Lip flip: treatment, results, prices, and before and after photos

A lip flip is a botulinum toxin treatment that temporarily reduces movement in selected muscles around the upper lip. This may allow more of your existing upper lip to remain visible when you smile. A lip flip does not add lip volume.

It is mainly considered when the upper lip rolls inwards or becomes less visible during smiling. If your main aim is to physically increase lip volume, projection or shape, a lip flip produces a different type of result.

This guide explains what a lip flip can and cannot change, when the effect develops, possible risks, treatment costs and what to compare between clinics and practitioners.

For a wider overview of treatment areas, see Botox treatments.

What is a lip flip and how does it work?

A lip flip uses small amounts of botulinum toxin at selected points around the upper lip. The aim is to temporarily reduce part of the muscle activity that can pull the upper lip inwards during movement.

The orbicularis oris is the circular muscle around the mouth. It helps you close, purse and move your lips. A lip flip alters part of this movement temporarily rather than physically enlarging the lip.

A lip flip changes movement, not volume

No dermal filler is added. Any visible change comes from a greater proportion of your existing upper lip remaining exposed or turning slightly outwards during smiling.

Other botulinum toxin treatments around this anatomical area have different aims. See the dedicated guide to Botox around the lips.

When might a lip flip be considered?

A lip flip is mainly considered when the appearance of the upper lip changes noticeably with movement rather than because the lip lacks physical volume.

A practitioner may assess a lip flip if:

• your upper lip is visible at rest but rolls inwards when you smile;

• less of your upper lip becomes visible during a broad smile;

• you want to explore a relatively subtle change in upper-lip visibility;

• you specifically do not want filler added to increase lip volume.

When may a lip flip make less difference?

The treatment is less likely to create the type of change you want if your main concern is:

• very little upper-lip volume even at rest;

• increasing physical lip volume;

• greater forward projection;

• a substantial change in lip shape;

• a structural difference involving the teeth, jaw or surrounding tissues;

• achieving a permanent result.

Existing difficulties with speaking, drinking, swallowing or fully closing your lips are particularly important to discuss during consultation.

A practitioner needs to assess your upper lip both at rest and during movement before deciding whether treatment may be appropriate in your circumstances.

Choosing not to have treatment remains a valid option if the expected change does not outweigh the temporary nature, cost or potential risks for you.

What can a lip flip change?

The possible result is usually subtle because a lip flip works by changing upper-lip movement rather than adding material.

A lip flip may:

• reduce how far the upper lip rolls inwards when you smile;

• allow slightly more of the existing upper lip to remain visible;

• create a small outward turn of the upper lip during movement.

A lip flip cannot:

• physically add lip volume;

• substantially enlarge a naturally thin upper lip;

• change the underlying jaw, teeth or bone structure;

• correct every type of asymmetry;

• permanently alter lip shape;

• guarantee a particular smile or lip position.

Results vary because anatomy, muscle activity, treatment planning, injection placement and the amount of botulinum toxin used can differ between individuals.

When do lip flip results appear?

A lip flip does not produce its final effect immediately. The change develops as the botulinum toxin begins to affect the treated muscle activity.

First few days: it may be too early to judge the result.

After several days: you may begin to notice a change in how the upper lip moves.

Around two weeks: the result can usually be assessed more meaningfully by comparing the upper lip at rest and while smiling.

The effect is temporary. Muscle activity gradually returns and the visible change reduces over time.

How long a lip flip lasts varies between individuals and can depend on muscle activity, treatment plan, product and dose. An exact duration cannot be guaranteed before treatment.

What happens during a lip flip treatment?

A lip flip should begin with an assessment rather than the injections themselves.

The practitioner should look at how your upper lip sits at rest and how it moves when you smile, speak and purse your lips. This matters because the treatment acts on muscles involved in everyday mouth movement.

You should also discuss what you want to change, what a lip flip cannot achieve and the possibility of temporarily altered lip control.

If treatment proceeds, small injections are placed at selected points around the upper lip. The effect then develops gradually rather than immediately.

Lip flip or lip filler: what is the difference?

A lip flip changes muscle movement. Lip filler adds material and physical volume. They therefore address different treatment goals.

