Plump, beautiful lips seem to be very in style, with stars like Kylie Jenner speaking openly about the optimizations they’ve had to theirs. You don’t have to be born with them to have the lips you want! Full, sensual lips are an anesthetics goal for many women.

Lip filler has been around for a long time now, and most people know about it, but the lip flip is often lesser-known by clients looking for treatments for their lips. At Columbus Vascular Vein & Aesthetics, we provide both, so we’ll give you all the info, help you decide which is better for you, how they work, the costs, how long they last, and more. Read along with us if you’ve been wondering which is the right fit. 

Already decided or prefer to talk to someone? Get in touch with us today, and one of our staff or doctors will be happy to go over your goals and how we can achieve them together in the best way possible for you.

What is a lip flip?

Everyone’s lips are different. Sometimes, clients mention that their top lip is too thin, is less full than the bottom lip, or “disappears” when they smile, sometimes creating the dreaded “gummy smile.” If these issues sound like ones you struggle with, you may be a good fit for the lip flip.

A lip flip is a treatment where an injectable toxin is injected into the cupid’s bow of the upper lip and the corners of your mouth. This nullifies the nerve impulses similarly to the way Botox does for lines and wrinkles in other areas of the face. Once this happens, it allows the upper lip to be “flipped” up and out, creating the appearance of plumper, better-looking lip.

What to expect from a lip flip

There is little unknown at this point about injectable toxins, so there’s not much to worry about as far as safety is concerned. It’s one of the most studied and researched products on the aesthetics market.

An everyday lip flip takes roughly 10 minutes to complete and requires little to no downtime. You will start to see the results in 24-48 hours, and, typically, they last for 8-12 weeks. Lip flip cost depends on how many units of toxin is required for your specific lip.

Interestingly enough, lip flips do not affect the volume of your lips the way a dermal filler would. It simply gives the appearance of volume and optimizes the shape of the lip by slightly repositioning it with the assistance of Botox/Jeuveau/Dysport.

Who is a good fit for a lip flip?

Those who choose lip flip usually have decent volume in the lips and are just looking for them to be freely shaped into a more desirable appearance. It’s a more natural look that people will never notice unless you tell them. Once it’s done, the lip flip defines the cupid’s bow and provides the desired shape of the lips.

What is lip filler?

Lip filler, like Juvederm and Restylane, is used to add volume to the lips where they are lacking. Unlike the lip flip, which is used for reshaping, the filler will enhance the volume of the lips to make them physically larger in areas where it is needed. 

As an added benefit, filler can fill the lines around the mouth and smooth out the appearance of any unwanted lines and wrinkles. The primary ingredient is not a toxin in this case (like with Botox). It is hyaluronic acid, which is a compound naturally found in the body, making it easy for your body to adapt to.

The effects of dermal fillers typically last up to 12 months, depending on which specific formula you choose to use. Cost also varies. The best way to go over fine details is to call or come in for an appointment and speak to one of our aesthetics pros.

Who is a good fit for lip filler?

If you like the general shape of your lips but wish you had a little more thickness, plumpness, and maybe fewer wrinkles around the mouth, the filler is likely a good fit for you. Patients who choose lip filler also don’t mind people noticing they’ve had some work done, as the results are more noticeable. They can look natural, but there will be a noticeable difference in most cases compared to your previous lips!

Lip flip vs. Lip Filler

Now that we know the details of each procedure and what you can expect from both of them, you are probably wondering when we’ll tell you which is better. As we tell you, with most of our comparison posts, neither is better!

Depending on your aesthetic goals, you may be a better fit for one over the other. Here are some high-level bullet points for lip flip and lip filler to make a direct comparison easier.

Lip Flip

• Uses an injectable toxin as the primary ingredient (Botox/Jeuveau/Dysport)
• Lasts up to 12 weeks
• Enhances appearance of the lip by changing the shape of the existing lip
• It gives control over the lip’s shape
• Cheaper cost in the short term
• Natural appearance

Lip Filler

• Uses hyaluronic acid as the primary ingredient
  • Brands used are Juvederm and Restylane. 
• Lasts up to 12 months
• Physically adds volume to the lips
• It gives control over the volume and plumpness of the lips
• It tends to be cheaper in the long run but more expensive in the short term
• Less natural, more noticeable appearance

Can lip filler and lip flip be combined?

Yes, the two treatments are often combined for optimal results. For those looking for a bit of volume and a beautifully optimized shape, a combination of lip flip and lip filler is often recommended.

Summary

The lip flip and flip filler techniques tackle the appearance of the lips in very different ways. Which is right for you depends on what your goals are. If you are simply looking for volume added and love the shape of your lips, then fillers are probably the best bet. If you are looking for something with a very natural appearance, already have good volume, and want to edit the shape of the lip, then the lip flip may be the winner for you.

If you’re interested in learning more and seeing a treatment plan tailored specifically to you, get in touch with us today. We are happy to go over all of the details, benefits, and what we think is best, based on you.

Until next time, thanks for reading.