A lip flip and lip filler are both injectable lip treatments, but one changes how the lip sits at rest; the other adds volume.
A lip flip uses a small amount of Botox (applied off-label to the muscle around the upper lip) to cause it to roll slightly outward and appear fuller without adding any material volume. Lip filler uses hyaluronic acid gel to add volume directly to the lip tissue.
The two treatments address different concerns, which is why the right choice depends on what the patient's lips actually need.
Below, we cover how each treatment works, who each suits, the key differences, whether they can be combined, and what to expect at an appointment at Anne Therese.
A lip flip is an off-label application of Botox that limits contraction of the orbicularis oris, the muscle that encircles the lips, causing the upper lip to roll gently outward and appear more prominent.
The neuromodulators used for this technique include Botox (onabotulinumtoxinA) and Dysport (abobotulinumtoxinA); both are applied off-label when used specifically for a lip flip.
At Anne Therese, lip flip treatments are performed by licensed medical professionals under the supervision of Dr. Anne Therese Stubbs, MD. The injection places a small amount along Cupid's bow and the corners of the mouth.
As the muscle's ability to contract diminishes over the following days, the upper lip rolls forward slightly. Results typically develop within five to seven days and last two to three months.
The result is not added volume; it is a change in lip position. Lips that curl inward or disappear when the patient smiles often appear fuller after a lip flip without any filler placed.
Lip filler adds volume to the lips using hyaluronic acid (HA) gel, a substance naturally present in the body's connective tissue that integrates predictably and can be dissolved if the result needs adjustment.
The provider selects a product based on the patient's lip structure and goals: softer formulations for subtle volume, more structured products for border definition, and Cupid's bow shaping.
At Anne Therese, lip filler is performed with FDA-approved HA products from the Juvederm and Restylane lines, including Juvederm Volbella XC, Juvederm Ultra XC, Restylane Kysse, and Restylane Silk.
Results are visible immediately, though the final settled appearance takes two to four weeks as swelling resolves. Lip filler typically lasts six to twelve months, depending on the product used, the amount placed, and the individual patient's metabolism.
Both treatments address concerns that patients often notice most in photos: the upper lip disappearing when smiling, lack of definition along the vermilion border (the line where the lip meets the surrounding skin), or asymmetry between the upper and lower lip.
A lip flip improves how the lip looks without adding physical volume. Lip filler adds volume directly.
Patients who want their upper lip to show more when smiling may get what they want from a flip alone. Patients who want a fuller, more defined lip at rest and in motion typically need filler.
Neither treatment requires significant downtime, and both are completed in a single appointment, though both call for a short window of activity precautions afterward (covered in the appointment section below).
A lip flip suits patients whose upper lip rolls inward or disappears when they smile, or those who want a subtle result without committing to added volume.
It is also a common choice for patients who:
Lip filler suits patients who want more volume, a defined vermilion border, or correction of lip asymmetry.
It is appropriate for patients who:
The provider assesses lip structure, symmetry, and the patient's goals before recommending one treatment over another.
Yes. Combining the two is common: the flip limits muscle contraction so the upper lip rolls outward and stays visible when smiling; filler adds the volume and definition that the flip cannot.
The combination works especially well when a lip tends to roll inward in motion. Filler adds the volume; the flip keeps it visible.
At Anne Therese, combined treatment plans are built at the consultation. The provider evaluates the lips at rest and in motion, considers the anatomical starting point, and confirms whether the patient's goals are better served by one treatment or both.
Both treatments are completed in a single visit and begin with a lip assessment before any product is placed.
For a lip flip:
For lip filler:
After either treatment, patients avoid pressure on the lip area, strenuous exercise, and significant heat for 24 to 48 hours.
Both treatments generally carry a low risk profile when performed by a licensed medical professional who assesses anatomy and medical history before proceeding, though no injectable is entirely risk-free.
A lip flip carries functional side effects rather than cosmetic ones. Some patients find it harder to sip through a straw, whistle, or form certain sounds in the first week or two as the muscle adjusts. These resolve on their own as the Botox settles.
Lip filler typically causes swelling and mild bruising at the injection sites, most of which clears within two to seven days. Asymmetry or uneven texture, when they occur, can be corrected at a follow-up.
Both treatments are deferred during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Active infection at the injection site, allergy to formulation components, relevant bleeding conditions, and, for the lip flip, active neuromuscular conditions are all screened at the consultation. Patients should disclose their full medical history and current medications before either treatment.
Dr. Anne Therese Stubbs, MD, Founder and Medical Director, oversees all injectable lip treatments at Anne Therese. Her 14 years in emergency medicine before founding the practice inform the patient screening and clinical protocols used across all four locations.
Yes. Both treatments produce measurable, visible changes to the lip through different mechanisms.
A lip flip works because it physically changes the resting position of the upper lip. Patients who book it for a disappearing upper lip consistently see the upper lip stay visible more of the time when smiling. A gummy smile is often reduced as well, because limiting muscle contraction also limits how far the lip retracts when smiling.
Lip filler works because HA gel directly occupies space in the lip tissue. Volume, border definition, and lip asymmetry are addressed by where the product is placed and how much is used. The result depends mainly on placement and product choice rather than skin type, though how long it lasts still varies by individual metabolism, as noted above.
Both deliver visible results from a single appointment with no significant downtime. Which one is worth it depends on what the patient is trying to change.
A lip flip is the lower-commitment option. It suits patients who want their upper lip to show more when smiling, without adding volume or starting with filler. For patients new to injectables, it is a practical first step.
Lip filler is worth it when the goal is lasting volume and definition. For patients with thin lips or volume that has diminished with age, the six- to twelve-month duration and reversibility with hyaluronidase make it a practical long-term option.
Lip flip and lip filler work through different mechanisms, and the right choice is not always obvious before a provider sees the lip in person.
The upper lip's resting position, how much it rolls inward when smiling, and the patient's actual volume goals all factor into the recommendation.
At Anne Therese, Dr. Anne Therese Stubbs, MD, and her team perform injectable lip treatments across all four locations. The consultation starts with the lip, not the treatment. Book a lip treatment consultation at the Lewis Center, Gahanna, Cape Coral, or Bonita Springs location.
Yes. A lip flip limits the orbicularis oris muscle's range of contraction rather than stopping it entirely, so smiling remains natural. Some patients notice a slight change in how certain expressions feel during the first week or two as the muscle settles, but full smile function is not affected. The result is an upper lip that rolls slightly outward, which typically makes it more visible when smiling, not less.
Lip filler typically lasts six to twelve months, depending on the product used, the amount placed, and the individual patient's metabolism. Softer formulations placed in higher-movement areas tend toward the shorter end of that range.
Yes. Both are commonly combined with other injectable treatments in a single visit. Lip filler can be combined with dermal filler for other facial concerns, such as nasolabial folds or volume loss in the mid-face. The provider confirms at the consultation which treatments are appropriate to combine and in what order.
Yes. Hyaluronic acid lip filler can be dissolved with hyaluronidase if the result needs adjustment. The filler begins to break down within 24 to 48 hours, with full settling over seven to fourteen days. The lip flip is not reversible on demand; it wears off naturally over two to three months.
