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A lip flip is a non-surgical lip enhancement that uses botulinum toxin (e.g., Botox, Dysport, or other) to relax the orbicularis oris muscle surrounding the upper lip. When this muscle partially relaxes, the upper lip border rolls slightly outward, a movement called eversion. The result is a more visible lip surface, particularly around the cupid's bow and vermilion border. Injections are placed at precise points along the upper lip and take only minutes to perform. No volume is added. The lip flip creates the appearance of a fuller lip through repositioning, not augmentation.
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The distinction between a lip flip and lip filler comes down to mechanism and outcome. A lip flip uses botulinum toxin to relax the muscle and lift the lip border, producing a subtle enhancement without added volume. A lip filler uses hyaluronic acid to physically add volume, reshape contours, and correct asymmetry. Duration also differs: a lip flip lasts two to four months on average, while hyaluronic acid filler typically lasts six to twelve months. Cost per session is lower for a lip flip, though the shorter interval means more frequent maintenance visits over time.
The lip flip suits patients seeking a subtle, natural change rather than dramatic volume. Ideal candidates include those whose upper lip visually disappears when smiling, those with a mild-to-moderate gummy smile (excessive gingival display), and those whose upper lip border curls inward during expression. Patients who prefer to start with a low-commitment aesthetic injectable often find the lip flip a comfortable first step. It is not recommended during pregnancy or nursing. Patients wanting clearly fuller, more voluminous lips are better served by hyaluronic acid filler.
A lip flip typically requires four to six units of botulinum toxin (e.g., Botox, Dysport, or other) injected across four precise points on the upper lip. First effects appear within three to seven days as the orbicularis oris begins to relax. The peak result becomes visible around days 10 to 14, when the upper lip reaches its fullest eversion. Duration averages two to four months, varying by individual muscle metabolism and activity level. To sustain the effect, most patients return every three to four months for a maintenance session.
Honest expectations matter. In the days following a lip flip, some patients experience temporary difficulty drinking through a straw, whistling, or precisely forming certain sounds. These effects typically resolve within days to two weeks as the muscle adapts. Mild swelling, bruising, or tenderness at the injection points is common and short-lived. If botulinum toxin is placed imprecisely or dosed too high, over-relaxation can affect lip movement until the effect wears off. Unlike hyaluronic acid filler, a lip flip cannot be reversed with an enzyme. The effect must simply fade on its own.
Clinique Main d'Or, a medico-aesthetic clinic in Montreal, offers lip flip treatments using botulinum toxin (e.g., Botox, Dysport, or other) under the supervision of experienced professionals. Mirna Saadé, nurse clinician since 1987 and member of the OIIQ, oversees treatment protocols tailored to each patient's lip anatomy and goals. Every lip flip begins with a personalized evaluation to assess candidacy, determine the appropriate unit count, and set realistic expectations. The clinic's approach prioritizes precision and natural results aligned with your facial proportions.
Lip flip pricing is unit-based: the per-unit cost of botulinum toxin multiplied by the number of units used. At Clinique Main d'Or, botulinum toxin (e.g., Botox, Dysport, or others) is priced at 9-11 CAD per unit. Most lip flip patients require four to six units, making the total cost modest compared to a hyaluronic acid filler session. Factors that influence the final amount include the number of units your professional recommends and the complexity of the treatment plan. Full transparent pricing is available on the clinic's pricing page.
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