Everyone seems to be getting lip filler, but lip filler can be a big commitment not only for our faces but also for our pocketbooks. Then what is one to do if they want a fuller lip without any commitment? Welcome to the lip flip!
How does a Lip Flip Work?
A lip flip can be quickly performed in almost any medical spa that injects Botox. It is quick. The procedure takes only around 10 to 20 minutes. It involves injecting Botox or an equivalent into the Cupid’s bow part of your lip. That is the middle of the upper lip and out toward the corners of your mouth.
This temporary fix relaxes the muscles around your upper lip causing the inside top part of our lip to flip a bit upward and outward. In many people, this is barely noticeable, but to some, it is the perfect pout they have been desiring for the perfect selfie.
Most injectors recommend to go ahead and get lip fillers for real noticeable results. A lip flip can also be used in conjunction with lip fillers and injectables.
Is a Lip Flip for You?
Taking a baby step toward getting lip fillers is the most common reason people want a lip flip. It can give the appearance of a slightly fuller upper lip, but nothing like lip filler results. Some women also feel that their upper lip disappears when they smile or they feel their gums show too much when they smile. A candidate’s reason is personal.
How Much Does a Lip Flip Cost?
Since the lip flip is a cosmetic procedure, you will need to pay in full for the cost. It is definitely not something covered by insurance. However, it is a very reasonably priced cosmetic procedure compared to other options. A lip flip can cost you anywhere between $75-$500. That’s much less compared to the average cost of other medical spa treatments. For example, lip filler sessions start around $500.
The average lip flip lasts 8 to 12 weeks, so you may want to weigh the cost of a lip flip versus dermal lip fillers to see which is best for you and your needs.
Before and After a Lip Flip
Many of the ways to prepare for a lip flip are the same as when you prepare for botox in other areas. Always ask your doctor or medical spa injector what their procedures are before you arrive.
Most recommend avoiding alcohol and blood thinners for a few days before the procedures.
After the procedure, you should not rub your lips and avoid smoking. Also, try to sleep on your back so you do not press on your lips and allow the Botox to spread incorrectly.
Complications
For those that have regularly been receiving botox injections, your risk is small. Use the same type of botox that you have been getting in the past to help lessen your risk of allergic reactions. An allergic reaction is your top risk, as it is for most kinds of injections – cosmetic or medical.
If you feel that lip flip is not what you thought you were signing up for that day – it can be reversed. Most doctors and medical spa injectors will tell you to give it a few days. Botox can take up to 10 days to settle and maintain full effects.
One downside that many experience is difficulty drinking from a straw. You have no control of your upper lip, so you cannot get the muscle action needed to pucker up and drink with a straw as one usually does when they drink. Personally, this would be my main reason not to get a lip flip. I do love my reusable and paper straws.
There are risks associated with this medical spa treatment. Some patients that get a lip flip experience bruising, drooling, trouble speaking, inability to whistle, trouble keeping drinks in your mouth, issues drinking with a straw, and a droop on one side or the other of your mouth.
Conclusion
Only you can decide if a lip flip is for you. Please contact your doctor directly to decide if it is right for you.