A Botox® lip flip may be a suitable procedure for patients who want a short-term, subtle upper lip enhancement without using fillers. It is performed by meticulously injecting Botox around the upper lip, in the orbicularis oris muscle. By relaxing its action, the upper lip will roll slightly upwards, creating a more defined and voluminous look. Botox can also help smooth the vertical lines around the lip.
Lip flip results
Full Botox lip flip results take about a week to show, though most patients experience some visible effects within a few days of treatment. Besides a more generally prominent upper lip contour, you may also notice the lip does not disappear as much when smiling; the relaxed muscle prevents the lip from rising and thinning. (For patients seeking to improve a “gummy” smile, your treatment plan can be adjusted to specifically address this issue.)
Lip flip results are temporary and last about 8 weeks. The effect wears off quicker than other areas where Botox is injected because the amount of Botox used is necessarily small and the lip muscles are particularly active.
Normal lip flip side effects
Very minor immediate swelling (like that of a mosquito bite) at any Botox injection site is normal, temporary, and can be alleviated with a cold compress. Your skin should return to normal within a few hours. Bruising is also possible, but uncommon, with proper technique.
It is normal to feel a sensation of heaviness as the Botox lip flip takes effect.
After a few days, patients will notice a slight feeling of heaviness in the lip, indicating that the Botox has taken effect. Pursing the lips, pronouncing certain words, drinking from a straw, and eating may temporarily become more challenging while you become used to the adjusted function of your lip muscles. Patients typically become acclimated to their modified lip function by about a week after treatment and have no further complications.
Abnormal lip flip side effects
Overtreating the area poses a risk for negative side effects. Typically, just a few units will suffice in creating safe and pleasing results. When too much Botox is injected, or when it is administered by an inexperienced injector, the muscle may relax too much, causing bothersome issues that may last a while:
- Difficulty speaking, singing, or playing instruments
- Inability to keep food/drink in the mouth
- Difficulty using of straws and utensils
- Asymmetrical smile
- Numbness
- Drooling
Botox is known to be effective in treating the upper lip, but to avoid these complications, you will want to be sure to book your appointment with an experienced, licensed professional. Botox may interfere with simple tasks like applying lip balm or puckering the lips when injectors are not properly educated in facial anatomy and lack the experience needed to make sound decisions on a customized patient basis.
You may have been overtreated with Botox if you have numbness or ongoing difficulty using your mouth.
Choosing the right Botox providers in Fort Worth
A Botox lip flip should only be administered by injectors with great expertise in treating the lip area. At Kalos Medical Spa at Kirby Plastic Surgery, all cosmetic injections are performed by highly trained specialists, including physician assistants and registered nurses who have been extensively trained in the nuances of injecting neurotoxins. Under the direction of Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon Dr. Emily Kirby, our medical spa team adheres to the highest standard of care, ensuring our patients can trust Kalos to provide safe and optimal results.
We would be happy to provide a personal consultation to answer any questions and discuss the best treatment plan to align with your goals. Complete our online form or call our Fort Worth medical spa at 817-292-4200.
Julie
Hi I had a lip flip done 10 days ago and I’m still struggling to eat properly it’s better than it was but still tricky will this go
Kalos Medical Spa
Hi, Julie, thank you for your comment. Slight lip heaviness is normal and should continue to resolve over time, but if this persists you should consult with your injector.
Lisa
Hi, I had a lip flip 1 week ago and I can see the results but I can’t pronounce P and B and my mouth looks weird I speak will this improve or is this is for the next 2 months, this is the botox. Its my first lipflip and am due a topup next week and not sure I want a tolup
Kalos Medical Spa
Hi Lisa, It’s common to have some difficulties with speech after a lip flip as your muscles adjust to the effects of Botox. These effects are usually temporary and should improve over the next few weeks. If you’re concerned about the appearance and functionality, it might be worth discussing these issues with your provider when you go in for your scheduled top-up. They can provide guidance on whether to adjust the dosage or technique to better suit your needs, and may even determine that a top-up isn’t needed at all.
