What You Need To Know About Lip Fillers: Discover The Benefits & Disadvantages

Everything You Need To Know About Lip Flip

A Lip Flip is one of the leading cosmetic procedures in the market nowadays. It works by using botulinum toxin in altering the physical natural shape of the upper lip without using any dermal fillers.

This happens when a clinician is injecting a small amount of the toxin into your orbicularis oris muscle which then circles the mouth. These toxins will be able to relax your muscle fibres which would normally keep the lip tucked tight against your teeth.

Through the relaxation of this muscle, your upper lip will roll slightly upward and outward. This will make more of the vermillion which is the pink part of the lip more visible. This leads to creating an illusion of a fuller lip without changing your lip’s actual structure.

The Benefits of a Lip Flip

• Very Subtle and Natural Looking: It is the best option for people who are looking for a refreshed instead of having a dramatic structural change. It is specifically effective for people whose upper lip actually disappears whenever they smile.
• Relatively Quick and Minimally Invasive: The actual injection process of this treatment would only take less than 10 minutes. This makes it the best treatment for those busy individuals who want to squeeze in a procedure during their everyday routine. Since it is minimally invasive and quick, there is virtually no downtime. This will allow the majority of the people to return to their routine immediately.
• Lower Cost For Each Session: This procedure will only require a very few units of botulinum toxin which is typically around 2 to 6 units. If you are looking for a procedure that will give you a lower cost for each session, then this treatment is significantly more affordable per session compared to having a full syringe of dermal filler.

The Disadvantages of a Lip Flip

• Shorter Duration Of Results: This would normally happen because your mouth is highly active. Your body will metabolize the toxin quickly in the lip area. This is why results would typically last for only 2 to 4 months. If you want to achieve the same result for a longer period of time, you might be required to have more frequent maintenance instead of fillers.
• It Has No Actual Volume: It is very essential to understand that a Lip Flip will not give you plump lips. If you are a person who has very thin lips or wanting to have a significant increase in size, then this procedure might not actually provide you the lip projection that you are aiming for.
• Manage Your Expectations: If you are looking for a dramatic structural change then this is not for you because the result of this procedure is extremely subtle. You’ll not experience any pouty look for this one. It will only enhance your existing shape and not dramatically change your lip’s shape.

Everything You Need To Know About Lip Fillers

How It Works

Compared with Lip Flip which is a best option in relaxing the muscles, a lip filler typically involves the physical injection of a gel-like substance in providing more defined structural changes.

• Hyaluronic Acid Base: The majority of modern fillers nowadays like Juvéderm or Restylane are commonly made of hyaluronic acid. It is a sugar molecule which is naturally found in your body which can actually hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water.
• Volume and Hydration: Once it is injected, the HA gel will immediately add physical volume to the area while simultaneously attracting moisture. This will significantly improve the sheen and hydration of your lip tissue.

Read more: What You Need To Know About Lip Filler Before Booking

The Benefits of Lip Fillers

• You’ll Notice Fullness & Definition: Compared with Lip Flip, when you undergo a filler treatment, you’d be able to notice a dramatic transformation to your lips. This could actually sharpen out your Cupid’s bow, create a crisp vermilion border in your lips, and significantly add pout and projection.
• Customisable Outcomes Depending On What You Want: By consulting a skilled practitioner, they can actually tailor the treatment according to your specific anatomy. So whether you just want a subtle plump or a dramatic significant volume, you can achieve it through lip fillers.
• Correction of Asymmetry: Lip Fillers are the best options and highly effective if you are looking for a treatment that will balance an uneven lips or restore the lip’s volume lost due to ageing or smoking.

The Disadvantages of Lip Fillers

• The Recovery Timeline & Cost: Lip Filler’s initial cost is relatively higher because you are paying for the product syringe which typically costs around $500–$800 and above. On the other hand, its recovery would also take longer compared with Lip Flip that has minimal to no downtime. After your treatment, it will require you to rest for 3 to 7 days for the initial swelling and for the firmness to settle.
• Temporary Side Effects: You might experience possible side effects like bruising and swelling which are very common with fillers so don’t need to worry. Some patients have also reported that they feel small, temporary lumps while the product is integrating in their natural tissue.
• These are only rare but there would be some serious risks: Because fillers actually involve filling space, there is a possible risk of vascular occlusion wherein the filler might accidentally block a blood vessel. If this happens, you need to see a doctor immediately as this is considered as a medical emergency. Make sure that your doctor has the expert knowledge and experience in immediately dissolving the filler using hyaluronidase.

Read more: Lip Filler Dissolving 

The Differences Between Lip Fillers & Lip Flips

• Primary Function: A Lip Flip works by using a botulinum toxin in relaxing the upper lip muscle for a subtle and upward roll results while Lip Fillers work by using hyaluronic acid gel in physically adding volume and a more structural definition.
• Longevity of Results: Lip Flip results are only temporary which would typically last for about 2–4 months. This is due to high muscle activity around your mouth. However, lip Fillers are significantly more durable which generally would last between 6–12 months.
• Cost Efficiency: A Lip Flip is actually less expensive for each session because it will only require a few units of toxin. Compared with Lip Fillers, these typically have a higher upfront cost as you are actually paying for the dermal filler product for each syringe.
• Recovery and Downtime: Since Lip Flips are minimally invasive, it has minimal to zero downtime giving you almost no visible swelling. Lip Fillers would often involve mild swelling or bruising which could take around 3–7 days for a full recovery.

The Aftercare for Best Results

Lip Flip Aftercare

To fully ensure that the botulinum toxin actually settles correctly into your orbicularis oris muscle, there are aftercare processes that you need to follow for the first 24 hours.

• Avoiding Any Strenuous Activity: You must refrain from doing any heavy exercise or inverted yoga poses. This is because increased blood flow could possibly cause the toxin to migrate to other unintended muscles.
• Refrain From Touching the Area: You should avoid rubbing or massaging your lips. You should also try remaining an upright position for at least four hours after the injections.
• Avoid Straws: You’d only do this for the first day, you should avoid drinking through a straw or whistling. Because these repetitive muscles could actually cause contractions which can interfere with how the flip will develop.

Lip Filler Aftercare

Because fillers actually involve physical volume and include a higher risk of swelling, the aftercare for this treatment focuses on managing the possible inflammation.

• Ice Compresses: You should apply a clean, cold compress to your lips for every 10 minutes in every hour during the first evening of your treatment. This is to minimise any possible swelling and bruising.
• Avoid Heat & Alcohol: You should refrain from going to saunas, steam rooms, and hot showers for at least 48 hours. You should also avoid consuming any alcohol as this could cause thinning the blood and can actually exacerbate bruising.
• Sleep Elevated: It would help to use an extra pillow in order to keep your head elevated on the first night. This will help you reduce any initial fluid which might buildup in the lip tissue.

Conclusion

Ultimately, choosing between a Lip Flip and Lip Filler will actually depend on your personal desire when it comes to the improvement of your lips. While a Lip Flip will give you a natural, budget-friendly refresh lip look by relaxing your upper lip muscle, Lip Fillers can actually provide the structural support and necessary hydration that will give you a more defined and long-lasting pout that you might actually mean to have. Each smile dynamic and facial anatomy is unique, that is why consulting with a certified UK medical specialist is a must before choosing any treatment to do. Make sure that your chosen clinician can provide a tailored assessment and ensure that your treatment will be performed safely and effectively according to your needs.