Not everyone wants bigger lips. Some patients just want to see more of the lip they already have — especially when they smile. If your upper lip disappears when you laugh, or you feel like your grin shows more gum than lip, a lip flip might be exactly what you’re looking for. And it takes about 10 minutes.
A lip flip uses a small amount of Botox injected into the muscle along your upper lip border. Instead of adding volume like lip filler, it relaxes the muscle just enough to let the lip roll slightly outward, revealing more of the pink vermillion that’s currently tucked under when you smile. The result is subtle, natural, and often exactly the change patients didn’t know they needed until they saw it.
At Illume Aesthetics, lip flips are one of our most popular “try it and see” treatments. Low commitment, low cost, and the fastest way to find out if lip enhancement is something you want to explore further.
What Is a Lip Flip?
A lip flip is a medical aesthetics procedure that uses Botox (or Dysport) injected into the orbicularis oris — the muscle that controls lip movement, puckering, and smiling. When this muscle is slightly relaxed, the upper lip stops curling inward and instead rolls gently outward, making more of the lip visible.
Here’s the important distinction: a lip flip does NOT add volume. It doesn’t inject anything into the lip itself. It works on the muscle above the lip. The result is that your existing lip — whatever size it is — shows more. Think of it as letting your lip do what it naturally wants to do, without the muscle pulling it under.
Your provider injects at specific points along the upper lip border — the Cupid’s bow (center), lateral points near the mouth corners, and along the philtral columns. It’s a fraction of the product used for other Botox treatment areas — precise, targeted, and minimal.
Lip Flip Before and After
The change from a lip flip is subtle — and that’s the point. You won’t walk out with dramatically different lips. You’ll walk out with lips that look like yours on a really good day. The upper lip sits slightly fuller at rest and stays visible when you smile instead of disappearing.
Results appear gradually over 3-5 days as the Botox takes effect, with the full result visible at about 7-10 days. If you’re considering a lip flip for a specific event, plan at least 2 weeks ahead.
See more results in our before and after gallery.
Lip Flip for Gummy Smile
One of the most satisfying use cases for a lip flip is addressing a gummy smile — where the upper lip rises too high when you smile, exposing more gum tissue than you’d like. This happens because the orbicularis oris and the levator labii muscles are overactive, pulling the lip up excessively.
A lip flip relaxes those muscles just enough to lower the lip line when you smile, covering more of the gum and creating a more balanced smile. It’s a 10-minute, non-surgical solution to something that otherwise requires surgical lip repositioning.
If you’re not sure whether your concern is a gummy smile, lip volume, or both — your consultation is the place to figure that out. Many patients discover that a lip flip alone solves what they thought required filler.
Lip Flip vs Lip Filler
This is the #1 question we get asked, and the answer is straightforward: they do completely different things.
| Lip Flip | Lip Filler | |
|---|---|---|
| What it does | Relaxes the muscle to show more of your existing lip | Physically adds volume and shape to the lip |
| Product | Botox or Dysport (small dose) | Hyaluronic acid gel (Kysse, Ultra, Volbella) |
| Volume added | Zero — no volume change | Yes — measurable fullness |
| Results visible | 3-7 days (Botox onset) | Immediately |
| Duration | 6-8 weeks | 6-12 months |
| Cost | Lower (fewer units of product) | Higher (full syringe of filler) |
| Reversible? | Wears off naturally | Can be dissolved with hyaluronidase |
| Best for | Lip that disappears when smiling, gummy smile, “testing the waters” | Adding volume, improving shape, correcting asymmetry |
| Pain level | Minimal — brief pinch | Moderate — numbing cream + lidocaine in product |
Can you do both? Yes — and many of our patients do. A lip flip enhances the shape and resting position of the upper lip, while filler adds the volume and definition. Combined, they reduce the amount of filler needed and create a more natural result than filler alone. Your provider can do both in the same appointment.
For a deeper comparison, read our lip flip vs lip filler guide →
What to Expect During Treatment
A lip flip is one of the fastest treatments we offer.
Before: No special preparation needed. Avoid blood thinners, aspirin, ibuprofen, and alcohol for 7 days if possible to minimize bruising.
During (10 minutes): Your provider cleans the area and injects a small amount of Botox into precise points along your upper lip border using an ultra-fine needle. Most patients describe it as a brief pinch — less discomfort than a typical Botox session because so little product is involved. No numbing cream is usually needed, but it’s available if you want it.
After: No downtime. You can return to your day immediately. Avoid rubbing or pressing on your lips for a few hours. Some patients experience very mild swelling at the injection sites, which resolves within hours.
Timeline: Results begin appearing at 3-5 days and reach full effect at 7-10 days. The flip lasts approximately 6-8 weeks before the muscle activity gradually returns. Most patients who love the result come back for maintenance every 2-3 months.