Yazo
I had lip flip on 6/3/24 and still struggling to say certain words esp Ps and Bs and also blowing and sipping
But I have been told to give it 10 or so days
Kalos Medical Spa
It’s not uncommon to have some difficulty with speech and oral functions after a Botox lip flip as the muscles adjust to the treatment. Hopefully this has resolved, seeing as some time has passed since your treatment.
Anna Rowland
I had a lip flip 5 days ago and I only have very slight heaviness and restrictions to movement that it’s hardly noticeable and haven’t really seen any results yet. Does this mean the lip flip hasn’t worked??
Kalos Medical Spa
Hi Anna, it’s quite common not to see immediate results from a Botox lip flip, as it can take up to 2 weeks for the full effects to show. The slight heaviness and restrictions in movement you’re experiencing are typical signs that the Botox is starting to work. Try giving it a bit more time to allow the treatment to fully settle in, and if after 2 weeks you still don’t see the results you were hoping for, consider scheduling a follow-up appointment with your provider to discuss your concerns.
Maryam Z
I had Botox on my upper lip about 2 weeks ago still I cannot purse my lip and unable to laugh and pronounce some letters
Is it normal
Kalos Medical Spa
Hi Maryam, It’s not uncommon to experience some difficulty with muscle movements in the treated area as the muscles adjust to the effects of Botox. These effects should diminish a few weeks after treatment. If you still find these issues persisting beyond 3-4 weeks, or if they significantly impact your daily activities, it would be wise to consult with your provider.
Jessica
Got lip flip on top and love it! Can it be done to bottom lip as well
Kalos Medical Spa
Hi Jessica, we’re happy to hear you love your Botox lip flip results! Yes, a lip flip can also be performed on the bottom lip, but it’s less commonly done than the top lip. If you’re interested, it’s best to find a qualified provider who has experience specifically in performing the lip flip on the lower lip.
Paris
The above questions and answers have been so helpful.
Thank you, this site is incredibly informative!
Keep up the great work!
bibi
I got a lip flip 9 days ago. It seems the middle of upper lip is where all the botox went to. I have a peak , and I can’t drink or eat properly. it is frustrating.
Emma
Hi, I had lip flip today. And I’ve noticed on the right side of my top lip there is now a dent. It almost looks like Ive had a lip piercing and taken it out and left with a scar. And the skin around it seems different like downturned. Will this go away ?
Kalos Medical Spa
Hi Emma, It’s common to see some irregularities immediately after a lip flip, but these issues should resolve as the Botox begins to fully take effect over the next couple of weeks. If the appearance doesn’t improve or if you’re still concerned, it’s a good idea to follow up with your provider just to be sure everything is progressing as expected.
Virginia
I had a lip flip 22 days ago. I am having much rouble speaking, eating, drinking. Also my lip is very wrinkled on one side. I am also experiencing peripheral neuropathy. Already consulted plastic surgeon who injected. She did not offer any advice.
Am I going to stay like this forever? Please help. Any advice would be so appreciated.
Kalos Medical Spa
Hi Virginia, Thank you for reaching out and describing what you’re experiencing. It sounds quite distressing, but the effects of Botox, including those from a lip flip, are typically temporary. The issues with speaking, eating, and drinking should gradually resolve as the Botox wears off, usually within 3-4 months. If you’re noticing persistent problems or new symptoms like peripheral neuropathy, it might be wise to seek a second opinion from another medical professional to ensure there’s no underlying issue contributing to your symptoms.
Lindsey
Hello!
I had a lip flip 4 days ago and don’t feel anything different on the left side but the right side is very tight through my cheek and back into my jaw hinge by my ear. Eating and chewing feels very tight on the right side. It’s my first lip flip and I like the way the right side looks…but not how my jaw feels. Why would there be a difference on each side? It swelled slightly but evenly after injection. When I purse my lips, the philtrum also curves to the right instead of straight down. I Zoom a lot for work and am mildly nervous. Injector is closed until Tuesday. She used Jeauveau. I’ve had Dysport in my inner eyebrows for 2 years and never had any issues so I’m perplexed. Thank you!
