Lip Flip vs. Lip Filler: What a Botox Lip Flip Really Does, How Long It Lasts, and Who It Suits
Seen lip flips all over TikTok and wondering if one is right for you? Dr. Liza Wakim explains what a Botox lip flip really does, how long it lasts, who it suits, and how it compares with lip filler.
If you have scrolled TikTok or Instagram lately, you have probably seen a lip flip: a few quick injections above the upper lip and, a week or two later, a softer, slightly fuller-looking pout. It is one of the most common questions I hear from patients who are curious about lip enhancement but not sure they want filler.
As a dentist, I work around the lips and smile every single day, so I think about the lip flip a little differently than a trend video does. I think about how the lip moves when you smile, talk, sip from a straw and play an instrument. In this post I will explain what a lip flip really does, how it compares with lip filler, and who it suits.
The short version
- A lip flip uses a few units of Botox to relax the muscle along the upper lip so it rolls slightly outward. It does not add volume.
- Filler adds actual volume and shape. Some people combine the two.
- Results usually show within a week or two and last a matter of weeks to a few months, not a year.
- Temporary trouble with straws, whistling or some sounds is the most common trade-off, and it fades as the Botox wears off.
What is a lip flip?
A lip flip is a cosmetic treatment that uses a small dose of a neuromodulator such as Botox to relax the muscle along the border of the upper lip. As that muscle relaxes, the upper lip rolls gently outward, so more of the pink part of the lip shows. The lip looks fuller, but no volume is added.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons describes it the same way: a neuromodulator relaxes a muscle in the upper lip, which makes the lip “flip” and appear fuller. Interest has grown fast. A 2025 study of Google search trends found that searches for lip flips rose steadily over the past decade, even though lip filler is still searched for more often.
How a Botox lip flip works
The muscle involved is the orbicularis oris, the ring of muscle that circles your mouth. It is the muscle you use to purse your lips, pucker, whistle, sip through a straw and form sounds like “p” and “b.” When you smile, part of it pulls the upper lip inward and upward, which is why some people’s upper lip seems to disappear when they grin.
In a lip flip, tiny amounts of Botox are placed into that muscle at or just above the border of the upper lip, and occasionally the lower lip. Botox works by temporarily calming the signal from the nerve to the muscle. With the edge of the muscle a bit more relaxed, the lip is no longer pulled in as strongly, and it rests in a slightly outward, everted position.
This is also why the effect is most noticeable when you smile. At rest, the change is subtle. In motion, more of the upper lip stays visible instead of thinning out.
How it differs from gummy smile treatment. A gummy smile is usually treated by placing Botox higher, near the side of the nose, to reduce how far the lip lifts when you smile. A lip flip works right at the lip border. The two can overlap, and some patients benefit from both, but they target different muscles and different concerns.
Lip flip vs. lip filler vs. doing both
People often ask which one is “better,” but they do different jobs. A lip flip changes how the lip sits and moves. Filler changes how much lip there is. Here is how they compare:
The 2025 literature review notes that both treatments can cause swelling and bruising at the injection site, but a lip flip generally needs no special aftercare, so most people return to normal activities right away. For how filler results look and last, see my posts on hyaluronic lip filler before and after and the difference between Botox and dermal fillers.
What I tell my patients: if you like the size of your lips but they seem to vanish when you smile, a lip flip may be enough. If you want more volume, a more defined border or better balance between the upper and lower lip, filler is the tool. If you want volume but your upper lip tends to curl under, the combination can make sense.
Who is a good candidate, and who isn’t
This is where a dental perspective really helps, because the lip is not just decorative. It seals your mouth when you drink, helps you form sounds and keeps food and saliva where they belong.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons makes a point I agree with: the results you see online are often optimal ones, and not every patient is a fit for the procedure in the video. A good consultation should sometimes end with “this isn’t the right treatment for you.”
What to expect: the appointment, when results show, how long it lasts
Before. We start with a consultation: your goals, your health history, any medications, and a look at how your lips move when you talk and smile. If filler or a different approach would serve you better, this is when we talk about it.
The appointment. The treatment itself is quick. A few small injections are placed along the upper lip border. Most people describe it as a brief pinch. There is no recovery period in the usual sense, and you can go back to your day.
When results show. Botox does not work instantly. You may notice a subtle change within several days, with the full effect usually settling in by about two weeks. That is why I ask patients not to judge the result in the first few days.
How long it lasts. Because a lip flip uses only a small dose in a muscle you use constantly, it wears off sooner than many people expect. Reports summarizing the procedure put the effect at roughly 8 to 12 weeks, though everyone is different. Filler, by comparison, typically lasts much longer; see how long dermal fillers last.
Aftercare. It is simple, but a few common-sense steps help Botox stay where it was placed. My post on what to do and what not to do after Botox covers them.
Good to know: Lip flips are an off-label use of Botox. BOTOX Cosmetic is FDA approved for specific areas of the face and neck, and the upper lip is not one of them. Off-label use is common and legal in aesthetic practice, but you deserve to know it, and it is something we discuss at your consultation.
Side effects and what a “bad lip flip” looks like
A 2025 systematic review of lip flip studies found that complications were generally mild and temporary, with high patient satisfaction. The most common side effects were functional, not cosmetic:
The reassuring part is that these effects are temporary. Botox wears off, and the muscle gradually returns to normal. The less reassuring part is that, unlike hyaluronic acid filler, there is no product that dissolves it, so you wait it out. That is exactly why a conservative dose and careful placement matter so much.
