Lip flip – upper lip lift with botulinum toxin

Do you notice that your top lip almost disappears when you smile, even though there is actually enough tissue in it? A lip flip is a treatment to lift the upper lip using botulinum toxin that discreetly changes this. A small dose of the product relaxes the orbicularis muscle around the lips, so the top lip lifts slightly and rolls outwards, and more of its red part is visible. The lip looks fuller and more defined, without adding volume to it.

A lip flip is a great choice if you want a subtle change that looks like it has always been yours. It shows its full potential when combined with lip fillers, as filler gives fullness, while a lip flip highlights that fullness and makes it visible even when you smile. Read on to find out how the treatment works, what you can expect, and how to know if it is the right choice for you.

What is a lip flip – upper lip lift?

The name comes from the English word „flip”, which means to turn or roll over, and that is precisely what happens to your upper lip. It gently lifts and „flips” outwards, so the red part of the lip, which was partially tucked towards the teeth, is now visible in its full width.

The treatment is being carried out botulinum toxin, with the same type of substance used to relax expression lines. In a lip flip, the dose is considerably smaller and the aim is different: not to smooth out wrinkles, but to change the position of the upper lip. That is why the result is subtle and natural. People around you will notice that you look refreshed, but they probably won't know why.

Why does the top lip look thin?

Many people think that a thin upper lip is a sign that it lacks volume. Often, however, the cause is not a lack of tissue, but the position of the lip, or rather the way the muscle around the mouth holds it.

In some people, the muscle around the lips is constantly slightly taut and pulls the upper lip inwards, towards the teeth. Part of the red part of the lip then remains „hidden”, so the lip looks thinner than it actually is. This is particularly noticeable when you smile: the muscle tightens further, and the upper lip almost completely disappears and turns into a thin line.

If you have ever had the feeling that your lip looks smaller in photos when you smile than it does in the mirror, this is usually the exact reason why. A lip flip acts directly on that mechanism.

How does a lip flip work?

To understand why the lip rises, it is helpful to know what is happening to the muscles around the mouth.

Orbicularis oris muscle

Around the lips is a circular muscle (orbicularis oris muscle), which acts as a sphincter. Thanks to it, you close your mouth, purse your lips, whistle, drink through a straw, and articulate sounds clearly. Its most superficial fibres lie just beneath the border of the red part of the lip, and when they are constantly slightly tensed, they pull the upper lip inwards.

What does botulinum toxin do?

For a muscle to shorten, a nerve ending must release acetylcholine, a transmitter that sends a signal to the muscle to contract. Botulinum toxin temporarily prevents the release of acetylcholine at the injection site. The signal therefore reaches the muscle more weakly, and the muscle relaxes, but it does not stop working.

For a lip flip, the dose is small and distributed only along the edge of the upper lip. Only the most superficial fibres are relaxed, and the rest of the muscle works normally, so you can still speak, eat and laugh without any problem.

Why is the lip lifting?

The upper lip is moved by two muscle groups. The orbicularis muscle pulls it inwards and downwards, while the muscles that elevate the lip pull it upwards. When the superficial fibres of the orbicularis muscle relax, the elevators gain the upper hand. The upper lip is then lifted slightly and curls outwards, particularly in the central part, above Cupid's bow.

The result is more of the visible red part of the lip, a more defined upper contour and the impression of a fuller lip, without a single drop of additional volume.

Why is the effect temporary?

Nerve endings regenerate over time and re-establish normal signal transmission to the muscle. The muscle therefore gradually returns to its original state, and the lip to its previous position. Since the dose is small and the muscle around the lips works almost continuously, the effect of a lip flip lasts shorter than with treatments for wrinkles on the forehead or around the eyes.

What can a lip flip solve?

A lip flip is primarily intended for those who want a change in the shape of the lip rather than its size. It most commonly helps with:

upper lip that „disappears” when smiling – the gum remains visible even when you smile;
thin upper lip due to positioning - when the lip is rolled inwards rather than lacking in volume, more of its red part is visible;
poorly defined upper contours – the lip line and Cupid's bow become more pronounced;
unbalanced relationship between the upper and lower lips – when the lower lip is significantly fuller, a lip flip visually brings them closer;
mildly prominent gummy smile – when more of the gums are visible when smiling, which the doctor decides upon.

Who is a lip flip suitable for?

A lip flip could be the right choice for you if:

you want a more natural look and do not want extra volume;
love your lips, but would like your top lip to be more visible when you smile;
you already have lip filler and want an even more pronounced result;
you are thinking about a filler, but would first like to try a subtler, temporary change;
you want a treatment that takes a few minutes and requires no recovery.

It is important to have realistic expectations. A lip flip on its own will not enlarge lips that are naturally very thin, nor will it correct pronounced asymmetry. In such cases, the doctor will most often recommend a filler or a combination of both treatments.

Lip flip and lip fillers – a combination that complements the result

A lip flip and fillers do not work in the same way, which is why they complement each other so well:

fillers with hyaluronic acid adds volume, shapes the lip and enhances the contour;
lip flip it changes the position of the upper lip, raising it and everting it outwards.

