Considering a ‘Lip Flip’ Treatment?

A ‘lip-flip’ treatment consists of a small amount of muscle relaxant material being injected into your top lip to make it appear fuller. However, lip flips are not suitable for everyone and some patients report mixed feelings and outcomes from undertaking the procedure. Read on to learn more about Lip Flip treatments.

What is a Lip Flip?

The procedure is non-surgical and takes approximately 20 minutes to complete and involves material being injected into your cupids bow and corners of your mouth. The injections temporarily relax the muscles around your lip and results in the part of your lip that is inside your mouth to ‘flip’ outward and upward, giving the appearance of fuller lips.

Who can get one?

While it may sound like an ideal treatment to achieve fuller lips without the use of filler, only certain individuals are good candidates for the procedure and can expect good results. Ideal candidates may include those who:

• Think their upper lip disappears when they smile

• Want their smile to appear less ‘gummy’

How is it different to lip filler?

One major difference between fillers and lip-flips is that lip-flips simply give the appearance of fuller lips, while filler actually actually does make lips more plump and full. Lip fillers involve the injection of hyaluronic acid to help give a structured appearance and additional hydration, while lip flips simply relax the muscles around your lip to give the impression of additional fullness but do not actually change the volume of your lips.

What to expect during a treatment

3-4 days prior to the procedure you will need to abstain from alcohol or blood thinners, on the advice of your treating doctor, to avoid making swelling worse.

You can expect the actual procedure itself to be rather quick, and it is likely that your treating clinician will not offer any numbing prior as the procedure it not particularly painful and is likened to the same sensation as having a blemish on your lip.

Following the lip flip you are likely to be able to resume normal activities virtually immediately, however your upper lip may feel slightly numb and a little bit swollen. Those who have had the procedure should avoid smoking during the healing process as this can increase the risk of infection. It is also important to avoid massaging or rubbing the area to prevent the material being spread and to try and sleep on their back.

Seeing Results

Those who have undergone a lip flip procedure often see initial results in a few days, with the full effects visible approximately 14 days following the procedure.

Are the results permanent?

Lip flip treatments are not permanent and can last a maximum of 3 months, so you will need to maintain your injections regularly. If you are looking for a longer-lasting option, talk to your clinician amount lip fillers or other solutions like implants.

What are the side effects?

While generally considered safe and low risk, there are always potential side effects to any procedure. These can include:

• Minor Bruising and/or Swelling

• Overuse of the muscle relaxant material, causing temporary:

  • Drooling

  • Difficulty speaking

  • Trouble eating and drinking

  • Mouth drooping, mimicking the appearance of a stroke

• Headache

• Fever

• Chills

• Botulism

• Difficulty breathing

• Blurred vision

How much does it cost?

Lip flips can cost anywhere from $80 to $300 depending on the units of injectable material required.

The Takeaway

While lip flips can be a less expensive way to achieve fuller lips due to the minimal amount of muscle relaxant material used, the procedure may not be successful for everyone. It is important to find a medical provider that is skilled to conduct a proper consultation to discuss your suitability for the procedure as well as any alternate options that may be beneficial for you.

Interested in learning more about Lip Flips? Book a consultation today!