If your upper lip is clearly visible at rest but rolls inwards when you smile, a practitioner may assess whether changing muscle activity could make a useful difference.

If your main goal is greater volume, projection or structural shaping while the lips are at rest, a lip flip does not provide the same effect as filler.

Neither treatment is automatically better. They work differently and carry different limitations and risks.

See the dedicated guide to the difference between Botox and fillers.

What are the risks and side effects of a lip flip?

Because a lip flip affects muscles involved in normal mouth movement, side effects are not limited to redness or bruising at the injection sites.

Possible temporary effects can include:

• redness or tenderness;

• mild swelling;

• bruising;

• temporary asymmetry;

• less control when pursing or closing the lips;

• difficulty using a straw or whistling;

• changes in speaking or smiling;

• a weaker or stronger effect than expected.

Botulinum toxin cannot simply be removed once injected. If muscle function is affected more than intended, the effect generally has to reduce gradually as the treatment wears off.

When should you contact the clinic?

Contact the treating clinic if you develop a noticeable new asymmetry, significant difficulty controlling your lips or problems with drinking or speaking.

Seek urgent medical help if you develop symptoms such as difficulty swallowing, difficulty breathing, slurred speech or widespread muscle weakness.

For the broader safety topic, see Botox complications.

Medical considerations before a lip flip

What should you know about lip flip aftercare?

Follow the aftercare instructions provided by your treating clinic because advice can depend on the product, treatment plan and your individual circumstances.

Avoid unnecessarily rubbing, pressing or massaging the injection area immediately after treatment unless the practitioner specifically instructs you to do so.

Ask your clinic when you can resume activities such as intensive exercise, sauna use, strong heat exposure or other facial treatments.

Contact the clinic if you develop an unexpected problem with lip control, drinking or speaking.

See the dedicated Botox aftercare guide for broader aftercare information.

Lip flip before and after: what should you look for?

Before-and-after photographs can help show the type of change a lip flip may produce, but they cannot predict your own result.

For a useful comparison, look at:

• how much upper lip remains visible during smiling;

• whether the person is using a similar facial expression in both images;

• whether camera angle and distance are comparable;

• whether lighting is similar;

• changes in left-to-right symmetry;

• whether the upper lip looks different because of movement rather than simply a different pose.

For lip flip photographs, images taken during a similar smile can be more informative than comparing two completely different facial expressions.

Anatomy, muscle activity and treatment planning differ between individuals, so another person's result should not be treated as a forecast of your own.

What does a lip flip cost in the UK?

Lip flip prices differ between clinics. The amount you see may depend on how the clinic structures its botulinum toxin pricing and what is included with the treatment.

Factors that may affect the listed price include:

• the clinic's pricing structure;

• the botulinum toxin product used;

• who prescribes and performs the treatment;

• clinic location;

• whether consultation is included;

• whether follow-up or review is included.

The lowest price is not automatically the best option, while a higher price does not prove that a practitioner has more experience or that you will achieve a better result.

Injectablesbooking displays available clinic pricing through the comparison tools below.

For broader pricing information, see Botox costs.

How do you compare lip flip clinics and practitioners?

A lip flip is performed close to muscles involved in speech, drinking, lip closure and facial expression. Comparing providers should therefore go beyond price alone.

Before deciding whether to have a consultation or treatment, consider:

• who will prescribe the botulinum toxin;

• who will actually administer the injections;

• the practitioner's relevant training;

• their experience treating the upper-lip area;

• whether your lip is assessed both at rest and during movement;

• whether your medical history and medicines are discussed;

• whether the practitioner clearly explains what a lip flip cannot achieve;

• whether temporary changes in lip function are discussed;

• what follow-up arrangements are available;

• how the clinic handles concerns or unexpected effects.

Botulinum toxin is a prescription-only medicine in the UK, so it should also be clear how prescribing forms part of the treatment process.

A professional title or registration alone does not establish how much experience someone has with this specific treatment and anatomical area.

A careful consultation may also result in the practitioner advising that a lip flip is unlikely to produce enough change for your goal.

For more detail, see how to compare a Botox practitioner.

Frequently asked questions about a lip flip