Botox is best known as a highly effective way to reduce or eliminate facial lines and wrinkles, even though it was originally developed to help treat eye muscle disorders. Botox can also be used to achieve fuller-looking lips, something that has been traditionally achieved by the use of various dermal filler products. The use of Botox in this way involves the “lip flip” procedure.
What Does the “Lip Flip” Do?
Botox is carefully injected around the lips so that the muscles surrounding the upper lip relax. As the muscles attached to the upper lip relax, the lip will move (or “flip”) slightly upwards and outwards, resulting in visibly fuller-looking lips. The lips don’t actually increase in size, and the benefits of the procedure are generally very natural-looking.
“Lip Flip” Compared to Dermal Filler Procedures
It’s possible to achieve similar results using injections of dermal fillers into the lips, but the Botox Lip Flip is a very different procedure. Achieving the same results using fillers typically takes longer and runs a bigger risk of swelling and bruising that may last several days. The Botox procedure takes less time to perform, requires fewer injections, comes with a lower risk of side effects like bruising, and also typically costs less.
The results of the Lip Flip are not immediately apparent – they will develop progressively in the days following treatment. Having changes occur gradually contributes to the Botox procedure giving more natural-looking results. It’s not unusual to see highly unnatural-looking results caused by excessive use of dermal fillers, which can result in exaggerated “duck lips.”
The benefits of the Botox lip Flip procedure last anywhere between three and five months, after which you’ll have to repeat the procedure. The exact time is hard to predict and depends on each individual.
Other Uses of the Lip Flip Procedure
The Botox procedure can also be used to treat “gummy” smiles – cases where over-tightening of the muscles above the lip results in an unwanted display of the upper gums when smiling. Botox can be used to prevent these muscles from pulling the lips up as far, resulting in a more cosmetically attractive smile.
Choosing the Best Provider
To achieve a safe and cosmetically attractive result, you should take care to carefully choose your provider. As with other uses of Botox, you’ll want to select a medically qualified and experienced practitioner. Botox injections cannot be reversed, and you will rely on your practitioner’s experience and knowledge o achieve the best results from this procedure.
Your Laser Skin Care
Your Laser Skin Care practitioners are medically qualified and very experienced in providing Botox procedures. We also have extensive experience with a wide variety of other non-invasive cosmetic procedures. We can help you choose the safest, most effective, and most cost-effective way to achieve your cosmetic goals. Call us at (323) 525-1516 to schedule a free consultation, or visit us online for more information.
