An aesthetic doctor does Botox lip flips. The procedure involves a smaller amount of botulinum toxin (Botox) injected into the upper lip’s tissues to make it full and plump. This article will discuss Botox and how it works, Botox lip flips and how long it takes to see their results. Furthermore, it will also go over the benefits of Botox lip flips and the frequently asked questions.
Botulinum toxin injections area popular non-surgical cosmetic treatment for enhancing the natural appearance. A Botox lip flip is an effective treatment to enhance the appearance of the lips and help you achieve a well-defined lip shape. This non-invasive procedure involves injecting botulinum toxin into the upper lip muscles. The neurotoxin relaxes these muscles causing the upper lip to flip upward and appear fuller. A Botox lip flip doesn’t increase the volume of the lips. Still, it makes them appear fuller while maintaining the natural look. Botox lip flip results do not showimmediately like lip fillers. Most patients often begin noticing changes within the first week after the treatment. Read this article to understand more about lip flip.
What Is Botox, and How Does It Work?
Botox is a trading name for botulinum toxin (type A), derived from the bacterium Clostridium botulinum (C. botulinum). C. botulinum is naturally found in environmental settings such as lakes, forests, soil, some foods, and the intestinal tracts of animals. The bacterium, on its own, is not toxic. However, when it matures, its spores and cells transform to form botulinum toxin, which is extremely poisonous. Dutta et al. (2016) indicated that a single gram of botulinum toxin, if evenly dispersed and inhaled, could kill more than one million people. Botulinum toxin is responsible for causing botulism. Manufacturers of the neurotoxin use minute doses of highly purified botulinum toxin to make it safe to be used in therapeutic contexts.
A neurotoxin acts entirely on the nervous system. Botulinum toxin disrupts nerve signal processes responsible for causing dynamic muscle movements and contractions. The brain releases a neurotransmitter known as acetylcholine to the neuromuscular terminals causing the surrounding muscles to contract. Constant muscle contraction results in skin wrinkling and other medical issues related to the neuromuscular system. Once you receive a botulinum toxin injection, the neurotoxin blocks the release of acetylcholine (Andersson, 2017). This causes the muscles around the injected area to relax temporarily and become less stiff. As a result, the appearance of dynamic wrinkles and fine lines in the injected area gradually diminishes until they disappear completely. The effects of the anti-wrinkle treatment last 3 to 6 months, depending on factors such as the area of injection. The amount of botulinum toxin injected is based on factors such asbody metabolism rate. Patients who wish to maintain their results can always go for top-up injections at least once every 3 to 6 months when the effects of Botox begin to wear off.
What Is a Botox Lip Flip?
A Botox lip flip is a non-surgical procedure where the aesthetic practitioner injects botulinum toxin into the lips to make them look fuller. According to Teixeira et al. (2021), a lip flip involves the injection of botulinum neurotoxin type A along the vermillion border to improve lip contour, eversion and fullness.
Botulinum toxin treatment relaxes the upper lip muscles making the lip slightly “flip” upwards and appear fuller than normal. Although a lip flip makes the lip appear larger or fuller, the procedure does not add extra volume to the lips. The procedure takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes. The aesthetic doctor injects botulinum toxin into the cupid’s bow and the corners of the upper lip.
The primary effect of botulinum toxin lip flips is to relax the orbicularis oris musclefound in the upper lip, allowing the lip to curve outwards. This gives a subtly fuller and more prominent lip shape. The orbicularis oris muscle stimulates tension and dynamic movements in the lips. Once botulinum toxin is injected, the muscle becomes weak, and the upper lip flips upwards, giving an illusion of fuller and plumper lips.
How Long Does It Take to See the Results of a Botox Lip Flip?
Patients can notice changes within a few days after the procedure. The full effect of a botox lip flip is seen approximately 10 to 14 days after the procedure. Like other non-surgical cosmetic treatments, botox lip flips are temporary. Their effects last about 2 to 3 months because the amount of Botox injected into the lips is minimal. Once patients notice the effects are wearing off, they can always have top-up treatments to maintain their desired results.
