When smiling, does your upper lip seem to disappear? Are you bothered by a gummy smile but don’t want a drastic change to the size and appearance of your lips? If you answered yes to any of these, then lip flip Botox may already be on your radar. Unlike dermal fillers, which add volume to the lips, Botox creates the illusion of a plumper upper lip by temporarily relaxing the muscles above the lip line.
If you’re not ready for lip enhancement with fillers, this 10-minute treatment is a short-term alternative that’s already in high demand at Dallas Dermatology Partners. Patients love the results of their Botox lip flip for minimizing smoker’s lines and adding a subtle pout to their smile.
Tiny amounts of Botox, a neuromodulator, are strategically injected into the superficial layers of muscle that control the upper lip to either side of your cupid’s bow. Chemical signals from the nerves are blocked, causing the pink part of the lip to flip upward for a fuller look. Our expertly-trained dermatologists offer this quick procedure with neuromodulators such as Botox or Dysport. Dysport in the lips produces the same results as Botox but has a faster “onset” of muscle relaxation-- typically around 24-48 hours.
Like other Botox treatments offered by Dallas Dermatology, a lip flip is tailored to your facial anatomy and aesthetic goals. This non-invasive treatment will not add significant volume to a naturally thin upper lip and does have other benefits:
- Subtle enhancement for a slightly fuller looking upper lip
- Corrects a gummy smile to reveal more teeth and less gum tissue
- Eliminates smoker’s lines above lips
- Cost-effective alternative to lip augmentation with fillers
- No downtime
- Prevents upper lip from vanishing when smiling
- Provides natural results in a couple of days
Most Botox injections can relax muscles for 2-4 months. The lip flip with Botox or Dysport lasts about 8 weeks. Since the mouth is constantly moving, it causes the body to metabolize the neuromodulator faster. However, you don’t have to wait long to see results from the procedure. Many patients see a noticeable improvement within a couple of days.
The treatment is virtually painless and completed in less than 5 minutes. Most patients compare the treatment to having a slight pinprick and don’t ask for topical numbing cream. Depending on your anatomy and degree of muscle contraction, you may need two to four Botox injections to achieve the desired effect.
The most common lip flip side effects are general soreness and redness at the injection sites. Bruising and swelling can also occur but are rare when a skilled dermatologist performs the procedure. Musicians who use wind instruments may want to refrain from this procedure as it will slightly weaken the lip muscle that is required to blow into the instrument. In addition, it may hinder the ability to drink out of a straw. Injecting neuromodulators requires a very high level of training. This ensures patients do not end up with asymmetrical smiles or an inability to utilize their lip muscle. These undesirable side effects gradually wear off as the Botox dissipates in the body.
When done correctly, lip flip Botox provides patients with a natural result. We may recommend subtle enhancement with dermal fillers for those looking to add volume or change lip shape and definition.
There is no real downtime after a lip flip with Botox. We advise patients to avoid alcohol consumption, strenuous physical activity, and extended heat exposure for the first 24 hours after their treatment.
Upper lip flip Botox consultation in Dallas
A lip flip provides subtle results that take the risk out of appearing over-injected. Our board-certified dermatologists are also available to complement your lip flip procedure with lip fillers if desired. Learn more about the lip flip procedure and other non-surgical cosmetic treatments here at Dallas Dermatology Partners.