A lip flip is a quick non-surgical procedure that uses anti-aging treatment to relax the top lip and “flip” it upwards and out. This can stop your upper lip from flipping when you smile. It’s an alternative for those not wishing to get lip volumiser and to receive a more subtle, lip enlargement. The treatment involves a muscle relaxant being inserted into the muscle above the lip border. This relaxes the muscle around the mouth (the orbicularis oris muscle) which gently rolls out the top lip. The result is a subtly, increased pout with the illusion of more volume.
The effects of your lip flip will generally become apparent a few days following your treatment, with the full results generally visible after two weeks. This treatment is a non-permanent solution that typically lasts around three to four months in most patients. The procedure itself takes around 10 minutes to complete, is relatively painless and does not require any numbing. Please allow 60 minutes for your lip flip treatment appointment.
Benefits of Lip Flip Treatment
- Fast results – You’ll notice the results from your lip flip within 1 – 2 weeks of treatment and all the way up to 3-4 months.
- Trial bigger lips – If you’ve been thinking about getting lip volumiser, but don’t want to commit to 8-18 months of results, a lip flip provides a treatment to trial an increased lip look. You can get a feel for your results and after three months you can decide whether you’d like to repeat the lip flip, cease treatment, get lip volumiser or undergo both treatments together.
- Cost-effective – A lip flip can provide results at a much lower cost when compared to lip volumiser.
- Lower risk and proven – Muscle relaxing treatment has been used all over the world and poses minimal risk of complications. It is a neurotoxin and when administered by an experienced and licensed professional, risk can be minimised.
- Comfortable – This treatment is minimally invasive and relatively painless when compared to a lip volumiser treatment. If you have a low pain threshold we can use either a topical anaesthetic, vibrational therapy or both to ensure your experience is as comfortable as possible.
What Can Be Improved With A Lip Flip?
Upper Lip Size
While a lip flip doesn’t actually add volume to your top lip, it creates the appearance of more volume. This is effectively done by flipping your top lip upward so that it turns further upward resulting in increased visibility and a ‘volumised’ effect.
Am I a Suitable Candidate?
If you have a small upper lip that you’d like to appear larger, or your top lip rolls inward when you smile – you may be a suitable candidate and you may benefit from this cosmetic treatment.
To see if you’re a suitable candidate, book a free consultation with our registered nurse.
What to Expect
Your treatment begins with a consultation. In this appointment, you’ll be invited to share what your non-surgical goals are with a lip flip. If you prefer to see any of the improvements outlined above, your Gold Coast Plastic Surgery Registered Nurse will assess your lips and determine the recommended amount of product to use. If you’re hoping for extra volume that isn’t attainable with a lip flip alone, lip volumiser may also be recommended to you.
The products used can be explained to you in detail within a consultation and you will get to decide which is best suitable for you. The risks of this procedure and any downtime and specific aftercare instructions can also be explained to you in detail during a consultation.
Once the consultation is complete and you have decided to continue with the treatment, you will have your photos taken. These will be stored confidentially for our registered nurse to assess your progress. Then, your treatment can begin.
First, the area above your lip will be cleaned thoroughly with a medical-grade cleaning solution. Then, your registered nurse will begin with a few small strategically placed anti-aging treatments around the lip border into the orbicularis oris muscle. Once your treatment is complete, you will receive specific aftercare instructions and a complimentary follow-up appointment will be arranged within the next fortnight.
Lip Flip Frequently Asked Questions
Is lip flip the same as lip volumiser?
Muscle relaxants for a flip the lip and lip volumiser are not the same. Lip flip treatments roll the lip slightly outward to give the effect of more volume while lip volumiser adds volume and increases the size of the lips. Lip flip results last for a significantly shorter time when compared to lip volumiser results.
Are lip flip results immediate?
Generally, you will be able to notice the results of your lip flip 2 weeks following your treatment.
How long does it take?
The best thing about the lip flip treatment is how fast it is. It takes less than five minutes to administer, making it great for those who are short on time.
How often is a lip flip treatment recommended?
The results of your lip flip treatment will generally last between 3 – 4 months, to maintain your results it’s recommended that you have follow-up appointments every three to four months.
Do I need a consultation?
Yes, this is a prescription treatment and you will need confirmation from a doctor to proceed. You will first consult with your registered nurse and they will liaise with a Doctor to authorise treatment. All non-surgical consultations at Gold Coast Plastic Surgery are free of charge.
Does lip flip hurt?
You may feel a slight pinch as the muscle relaxant product is administered, but it is fairly tolerable. If you are concerned about the pain, you can ask your nurse to apply a topical anaesthetic or use vibrational therapy to make your experience more comfortable.
What’s the lip flip recovery period like?
A lip flip requires little downtime, allowing you to generally resume your daily tasks immediately after injection. You may experience slight bruising of the injection site but this will generally resolve within a few days.
What are the lip flip risks?
A lip flip generally has minimal risks. However, potential side effects might include:
- Temporary Bruising or Swelling
- Uneven Smile
- Temporary changes in lip sensation
- Unintended muscle effects
As with any cosmetic procedure, it’s important to have a consultation to discuss potential risks and your suitability for a lip flip. Choosing an experienced registered nurse helps minimise the likelihood of complications.
What products do you use?
Please note, that due to strict TGA guidelines, we are unable to advertise the brand names of anti-aging treatments on our website. However, we stock the leading muscle relaxant brands and we are able to discuss these freely during your consultation.
How much does it cost?
This depends on you as an individual and how strong your orbicularis oris muscle is. Please enquire today for a consultation and quote.
Are there any downsides?
A lip flip may not be effective for some patients. If you play a musical instrument or make speeches in your daily life, you may not like the feeling of your top lip being relaxed.
How do I book?
You can book your lip flip treatment appointment by calling us on 07 5598 0988 during clinic hours or by submitting an enquiry form on our website.