Kalos Medical Spa
Hi Lindsey, It’s not uncommon for different sides of the face to react differently, especially soon after treatment. The tightness you’re feeling on the right side might be due to how the product was distributed or how your muscles are responding, which can sometimes create asymmetry like what you’re describing. Since your injector is not available until Tuesday, try to minimize any strenuous facial movements if possible and monitor the situation. When you can, discuss these specific concerns with your injector; they may suggest waiting a bit longer for the product to settle or possibly adjusting it. The effects are generally temporary, so adjustments can often resolve these types of issues.
Gemma
I had a lip flip 1 week ago and like Bibi, I have a peak in the middle / cupids brow. When eating/ talking/ drinking (pretty much anything apart from when still) I have that top heavy “duck” look. Will this go down in the coming weeks?
Kalos Medical Spa
Hi Gemma, it’s common to experience some initial unevenness and a pronounced lip area like you described shortly after a lip flip treatment, as the Botox begins to take effect. Typically, these effects become more balanced and natural-looking over the course of 2-4 weeks as the muscles adjust. If the appearance still doesn’t settle to your satisfaction after this adjustment period, you should consider following up with your injector.
Evelyn Torres
Hi! I have a concern ! I got lip flip done about 11-12 days ago. 6 units. And since I’ve gotten it I haven’t had difficulty speaking, I haven’t had discomfort, I am
Able to use a straw. I also don’t feel the heaviness everyone is talking about. Honestly it hasn’t affected me in any way. Does this mean it didn’t work? Ps. I also have had lip filler before so idk if that correlates
Kalos Medical Spa
Hi Evelyn, The absence of symptoms like difficulty speaking or heaviness doesn’t necessarily mean that the treatment didn’t work. Since you’ve had lip fillers before, your lips might react differently or more subtly to the Botox. Give it a full two weeks to see the final result, as it can sometimes take a bit longer for the full effects to be noticeable. If you still don’t see the changes you were hoping for, discussing this with your injector can help determine if additional units are needed or if adjustments should be made in future treatments.
Josie
Hi, I haven’t had any issues with my lip flip that I had a couple of weeks ago but have notice that my smile lines are suddenly more pronounced. Could this be related?
Kalos Medical Spa
Hi Josie, It’s unlikely to be related, but if it does bother you, it’s best to talk to your injector about your concerns.
h_n
I had a lip flip today and i feel nothing unusual. No pain or heaviness. Is it normal?
Kalos Medical Spa
Yes, it’s perfectly normal not to feel any unusual sensations right after a lip flip. Some people might experience mild symptoms, but many don’t feel much at all immediately following the procedure.
Lorain
had one three days ago. I noticed when swishing water brushing my teeth that I couldn’t control the water! Also, eating and drinking can be tricky. Definitely need a napkin. I’ll adjust as time goes on. L
Tracy
Hey! I am a 42 yr old athletic female who stays pretty active. I decided to try getting a Botox lip flip three months ago — my first ever experience with Botox — and while I really loved the results, they only lasted around 3 weeks. I just went back for my second one 20 days ago, and even though she used two more units this time, my results were already starting to fade by day 11. Day 14 I could whistle with no problems and had almost full movement of my upper lip, so I went back in for a touchup. My nurse injector decided to add another 5 units on top of the previous 6, but almost a week later, I’m not noticing any difference. I know it hasn’t been the full two weeks, but during my previous injections I have felt the effects around day 3.
Since I am new to injections, do I need to be patient while my injector learns my body? Or is it possible that I am one of those people who just metabolize the heck out of this medication?
Thank you so much for your time!!
Kalos Medical Spa
Hi Tracy, It does sound like you might metabolize Botox more quickly than usual, which isn’t uncommon, especially for someone as active as you are. It might be worth discussing longer-lasting alternatives or different neuromodulators with your injector to find a solution that maintains your desired results for longer.