a social event immediately. The results of a Lip Flip will not be visible instantly, unlike filler which swells immediately. It generally takes between 3 and 7 days for the neurotoxin to start working and for the muscle to relax to its new form.
The “Straw Rule”: Functional Changes
Since we are weakening the muscle that helps you pucker, the Lip Flip Procedure could result in side effects that are unique, hence, temporary. This is the part that most clinics neglect to mention.
During the first 2 to 3 weeks, it might be a challenge for you to:
- Drink with a straw (you can’t get a perfect seal).
- Whistle.
- Make the letters “P” or “B” sound firmly and explosively.
- Discharge toothpaste fluidly with the mouth.
This is perfectly fine and shows that the Botox is doing its job. You will feel a change in how your mouth moves, even if others don’t visually notice it very often. After a month, these functional restrictions usually disappear as you get accustomed to the feeling even though the aesthetic lip flip stays.
Longevity: A Short but Sweet Fix
It is very important to set the right expectation regarding how long the effect will last. Since the mouth is a high-motion area due to talking, eating and smiling throughout the day, the body breaks down the Botox here faster than in the forehead.
On average, the effect of Botox on the forehead lasts longer than the Lip Flip Procedure that in most cases lasts only 8 to 12 weeks. So, it is an ultra-low-commitment and temporary treatment. Several of our patients have their Lip Flip sessions scheduled at the time of their regular facial Botox maintenance wondering if the effect of the lip would disappear a few weeks earlier before their next visit.
Lin Health Europe Clinic: Precision Dosing
Apart from the difference in attractiveness, the touch-worthy detail is dosage. If an injector overdoses or places the injection too near the mouth corners, then it might result in loss of clarity in speech or even drooling.
Lin Health Europe Clinic applies ‘Micro-Botox’ methods, an approach we start conservatively with to make sure that we relax the lip flip without the lip becoming so paralyzed that the functional muscle that assists with eating and talking is affected. We customise the injection points to your muscle strength, pointing out that “Gummy Smile” requires a quite different placement from “Thin Lip.” We guarantee that the outcome is so intentional and elegant that it gives off the impression of being non-frozen.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Lip Flip Procedure
A Lip Flip Procedure is substantially less expensive than filler. It is only a matter of Botox units 4-10. Thus, the price is only a fraction of what a full syringe of Hyaluronic Acid filler costs.
Yes. This is referred to as “Hybrid Lip.” The filler boosts volume, while the Lip Flip Procedure turns the lip outward. It is the ultimate combination for maximum height and pout.
Not much at all. It feels like a slight pinch. It is considerably less painful than lip filler injections because the needle during a Lip Flip does not penetrate deeply into the tissue.
Though for health reasons, we strongly discourage it, from a mechanical point of view, it may be difficult to hold a cigarette or vape pen tightly with your lips for the first few weeks after a Lip Flip Procedure.
Only very slightly. “Duck lips” are the result of too much filler pushing out. A Lip Flip Procedure does not increase volume; it simply relaxes the muscle so the side view remains flat and natural.
- Textor, M. (2018). The Lip Flip: A nonsurgical technique for lip enhancement. Plastic Surgical Nursing.
- Polo, M. (2008). Botulinum toxin type A for the treatment of excessive gingival display. American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics.
- Carruthers, J., & Carruthers, A. (2005). Botulinum toxin A in the mid and lower face and neck. Dermatologic Clinics.
