Lip Flip vs. Filler: What to Know About Each Treatment

Trust us: Your lips are stunning no matter what they look like. Full or narrow, thin or heavy, they're all beautiful. That said, people with lips of all shapes and sizes are often looking for a change, and sometimes that change means adding a bit of volume or fullness. Two popular ways to achieve this are lip filler and lip flip treatments. There's a solid chance you're here because you're trying to learn more about these procedures and figure out which is best for you.

As always, we're here to help. Here's everything you need to know about lip fillers and lip flips, courtesy of board-certified physicians Rachel Reyes-Bergano, DO, Ari Hoschander, MD, and David Shafer, MD.

What Are Lip Fillers?

"Lip fillers are a cosmetic procedure that involves injecting dermal fillers into the lips to enhance their shape, volume, and overall appearance," Hoschander explains. The filler helps create a fuller appearance to the lips and is typically made of hyaluronic acid or synthetic hyaluronic acid, though the formulation may vary depending on the results you're going for.

"We use a more hydrophilic, or water-loving, type of hyaluronic acid called Hylacross when patients are looking to add a noticeable plump to their lips," Reyes-Bergano says. "When patients [want] to smooth lip lines and [achieve] subtle volume enhancement, we might choose a Vycross technology filler which draws in less water and may also be less stiff."

What Is a Lip Flip?

A lip flip is a nonsurgical procedure that involves injecting Botox into a muscle just above the border of the upper lip and in the corners of the mouth. These injections relax the muscles and enhance the shape and volume of the upper lip. "When the muscle contracts during smiling, the orbicularis oris muscle can cause the lip to curl in," Reyes-Bergano says. "When the muscle is relaxed, consequently you see more of the top lip, hence the name lip flip."

Procedure Details

Here's what to expect during a lip filler or lip flip treatment:

Lip filler

The first step of a lip filler procedure is a consultation with your doctor. This gives your doctor a chance to learn more about your medical and cosmetic history and your goals for the procedure. They will also give you a rundown of what to expect during the procedure and healing process.

Before beginning the procedure, your doctor will numb your lips. "A majority of patients tolerate the procedure with topical numbing cream, but for a subset of patients, lidocaine dental block is also an option," Reyes-Bergano says. Your doctor will then use a fine needle to inject filler into specific areas of your lips. They may give you ice afterward to control swelling and ease discomfort.

The procedure is typically completed in 30 minutes or less, and most people return to work and other activities right away. That said, you probably don't want to schedule your lip filler just before an event or gathering that's important to you: "There is a small chance of bruising, so we recommend not having filler within a few days of an important event," Shafer says.

Lip flip

Similar to lip filler, the first step of a lip flip is a consultation with your injector to discuss your goals and expectations, Shafer says. For about three or four days before the procedure, you'll want to stay away from alcohol and blood-thinning medications. "On the day of the treatment, the doctor will numb your lips and Botox will be injected into the corners of your mouth and your cupid’s bow," Shafer says. "It is relatively painless, so some doctors may choose not to numb you depending on your specific comfort level and needs."

Typically, the procedure takes about 15 minutes, with little or no downtime. You can expect results in about three to five days, Shafer says.

Benefits and Results

Lip filler

Lip fillers plump the lips, allowing people to experience fuller, smoother lips, with quick results and little downtime. " They can also reduce the appearance of fine lines around the mouth and improve overall facial harmony," Hoschander says.

Lip flip

"Lip flips will create an illusion of fuller lips without the need for fillers or implants," Hoschander says. "The results are subtle yet noticeable, giving the lips a more youthful... appearance." He adds that the results of a lip flip are generally subtle, offering a less dramatic difference in volume than you'd see with many other lip procedures.

Duration and Maintenance

Lip filler

Lip filler results typically last between six and 12 months. Fillers are slowly metabolized over time by an enzyme in the body called hyaluronidase, so maintenance treatments are important, Reyes-Bergano explains. Wondering how often you'll need to schedule those maintenance treatments? "Most patients need a few lip filler treatments: often two to three appointments within the first six months to a year, and then maintenance every year or so," Shafer says.

Lip flip

Lip flip results typically last around three months, more or less, depending on the dosage used during your treatments. "Maintenance treatments would involve returning for another lip flip treatment in eight to twelve weeks," Reyes-Bergano says.

Suitability and Considerations

Lip filler

"The best candidates for lip fillers are those who are in good health, have realistic expectations, and desire subtle enhancements to their lips," Hoschander says. "Patients should consider the potential of bruising and swelling of the lips after the procedure."

Reyes-Bergano points out a few other factors you'll want to consider:

• "If a patient has lip filler still present from several years ago, it's important to consider if there has been any unwanted migration of previous filler which may require dissolving to achieve the desired result."
  
• "Anatomically, some patients may have a longer philtrum—the distance from nose to upper lip—which may affect the patient's results," she says. "In this case, a surgical lip lift might be a better option."
  
• It's also important to determine if there is a history of cold sores and if preventative medication is needed before the injections. "This will allow for optimal healing without a cold sore outbreak," she says.
  

Lip flip

Lip flips are a good option for people who are looking for subtle lip enhancement without surgery or using dermal fillers, Hoschander says. "Candidates should have realistic expectations and understand that the results will be more subtle," he explains.

Keep in mind that a lip flip doesn't smooth lip lines like lip filler would, and the results typically do not last as long.

Cost Comparison

"On average lip fillers cost about $800 for the initial session and depending on the patient's goals, they may want to receive a touch-up in six to eight months, which would cost about $500-600," Reyes-Bergano says. Lip flips are typically cheaper and generally cost between $300 and $500 per treatment.

That said, the cost of lip fillers and lip flips varies depending on your location and provider. "We recommend that patients not shop based on price, and if the deal seems too good to be true that is generally a red flag," Shafer says.

Preparation and Aftercare

Lip filler

There isn't much preparation required before a lip filler treatment, but your doctor might advise you to avoid medications like aspirin and ibuprofen for about a week before your treatment because they can increase the risk of bruising.

After the procedure, you might experience mild swelling, bruising, or tenderness. Shafer recommends applying an ice pack to your lips to ease these side effects.

Lip flip

Before a lip flip, your specialist may advise you to avoid blood thinners, but there generally isn't much other preparation required.

After your lip flip, here are a few precautions from the doctors we spoke with:

• Avoid smoking for three to four days to decrease the risk of infection.
• Avoid sleeping face-down, as this could impact the results.
• It may be difficult to sip through a straw for a few weeks after the procedure, but this will improve with time.
• Some people experience mild swelling and bruising, which generally eases within a couple of days, Hoschander says.

The Final Takeaway

Deciding between a lip flip and lip filler ultimately depends on your goals. "If you are looking for longer-lasting results and a vast change in the size of your lips, lip filler is probably the best option for you," Shafer says. "If your upper lip turns in or flips up while you smile, or you want to experiment with a slightly different lip shape, a flip would be a great option." And you don't necessarily have to choose: According to Reyes-Bergano, many people combine the treatments.