Botox Lip Flip Vs. Lip Filler: Everything You Need To Know
Botox lip flips and lip fillers are both great ways to achieve fuller, more defined lips - but what is the difference? Understanding the nuances between a Botox lip flip and lip filler is crucial for anyone considering these treatments. So, keep reading to learn everything you need to know about the pros and cons of each, as well as what treatment might work best for you. As always, make a consultation with us and our expert team of nurse practitioners will work with you to determine the right treatment to give you the best results!
What is a Botox Lip Flip?
The Botox lip flip is a minimally invasive cosmetic procedure designed to enhance the appearance of the lips by slightly flipping out the upper lip. It’s performed by injecting 4-6 units of Botox (botulinum toxin type A) into your lip muscle, allowing it to relax, and letting your top lip gently lift and “flip” upward.
How Does A Botox Lip Flip Work?
Botox works by temporarily relaxing the muscles it's injected into, reducing their ability to pull and contract. When injected into the orbicularis oris muscle (the muscle around the mouth) Botox weakens the muscle's pull on the upper lip, causing it to gently flip outward. This creates the illusion of fuller lips without adding any additional volume!
Why We Love It:
-Added “Fullness”: A Botox lip flip emphasizes your natural lip shape with subtle (temporary) fullness due to relaxation of the orbicularis oris muscle. Unlike lip filler, the lip flip will not add volume - rather just gives the illusion. A lip flip can be done to help accentuate the results of your lip filler and is also a great way to hold you over in between lip filler sessions since we don’t want to fill the lips too often!
-Minimal Downtime: Good news, there's minimal/no downtime for a Botox lip flip! Some patients may experience swelling, bruising, or redness at the injection site, similar to Botox elsewhere on the face. We recommend that patients avoid exercise and rubbing too hard on the areas that we treat for 24 hours post-treatment. You can do it during your lunch break and carry on with your day! After your injection, it takes about a week for you to see results.
-Budget Friendly: Since it only requires 4-6 units of Botox, it’s relatively inexpensive! We price our lip flip at $150 if you’re only doing a lip flip. If you are doing Botox elsewhere and just adding a lip flip to your treatment, we instead charge per unit! Our Botox at $14.50 a unit (if you’re a member of our Defy Annual Membership, you get perks like a dollar off every unit of Botox!) so you can typically expect to pay less than $100 for this treatment when adding it on to other areas of Botox.
-Bonus Benefits: A Botox lip flip is great for defining your natural lip shape and creating some subtle fullness, but it’s also a great way to reduce the appearance of a gummy smile. The lip flip can also have a wrinkle-reducing effect on your upper lip, smoothing out (and preventing!) vertical lip lines!
Things to Consider:
-Limited Effects: While the Botox lip flip can enhance the appearance of the upper lip, it doesn't add volume or address other common lip concerns such as thinness or asymmetry.
-Temporary Results: Like all Botox treatments, the results are only temporary. You can expect your Botox Lip flip to last 6-8 weeks. This is a great treatment option for those who want fuller lips without the commitment of lip filler!
-Delayed Results: You will have to wait about a week to see your results from a Botox lip flip. This also means that your injector cannot gauge your outcome in real-time during your treatment, as they can with filler, which develops results immediately.
-It can take time to adjust to the feeling of Botox around the mouth: A few days after a Botox lip flip, some patients will begin to notice a slight feeling of heaviness in the upper lip. This is not a bad thing - it means the Botox is taking effect! Drinking from a straw, pursing the lips, and pronouncing certain words 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 one to two weeks after treatment and have no further complications.
What are Lip Fillers?
Lip fillers, also known as dermal fillers, are injectable hyaluronic acid gels used to add volume, shape, and definition to the lips. Unlike Botox, which temporarily relaxes muscles, lip fillers work by physically adding volume to the lips.
Why We Love It:
-More Results: Lip filler can give you a more dramatic transformation than a Botox lip flip, so it’s great if you’re looking for more of a significant change.
-Enhance Lip Shape and Definition: Lip fillers improve the overall shape and definition of the lips, creating a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing appearance. They can be used to accentuate the cupid's bow (aka the double curve or "M" shape that is typically found on the upper lip, especially noticeable in some patients when they pout or smile) define the vermilion border (the line that separates the pinkish-red colored portion of the lips from the surrounding skin.), and correct any asymmetry!
-Instant Results: Unlike the gradual onset of effects of a Botox lip flip (usually a week to see results), lip fillers provide immediate results. You will walk out of your treatment with fuller lips!
-Long-Lasting Results: Depending on the type of filler used, lip fillers can provide long-lasting results, with effects lasting anywhere from 6 months to 2 years. This is a great alternative for those who want the look of fuller lips without having to come into the office every few months!
Things to Consider:
-Bruising and Swelling: Like any injectable procedure, lip fillers can cause temporary bruising, swelling. However, any bruises or swelling will subside 48-72 hours after your treatment. Lip filler does take a full two weeks to settle, so make sure to plan ahead before any big events!
-Pricing:
We charge $700 per session of lip filler. We find that most patients need between 1-3 lip filler treatments in the first 6-12 months, and then a touch-up every 12-24 months to maintain volume, hydration, and shape. When it comes to lip filler, our philosophy is to go low and slow - meaning we build your lip shape and volume over time to create the most natural results possible.
Looking to take your treatment to the next level? We love to stack lip filler and a Botox lip flip for a comprehensive treatment. Lip filler adds volume and hydration, while a Botox lip flip relaxes muscles to create a subtle “pouty” look. Together, they are a great option for those looking for added volume, hydration, and definition while still maintaining a super natural look!
Whether you're interested in a Botox lip flip, lip filler, or want to learn more about our Defy Annual Membership (a perfect choice for those who want to transform their skin without the pricetag!), we’d love to see you in our downtown Bethesda med spa soon!