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If you follow beauty blogs, read cosmetic surgery forums, or browse beauty magazines, chances are you’ve recently come across the phrase “BOTOX lip flip.” While filler lip injections have soared in popularity over the last few years for those hoping for a fuller pout, those hoping for improved shape and definition have largely had to rely on more invasive options.
The BOTOX lip flip is an excellent non-surgical procedure that can augment the appearance, shape, and fullness of your lips. Compared to surgery, it is more affordable and less invasive—and it can directly reshape the upper lip in a way difficult to achieve through fillers alone. Before you book your Denver BOTOX lip flip appointment, read on to learn more about the procedure and what you should look for when it comes to finding the right medical provider.
What is the BOTOX lip flip?
A BOTOX lip flip involves meticulously injecting small amounts of BOTOX into the orbicularis oris muscle, which is situated just above the upper lip. This temporarily relaxes the muscle in your upper lip, causing it to roll upward slightly. This creates a more defined and full shape that doesn’t disappear when you smile. It can also smooth out any vertical lines that develop around the lip.
BOTOX lip flip vs. fillers
Ultimately, the BOTOX lip flip has different goals than lip enhancement with filler injections. Whereas fillers are primarily used to add volume and definition to both lips, BOTOX is used to provide a subtle enhancement to the upper lip without adding additional volume. While the BOTOX lip flip does give the appearance of a fuller upper lip by rounding out the shape of the lip and preventing your lip from disappearing when you smile (“gummy smile”), it is not designed to increase fullness.
That being said, I have found that a combination of the BOTOX lip flip and fillers can provide an overall improvement to the shape, definition, and volume of the lips for a lovely look and fuller smile.
You can expect lip flip results to last for three to four months. Generally, lip fillers last an average of six to eight months before the effects wear off, so expect to come in for a BOTOX touch up between lip filler appointments.
What are the benefits of a BOTOX lip flip?
- Provides a very subtle enhancement. My patients report that the most obvious improvement is when they smile.
- Does not add volume, making it a great option for those who are happy with the overall size of their lips but want to improve shape.
- Corrects a disappearing upper lip when smiling. Fillers don’t always improve a gummy smile, as it is caused by the muscle movement versus lip size. By relaxing that muscle, your lip will not roll up when smiling.
- Great results without downtime. While you may be a tad sore or have some small bruising at the injection site the first day, these side effects are short-lived.
Are there any downsides to the BOTOX lip flip?
As with any medical injectable treatment, it’s crucial to work with a highly experienced and well-trained provider, such as a board certified plastic surgeon or medical aesthetician working under MD supervision. When it comes to using BOTOX in the lip area, experience is key to avoiding negative effects.
If an inexperienced practitioner injects too much BOTOX, for instance, you could temporarily lose certain functions of the mouth, such as the ability to suck on a straw, or experience difficulty properly speaking or emoting. The best way to avoid negative complications is to work with a medical provider with experience using BOTOX in this application.
While doctors in many different specialties now offer BOTOX, I urge you to only get your injections from an aesthetically-focused medical practice. That said, even among plastic surgeons and cosmetic dermatologists, this procedure is less commonly offered and few practices perform the BOTOX lip flip in Denver. Note that certification or training with other uses of BOTOX does not ensure a practitioner is capable of helping you with a lip flip: you want to work with someone specifically experienced in the lip flip procedure.
More Questions About BOTOX lip flip?
If you want to learn more about the BOTOX lip flip and how it can help improve the appearance of your smile, I am happy to discuss the process and to showcase some before and after photos of the non-surgical procedures I perform. As an Allergan Master Injector, I have many years of experience safely and successfully using BOTOX. Contact my Lone Tree office at any time to schedule a consultation.