When it comes to enhancing the lips, lip filler isn’t the only option.
You may have also heard of a lip flip – a subtle treatment that uses anti-wrinkle injections to change the position of the upper lip rather than adding volume.
Although both treatments can alter the appearance of the lips, they work in completely different ways. So, if you’re considering treatment, how do you know which might be right for you?
The answer depends on what you’d like to achieve.
What is lip filler?
Lip filler is a type of dermal filler used to add volume, shape and definition to the lips.
Most modern lip fillers are made using hyaluronic acid, which is naturally found in the body. The filler is carefully injected into specific areas of the lips to achieve the desired result.
Lip filler can be used to:
- Add subtle volume to the lips
- Improve lip definition
- Enhance the shape of the lips
- Improve symmetry
- Restore volume that has reduced over time
- Create a more balanced appearance between the upper and lower lips
Importantly, lip filler doesn’t have to mean significantly fuller lips.
For many patients, the aim is simply to improve definition or restore a small amount of lost volume while keeping the result natural.
What is a lip flip?
A lip flip works in a completely different way.
Instead of adding volume to the lips, a small amount of anti-wrinkle treatment is injected into the muscle just above the upper lip.
This temporarily relaxes the muscle, allowing the upper lip to gently “flip” or roll slightly upwards. As a result, more of the upper lip may become visible when you smile or at rest.
A lip flip can be particularly appealing if you want a subtle change without adding volume.
Lip filler vs lip flip: the main difference
The simplest way to think about it is:
Lip filler adds volume.
A lip flip changes the position of the lip.
Neither treatment is necessarily better than the other. They simply achieve different results.
| Lip Filler | Lip Flip | |
| How it works | Adds volume beneath the skin | Temporarily relaxes a muscle above the upper lip |
| Adds volume? | Yes | No |
| Can improve definition? | Yes | To a degree |
| Can make the upper lip more visible? | Yes | Yes |
| Changes lip shape? | Yes | Subtly |
| Results | Usually more noticeable | Usually more subtle |
| Treatment type | Dermal filler | Anti-wrinkle treatment |
Which gives you fuller lips?
If your main goal is more volume, lip filler is generally the more appropriate option.
Because filler physically adds volume, your practitioner can carefully control where that volume is placed to influence the shape and proportions of your lips.
A lip flip doesn’t add any volume. Instead, it changes the position of the upper lip slightly, which can make the lip appear more visible.
This can create the impression of a slightly fuller lip, but it isn’t the same as actually adding volume.
What if my upper lip disappears when I smile?
This is something we often hear from patients considering a lip flip.
Some people find that their upper lip becomes less visible when they smile because the upper lip naturally curls inwards or moves upwards.
A lip flip can sometimes help with this by relaxing the muscle responsible for some of this movement, allowing more of the upper lip to remain visible.
However, it’s important to have realistic expectations. A lip flip creates a subtle change and isn’t designed to produce the same result as lip filler.
Can a lip flip create the same result as lip filler?
No.
Although both treatments can make the lips look slightly more prominent, they do so in different ways.
If you’re looking for noticeable additional volume, lip filler is likely to be more suitable.
If you already have enough natural lip volume but would like the upper lip to appear slightly more visible, particularly when smiling, a lip flip may be worth discussing.
The best option depends on your natural anatomy and the result you’re hoping to achieve.
Can you have lip filler and a lip flip together?
In some cases, yes.
Because the treatments work differently, they can sometimes be combined as part of an overall treatment plan.
For example, someone may want a small amount of filler to enhance the shape and volume of their lips, alongside a subtle lip flip to alter the position of the upper lip.
However, combining treatments isn’t automatically better.
The priority should always be achieving a balanced result rather than having as many treatments as possible.
How long does a lip flip last?
A lip flip is a temporary treatment.
Because it uses anti-wrinkle injections, the effects gradually wear off as the muscle returns to its normal movement. The exact duration varies between individuals.
Lip filler also isn’t permanent, although it generally lasts longer than a lip flip. How long it lasts depends on the type of filler used, the area treated, individual factors and how quickly your body metabolises the product.
Your practitioner should be able to explain what you can realistically expect from your chosen treatment.
Are there any downsides to a lip flip?
As with any aesthetic treatment, it’s important to understand the potential risks and side effects before going ahead.
Because a lip flip temporarily relaxes the muscle around the mouth, you may notice a change in how your upper lip moves.
Some people can find activities such as drinking through a straw, using a bottle or making certain expressions slightly different while the treatment is active.
This is one of the reasons why choosing an experienced practitioner is important. The treatment needs to be carefully planned and the amount used should be appropriate for your individual anatomy.
Which treatment is right for you?
There isn’t one answer that applies to everyone.
A lip flip may be worth considering if:
- You don’t necessarily want additional lip volume
- Your upper lip tends to disappear when you smile
- You want a subtle change to the appearance of your upper lip
- You’d like to explore an alternative to lip filler
Lip filler may be more suitable if:
- You want to add volume
- You’d like to improve lip definition
- You want to alter the shape or proportions of your lips
- You have experienced age-related loss of lip volume
- You’d like a more noticeable change
And for some people, neither treatment may be necessary.
Why your consultation matters
It’s tempting to decide on a treatment based on a photo you’ve seen online, but everyone’s lips are different.
Your natural lip shape, proportions, movement, facial anatomy and the result you’re hoping to achieve all need to be considered.
At Rebecca Taylor Aesthetics, we take a personalised approach to treatment. We’ll discuss what you’d like to change and assess whether lip filler, a lip flip or another approach is appropriate for you.
We’re also happy to tell you when we don’t think treatment is necessary.
Our priority is always to create results that look balanced and natural rather than simply adding volume or changing the shape of your lips.
Lip filler or lip flip: which should you choose?
Ultimately, it comes down to what you’d like to achieve.
If you’re looking for volume, lip filler may be the better option.
If you’re looking to slightly alter the position and appearance of your upper lip without adding volume, a lip flip may be more appropriate.
And if you’re not sure, that’s completely fine.
You don’t need to know which treatment you need before your appointment. That’s what your consultation is for.
Thinking about lip treatment?
If you’re considering lip filler or a lip flip in Suffolk, Rebecca Taylor Aesthetics can talk you through the options during a personalised consultation.
We’ll listen to what you’d like to achieve, assess your lips and facial proportions, and recommend an approach that’s appropriate for you.
The goal isn’t to change your appearance. It’s to make subtle, considered improvements that still look like you.