Lip Flip is a treatment whose effect comes not from increasing lip volume, but from changing how the orbicularis oris muscle works. After a small amount of botulinum toxin is injected, its activity is partially reduced, which allows the upper lip to gently roll outward and become more visible when smiling.
The result is subtle and preserves the natural proportions of the face. What changes is mainly how the lip sits in motion — not its actual size.
We explain what this treatment involves and how it can help make a smile look more defined.
Lip Flip — what exactly is it?
Lip Flip is a treatment that involves injecting a small amount of botulinum toxin around the orbicularis oris muscle. The product isn’t injected to fill the lip, but to gently reduce the activity of selected muscle fibres.
As a result, the upper lip can roll slightly outward and become more visible.
The Polish Dermatological Society describes Lip Flip as the use of a small, properly selected dose of botulinum toxin in the orbicularis oris muscle, just above the vermilion border. The result is a subtle rolling-out of the upper lip, without physically increasing its volume.
That’s why the terms lipflip, botox lip flip, or simply lip flip essentially refer to the same technique.
How does Botox Lip Flip work?
To understand how the treatment works, it helps to take a moment to look at the muscles of the lips.
The orbicularis oris muscle is responsible, among other things, for pursing and protruding the lips. In some people, its activity causes the upper lip to roll inward when smiling.
Type A botulinum toxin limits the release of acetylcholine at nerve endings, which temporarily reduces the activity of the targeted muscle. This mechanism is also described by Medycyna Praktyczna.
After a small dose of the product is administered, the muscle around the upper lip relaxes. The lip is no longer pulled inward as strongly and can turn slightly outward. The use of botulinum toxin A within the orbicularis oris muscle can increase the visible surface area of the upper lip. This doesn’t mean, however, that the lip actually becomes bigger — we simply see more of its natural vermilion.
Who can Lip Flip bring the best results for?
The treatment works especially well for people who want a very subtle change. A good candidate might be someone whose:
- upper lip rolls inward when smiling;
- upper lip is poorly visible despite adequate natural volume;
- lips show a big difference between their resting state and when smiling;
- priority is a subtle effect without adding filler;
- Cupid’s bow could use a more delicate emphasis;
- curiosity is about how a small change in lip shape would look.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons notes that good candidates include, among others, people with a very active muscle around the mouth that causes the upper lip to roll inward when smiling.
When won’t Lip Flip be the best solution?
Lip Flip has its limitations. If the main goal is a noticeable increase in lip size, improved projection, or correcting significant asymmetry, botulinum toxin alone may give too subtle a result.
It’s also not a treatment for everyone.
Contraindications for botulinum toxin use may include, among others:
- pregnancy and breastfeeding;
- active infection at the planned injection site;
- hypersensitivity to the product’s ingredients;
- certain neuromuscular diseases;
- taking specific medications that affect neuromuscular transmission.
The final decision on eligibility should always be made before the treatment and should take into account your health, any medications you’re taking, and previous reactions to botulinum toxin.
Lip Flip — effects
The most important change is that the upper lip becomes more visible. Lip Flip effects can include:
- a gentle roll-out of the upper lip;
- a visual increase in its surface area;
- a better-defined contour;
- more refined proportions between the upper and lower lip;
- less “disappearance” of the upper lip when smiling.
A systematic review of studies published in 2025 analysed the available data on Lip Flip performed with type A botulinum toxin. The authors considered this method a minimally invasive way to gently improve the shape and visibility of the lips, while also pointing to the need for proper patient selection and technique.
Lip Flip before and after — when does the difference appear?
The effect doesn’t appear right after you leave the clinic.
| Time after the treatment | What might be happening? |
| 1 day | Small marks from the injections or mild swelling may be visible. The toxin’s effect usually isn’t clear yet. |
| 3 days | The muscle starts responding to the product. The first subtle differences may already be noticeable. |
| 2 weeks | This is usually a good time to assess the full effect of the treatment. The upper lip may be more visible when smiling. |
| 3 months | The toxin’s effect gradually starts to wear off, and muscle movement returns. |
| 6 months | For most people, the effect of the earlier treatment should no longer be noticeable. |
So it’s not worth taking Lip Flip before-and-after photos the day after the treatment and judging the result based on that.
Lip Flip or filler?
These are two different treatments, even though both can visually change the appearance of the lips.
| Lip Flip | Filler |
| Uses botulinum toxin | Most commonly uses hyaluronic acid |
| Doesn’t add physical volume | Increases lip volume |
| Changes how the muscle works | Changes the shape and volume of the tissue |
| The effect is usually very subtle | The effect can be much more pronounced |
| Works best for an inward-rolling upper lip | Also allows you to shape the contour, projection and asymmetry |
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons draws this distinction very clearly: with Lip Flip, small doses of neurotoxin relax the upper lip muscle, while filler physically increases its volume.
That’s why someone with very thin lips may be disappointed with Lip Flip alone. The lip will be more visible, but its actual volume won’t increase.
Advantages of Lip Flip
The biggest advantages of the treatment include:
- a very natural, subtle effect;
- no filling of the tissue;
- a short procedure time;
- the ability to improve the look of the upper lip when smiling;
- a relatively quick return to everyday activities.
The treatment can be an interesting option especially for people who don’t want noticeably bigger lips, just a small correction to how they sit.
What are the downsides of Lip Flip?
The main downside comes from exactly the same mechanism that produces the treatment’s effect: reduced muscle activity.
After all, we don’t only use the orbicularis oris muscle for smiling. It’s also involved in speaking, drinking, whistling, or using a straw.
The American Society of Plastic Surgeons notes that temporary weakness around the mouth can occur after Lip Flip, which can make things like drinking through a straw more difficult.
Possible drawbacks and side effects include:
- too weak or too strong an effect;
- asymmetry;
- a feeling of weakness in the upper lip;
- difficulty making certain movements with the lips;
- bruising and mild swelling after the injections;
- the temporary nature of the result.
That’s why, around the mouth especially, a small, carefully chosen dose of the product matters a great deal.
What not to do after Lip Flip
Precise recommendations should always come from the specialist performing the treatment. In the first few hours, it’s usually recommended to treat the injection site gently.
After the treatment, it’s worth:
- not pressing on or intensively massaging the injection area;
- following the individual recommendations of the specialist who performed the procedure;
- observing your body’s reaction;
- not trying to “fix” asymmetry yourself by massaging the lips.
A common mistake is also judging the result too early. Botulinum toxin’s effect develops gradually, so on the first or second day the lips may look almost the same as before.
For a few days, it’s also good to postpone intensive treatments performed directly around the mouth. You can plan your skincare in advance, for example with a facial cleansing session or other treatments available as part of cosmetology services.
The most common Lip Flip mistakes
- Expecting an effect like hyaluronic acid gives. Lip Flip doesn’t increase lip volume.
- Judging the result the next day. The full effect of the toxin needs time to develop.
- Choosing the treatment purely because it’s trendy. Lip anatomy and muscle function vary from person to person.
- Ignoring contraindications. Botulinum toxin is a medicine and requires proper patient assessment.
- Repeating the treatment too often without a consultation. The decision to have another injection should depend on the muscle regaining its activity and a specialist’s assessment.
If improving the condition of your facial skin matters more to you than changing lip mobility, you could consider other options available within cosmetology, such as mesotherapy or facial massage.
More facial and body care treatments can be found on the PIED-DE-POULE website.
