Lip Flip vs. Lip Filler: Which One Is Right For You?
- klosik
- Dec 19, 2025
- 12 min read
Written By Kelly Verbanic, RN-BSN, Nurse Injector
IN THIS BLOG POST:
Lip Enhancement Basics
Lips are such an exciting topic, right?! There is always a lot of talk around lips, lip flips, and lip filler, and even more so these days with social media.
As an injector, lips are certainly one of the most sought after features on the face that our patients come in asking about. Sometimes it’s a patient in their 20’s, who wants a bit more volume, and is excited at the prospect of achieving a fuller, poutier, or sexier lip. Other times it’s an older patient who has watched her lip shape blur and disappear over the years.
This blog will discuss two commonly used treatments for lip improvement: Lip Flip & Lip Filler. These are two DIFFERENT treatment options to address the appearance of the lips, and you’re about to learn which one treats what!
What Is a Lip Flip? Benefits, Candidacy, and Limitations
I LOOOVE a lip flip! Talk about an easy, low cost, big bang treatment!. Everyone can benefit from a lip flip, honestly, as there is always a preventative benefit to doing it.
What is a lip flip?
A lip flip is when a few units of neurotoxin (Dysport, Daxxify, Botox) are placed above the lip line, into the muscle that goes around the mouth. This muscle (orbicularis oris) is responsible for the pursing motion (think kiss face), and also contributes to the upper and lateral pull of the top lip when smiling.
Who should consider a lip flip?
I recommend lip flip mainly for TWO types of patients:
Patients With A Gummy Smile
Patients whose upper lip hides, or tucks under when they smile are GREAT candidates for a lip flip. Anyone who shows a bit of gum line when they smile could benefit from this aesthetic treatment. For some patients, this muscle pulls tightly enough, either upwards or out to the side, that they feel as though their top lip disappears.
Read More About How Botox Can Be Used For A Gummy Smile >
Patients With "Smoker's Lines" or "Straw Lines
Patients who are starting to see tiny little lines etched above their top lip (think “smokers lines” or more commonly now “straw lines”) are also great candidates for a lip flip. This is a very efficient muscle, so over time due to this repeated expression and changes in our skin quality, little vertical lines etch in the skin. Because the strength and frequency of this expression is part of why these lines appear, relaxing the muscle a little bit can help to soften the appearance of them. In turn, this treatment will PREVENT them from etching in as deeply or as quickly as they would without doing it.
Patients who fall into either of these categories are IDEAL candidates for a lip flip!!
What should I expect at my lip flip treatment?
Your lip flip will take about 10 seconds to perform. This area is SPICY so I usually use an icing wand prior to injections here. Remember, we use botox for a lip flip, so it's just a few tiny pokes, usually 2 per side of the upper lip, then you’re on your way. There is very minimal risk of bruising, and small raised bumps that last just a few minutes. Lip flip results then will be noticed in the following 1-2 weeks as the neurotoxin takes effect in the muscle.
How much does a Lip Flip cost?
A lip flip treatment depends on the number of units used, but ranges anywhere from $45 up to $100! A lip flip is a very budget-friendly aesthetic treatment.
How long does a Lip Flip treatment last?
You can expect the result of a lip flip treatment to last a couple months. As a straw lover, lip flip is definitely on my personal treatment list, and I do it at least a couple times a year! It is for sure worth adding on at your next visit.
What are the limitations of Lip Flip?
Although getting a lip flip is one of my personal favorite aesthetic treatments, it has some limitations.
A Lip Flip Is A Low Dose Only
We have to balance the aesthetic goal with the functionality of this muscle. To trade an everted upper lip, or an upper lip with less perioral lines for a patient who is then drooling or having trouble saying certain sounds is NOT a good result. If you are going to try out a lip flip, rest assured that your provider will start at the lowest dose first, and work up from there based on how you respond and how it feels.
Lip Flip Treatment Results Don't Last As Long
Due to the dose being a bit lower here, and the need to retain functionality of the muscle to some degree, the duration of a lip flip treatment will be shorter. While your upper face tox will last you around 4 months on average, expect your lip flip to last around 2 months. This is OK! Some patients choose to come in every two months and maintain this, while others will just stick to their upper face schedule.
A Lip Flip Is Not For Everyone
If you as a patient are not in one of the two categories listed above, you may see little to no visible change with a lip flip. Since this treatment acts on the muscle itself, if you naturally do not see your lip roll inward or disappear when you smile, or you don’t have visible perioral lines, you likely won’t notice a visible difference with a lip flip treatment.
However, everyone can certainly benefit from the outcome of prevention with a lip flip, as it allows for a softer purse, and therefore will prevent those etched lines from coming in as quickly in the future.
