Lip Flip vs. Lip Filler: Which Option Is Right for You?

People looking to enhance their lips with cosmetic dermatology have a variety of choices, whether they desire subtle refinement or dramatic volume. The rising trend in lip enhancement services naturally raises the question: Should you get a Lip Flip or invest in Lip Filler products?

While both Lip Flip and Lip Filler procedures allow for very quick and effective ways to enhance the lips, the two procedures use vastly different approaches. Lip Fillers provide physical volume to the lip tissues while Lip Flips use neuromodulators (Botox) to modify muscle movement. It is critical to understand this key contrast in order to select the best lip enhancement option for you!

What is Lip Flip?

The Lip Flip is a new method of injecting a neuromodulator (such as Botox or Xeomin) into specific areas around the upper lip, to create a fuller appearance.

How it works?

The process of Lip Flipping differs from the traditional process of lip augmentation. Lip Flipping works by relaxing the muscles that surround the mouth (orbicularis oris), which allows the upper lip to naturally stay in place, without being pulled down, when smiling or talking. By relaxing the muscle, the upper lip becomes slightly averted when smiling or talking.

Typical Results

The individual’s upper lip will become more visible and will appear larger, but the actual volume of the upper lip tissue will not change.

Duration and Maintenance

Since a very small amount of neuromodulator is used during the Lip Flip, the results will only last for approximately 2-3 months, compared to longer-lasting fillers. After 2-3 months, follow-up Lip Flips will need to be scheduled to maintain results; however, the muscle function will eventually return to normal at which point subsequent Lip Flips may not be necessary.

Pros and Cons

What Are Lip Fillers?

Lip fillers, the gold standard for volumizing and defining lips, are mainly made of hyaluronic acid dermal fillers such as Juvederm and Restylane.

How It Works

Hyaluronic Acid (HA) is a naturally occurring molecule that Draws water to itself and retains it. When strategically placed into the lips, injectable filler adds volume (a physical structural support) to the lips immediately but does not change the appearance of the lips.

Filler can temporarily provide support for one or all of the following three functions:

1) Increase the volume or size of the lips (fuller-looking lips).

 2) Create (define) sharper edges or borders to the lips (shaping the borders of the Cupid’s bow and vermilion border)

 3) Allow for sculpting of the uneven lip area and/or balance out asymmetrical areas of the lip.

Common Results

You can customize your desired results from a very subtle hydration increase to a more voluminous look that is highly noticeable. The injected product and the injector’s skill will determine what you will see, and the results can be reversed quickly if you choose to use hyaluronidase, which is a naturally occurring enzyme that degrades hyaluronic acid.

How long do Results Last and How Often Will You Maintain Them?

Hyaluronic acid is gradually broken down by the body over time and the results of the filler will generally last between 6 and 12 months, depending on the specific product used the patient’s metabolism, and where the filler is injected. To maintain the desired volume, you may have to have your fillers touched up regularly.

Pros and Cons

Key Differences (Lip filler vs Lip Flip)

The most important decision factor is the mechanism of action. Below is a summary of how the two treatments differ across critical areas:

Which Option Works Best for You?

There is no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to either Lip Fillers or Lip Flips. Your choices will be based on your goals and lifestyle. To help you discover what is best for you, ask yourself the following question:

Assess Your Objectives: Subtle vs. Noticeable?

Pick a lip flip if you’re happy with the size of your natural lips, but feel like your upper lip gets lost when you smile. The solution for you is a very subtle lip flip that creates an extremely natural-looking pout and is thus limited to minimal changes.

Pick lip fillers if you want to significantly enhance your lips with more defined and lasting volume than a lip flip could give you. Fillers are also the only way to correct dry lips, give you a sharper Cupid’s bow, or replace volume that has been lost through aging or other means.

Financial and Commitment Factors for Maintenance

Lip Flip (one of the best features of this option is the small upfront cost), remember that this option will require multiple lip treatments every year (3 –4) in order to maintain the same appearance.

Lip Filler (while this treatment has a higher upfront cost, it has fewer maintenance treatments that are needed to keep the lips looking full and plump) typically consist of 1 – 2 lip filler treatments per year. Calculate the total annual costs for each lip treatment option before determining which one is going to be the most cost-effective choice for your personal situation.

Comfort (with the needle) and Recovery Time

Lip Flip involves less painful injections, and there should be minimal to no downtime following the injections.

Lip Filler involves more painful injections, and the possibility of temporary swelling and bruising in the first 24 – 48 hours, after the lip filler has been injected.

For best results and for the safest and most effective treatment, it is essential to consult with a licensed aesthetic medical professional. Schedule an appointment for a personalized assessment of your natural lip anatomy and to discuss the different lip treatment options.

Safety & Side Effects

The Lip Flip and the Lip Filler procedures are both considered to be low-risk procedures if done by an experienced professional. Side effects do exist for both procedures, but they can usually be managed easily and are not cause for concern.

Lip Flip (Neuromodulator) Side Effects

Since this procedure is focused on weakening muscle strength for a short amount of time, the side effects are mainly associated with weak muscle activity during this time.

Minimal Swelling: Mild to moderate swelling is the most common side effect of the lip flip procedure. Additionally, you may experience a small-to-no bruising around your injection sites (usually no more than 1-2 days after).

Temporary Difficulty Using Lips: In uncommon cases, excessive muscle relaxation can lead to minor issues carrying out specific functions (e.g., drinking through a straw, whistling). These effects time restricted and may pass within a few hours.

Effects of HA Lip Fillers

The addition of gel material physically enhances the volume and, as a result, most of the side effects experienced from lip fillers relate to the irritation (inflammation) or the location (placement) where the filler was injected.

Common Side Effects of Hyaluronic Acid (HA) Injectable: Bruising, swelling, and redness typically last between 24 to 48 hours. Following HA Injectable Procedures you may experience common side effects; however, the possibility of experiencing these effects should not deter you from this procedure.

Rare Complications: You should exercise extreme caution when choosing to use Pharma products as there exists a chance you may experience an allergic reaction or the occurrence of Vascular Occlusion (blocked blood vessel); nevertheless, serious complications are very rare. The ability to reverse Hyaluronic Acid fillers is very important because it can help to diminish potential complications if they occur.

Choosing an Injectable Provider to Perform Lip Lifting Procedures

When selecting an injector to perform your Lip Lift procedure, the safety of the procedure is influenced by many factors including the provider’s experience and licensure as an injector. A qualified Injection Provider should have a thorough understanding of facial anatomy, use only FDA approved Dermal Fillers, and demonstrate knowledge of the ability to expedite the identification and management of any rare complications if they arise. Therefore, you should always choose an Injector Provider that is of the highest quality with respect to all cosmetic procedures.

Conclusion

The final decision regarding lip enhancement depends on your desired effect. The Lip Flip provides a temporary lift by relaxing your upper lip muscle, whereas Lip Fillers provide a more pronounced look with greater volume and form that will last longer. There is no single “best” option for every person; rather, there are many variables that will affect your selection, including how much enhancement you want to achieve, your budget, and how frequently you want to maintain the enhancement.