I got a ‘lip flip’ to hide my gummy smile

I’ve been lusting after fuller lips for as long as I can remember, and this year I decided it was high time I did something about it. Lip filler is off the table for now as I have the pain tolerance of a two-year-old (plus, $200 hundred dollars to top it up every three months is way out of my price range). 

During my investigations, I stumbled upon a procedure I’d never heard of before - the lip flip. Despite its intense name, it seemed like a good alternative for me so I reached out to Georgie Mills, a cosmetic nurse from Skin Boost Clinics to get more information. 

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What is a lip flip?

“The lip flip is a really simple and effective procedure using Botox in the top lip,” Georgie explained. 

“Botox can be used to subtlety shape up the lips to create a poutier look. The toxin gives lips a subtle pout by literally flipping out the lip line and rolling the lip outwards.” 

But it’s important not to confuse the procedure with lip filler. 

 “It is a different treatment and doesn’t provide the same results,” Georgie said. 

“Filler adds volume, which increases the size and definition of the lips, while [botox] relaxes the muscles around the mouth, and rolls the lip outward, creating the illusion of a bigger lip. The lip flip is a more subtle result than filler.”

My lips before:

I don’t love the way my top lip goes into hiding when I smile. While I’m happy with the shape, I’d like them to be just a touch poutier.

I asked Georgie what kind wrong of person would be suited to a lip flip. “It’s sometimes better for a client who is new to injectables and concerned fillers will change the shape of their lips too much,” she said. 

“It’s also a good choice for someone not wanting volume, rather a slight poutiness to the top lip.”

That was exactly what I was looking for, so I plucked up some courage and booked in to see Georgie and get the flip.

During the procedure:

To kick things off we Facetimed Skin Boost’s off-site doctor to get the go-ahead, and then we got straight down to the procedure. 

As previously mentioned, my pain-tolerance is non-existent. I’m not a fan of needles (is anyone?), but Georgie assured me the pain would be no worse than a lip pimple. This didn’t reassure me because I find lip pimples excruciating (I know, I’m pathetic), but I found the procedure pretty much pain-free. If I had to compare pain levels I’d say it was pretty on par with a brow wax (and a million times less painful than a Brazillian). 

Georgie injected Botox in four different sites just above my top lip, as you can see in the photo below. It’s not necessary to inject the bottom lip. 

All up, I was in the clinic for no more than 10 minutes, with the procedure taking about two. 

Immediately after the procedure:

I was initially paranoid I was getting weird looks from people on my way back to the office, so I took out my phone to take a photo of my lips to make sure nothing looked off. I was happy to see no traces of the procedure.

The final verdict

While undoubtedly subtle, I am so happy with the results. I wanted something so natural that no one would notice I’d had anything done, and no one did (until I pointed it out). When my lips are relaxed, there’s not much of a difference, but my gummy grin is nowhere to be seen when I smile. 

I started feeling the botox kick in on about day four when I was struggling to purse my lips to sip from my coffee cup. It wasn’t unpleasant at all, just an odd feeling. 

On day six, I could start to see a visible difference. This is how they looked on day seven when compared to before…

(left to right: before, after one week)

(left to right: before, after one week)

I’m so happy with my results from the flip, and I’ll definitely be getting it done again when it wears off. 

If you’re still unsure, the results only last for about four months and the procedure costs about $30 so you won’t be breaking the bank. 

Would you get the lip flip?