Editor's pick
Cover photo
The lip flip uses 2–4 units of Botox to relax the orbicularis oris muscle, allowing the upper lip to roll slightly outward. No filler. No added volume. Just a more defined Cupid's bow and less "disappearing lip" when you smile. It costs a fraction of lip filler and lasts 6–8 weeks.
The orbicularis oris is the circular muscle that surrounds the mouth. When it's at normal tone, it curls slightly inward at the lip border — which is why many people find their upper lip "disappears" when they smile or talk. 2–4 units of Botox placed in specific points along the upper lip border partially relaxes this muscle, allowing the lip to roll outward and expose more of the pink lip tissue.
The result: a more defined Cupid's bow, a slightly fuller appearance when the lip is at rest (the outward roll shows more surface area), and significantly reduced "lip disappearing" when smiling. What does NOT happen: no volume addition, no change to the lip shape or proportions, no significant size change. If you want a visibly larger lip, you want filler, not a flip.
The lip flip is also used therapeutically: reducing the height of a gummy smile (by relaxing the upper lip's elevator muscles) and softening vertical lip lines that form at the vermilion border. In these applications, the dose and injection points differ from a purely cosmetic flip.
Last updated · May 2026 · 28 DHA-licensed Dubai clinics
Yes — when done conservatively, a lip flip is virtually undetectable to others. The change is subtle: your upper lip appears slightly more defined and doesn't disappear as completely when you smile. Most patients report that friends notice they "look good" without being able to identify what changed. The risk of an unnatural result is low at 2–4 units — far lower than the risk of overfilled filler. The main side effect to be aware of: at higher doses (6+ units), some patients find it temporarily harder to pronounce certain letters (P, B, M) or to drink from a straw. At a conservative dose, this is rare.
Yes, with one short-term consideration. For the first 24–48 hours, when the Botox is actively binding to the muscle receptors, avoid pursing or strenuous lip use (whistling, playing a wind instrument, drinking from a straw). Normal eating and drinking is fine. After 48 hours, there are no restrictions. The relaxation effect reaches its peak at 5–7 days, at which point you may notice that very hot liquids feel slightly different as the upper lip has less active muscle tone — this is normal and resolves at the 6–8 week mark when the effect wears off.
Tell us what you're hoping to change and we'll recommend which treatment — or which combination — actually achieves it.
Get matched on WhatsApp