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If you’ve been researching lip treatments, you’ve likely come across the terms lip flip and lip filler. They’re both injectable, both quick, and both popular — but they do very different things.
In our clinic, the conversation always starts with this: What’s the problem you’re trying to solve?
Are your lips disappearing when you smile?
Do you want more structure, shape, or volume?
Are you looking for something subtle — or something with more definition?
The answer to those questions will determine whether a lip flip or filler (or sometimes both) is the right approach.
Let’s look at what each treatment actually does — not the trend, not the hype — just the function, the outcomes, and who they’re suited for.
Lip Enhancement: A Brief Look at What’s Possible
When we talk about lip enhancement— whether through injectables or non-invasive rejuvenation —, we’re usually addressing one of the following:
- Not enough visible pink in the upper lip
- Lack of structure or flatness in the lip border
- Asymmetry between the right and left sides
- Volume loss with age
- A desire for better proportions between the top and bottom lip
What matters is not just how the lips look in isolation, but how they move and fit into the rest of your face. We assess things like dental show, smile pattern, philtrum length, and facial profile before recommending anything.
Lip Flip: What It Actually Does
A lip flip uses a very small amount of Botox (typically 4–8 units) injected above the upper lip to relax the muscle that pulls the lip inward.
It doesn’t change the structure of the lip. What it does is change how the lip moves. If your upper lip disappears when you smile — either curling inward or revealing too much gum — this procedure can help it stay relaxed and gently rolled out.
There’s no added volume. No filler. Just muscle relaxation.
Who Benefits from a Lip Flip?
- People whose upper lip tucks under when they smile
- Clients with a strong orbicularis oris muscle (you can see the tension in the lip)
- Those who want a very subtle enhancement and aren’t ready for filler
- Patients with a low-to-moderate gummy smile
What It Doesn’t Do
- It doesn’t plump the lip
- It doesn’t build structure or definition
- It doesn’t correct asymmetry or aging around the mouth
The effect wears off in 6 to 8 weeks, which makes it a good trial for first-timers. But it does need upkeep.
Lip Filler: What You’re Really Getting
Lip filler uses hyaluronic acid — a soft, gel-like substance your body naturally produces — to physically build volume and shape in the lips.
Unlike the lip flip, filler actually changes the structure of your lips. It can lift a flat border, round out the body of the lip, define the cupid’s bow, and correct proportion imbalances.
At Philosophy of Beauty, we use advanced injection techniques to work with the natural architecture of your lips — not against it. That means knowing where to add support, where to soften, and where to leave things alone.
What Lip Filler Can Address:
- Naturally thin lips
- Loss of volume due to aging
- Poor definition at the border or corners
- Asymmetry (common in the upper lip)
- Clients who want a noticeable result that still looks natural
What to Expect:
- Mild swelling for 1–3 days
- Immediate results that improve as swelling resolves
- Results that last 6 to 12 months depending on metabolism and product used
- The ability to build over time for those who want gradual change
Lip filler is not about chasing trends. Done properly, it should look like it belongs on your face — not like you “had your lips done.”
Comparing Lip Flip vs Lip Filler: Two Very Different Tools
| Lip Flip | Lip Filler | |
|---|---|---|
| Substance Used | Botox (neuromodulator) | Hyaluronic Acid Gel |
| Main Effect | Muscle relaxation for shape lift | Volume, structure, and contour |
| Volume Added | None | Yes |
| Onset of Results | 5–10 days | Immediate |
| Duration | 6–8 weeks | 6–12 months |
| Downtime | None | Mild swelling (1–3 days) |
| Cost | $150–$250 CAD | $500–$800 CAD |
| Best For | Lip rolls inward / gummy smile | Lip lacks fullness or structure |
Can You Combine Them?
Yes — and often, it’s the ideal approach.
We frequently treat clients who need a small amount of filler to add shape and projection, along with a lip flip to control muscle movement. The two work well together when carefully balanced.
What About Safety?
Both treatments are considered safe and well-tolerated when performed by trained medical professionals.
Lip Flip Risks:
- Temporary difficulty with drinking from a straw
- Slight changes in speech if overdosed
- Headache (rare)
- Unintended spreading of Botox lip flip into surrounding muscle (also rare)
Lip Filler Risks:
- Bruising, swelling, tenderness
- Lumps (usually temporary)
- Asymmetry (correctable)
- Vascular occlusion — rare, but serious, which is why it’s critical your provider understands lip anatomy and injection safety protocols
At Philosophy of Beauty, all injections are performed by experienced nurses and medical professionals with advanced training in facial anatomy. We also use techniques like aspiration, cannula placement, and slow injection to minimize risk.
Recovery and Maintenance
Lip Flip:
- No real downtime
- Final result appears after about 10 days
- Repeat every 6–8 weeks if desired
Lip Filler:
- Swelling and mild bruising for 1–3 days
- Avoid intense heat, pressure, and alcohol immediately after
- Maintenance once or twice per year
What We Recommend at Philosophy of Beauty
There is no universal “best” option. There is only what suits your face, your goals, and your tolerance for upkeep.
We start with an evaluation of your lip movement at rest and in motion, your proportions, and your facial dynamics. From there, we design a plan that’s conservative, precise, and aligned with the overall balance of your features.
“Most people don’t want bigger lips. They want better lips. That might mean more definition, a lifted upper lip, or soft volume at the centre. The work should never be obvious. It should just look right.”
— Dinara Shakirova, RN, BSCN
Ready to Find the Right Fit?
Whether you’re considering your first injectable or refining what you’ve had before, we’ll help you navigate your options with honesty and clarity. Explore what Philosophy of Beauty can design for your unique features.
We’ll help you decide what makes the most sense — for your lips, and for your face.