The BOTOX Cosmetic prescribing information also carries a boxed warning about the effect spreading beyond the injection site, which can rarely cause serious symptoms. Call your provider or seek care right away if you have trouble swallowing, speaking or breathing, or new muscle weakness after any Botox treatment.
How much does a lip flip cost?
Because a lip flip uses only a small number of Botox units, the cost per visit is usually lower than a syringe of lip filler. That is a big part of its appeal.
The trade-off is time. A lip flip wears off in weeks to a few months, while filler often lasts much longer. If you love your result and keep it up, you will be coming back more often, so it is worth comparing the cost over a year, not just per visit.
What changes the price:
- Number of units. Botox is usually priced per unit, and the dose depends on your lip and your goals.
- Whether you combine treatments. Adding filler, or treating a gummy smile at the same visit, changes the total.
- Who is injecting. Training and experience with the anatomy of the mouth matter more than the lowest price.
You can see our current Botox pricing on the Botox page, and we will give you a clear quote at your consultation before anything is done. Be cautious with deals that seem much cheaper than everywhere else; under-dosing or diluted product can mean a shorter or weaker result.
When to see a dentist or injector
Book a consultation if:
- You are curious about a lip flip, filler or both and want an honest opinion on which fits your lips
- Your upper lip disappears when you smile, or you have a gummy smile you would like to soften
- You had a lip flip elsewhere and are not sure whether to repeat it or try something different
Call your provider soon after a lip flip if:
- One side looks noticeably different from the other after the full two weeks
- Drinking, eating or speaking feels much harder than you expected
Seek care right away if you have trouble swallowing, speaking or breathing, or new muscle weakness after any Botox treatment. These are rare, but they need prompt attention.
Why a dental-trained injector is a good fit. Dentists spend their careers working on the mouth: the lips, the smile line, the bite and the muscles around them. When I plan a lip flip, I am also looking at how your teeth show when you smile, whether a gummy smile is part of the picture, and how your lips function when you speak and drink. That full-mouth view helps keep the result natural and functional. Learn more about our Botox and filler injection services.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a lip flip last?
A lip flip is short-lived compared with most cosmetic injectables, usually lasting weeks to a few months. Published summaries often put it at around 8 to 12 weeks, but it varies from person to person. Because only a small dose is used in a muscle you move constantly, it tends to wear off sooner than Botox in other areas.
Does a lip flip make your lips bigger?
No. A lip flip does not add any volume. It relaxes the muscle at the edge of the upper lip so the lip rolls slightly outward, showing more of the pink part. The lip can look fuller, especially when you smile, but if you want real volume, lip filler is the treatment for that.
How many units of Botox are used for a lip flip?
A lip flip uses a small number of units compared with areas like the forehead, which is part of why it costs less per visit. The exact dose depends on your lip anatomy, muscle strength and goals. A conservative dose is important, since too much can make drinking and speaking harder.
Can you combine a lip flip with filler?
Yes. Some patients combine them: filler adds volume and shape, while the lip flip helps keep the upper lip from curling under when they smile. Whether a combination makes sense depends on your lips and goals, so it is best decided at a consultation.
Does a lip flip hurt?
Most people find it quick and very tolerable, usually describing a brief pinch with each small injection. The upper lip is sensitive, so you may feel some tenderness afterward, and mild swelling or a small bruise can occur. These usually settle within a few days.
Is a lip flip FDA approved?
No. Using Botox for a lip flip is off-label. BOTOX Cosmetic is FDA approved for specific areas of the face and neck, and the upper lip is not one of them. Off-label use is common and legal in aesthetic medicine, but it should always be discussed openly before treatment.
Find out if a lip flip is right for you
A lip flip can be a lovely, subtle change for the right person, and the wrong choice for someone else. The best way to know is to have your lips, smile and goals looked at together.
If you are in or around Washington, PA, I would be happy to talk it through. You can request a consultation at Enhanced Wellness or call us at (724) 225-5070. Results vary from person to person, and we will only recommend a treatment if it fits you.
Sources
- Lip Filler Versus “Lip Flip”: Longitudinal Public Interest and a Brief Review of Literature. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2025.
- Systematic review of the botulinum toxin lip flip: technique, outcomes and safety. Archives of Dermatological Research. 2025.
- BOTOX Cosmetic (onabotulinumtoxinA) prescribing information. DailyMed, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
- American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Lip flips may have been trending on TikTok, but is it the right choice for you?
- Dermatology Times. Lip flips or lip filler? Analyzing the latest trends in lip augmentation.
Lip flip, filler or both? Let’s find what fits you.
Dr. Liza looks at your lips, your smile and how your mouth moves when you talk and drink, then gives you an honest recommendation. If a lip flip is not the right choice for you, she will tell you, and walk you through the options that are.
Dr. Elizabeth Wakim, DDS, is the founder of Enhanced Wellness. She’s a compassionate and highly-regarded dentist with her own practice in Washington, Pennsylvania, known for providing modern, comprehensive dental care, botox and facial aesthetics with a focus on patient comfort and anxiety reduction, serving general, cosmetic, and pediatric dentistry needs.