A Lip Flip Feels Weird at First
If you think of what a lip flip is doing, it makes a lot of sense that this can feel a little funny as it first kicks in. Usually the first week after treatment will be the peak of patients noticing less strength in the muscle. Since we use this muscle frequently to express, speak, and eat, patients initially notice the difference during all of those movements. A few days after getting a lip flip, the “weird” feeling goes away, though the relaxation of the muscle stays for the next few months.
What Is Lip Filler? Results, Candidacy, and Safety
Now onto one of the most EXCITING and talked about lip options – LIP FILLER! Generally, I do more lip filler than any other single filler treatment area.
Lips are such a highlighted facial feature for most people. When we see a beautiful smile and full lips on someone, it catches our eye. Often, younger patients come in seeking more volume and shape to their lips. Our patients who have seen some age related changes come in looking to restore the lips they used to have.
What is lip filler?
Filler refers to hyaluronic acid gel that is meant to replace areas of soft tissue volume loss. Filler can vary in firmness and flexibility. Some fillers are better suited in areas of deep volume loss (cheeks, temples, jawline), whereas others are great for superficial placement (lips, shadows, or fine lines).
When speaking about lip filler, we are lucky that we have a range of TYPES of filler that we can choose from, depending on what our goal is and the baseline anatomy we are starting with.
Who should consider lip filler?
Most everyone is a candidate for lip filler! If you relate to one or more of the following, lip filler could be the treatment for you:
You’re looking for a bit of volume in the lips
You want some added hydration and less fine lines in the lips
You want more definition or structure to your lips
You’ve noticed your lips have “disappeared” over the years
You’re seeing downturn, shadows, or fine lines around the lips themselves
You have a healed injury, scar, or natural asymmetry to the lips
These are all reasons that bring patients in for lip filler!
What should I expect during my lip filler treatment?
During your lip filler treatment, your provider will assess your lips, choose the product that is appropriate, and (likely) perform a dental block so you are nice and comfy during the treatment. While topical numbing is an option, lip filler is NOT comfortable and often patients are not numbed enough with just topical.
The filler then is placed either using a cannula or small needles. Don’t be surprised to see immediate swelling and some irritation following lip filler. Most patients see swelling for the first 1-3 days after getting lip filler, and will likely bruise. Bruising can be minor or significant, so expect to plan accordingly around big events in your life.
Filler usually settles in fully over the following weeks!
How long will the results of lip filler last?
For most patients, the results of lip filler will last for about a year. This is an average, and some patients will re-treat earlier than that, while some will hold it longer. If your provider is layering additional filler in the lips before the old filler is fully broken down, this will often extend the duration of your result even longer in the future.
What is the cost of lip filler?
Lip filler costs $699 per syringe. We will not do more than a single syringe in the lips in one session.
Depending on someone’s baseline anatomy, and what they are wanting to end at, we may do several syringes of filler over 2-3 appointments. Often, we like to space these appointments a few months apart to allow the initial product to settle well, and make sure there is plenty of room.
What are the limitations of lip filler?
When it comes to lip filler, bigger is not always better
Your provider should ALWAYS be keeping natural results in mind when administering lip filler. Even if you want more volume, it doesn’t mean your provider will add more. The lip tissue is a defined area, and we cannot get greedy here. If my patient is asking for more filler, I will gently feel their lips. Pinchy, squishy tissue is a GO for more filler (assuming it will be in line with the rest of their features). If when I feel the lips and there is no give to the tissue, it’s a NO.
Sometimes we recommend additional filler in other areas to keep you looking natural and cohesive
Sometimes to add volume to the lips, we have to address additional areas to keep things looking cohesive. We need to make sure that additional volume in your lips will be in balance with the rest of your facial features.
Learn More About Facial Balancing >
For example, if a patient has a weak chin at baseline, and is looking to add lip filler, the chin will need to be treated at the same time as the lips. Even while augmenting someone’s natural features, the overall result needs to stay looking natural and appropriate.
This is similar for an older patient whose lips we are giving back their shape and structure. We don't want to put nice, youthful, refreshed lips on a patient without also addressing the shadows and fine lines immediately surrounding the mouth.
There are considerations if you've had previous filler
More often than not, if you’ve had previous lip filler, we can layer additional product over the top of it. We consider the amount and type of filler based on how much room you have to fill at that time. This may mean a “finer” product or a half syringe.
However, in SOME cases, previous filler is not your best result. Some reasons this would be the case are:
If you are overfilled
If product has migrated
If there are lumps or bumps
If the shape has been compromised
It will ALWAYS be the better outcome to DISSOLVE old filler first if the old filler does not look like you or your provider want it to. If the result isn’t good, adding more filler on top of it will not usually give you the result you’re hoping for. There are times when I will see lips with minor issues, and I can go ahead address those issues with additional volume, but that is not always the case.
