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- A Botox lip flip can create the illusion of more voluminous lips.
- The effect is much more subtle than conventional lip fillers.
- Results last approximately three to four months.
Lip augmentation has grown increasingly popular in recent years as people around the world look for ways to achieve a fuller, plumper pout. While lip augmentation is usually performed with hyaluronic acid-based fillers, Botox is another option for those seeking more voluminous lips.
Why Use Botox on the Lips?
As you may be aware, Botox is an injectable product primarily used to treat wrinkles and fine lines. The active ingredient in Botox, botulinum toxin type A, works by blocking muscle contractions. Its ability to reduce muscle activity also makes it useful for enhancing the appearance of your lips.
How Does a Botox Lip Flip Work?
The Botox lip flip is a non-surgical procedure that usually takes less than 30 minutes to complete from start to finish.
The treatment involves injecting Botox into the orbicularis oris, a muscle that surrounds the mouth and controls the movements of the mouth and lips. Botox relaxes the muscle fibers that hold the lips in place, allowing the upper and/or lower lips to flip outward. This creates the illusion of fuller lips without affecting lip function.
It’s important to note that while a Botox lip flip can enhance the appearance of your lips, it does not actually add volume.
Botox lip flip for a gummy smile
As noted in research published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, a Botox lip flip can also be effective for treating a gummy smile. A smile where excessive gum tissue is visible above the top teeth is considered to be a gummy smile.
Injecting Botox into Cupid’s bow (the double curve present in the top lip) relaxes the orbicularis oris muscle, which allows more of your lips to show and conceals some of your gums. This can make your lips look bigger and help bring out the full potential of your smile.
What Results Can You Expect from a Botox Lip Flip?
A Botox lip flip should provide the appearance of fuller, more shapely lips. The effects are subtle, especially when compared to conventional fillers. As with other Botox treatments, a Botox lip flip is temporary. Most people find that the effect lasts for approximately three to four months.
Botox Lip Flip vs. Lip Fillers
While the terms “Botox” and “fillers” are sometimes used interchangeably, the fact is that the two products are very different in terms of procedure, cost, and results. We’ve rounded up a few key differences below:
Lip fillers
Injectable fillers such as Juvéderm, Volbella, Vollure, and Restylane are the most commonly used products for lip augmentation procedures. The main active ingredient in these products is hyaluronic acid, a substance that is found naturally in the body. Hyaluronic acid-based products work by adding volume to your facial tissue. They are injected directly into the lips to give them a fuller appearance and reduce the appearance of vertical lip lines. Over time, the filler is slowly absorbed into the body.
Lip filler results usually last at least twice as long as the results of a Botox lip flip, typically between six months and a year. Buf if you don’t like the results, most dermal fillers can be dissolved using an enzyme called hyaluronidase.
Lip fillers may provide a much more dramatic effect than Botox, but it comes at a cost. In the US, the average price of a full syringe of filler is roughly $620, based on figures published by the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. You can expect to pay about $500-$2,000 per lip filler treatment, although this price can vary depending on how many syringes you need and your geographic location.
Botox lip flip
The main difference between Botox and lip fillers is that Botox isn’t a filler. In a Botox lip flip, Botox is injected into the muscles surrounding the mouth, relaxing them enough so the lips are able to flip outward. This creates the illusion of bigger lips but, unlike fillers, doesn’t actually add volume.
With a duration of approximately three to four months, the effects of a Botox lip flip tend to wear off far quicker than lip fillers. Some people consider this to be an advantage, especially those who want to see how they’ll look with plumper lips before committing to a longer-lasting treatment.
There’s also less downtime involved with a Botox lip flip — most patients are able to resume their regular daily activities immediately after receiving treatment. Plus, a Botox lip flip is significantly cheaper than lip fillers, sometimes costing as little as $50-$120 per treatment.
Getting the best of both worlds
As you can see, there are significant differences between lip fillers and a Botox lip flip. For best results, many cosmetic providers use a combination of Botox and lip fillers to help patients achieve their unique aesthetic goals.
What Are the Side Effects of a Botox Lip Flip?
Botox lip flips are slowly growing in popularity, but as things currently stand the treatment is still considered off-label as it hasn’t yet been approved for this purpose by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Botox is one of the most common cosmetic products on the market and is generally considered to be very safe. However, there are still some potential side effects you should be aware of, including:
- Bruising and swelling
- Nausea
- Headaches
- Numbness around the injection site
- Rash
- Difficulty swallowing
- Fever
The risk of Botox lip injections
There are some unique risks associated with getting Botox injections near the mouth. If your provider uses too much Botox, it can have a significant impact on the functionality of your mouth. This can make it difficult to eat, drink, whistle, and kiss. In extreme cases, it can even affect your speech.
How Much Does a Botox Lip Flip Cost?
Botox costs about $12 per unit. Depending on your facial anatomy and specific cosmetic goals, you could need between four and 10 units of Botox for your treatment.
This means a Botox lip flip typically costs between $48-$120. Some providers choose to charge per treatment area instead of by the unit, so be sure to get a quote before committing to anything.
Takeaway
Botox is not a filler. Instead of adding volume to your lips, a Botox lip flip weakens the muscles that control the mouth, allowing your lips to roll outward to create the illusion of shapelier lips. This makes it a good option for those who prefer a subtle effect or for people who only want to test the waters of cosmetic lip treatments. However, fillers (or a combination of fillers and Botox) will probably prove to be the better option for those seeking a plump Hollywood pout.
To get the best results with a Botox lip flip, it’s always important that you find a qualified, board-certified provider. Meet our medical review team to get their valuable suggestions.
