Approximate location of the lip muscle, orbicularis oris. This muscle is a ring that involves all areas of the lip, including the red part, lip line, and white (skin) parts of the upper and lower lip. The orbicularis muscle is the target for Botox lip lift.
Filler injections made of hyaluronic acid are the primary method to augment the lips for a fuller pout. Brand names such as Juvederm®, Restylane®, and Belotero® have been used for years in plastic surgery and dermatology office for lip enhancement. Fat injections of the lip is another method to augment the lips naturally. Both fat and fillers add volume to shape and contour the lips.
Botox is the relatively new method to enhance the lips. Its ability to reduce muscle activity can also be used to enhance your lips.
What is a filler?
Facial fillers are soft gels injected into the skin and tissue to improve one’s appearance. While not replacing surgery, facial fillers allow a plastic surgeon to sculpt and contour the face for a rejuvenated appearance with less downtime as compared to surgery.
Fillers add volume to thin lips. Fillers are temporary, with results lasting months to years. We’ve extensively reviewed nonsurgical treatments with facial fillers previously in this blog. Read more about fillers in some of the examples below:
- “Lifting” the Cheeks with Fillers for Balanced Cheeks
- The Ideal Lip Shape in Plastic Surgery
- Fillers to Reshape the Nose without Surgery
- Nonsurgical Eye Bag treatment with Facial Filler
What is Botox®?
Botox is a wrinkle relaxer, similar to its alternatives such as Dysport® and Xeomin®. All of the wrinkle relaxers soften muscle activity in the area injected. Commonly, Botox is given in the forehead and frown lines to reduce wrinkles and fine lines. It can also be given to the jaw muscles to slim the face without surgery. All of these wrinkle relaxer treatments are performed in the office, with results lasting several months.
Read more about wrinkle relaxers such as Botox.
What is a Botox lip flip?
The Botox lip flip is a quick, nonsurgical procedure that can be performed alone or combined with fillers. Botox is strategically placed into areas of the lip muscle (orbicularis oris) to target just the superficial layers of the muscle. The goal is to relax the superficial fibers conservatively, while minimizing the effect on lip muscle function.
Botox (or other wrinkle relaxers) can help create a subtle improvement of the pout by rolling the lip gently outward and upward. The effect is the appearance of a fuller, sexier pout without adding volume directly. It’s an illusion of more voluminous lips. Results with a Botox lip flip is more subtle as compared to lip fillers. Results last approximately two to four months.
Botox lip flip is different that injections to treat a gummy smile or treat smoker’s lines with wrinkle relaxers. Plastic surgeons inject other areas of the lip to help hide excess gum showing or reduce vertical lip lines.
Botox lip flip vs. lip fillers
The terms Botox and fillers are sometimes used interchangeably, which can confuse patients. Some plastic surgeons and dermatologist simply label all these treatments as “injectables”. However, fillers and relaxers are very different treatments.
What is the best lip treatment?
Fillers and wrinkle relaxers such as Botox are not the same, and do not bring the same results.
A plastic surgeon will perform an evaluation to help a patient choose the “best” option for them. Filler injection may be the most common method, but many patients can add Botox to further accentuate the lips. Keep in mind that some may need lip surgery or skin resurfacing with chemical peel to adequately rejuvenate the lips. Read more about the upper lip lift procedure.
As a surgeon, Dr. Chaboki typically doesn’t just jump to surgery and may recommend a nonsurgical lift first. Dr. Chaboki works with patients to develop a treatment plan to look refreshed, not necessarily different. Each patient is unique and circumstances will vary.
What questions do you have regarding a Botox lip flip or lip enhancement? Share your questions below and request a consultation.
Are the effects of botox lip flip immediate?
Thank you for reading the blog! Botox lip flip results are not immediate. Similar to other neuromodulators, the effects of Botox develop gradually over several days.
Immediate changes are visible with filler injections for the lips, sometimes referred to as “lipstick in a syringe“. Some patients have both a lip flip injection and lip augmentation injection for lip enhancement.
Best,
Dr. Chaboki
Hi,
hope all is well with you. I’m writing to get a little bit more information about a cosmetic service. I’m interested in Botox lip flip service and I was curious to know if you do this at your clinic. I’d appreciate it if you could kindly let me know.
Best,
Hope
Thank you for reading the blog. Yes, we perform “lip flip” procedure with relaxer injections. “Lip flip” results tend to be subtle and develop gradually over several days. On the other hand, lip filler injection results can be more dramatic and are immediate, but take several days to “settle”. The final aesthetic results are also different between “lip flip” and filler.
Some patients may benefit from one or the other. Many patients who want lip augmentation may benefit from both treatments.
Best,
Dr. Chaboki
Hello! Hope all is well. Just wanted to know how much you charge for lip flip procedures?
Thank you for reading the blog! Lip flip procedure is customized to the each patient, but generally less expensive than fillers.
Best,
Dr. Chaboki
how much is a botox lip flip?
Thank you for reading the blog! Lip flip procedures with relaxers, ex. Botox, are generally less expensive than filler injections.
Best,
Dr. Chaboki
Do you offer free consults for lip augmentations?
Hi,
We offer surgical and nonsurgical lip treatments. Consultations are included with same-day treatments. Please contact the office to get started. Thank you!