Back Bay · Boston · Beacon Street
Botox lip flip at Forever Young Spa. 4 to 8 units. 262 Beacon Street, Suite 3.
A lip flip uses 4 to 8 units of Botox to relax the orbicularis oris at the upper lip border, rolling the lip outward for a subtle pout without adding volume. It is the lowest-unit Botox treatment — and the most technique-dependent. Duration is 6 to 8 weeks. Consultation is complimentary.
The right choice depends on whether you want volume or position change — or both.
| Lip Flip (Botox) | Lip Filler (HA) | |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanism | Botox relaxes muscle — changes lip position | Hyaluronic acid adds volume physically |
| Units / amount | 4–8 units Botox | 0.5–1 syringe HA filler |
| Duration | 6–8 weeks | 6–9 months |
| Volume added | None | Yes |
| Reversible | Yes — fades naturally | Yes — dissolved with hyaluronidase |
| Best for | Subtle pout, gummy smile, trial before filler | Volume, definition, longer-lasting enhancement |
A lip flip is a Botox treatment that relaxes the orbicularis oris muscle at the upper lip border, causing the lip to roll slightly outward and appear fuller without adding volume. It enhances the upper lip's visibility — particularly the Cupid's bow — and can reduce the appearance of a 'gummy smile' in clients who show significant gum when smiling. The effect is subtle and natural-looking.
Lip filler adds volume using hyaluronic acid — it physically enlarges the lips. A lip flip uses Botox to change lip position without adding volume — it makes existing lips appear more visible and defined. The lip flip is best for clients who want subtle enhancement without extra volume, or who want to see how more lip presence would look before committing to filler. Many clients combine both: filler for volume, lip flip for the enhanced pout effect.
A lip flip requires only 4 to 8 units of Botox — far fewer than any other Botox treatment. This makes it one of the most affordable injectable treatments. The small unit count also means the treatment is highly technique-dependent: all units are placed precisely at the upper lip border, and any asymmetry in placement is noticeable. Use an experienced injector.
Because the lip flip uses very few units targeting a small, highly mobile muscle, it typically lasts only 6 to 8 weeks — shorter than other Botox treatments. Some clients find this appropriate for a special event or as a trial before committing to filler; others find the short duration a reason to prefer lip filler instead.
The primary risk is muscle over-relaxation: too much Botox in the orbicularis oris can temporarily affect eating and drinking (difficulty with straws, spitting food), articulating certain sounds, or whistling. These effects resolve with the Botox — typically within 6 to 8 weeks. An experienced injector using conservative dosing minimizes these risks significantly. At your consultation, your injector will assess whether your anatomy is a good fit.
Yes, and it is common. Lip filler adds volume; the lip flip enhances the pout effect and can reduce a gummy smile that persists even after filler. When combining treatments, filler is typically placed first (to establish the volume) and the lip flip is added in the same session or a follow-up once swelling resolves. Your injector will sequence the treatments correctly.
262 Beacon Street, Suite 3 · Boston, MA 02116 · (617) 982-6186