When combined, filler gives the lips fullness, while a lip flip „opens up” the upper lip and makes that volume more visible. The difference is most noticeable when smiling: without a lip flip, the muscle can pull the lip back in, so part of the filler's effect remains hidden, whereas with a lip flip, the lip stays nicely accentuated. The result of the filler thus comes to full expression.

This is particularly useful if you want a natural look. When the lip is lifted with a lip flip, a more moderate amount of filler is often enough to make the lips look lovely and harmonious, without giving a „too much” impression.

When the combination is justified, the doctor determines the sequence and interval between treatments. They can be done in the same appointment or a few weeks apart, depending on your lips and the results you want. Read more about hyaluronic acid on the page lip fillers.

	Lip flip	Lip fillers	Combination
How it works	botulinum toxin relaxes the muscle, and the upper lip lifts and curls	hyaluronic acid adds volume and shapes the lip	Filler gives volume and contour, while a lip flip gives a lip lift.
Volume	doesn't add	I am adding	I'm adding volume, and a lip flip makes it more visible
It is most visible	on smiling	at rest and when smiling	both at rest and when smiling
When results are visible	after 2 to 5 days, and the full effect in about two weeks	immediately, with the final shape after the swelling subsides	in the order determined by the doctor
Duration	approximately 2 to 3 months	approximately 6 to 12 months	every treatment takes its own time

What does the treatment involve?

The whole process is short and simple, and you know what awaits you at every step:

consultation and examination – the doctor asks what bothers you and what you would like to change, assesses the shape and proportions of the lips, and observes how the muscles move while you speak and smile;
plan – you decide together whether a lip flip is sufficient or a combination with filler is better, and the doctor determines the number of injection points and the dosage;
preparation – the skin is cleaned and disinfected, and anaesthesia is usually not required, as very fine needles are used;
application – a small amount of product is injected into several points along the border of the upper lip, and sometimes the lower one, and the whole thing takes just a few minutes;
after treatment – you receive instructions for the following days and immediately return to your duties.

When will you see the result and how long does it take?

Botulinum toxin takes a few days to start working, so you will not see the change immediately upon leaving the clinic. You usually notice the first changes after 2 to 5 days, and the full effect after about two weeks. A follow-up appointment is then carried out, if necessary.

The effect roughly lasts for 2 to 3 months, and the lip then gradually returns to its original position. The change is not sudden, so you will also notice the return gradually. If you liked the result, the treatment can be repeated.

What is normal after a lip flip?

As the muscle gets used to relaxing, you may notice some temporary changes in the first few days:

difficulty drinking through a straw;
difficult whistling, puckering and drinking liquid from a glass;
slightly different pronunciation of the sounds p, b and m;
small swelling, redness or bruising at the site of the injection.

These changes are mild, most people barely notice them, and they pass once the muscle adapts. Contact your doctor if you notice pronounced asymmetry, difficulty closing your lips or any change that does not pass.

Aftercare advice

To ensure the product stays where it was injected and the result is even, take care of the following in the first few days:

for the first few hours, do not massage, rub or press your lips;
for the first few hours remain in an upright position and do not lie on your face;
Avoid strenuous exercise on the same day;
Avoid the sauna, sunbeds, and high heat for a few days;
attend a follow-up appointment if the doctor schedules one.

When is a lip flip not performed?

Your safety always comes first, so a lip flip is not performed:

during pregnancy and breastfeeding;
in neuromuscular diseases, for example myasthenia gravis;
in the event of infection, active herpes or skin inflammation on the lips;
in cases of known hypersensitivity to the ingredients of the preparation.

At your consultation, please list the medicines and therapy you are taking, as some medicines can affect how botulinum toxin works. If you are prone to cold sores, please inform the doctor in advance.

Why choose a lip flip at Imedic polyclinic?

The lips are one of the most expressive parts of the face, and even a small change affects how you look when you speak and when you smile. That is why at the Imedic clinic we do not view a lip flip as an isolated treatment, but as part of a plan for your lips and face as a whole.

individual assessment – the doctor assesses your lip anatomy, muscle movements and facial proportions before suggesting anything;
honest advice – if a lip flip is not the right choice for you, your doctor will tell you and explain why;
treatment plan – doctors perform both lip flipper and lip fillers, so they plan the combination so that the results are harmonised;
natural result – the goal is to make your lips look like yours, just more prominent.

Book a lip flip consultation

If it seems like your upper lip disappears when you smile or you want a more pronounced filler result, a consultation at the Imedic polyclinic is a good first step. The doctor will examine your lips, answer all your questions and decide with you whether a lip flip, filler or a combination of the two is best for you. An appointment can be booked by phone or via the form on the website.

Have a question?

Pitchford CA, Desrosiers AS, Tolkachjov SN. The lip flip: a systematic review of botulinum toxin lip augmentation. Archives of Dermatological Research. 2025.
DermNet. Botulinum toxin. DermNet NZ.

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Lip flip – upper lip enhancement with botulinum toxin