Botox lip flip: a small, stylish change
A Botox lip flip is a botulinum toxin treatment for the lip area. During the procedure, a small amount of botulinum toxin is injected into the muscle surrounding the upper lip (orbicularis oris). As the muscle relaxes, the upper lip turns slightly outward, revealing the previously hidden red part of the lip.
A lip flip does not increase the size of the lips or alter their natural shape. A subtle change is achieved by adjusting the position of the lips position changes.
A lip flip is one type of botulinum toxin treatment for the lips.
- If you’d like to learn more about all the things Botox can do for your lips, you’ll find an overview in Ville’s blog post: Botox Lips.
- You can find Ville's Botox guide here.
What is a lip flip?
A lip flip is a botulinum toxin treatment in which a small amount of botulinum toxin is injected into the muscle surrounding the upper lip. In some people, this orbicularis oris muscle pulls the lip inward—especially when smiling.
When muscle activity is temporarily reduced by a small dose of botulinum toxin, the lip turns slightly outward. This makes the red part of the lip more visible than usual.
The change is usually minor. A lip flip does not enlarge the lips or change their shape.
This lip flip procedure was performed by Essi Ojala.
The change is usually most noticeable when smiling, as the upper lip—which previously turned inward—curves slightly outward.
– Ville Männistö
Who is the lip flip suitable for?
The Botox lip flip procedure is often requested by clients whose upper lip almost completely disappears when they smile.
The lip flip is ideal for the following situations:
- the upper lip disappears when smiling
- The red part of the upper lip isn't visible enough
- The goal is a very minor aesthetic change
If the goal is to achieve lips that are noticeably fuller than before, dermal filler treatment is generally a more appropriate option than Botox treatment.
Who shouldn't get a Botox lip flip?
A Botox lip flip doesn't produce visible results for everyone. In some people, the anatomical structure of the lower face is such that the effect is disappointingly minimal.
The response to lip flip treatment varies from person to person and cannot be predicted. Therefore, the first lip flip treatment should be viewed as a trial treatment.
How do you do a lip flip?
A lip flip is performed by administering Botox injections into the muscle surrounding the upper lip.
- Injections are usually given 4–6 times
- The injections are administered into the orbicularis oris muscle
- The procedure takes a few minutes
In most cases, the injections are administered in the upper lip area. In some cases, botulinum toxin may also be used around the lower lip, but this is quite rare.
Most patients describe the injections as feeling like little pinpricks.
When does the lip flip start to show?
The effects of Botox are not immediately visible after the injections.
The first changes usually start to appear within 3–5 days. The final result is assessed after about two weeks.
See the updated guidelines for daily life after Botox treatment: After Botox injections.
How long does a lip flip take?
For most people, the effects last about 2 to 4 months.
The muscles around the mouth are constantly in use, which shortens the duration of the effect compared to, for example, Botox treatments on the forehead.
Botulinum toxin treatments for the lips are considered off-label treatments. The response to treatment varies, and the final result cannot be fully predicted in advance.
Is a Botox lip flip the same as lip fillers?
Botox lip flip and lip filler treatments are two different things. A lip flip changes the position of the lips by relaxing the muscle. Filler increases the volume of the tissue and makes the lips look fuller.
Does a Botox lip flip look natural?
The results of lip flip treatment are usually very subtle. The treatment does not enlarge the lip or change its shape; it merely affects the function of the muscle surrounding the upper lip.
For most people, the effect is particularly noticeable when they smile, as the upper lip turns slightly outward and more of the red part of the lip becomes visible. At rest, the change is generally very subtle.
How much does a lip flip cost?
A lip flip is typically performed as a single-area botulinum toxin treatment.
In Finland, botulinum toxin treatment for a single area typically costs a few hundred euros.
at VM Aesthetics lip flip costs 270 euros.
If you’d like to learn more about the pricing of Botox treatments, you can find additional information here: Botox treatment prices.
The article was written based on an interview with Ville Männistö.
Ville Männistö is a specialist in oral and maxillofacial surgery who is certified in botulinum toxin treatments and serves as a botulinum toxin trainer. His clinical work focuses on the safe use of botulinum toxin for both aesthetic and medical indications.
Männistö is a member of a research group whose study on botulinum toxin treatments has been published in an international peer-reviewed scientific journal. Check out the study in the PubMed database.
