Dr. Hootan Daneshmand

Injections and Dermal Fillers

Lip Flip in Bakersfield, CA

Botox and facial fillers are amazing, non-surgical cosmetic procedures that can make it look like you had surgical work done. Botox can make fine lines and wrinkles disappear by “freezing” the underlying muscles. Meanwhile, facial fillers can restore youthful beauty by adding volume back to the face. But did you know that both botox and facial fillers can be used to fuller looking lips? In fact, a lip flip procedure can make your top lip look much fuller without common fillers like hyaluronic acid. Below, board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Daneshmand explains everything you need to know about lip flips including cost, aesthetic benefits, how the procedure works, and so much more.

If you’re looking to have fuller lips and smoother skin, look no further than the Med Spa at Silhouette Plastic Surgery Institute. We offer almost every dermal filler and skin treatment under the sun. We want you to look and feel more beautiful the second you leave our clinic. Call 949-359-8397 to schedule an initial consultation today.

lip flip

What is a Lip Flip?

A lip flip is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure that makes the top lip look fuller. Unlike lip filler, a lip flip doesn’t add volume to the upper lip. Instead, botox relaxes the muscles around the mouth in order to create the appearance of a fuller upper lip. When the muscles are relaxed, the upper lip “flips” up and out, which gives the illusion of more fullness.

What is Botox?

Botox injections contain a toxin called botulinum which prevents acetylcholine, a neurotransmitter, from releasing from axon endings at the neuromuscular junction. In much simpler terms, botulinum toxin injections relax the muscles.

The botulinum toxin causes botulism, which is a type of food poisoning. But no need to fear, botox injections do not cause botulism. That’s because the injections are produced in a lab. In this lab, scientists sterilize and dilute the toxin so that it cannot cause a botulism infection.

Botox injections have many medical and cosmetic functions. A doctor may inject botox to treat an overactive bladder, excessive sweating, muscle spasms, and even migraines. Cosmetically though, a plastic surgeon will typically inject botox in order to treat wrinkles (such as crow’s feet) and create an upper lip augmentation.

How Does a Lip Flip Work?

A lip flip is a very quick procedure that can be performed during your work lunch hour. This is how it works.

A Botox lip flip involves a board certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon injecting the toxin in the orbicularis oris muscle, which is the circular muscle around the mouth. Typically, a doctor injects botox into the cupid’s bow, the edges of the lips (vermillion border), and the corners of the mouth. In most cases, the injections are so quick and painless that you won’t even need numbing cream.

Over the next 1 to 2 weeks, your final lip flip results will begin to appear. Your upper lip will likely look much fuller than before.

Lip Flips vs. Lip Fillers

So what’s the difference between lip flips and traditional lip fillers?

Both types of cosmetic procedures give you fuller looking lips, but the execution is very different. Dermal fillers – like hyaluronic acid for example – are injected directly into your upper and/or lower lip. The dermal filler works by immediately adding volume to the lips. The fillers may also change the shape of the lips as well.

Lip flips, on the other hand, work by injecting botox into the upper lip muscle. Lip volume doesn’t actually change at all. However, the botulinum toxin will relax the mouth muscles and therefore create poutier lips. Additionally, lip flip results aren’t immediately noticeable like lip filler results are. It takes 1 to 2 weeks to notice a fuller upper lip.

what is a lip flip

Who is a Good Candidate for a Lip Flip?

Maybe you’re considering a lip flip procedure but you don’t know if you’re a good candidate. If you have any of the following issues, this may be a good cosmetic procedure for you.

  • You have a “gummy smile,” which is when a large portion of your gums show when you smile.
  • Your upper lip is already thin and tends to “disappear” when you smile.
  • Your mental health and self-confidence greatly suffers due to the appearance of your lips.

Additionally, a botox lip flip may be a good procedure for you if you want a lip augmentation without getting fillers or undergoing surgery.

It’s important to have good physical health before undergoing any procedure, even a minimally invasive one like a botox lip flip. Additionally, it’s not a good idea to get botox injections around the mouth when you’re pregnant or when you have any oral infections (like canker sores or cold sores).

How Often Should I Touch Up My Lip Flip?

It’s important to note that a botox lip flip is not permanent. Similarly to dermal fillers, botox wears off with time. The results from a lip flip procedure will generally last 8 to 12 weeks. So if you like your results, you should get your lips touched up every 3 months or so.

Lip Flip Healing Process

The healing process from a lip flip procedure is very short and painless. The injection site may feel slightly numb and swollen for a few days, but other than that, you can return to your normal activities immediately. Your lips should feel normal again in about one week after your lip flip procedure.

Your doctor may instruct you to avoid alcohol, smoking, sleeping facedown, and rubbing your lips for about a week. Alcohol and nicotine can lead to complications, even with such a small amount of botox. Sleeping facedown and rubbing your lips can affect the lip flip results by making the botox spread around the mouth area.

Lip Flip Risks and Complications

Just like any cosmetic procedure, lip flips come with risks and complications, especially if a doctor injects too much botox. Risks and complications can include:

  • Bruising, swelling, and soreness around the mouth
  • Bleeding
  • An adverse reaction to botox
  • Drooling
  • Difficulty pronouncing certain words
  • Difficulty holding fluids in your mouth
  • Drooping on one side of the mouth
  • A botulism infection, but only in very rare cases

If you’re experiencing fever, chills, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, difficulty talking, blurry vision, and/or muscle weakness in the face or other body parts, go to the emergency room. These are symptoms of a botulism infection. Again, this is very rare after a botox injection, but it’s still important to have informed consent before undergoing any procedure.

Lip Flip Cost

Similarly to lip fillers, a botox lip flip is a very affordable way to change the size and shape of your lips. The cost of this procedure will vary depending on your location, your plastic surgeon’s experience level, and how many units of botox you need for your aesthetic goals. However, most botox lip flip procedures cost between $80 and $500. When you schedule an initial consultation with Dr. Daneshmand, he will give you a more specific price.

where to inject botox for lip flip

Call the Med Spa at Silhouette Plastic Surgery Institute Today

If you’re looking to have a fuller top lip without dermal fillers or surgery, a botox lip flip may be the best procedure for you. This lip enhancement procedure is one of many procedures that our clinic offers at our Medical Spa. We also offer other procedures that can create fuller lips and beautiful, youthful skin. Board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Daneshmand, has more than 30 years of experience in making his clients look and feel beautiful. Call 949-359-8397 to schedule an appointment with him today.
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