Lip Flip

A Lip Flip is a neurotoxin injection technique that targets the orbicularis oris, the circular muscle that surrounds your mouth. A small, precise amount of neurotoxin is placed along the upper lip border, which relaxes that muscle just enough to let the lip gently roll, or flip, outward.

The result is a subtle increase in the amount of visible lip, without adding any volume underneath. It works with the lip you already have, making it appear slightly larger or more defined rather than reshaping or inflating it.

The Lip Flip focuses on the upper lip and the border just above it. Because the effect comes from relaxing the muscle that tucks the lip inward, the added definition is most noticeable when you smile or talk, when that muscle would normally pull the top lip down and in.

It is a targeted enhancement of one specific area rather than a full-face or full-lip treatment, which is part of why it appeals to patients who want a subtle, natural refresh.

At Express Med Spa, every Lip Flip is performed by a licensed nurse practitioner or supervised clinical professional. Your provider first assesses your lip shape and muscle movement to confirm the treatment suits your goals, then places a few small injections along the upper lip using a very fine needle.

The injection itself typically takes under 10 minutes. Most patients describe it as a quick pinch, and there is no downtime. We do suggest being gentle with the lips and avoiding straws and heavy puckering for the first few hours while the neurotoxin settles.

The neurotoxin takes a few days to begin working. Most patients start to see the effect between days 3 and 5, with the full result settling by about two weeks. It is normal for the lips to look unchanged, or even slightly uneven, in the first few days.

Because the mouth is one of the most active areas of the face, the neurotoxin metabolizes faster here than in areas like the forehead, so a Lip Flip generally lasts 8 to 12 weeks. Many patients return every 2 to 3 months to maintain their results.

A Lip Flip and lip filler solve the desire for a better lip in two different ways. A Lip Flip relaxes the muscle around the upper lip for a subtle enhancement and adds no physical volume. Lip filler injects a hyaluronic acid gel directly into the lip to add fullness, projection, and shape.

Neither is better in every case. The Lip Flip suits patients who want a low-commitment, natural refresh, especially a thin upper lip that disappears when smiling. Patients who want meaningful added volume are usually better served by filler, and in some cases a provider can combine a small amount of both in the same visit for a balanced result.