Injectables
Botox Lip Flip
A small, short, subtle change — two to three months, a millimetre or two of vermilion show. Marketed as a filler alternative, which oversells it considerably.
Also called: lip flip · botox lip · upper lip flip
Verdict — mixed
Real in part — the claim outruns what it actually does.
Evidence grade C
Mechanistic plausibility, small studies, or observational data. Suggestive, not established.
Mechanism
Micro-doses into the orbicularis oris relax the muscle so the upper lip rolls slightly outward, increasing visible vermilion without adding volume.
Citations
- Botulinum toxin for upper lip eversion: technique and outcomesJournal of Cosmetic Dermatology · 2019
The full read
Evidence is limited to small series and it does what they describe: a genuine but modest eversion of the upper lip, lasting roughly half as long as botulinum toxin elsewhere because the dose is tiny. It cannot add volume, so a thin lip stays a thin lip that shows marginally more. Over-dosing produces real functional problems — difficulty with 'p' and 'b' sounds, trouble with straws, and an asymmetric smile — because this muscle is used constantly. Cheap and low-commitment, which is the actual argument for trying it before committing to filler.