If your provider is ever recommending you to dissolve, TRUST THEM. We all need a fresh start sometimes, and lip filler is the same.
Lip Flip vs. Lip Filler: Side-by-Side Comparison
With so many lip-enhancing options available, it can be tough to know which treatment will give you the results you're looking for. That's why we're comparing lip flip vs. lip filler for you. Lip flips and lip filler both create beautiful outcomes, but they work in very different ways. To help you understand which option aligns best with your goals, here’s a simple side-by-side comparison that breaks down the key differences in results, longevity, cost, and candidacy.
FEATURE | LIP FLIP | LIP FILLER |
|---|---|---|
Goal | Subtly rolls the top lip outward for a more visible upper lip when smiling; helps soften or prevent “smokers lines.” | Adds volume, structure, and hydration to the lips for fuller shape and definition at rest and in motion. |
Treatment Type | Neurotoxin (Botox, Dysport, Daxxify) | Hyaluronic Acid Filler (various brands, tailored to your needs) |
Treatment Time | About 10 minutes | About 30–45 minutes |
Comfort Level | Mild, can use ice or topical numbing | Moderate, typically uses dental block for comfort |
Results Timeline | Begins within 5–7 days; full results at 2 weeks | Immediate fullness with swelling, final shape within 1–2 weeks |
Duration of Results | Around 2 months on average | 9–12 months on average |
Downtime | None. Expect minor redness or small bumps that fade in minutes | Mild swelling or bruising for 1–3 days |
Cost Range | $45–$100 depending on dose | $699 per syringe |
Ideal For | Disappearing upper lip when smiling, mild vertical lip lines, subtle enhancement | Lack of volume, asymmetry, fine lines, or age-related lip thinning |
Prevention Benefit | Helps slow the development of deep vertical lip lines | Restores and maintains volume, structure, and hydration long-term |
Combination Option | Can be paired with lip filler for enhanced definition and smile balance | Often combined with a lip flip for added lift and natural projection |
Can You Combine a Lip Flip with Lip Filler?
So which team are you?! Team Flip or Team Filler??
The good news? We have plenty of patients who actually do lip flips and lip filler together! Lip flips will often make your lip filler result pop.
Sometimes we don’t have to choose a team, and we kind of love that, don’t we?!
Book a Lip Flip or Lip Filler Consultation in Kansas City at Horizon Med Spa
Schedule your consultation with one of Horizon Med Spa’s nurse injectors, myself (Kelly) or Emma. We’d be happy to get you started on your journey to reaching your lip goals with lip filler or a lip flip! See you soon.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lip Flip vs. Lip Fillers
What’s the main difference between a lip flip and lip filler?
A lip flip uses small units of neurotoxin to relax the orbicularis oris so the upper lip gently everts, improving smile show without adding volume. Lip filler uses hyaluronic acid gel to add volume, shape, hydration, and structure to the lips.
Who is a good candidate for a lip flip?
Ideal candidates have a disappearing upper lip when smiling, mild gum show, or early vertical “straw lines.” They want subtle definition and prevention with minimal cost, quick treatment, and short duration.
Who is a good candidate for lip filler?
Candidates want visible enhancement at rest and in motion—more volume, definition, or correction of asymmetry or perioral lines. It’s also effective for restoring age-related lip thinning and improving hydration.
How long do results last for a lip flip vs lip filler?
A lip flip typically lasts around two months due to low dosing and high muscle activity. Lip filler commonly lasts close to a year, depending on product, placement, and individual metabolism.
What is recovery like for lip flip and lip filler?
Lip flips have virtually no downtime. The treatment includes just tiny pinpricks and a brief adjustment period as the muscle relaxes. Lip filler often includes 1–3 days of swelling and possible bruising, with results settling over the following weeks.
Can a lip flip and lip filler be done together?
Yes. Combining a subtle lip flip with strategically placed filler can enhance definition, balance smile dynamics, and make results “pop” while keeping a natural, proportional look.
About Kimberly Losik
Owner of Horizon Med Spa and Wellness
Kimberly Losik, a board certified nurse practitioner, is the Founder, Owner and Medical Director of Horizon Med Spa and Wellness. Kimberly has earned multiple degrees including a bachelors in Kinesiology, a bachelors in Nursing, as well as a Masters in Nursing. For over a decade, she has earned experience in Orthopedics, Geriatrics, Internal medicine, Medical weight loss, aesthetics and anti-aging medicine.
Her passion to help patients look and feel like the best version of themselves was the foundation of Horizon Med Spa, which began in early 2020. Since then, she has attended numerous trainings, conferences and seminars to continue to offer patients the best solutions. Additionally, she is a clinical trainer for the company Inmode, an internationally recognized leader in the aesthetic industry.
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