Benefits of a Botox Lip Flip
A botox lip flip is among the most popular aesthetic treatments for clients seeking a more natural way to enhance the appearance of their lips. Botulinum toxin treatment subtly adds fullness and reduces the appearance of vertical lip lines that occur above the upper lip. Vertical lip lines, also known as smoker’s lines, often start as fine lines but gradually develop into noticeable deep wrinkles. A Botox lip flip relaxes the orbicularis oris muscles and smoothens these wrinkles, making the skin refreshed and youthful.
Many clients feel like their upper lip is thin whenever they smile, creating a gummy smile. A gummy smile shows off more gum than lips when you smile. A Botox lip flip helps reduce gummy smiles by minimizing the amount of gum that shows off whenever you smile. Although the lip flip procedure doesn’t change how you smile, it always provides a plumper upper lip that minimizes the appearance of gums when you smile.
Other Benefits of a Botox Lip Flip
- There is no downtime needed after the procedure. Patients can return to their normal activities immediately after the procedure.
- The lip flip treatment is temporary. Kwonet al. (2019) explained that the effects of botulinum toxin start to wear off 3 to 6 months after the procedure.
- Lip flip procedures are cheap and affordable compared to lip augmentation procedures, such as lip fillers.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lip Flips
Who Is a Good Candidate for Botox Lip Flip Treatment?
Clients who choose to have lip flips hope to have full and plumper lips without dermal fillers. Also, clients with gummy smiles and thin upper lips when they smile can opt for lip flip treatments.
Can I Get a Botox Lip Flip While Pregnant?
There is still no robust evidence on whether botox lip flip is safe during pregnancy. Therefore, many aesthetic practitioners do not recommend the treatment for pregnant clients.
How Long Does a Botox Lip Flip Last?
Lip flips results are temporary. These effects are likely to last up to 3 months. A Botox lip flip may not be a suitable option for clients looking for permanent solutions to enhance the appearance of their lips. Those who wish to maintain their desired effects for a longer period often go for a top-up injection after 2 to 3 months when the effects of Botox start to wear off.
Conclusion
A Botox lip flip is a cosmetic procedure where the aesthetic practitioner injects botulinum toxin into the muscles just above the upper lip. Botox relaxes orbicularis oris muscles causing the upper lip to flip upward. This makes the lips appear fuller and plumper. While dermal fillers (lip fillers) add volume to the lips, Botox lip flips give a fuller lips illusion. Patients often start seeing botox lip flip results within the first week after the procedure. While the procedure has its downsides, you must get it done by a reputable and highly qualified aesthetic practitioner to minimize the risks of unwanted effects and complications.
References
Andersson, G., & Chen, J. (2017). O28: Botulinum toxin A blocks the release of acetylcholine from tendon cells–A novel role for botox in treating tendinopathy?. Hosted by, 27.
Dutta, S. R., Passi, D., Singh, M., Singh, P., Sharma, S., & Sharma, A. (2016). Botulinum toxin the poison that heals: A brief review. National journal of maxillofacial surgery, 7(1), 10.
Kwon, K. H., Shin, K. S., Yeon, S. H., & Kwon, D. G. (2019). Application of botulinum toxin in maxillofacial field: part I. Bruxism and square jaw. Maxillofacial plastic and reconstructive surgery, 41(1), 1-13.
Teixeira, J. C., Ostrom, J. Y., Hohman, M. H., & Nuara, M. J. (2021). Botulinum Toxin Type-A for Lip Augmentation:“Lip Flip”. Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, 32(3), e273-e275.
GP
The work of a family doctor includes a wide range of clinical diversity, which requires extensive knowledge and erudition from a specialist. However, I believe that the most important thing for a family doctor is to be human because the cooperation and understanding between the doctor and the patient are crucial in ensuring successful health care. On my days off, I love being in nature. Since childhood, I have been passionate about playing chess and tennis. Whenever I have time off, I enjoy traveling around the world.
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