Lip Flip London

Lip Flip at Volt Cartel

The lip flip at Volt Cartel uses a small dose of botulinum toxin type A injected along the upper margin of the orbicularis oris to relax the muscle fibres that pull the upper lip inward, allowing the vermillion border to evert slightly and the lip to appear fuller at the top without adding volume. The result is a subtle change in lip appearance — the upper lip shows more of its red mucosa, creating a softer, slightly more open look at rest and during gentle expressions.

The lip flip is distinct from lip filler: no volume is added and the change is entirely the result of reduced muscle inward pull. It is suited to patients who want a modest improvement in upper lip appearance without the commitment, potential bruising, or downtime of filler, or who find that their upper lip curls inward and disappears when they smile. Results last six to eight weeks in most patients, considerably shorter than filler, and re-treatment is required more frequently.

Your clinician will assess your upper lip anatomy and discuss whether the lip flip, lip filler, or a combination would best serve your goal before any treatment is confirmed.

What a lip flip can help with

The lip flip may be appropriate for patients with an upper lip that curls inward during smiling, reducing the apparent lip visible at rest or during expressions; patients who want a natural-looking enhancement to the upper lip without adding volume; or patients who want to trial a lip enhancement approach before committing to filler. It may also be used in combination with a small amount of lip filler to give the upper lip both volume and improved eversion, which can produce a more complete result than either treatment alone.

How the lip flip is planned

At consultation, your clinician will assess your upper lip at rest and during a range of expressions to understand the degree of inward roll, the lip’s vertical height at the cupid’s bow, and whether the concern is one of eversion, volume, shape, or a combination. The lip flip is planned only where the muscle inward pull is a meaningful contributor to the patient’s concern — where the issue is primarily thin lips or loss of volume, filler is likely to be the more appropriate option.

The dose for a lip flip is small — typically four to six units along the upper orbicularis margin — and the placement must be precise to achieve eversion without affecting lip function. A two-week review is included to assess the degree of eversion and confirm the result meets the patient’s goal.

Suitability, safety, and treatment intensity

Important safety information (MHRA, 15 July 2026): Following rare reports of iatrogenic botulism, the MHRA strengthened its warnings for botulinum toxin products. Symptoms can occur from days up to four weeks after treatment — including difficulty swallowing, slurred speech, breathing difficulty, muscle weakness or severe drooping of an eyelid — and require immediate medical attention. Treatment should always be provided by a qualified medical professional using a product authorised for UK use.

The lip flip is not suitable for patients who are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a neuromuscular condition, or who rely on strong upper lip control for their professional or social activities, such as musicians who play wind instruments. Relaxing the upper orbicularis, even at a small dose, can temporarily affect activities that depend on precise lip muscle control — including drinking from a cup, playing certain instruments, or producing specific speech sounds. Your clinician will discuss this at consultation.

Dosing must be conservative. Over-treatment of the orbicularis oris can impair lip function visibly and is distressing for the patient. Clinicians at Volt Cartel use a minimal effective dose and always review at two weeks before considering any additional product in this area. Suitability is confirmed at consultation, and your clinician will advise honestly if this treatment is not the most appropriate option for your concern.

What happens during the lip flip

The appointment typically takes 15 to 20 minutes. Your clinician will assess the upper lip and confirm the injection points. Botulinum toxin is injected along the upper margin of the orbicularis oris using a fine needle at four to six points. The procedure involves a brief sharp pressure at each site; topical anaesthetic is available on request for patients with sensitivity. There is minimal downtime.

The effect develops over five to fourteen days. The upper lip does not immediately evert — the change is gradual as the orbicularis relaxes. The full result is assessed at the two-week review appointment, at which point any small adjustment to the degree of eversion can be considered.

Results, courses, and maintenance

Lip flip results typically last six to ten weeks in most patients — shorter than most other anti-wrinkle injection areas due to the continuous movement demands on the orbicularis oris during eating, drinking, and speaking. Some patients maintain the result with treatment every six to eight weeks; others combine it with lip filler on a less frequent maintenance schedule. The appropriate interval is discussed at the review appointment based on individual response.

Patients who decide to move to lip filler after a lip flip are encouraged to do so at a separate appointment after the anti-wrinkle injection effect has cleared to allow the clinician to assess the lip anatomy without the temporary muscle relaxation affecting the planning.

Pricing: Lip flip pricing per session depends on the volume of product required for your desired outcome. A full quote is provided at your consultation.

How a Lip Flip Compares to Lip Filler

A lip flip and lip filler are both used to enhance lip appearance but achieve different outcomes and suit different patient goals. The most appropriate option depends on whether volume or subtle definition is the primary concern.

A lip flip is often the right starting point for patients wanting a very subtle result or who have not had lip treatment before. For more visible enhancement, filler is the more appropriate option. In some cases both can be used together. See our Lip Filler page for more detail.

Why choose Volt Cartel in Shoreditch

The lip flip at Volt Cartel is recommended only where it is appropriate for the patient’s goal and anatomy. Where filler would produce a better result, your clinician will say so. Where the lip flip is a useful entry point or complement to a filler plan, the clinical rationale is explained clearly so the patient can make an informed decision.

The clinic is in Shoreditch, East London. A two-week review is included after every lip flip treatment, and all treatment decisions are made jointly with the patient following a proper assessment.

Doctor’s Note

The lip flip is one of the subtler injectable techniques I perform, and it suits a specific type of concern well: a thin upper lip border, upper lip that disappears when smiling, or patients who want to improve lip definition without adding noticeable volume. The result is more delicate than lip filler and lasts a shorter time, but for the right candidate it’s a very elegant option. I often use it alongside a small amount of filler rather than as a standalone treatment.

— Dr Nino Rionidze, Lead Doctor & Clinic Manager, Volt Cartel Shoreditch