How Much Does a Lip Flip Cost?
A lip flip is one of the most accessible treatments in medical aesthetics because it uses so little product — a fraction of what a typical Botox treatment requires.
To put it in perspective: the only comparable alternative for a gummy smile is surgical lip repositioning, which involves an incision inside the upper lip, stitches, and recovery time — at a significantly higher cost. A lip flip achieves a similar effect for a fraction of the investment, with zero surgery and zero downtime. And if you decide it’s not for you, it simply wears off in a few weeks.
During your consultation, your provider will confirm how many units you’ll need and give you exact pricing. Our IllumèNaughty Beauty Bank membership includes member pricing on Botox, which applies to lip flips. We also offer financing options.
Side Effects and Concerns
Lip flips are safe and well-tolerated when performed by an experienced injector. Here’s what to know:
Common (temporary):
- Very mild swelling at injection sites — resolves within hours
- Occasional minor bruising — resolves in 1-3 days
Adjustment period (first 1-2 weeks):
- Drinking from a straw may feel slightly awkward as the muscle relaxes. This adapts within days and is not noticeable to anyone but you.
- Whistling or puckering may feel different temporarily. The orbicularis oris controls these movements, and slight relaxation can alter the sensation initially.
- Speech is not affected when the lip flip is performed with the right dose by an experienced provider. Over-injection is the risk — and it’s why we use conservative dosing.
What about “lip flip gone wrong”? The most common cause of a bad lip flip is over-injection — too much product relaxing the muscle too aggressively, making the lip feel weak or stiff. At Illume, we use conservative dosing and can always add more at a follow-up if needed. And unlike filler, a lip flip that you don’t love simply wears off within weeks.
Why Choose Illume for a Lip Flip
Precision matters more than product. A lip flip uses so little product that placement accuracy is everything. Our injectable team has the experience to place every drop exactly where it needs to go — at the right depth, in the right locations, at the right dose.
Conservative dosing. We start with less and let it settle. If you want more effect at your follow-up, we add a unit or two. You’ll never leave with an over-relaxed lip that affects your speech or ability to drink.
The lip flip + filler combination. If you decide you want both enhancement (flip) and volume (filler), we do both in the same visit. Having a team that’s expert in both Botox and lip fillers means your treatment plan isn’t limited by what the practice offers.
Backed by hundreds of five-star reviews. Our patients trust us with the details — and lips are all about the details.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a lip flip last?
A lip flip typically lasts 6-8 weeks. Some patients find it lasts closer to 8-10 weeks with repeated treatments as the muscle gradually weakens over time. Most patients who maintain their lip flip come in every 2-3 months. For comparison, lip fillers last 6-12 months.
Does a lip flip hurt?
Very little. The injection uses an ultra-fine needle and involves far less product than a typical Botox treatment. Most patients describe a brief pinch that’s over in seconds. No numbing cream is usually necessary, though it’s available. For patients who are needle-anxious, we offer NitroNox (laughing gas).
Can I combine a lip flip with lip filler?
Yes — it’s one of our most popular combinations. The lip flip relaxes the muscle to show more lip and improve the resting position, while lip filler adds volume and shape. Together, they create a more natural result than filler alone, and the flip often means you need less filler to achieve the look you want.
Will a lip flip affect how I drink or talk?
Temporarily, yes — but barely. Some patients notice it feels slightly different to drink from a straw or purse their lips during the first week as the muscle adjusts. Speech is not affected with proper dosing. These sensations resolve quickly as you adapt. Over-injection is the real risk — which is why conservative dosing matters.
What if I don’t like my lip flip?
It wears off. Unlike filler, which requires dissolving if you want to reverse it, a lip flip naturally fades over 6-8 weeks as the Botox metabolizes. This makes it an ideal “try it and see” treatment for patients who are curious about lip enhancement but not ready for a commitment.
Is a lip flip good for a gummy smile?
Yes — it’s one of the best non-surgical options for a gummy smile. The Botox relaxes the muscles that pull your upper lip too high when you smile, allowing it to sit lower and cover more gum tissue. The alternative is surgical lip repositioning, which involves incisions and recovery. A lip flip achieves a similar correction in 10 minutes with no downtime.
How soon before an event should I get a lip flip?
At least 2 weeks. Results begin appearing at 3-5 days but don’t fully settle until 7-10 days. If it’s your first lip flip, schedule 2 weeks ahead so your provider can assess the result and add units at a follow-up if needed.
Schedule Your Lip Flip Consultation
Curious about a lip flip? Schedule a consultation — your provider will assess your lip anatomy, discuss what a lip flip can (and can’t) do for your goals, and let you know if filler, a flip, or both is the right approach.
Call us: (541) 631-8387
Illume Aesthetics 993 Siskiyou Blvd Suite 1 Ashland, OR 97520 Monday — Friday, 9am — 5pm