Lip Flip Consultation
Turn the upper lip out slightly for a fuller-looking smile, with no filler.
- Treatment time
- About 5 to 10 minutes
- Results
- Early softening after 2–3 days; the full result shows by around 2 weeks
- Longevity
- Usually 3–4 months
- Downtime
- None
About Lip Flip
This page is about a consultation for lines and wrinkles. John works out what's behind them — muscle movement, loss of volume or the condition of your skin — and explains every option that could suit you. That might mean skin boosters, dermal filler, microneedling or skincare, as well as a prescription treatment. A prescription treatment is only ever prescribed once our nurse prescriber has assessed you face to face, and it may not be the right choice for you.
In a lip flip, a few tiny injections along the edge of the upper lip relax the muscle that rolls the lip inwards. Once that muscle has eased, the upper lip turns out a little, revealing more of its pink and making your smile look fuller — with no added volume.
It's a gentle alternative to lip filler and can also help a 'gummy' smile, where the upper lip rises high above the teeth.
Key Benefits
- 01A fuller-looking upper lip without filler
- 02May soften a gummy smile
- 03Tiny doses in a short appointment
- 04A gentle change that looks natural
- 05Little downtime
- 06Works by itself or together with lip enhancement
Is this treatment right for me?
A lip flip is a good choice if you'd like a gentle boost to your upper lip, if your upper lip seems to vanish as you smile, or if you show a lot of gum. It adds no volume, so if you want a clearly fuller lip, filler may be the better option — John will advise.
You may be suitable if…
- Your upper lip looks thin or turns inwards when you smile
- You want a gentle change, not extra volume
- You'd like to soften a gummy smile
- You aren't pregnant or breastfeeding
Your consultation will consider…
- How strongly the muscles in the area work and the way they move
- Whether you can see the lines when your face is still, or only when you make an expression
- Your health history, current medication and any treatments you've had before
- What's realistic, and how the result will sit with the rest of your face
What to expect
Before treatment
Your first step is always a face-to-face consultation with John. He watches how your face moves, listens to what you'd like to change, talks through what a natural-looking result means for you, and goes through your medical history. As this is a prescription-only treatment, it can only be prescribed once our nurse prescriber has assessed you in person. You don't need to prepare in any special way, although coming without heavy make-up over the area is helpful.
During treatment
The appointment doesn't take long. John marks out the treatment points and then uses a fine needle to place a series of tiny injections into the muscle being treated. Most clients feel a short pinch or sting rather than real pain, and numbing isn't usually needed. Including time to go over your aftercare, you'll typically be with us for around 15–20 minutes.
After treatment
You're free to leave and get on with your day as soon as we've finished. Little raised bumps can show where the needle went in for 15–20 minutes, and now and then there's some redness or a tiny bruise. Because the muscle eases off gradually across the next few days, don't expect to see a difference straight away.
Watch
See this treatment in the clinic, in short videos on John’s aesthetics site, Trusted Touch Aesthetics.
Watch 9 videos →Results & longevity
The muscle normally starts to ease off two to three days after your appointment, and the complete result shows at about two weeks — the point at which we review it and fine-tune if needed. You can usually expect three to four months before movement slowly returns. The length of time varies with the area, the dose, the strength of the muscle and your metabolism, and people who exercise a lot sometimes find it fades slightly faster. Once movement comes back you can plan another treatment, and some people find their lines become softer over time with repeat treatments.
Recovery, side effects & aftercare
When it comes to recovery, few of our treatments are as easy as this one. There's no real downtime, and most clients head straight back to work or carry on as usual.
Side effects
The usual short-lived effects are slight redness, tenderness or a little bruise at the injection site, and sometimes a mild headache for the first day or two. Less often, a neighbouring muscle can be affected — the brow might feel heavier for a while, or, rarely, an eyelid may droop — and this fades as the product wears off. Flu-like symptoms are very rare. The effect doesn't last forever and can look a little uneven to begin with, which is why we see you again at two weeks to make any small adjustment.
Aftercare
For about four hours afterwards, stay upright rather than lying down. For 24 hours, avoid rubbing, massaging or pressing on the treated area, and keep make-up off the injection points until the next day. Hard exercise, saunas, hot baths and alcohol can all make bruising more likely, so leave them for 24 hours. Washing your skin gently in the usual way is fine.
Get in touch with the clinic if you notice an eyelid drooping, obvious unevenness, any difficulty swallowing or breathing, or anything else that concerns you — we'd always prefer you to call.
- Downtime
- None
- Redness
- Slight, and normally gone within the hour
- Swelling
- Little bumps lasting 15–20 minutes
- Bruising
- Sometimes a small bruise that fades over a few days
- Normal activities
- Straight away; leave out hard exercise for 24 hours
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I guaranteed to be prescribed a treatment?
No. The aim of the consultation is to find what will really help you. After assessing you in person, our nurse prescriber decides whether a prescription treatment is appropriate — and if it isn't, or something else would work better for you, we'll say so.
Should I have a lip flip or lip filler?
A lip flip alters how the lip sits so more of it shows; filler adds volume and shape. They do different jobs and are sometimes done together. John will explain at consultation what each could do for your lips.
Can I still use a straw or whistle?
For the first week or two some people find their upper lip feels a bit different — drinking through a straw, whistling or playing a wind instrument may feel slightly odd. This passes as you get used to it.
How soon will I notice a difference?
The muscle eases off gradually. The first softening tends to appear after two to three days, and you'll see the complete result at about two weeks — when we offer a review in case anything needs tweaking.
How long will the effect last?
Usually three to four months, after which movement slowly comes back. The exact length depends on the area treated, the dose and how quickly your body processes it; we can plan your next treatment at consultation.
Is it painful?
Most clients feel a brief pinch. The needle is very fine and each injection is over in a second or two, so the discomfort doesn't last. Numbing usually isn't necessary.
Will I need time off?
No. You can go back to work or carry on with your day immediately. For the first few hours we simply ask you not to do strenuous exercise, lie down or touch the area.
What does the consultation involve?
John looks at how your face moves, talks through what you'd like to change and reviews your medical history. As this is a prescription-only treatment, it can only be prescribed once our nurse prescriber has assessed you in person. Before you book anything, you'll have a clear plan and a price.
Your Practitioner
John Dixon
Founder & Aesthetician
John founded Banana Beauty Lab and runs his aesthetics practice, Trusted Touch Aesthetics, here. He specialises in facial balancing and harmonisation, alongside wrinkle reduction and skin rejuvenation. His training is CPD-certified, he is fully insured, and is known for taking the time to assess your face properly, explaining every option honestly and never over-treating — the aim is always a natural result that still looks like you. Clients regularly mention his calm manner, attention to detail and the aftercare follow-up that checks in on how you're healing.