Close

Lip Flip vs. Lip Injections: What’s The Difference?

Written by WD Staff, Skin Care Specialists on April 12, 2022 No Comments

lip flip vs filler

Some of us are born with thin lips while others lose lip volume over time with natural aging. In either case, lip augmentation is an increasingly popular method for reshaping and plumping the lips. While surgical lip augmentation procedures like lip implants have long been the gold standard, there are now two great non-surgical options: lip fillers (lip injections) or a Botox “lip flip”. Both of these treatments are great at improving the look of the lips without the permanence and required downtime lip implants require.

While lip fillers and a lip flip utilize injectable treatments to enhance the lips, there are some key differences between the two options.

What is a Botox Lip Flip?

The Botox “lip flip” is named for the common neuromodulator, Botox, which it uses to pout the lips and create the illusion of fullness. A lip flip injects Botox or another neuromodulator into the muscles surrounding the upper lip. When these muscles are relaxed, the top lip flips outward into a pout.

The minimally invasive lip flip procedure takes approximately 20 minutes. The 4 quick injections are done with an extremely fine needle to minimize pain. Results are not immediate, rather they appear approximately one week after treatment as the neuromodulator kicks in.

Lip Flip Results

The Botox lip flip results in a subtle, outward pout that creates the illusion of fuller lips. It’s also commonly used to correct a gummy smile, a condition where too much upper gum tissue is shown when smiling. However, a lip flip will not add volume to the lips. Since Botox and other neuromodulators eventually get reabsorbed by the body, the lip flip lasts approximately 6-8 weeks. Touch-ups are needed for longer lasting results.

What are Lip Fillers?

Lip fillers, or lip injections, use hyaluronic acid based dermal fillers such as Juvéderm or Restylane to plump and reshape the lips. These fillers add volume and moisture to the lips and can smooth fine lines around lip edges. A skilled injector controls the shape and volume by varying the amount of filler used and the placement of the injections.

Lips are typically numbed prior to lip injections to reduce discomfort. Results can be customized by choosing thicker or thinner fillers, and by using more or less. No downtime is required and the results are immediately apparent.

Lip Filler Results

Lip filler results can be quite dramatic, depending on the volume added. Fillers generally last for up to one year before the hyaluronic acid, a natural substance, gets reabsorbed by the body.

Lip Flip vs Lip Filler: The Main Differences

Understanding the main differences between a lip flip and lip injections can help you decide which one is right for you.

The Augmentation Method

  • A lip flip uses a neuromodulator such as Botox to relax targeted muscles resulting in a flip of the upward lip into a pout
  • Lip fillers use injectable dermal fillers such as Juvederm or Restylane to increase (add) volume to the lips

Wait Time for Results

  • Final results manifest approximately 1 week after a Botox lip flip
  • The results of lip injections are immediately visible

How Long Results Last

  • A Botox lip flip lasts approximately 6-8 weeks before touch-ups are needed
  • Lip injections can last for up to one year before maintenance is needed

Type of Volume

  • A Botox lip flip can create the illusion of volume by rolling out the lip into a pout
  • Lip fillers adds volume, creating results that are typically more dramatic

Additional Benefits

  • A lip flip is typically better suited to address a gummy smile
  • Lip injections are better suited to address fine lines occurring on the lips themselves or around the mouth

Which Option Is Better?

Ultimately, the best treatment plan will differ on an individual basis and will depend greatly on the desired end result for each individual patient. Do you want a more dramatic result or just a subtle change? Is there a need to correct lines and wrinkles around the mouth or some severity of a gummy smile?

The best way to determine the right treatment for you is to visit a skilled provider of both options for an in-person consultation.

Doing both is also an option. Combining a lip flip with lip injections may be ideal if you have extremely thin lips. A consultation with an expert can help point you in the right direction, so you can achieve your desired results.


WD Staff

A united group of skin care specialists from Westlake Dermatology & Cosmetic Surgery, Austin's leader in Dermatology and Plastic Surgery. Articles posted under WD staff are authored through combined contributions from our entire team, including Plastic Surgeons, Dermatologists, Aestheticians, Physician Assistants, Aesthetic Nurses, and Patient Coordinators.


Leave a Reply