What Is a Lip Flip? | BabyFace MedSpa in Scottsdale
A Subtle Option for the Upper Lip
If your upper lip seems to disappear when you smile, you are not alone. You may want a little more visible lip without adding the volume associated with dermal filler. This is where a lip flip can be useful.
A lip flip is a minimally invasive injectable treatment that uses a small amount of botulinum toxin type A, commonly called a neuromodulator, near the upper border of the lip. The treatment partially relaxes selected fibers of the orbicularis oris, the circular muscle surrounding the mouth. This allows part of the upper lip to turn slightly outward, making more of the existing pink lip visible.
A lip flip does not add physical volume. A recent prospective study found a modest increase in visible upper-lip height after treatment but no increase in lip volume. This distinction is what separates a lip flip from lip filler.
How Is a Lip Flip Different From Lip Filler?
A lip flip changes how the upper lip rests and moves. Hyaluronic acid filler places gel within the lip to add volume, refine shape, or improve definition.
A lip flip can be considered when someone wants:
· Subtle upper-lip eversion
· More of the upper lip to remain visible while smiling
· Temporary improvement in the appearance of dynamic upper-lip lines
Lip filler is generally better suited to someone who wants a noticeable increase in volume, more defined borders, improved symmetry, or structural shaping. Some clients can be treated with both, but the treatments are not interchangeable.
A lip flip is also not automatically a treatment for a gummy smile. Excessive gum display can have several causes, and different muscles or injection patterns may be involved. A clinical evaluation is necessary to determine what is contributing to the smile pattern.
When Will You See the Change?
The effect is not immediate. Changes begin to develop gradually within several days, with the fuller effect typically evaluated at approximately two weeks.
Because the treatment uses a small amount of neuromodulator in an active facial muscle, the result is temporary. It can last around two to three months, although duration varies between individuals. A 2025 systematic review found generally consistent upper-lip eversion and mostly mild, temporary side effects.
Is a Lip Flip FDA-Approved?
Botox Cosmetic and Jeuveau are FDA-approved prescription neuromodulators, but their FDA-approved cosmetic indications do not include the lip flip. Using a neuromodulator in the orbicularis oris for this purpose is considered an off-label medical use. Off-label prescribing is common in medicine, but it should be discussed transparently.
At BabyFace, eligibility and treatment planning are handled with care by an appropriately licensed prescribing clinician.
What Are the Possible Side Effects?
A lip flip affects a muscle involved in speaking, eating, drinking, kissing, and making facial expressions. Precise placement and conservative dosing are important.
Temporary effects may include bruising, asymmetry, difficulty drinking through a straw or whistling, numbness, altered speech, or difficulty keeping liquids completely inside the mouth. These effects are generally mild and transient.
A lip flip is not immediately reversible. Botulinum toxin cannot be dissolved in the way hyaluronic acid filler can. If an unwanted functional effect occurs, it generally improves gradually as muscle activity returns. Learn from our Botox vs. Hyaluronic Acid Guide and Injectable Treatment Guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a lip flip hurt?
The treatment involves several small injections near the upper lip. Brief pinching or stinging can occur. Treatment is designed to minimize discomfort.
Can a lip flip make my lips dramatically larger?
No. It can expose slightly more of the existing upper lip, but it does not add volume. Lip filler is more appropriate when a noticeable increase in size or structural shaping is the goal.
Can I get a lip flip and filler together?
They can sometimes be combined because they address different concerns. Filler adds volume, while a lip flip changes upper-lip movement. Suitability and timing require an individualized evaluation.
Who should not get a lip flip?
Certain medical conditions, medications, allergies, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and infection or inflammation near the treatment area may affect whether treatment is appropriate.
Small Treatment, Important Technique
A lip flip can create a subtle change for clients who want a more visible upper lip without additional filler volume. Results develop gradually, remain temporary, and depend on anatomy, muscle activity, dose, and injection technique.
At BabyFace in Scottsdale, our clinicians take a conservative approach and aim for soft, natural-looking results.
Schedule your consultation at BabyFace today!
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Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Individual results from professional treatments and skincare products vary. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult with your healthcare provider before beginning any professional treatment, supplement, or skincare routine, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have underlying medical conditions.