Ask ten people what they mean by "getting their lips done" and you will get ten different answers. Some want fuller, plumper lips. Others want a slightly more visible upper lip when they smile. Some want to soften a gummy smile. A few just want their lipstick to sit better. The good news: modern aesthetic medicine has two very different — and very complementary — tools to deliver each of those results. They are the lip flip and the lip filler, and they are the two most requested lip treatments at Remedy+ Hair Restoration & Medical Spa in Grand Rapids.
They are often mentioned in the same breath, and just as often confused for one another. They use completely different products, achieve completely different results, cost very different amounts, and last very different lengths of time. Choosing the right one — or combining them — is where an experienced injector earns their reputation.
The Hook: Same Goal, Very Different Tools
The lip flip and the lip filler are trying to do the same big-picture thing: help your lips look their best. But one is a muscle relaxer used in tiny doses to change how the lip moves, and the other is a gel that changes how the lip looks at rest. Confusing them is why patients sometimes end up disappointed with results — and why our first appointment always begins with a conversation, not a needle.
What Is a Lip Flip?
A lip flip is a micro-dose of BOTOX® Cosmetic (or a comparable neuromodulator such as Dysport®, Xeomin®, or Letybo®) injected into the tiny orbicularis oris muscle that surrounds the mouth. Typically, we use only 4 to 8 units, placed precisely along the upper lip border and — sometimes — the corners of the mouth.
By relaxing the very top edge of that muscle, the upper lip stops rolling inward when you smile or speak. Instead, it gently "flips" outward, showing more of the pink lip (the vermilion). The result is the appearance of a slightly fuller, more visible upper lip — without adding any actual volume.
Because it is a muscle-relaxing treatment rather than a volumizer, the lip flip is subtle. If you look at yourself in the mirror at rest before and after, you may not see a dramatic change. The difference shows up when you smile, when you talk, and in photos.
Great Candidates for a Lip Flip
- You have naturally proportioned lips but the upper lip "disappears" or curls in when you smile.
- You have a mild "gummy smile" (excess gum showing above the upper teeth).
- You want a very subtle enhancement without adding volume.
- You are curious about lip treatments and want to try something reversible and low-commitment.
- You are already receiving BOTOX® for forehead lines or crow's feet and want to add a small refinement.
What Is Lip Filler?
Lip filler is a hyaluronic acid gel — most commonly JUVÉDERM® VOLBELLA® XC, JUVÉDERM® ULTRA XC, or Restylane® Kysse — injected directly into the body and/or border of the lips to add real, visible volume, shape, and definition. Hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule that already exists naturally in your skin and lips; injectable HA is simply a highly refined, engineered version of the same substance.
Unlike the lip flip, lip filler physically changes the size and shape of your lips at rest. Done well, it can:
- Add proportional volume to the upper lip, lower lip, or both.
- Restore lost volume that occurs naturally with age.
- Correct asymmetry between the two sides of the mouth.
- Define the vermilion border for a crisper lip line and better lipstick wear.
- Soften vertical "smoker's lines" above the upper lip.
- Lift the corners of a mouth that turns downward with age.
For a deeper dive into the entire HA filler family — including all the JUVÉDERM® and Restylane® options — see our full Dermal Fillers Guide.
Great Candidates for Lip Filler
- You want visible, meaningful volume — not just a subtle shift.
- Your lips have thinned with age or genetics.
- You have asymmetry you would like to correct.
- You want a defined lip border and improved lipstick wear.
- You want a longer-lasting result and are comfortable with a 6–12 month product.
Lip Flip vs. Lip Filler at a Glance
- Product: Lip flip uses a neuromodulator (BOTOX®, Dysport®, Xeomin®, Letybo®). Lip filler uses hyaluronic acid gel (JUVÉDERM® VOLBELLA®/ULTRA®, Restylane® Kysse).
- How it works: Lip flip relaxes the muscle so the upper lip rolls outward. Lip filler adds physical volume.
- Onset of results: Lip flip takes 3–7 days to become visible. Lip filler is visible immediately.
- How long it lasts: Lip flip lasts about 6–8 weeks. Lip filler typically lasts 6–12 months.
- Cost: A lip flip is one of the most affordable injectable treatments (a few units of BOTOX®). Lip filler is priced per syringe and is a larger investment.
- Downtime: Both are essentially none — most patients return to normal life the same day. Filler may involve some swelling for 24–72 hours.
- Reversibility: Lip flip wears off naturally. Filler can be instantly dissolved with hyaluronidase if you are ever unhappy.
- Best for: Lip flip = subtle change in motion. Lip filler = visible change in shape and size.
What the Appointment Actually Looks Like
Lip Flip
After a brief consultation and photos, your provider marks 4–8 injection points along the upper lip border (and occasionally the corners). Using an ultra-fine needle, the neuromodulator is placed just at the surface of the muscle. The entire process takes about 5 minutes and is one of the most comfortable injectable treatments we offer — most patients describe it as a pinch.
You will see the "flip" begin around day 3 and reach its full effect by day 7. There is no downtime and no visible marks.
Lip Filler
Lip filler appointments run about 30 to 45 minutes. We begin with photos and a detailed conversation about goals, then apply a topical numbing cream for 15–20 minutes. Most modern lip fillers also contain lidocaine, so the injection itself is very comfortable.
Using either fine needles or a blunt-tipped cannula (depending on the technique and area), we place small aliquots of product to build volume gradually. Between injections, we massage and shape the lips to ensure a smooth, symmetrical result. You will see immediate volume; final settling takes about two weeks.
Can You Combine a Lip Flip and Lip Filler?
Yes — and for many patients this combination is the answer to the "which one should I pick?" question. Filler creates the shape and volume; the lip flip refines how the upper lip presents when you smile and speak. Together they produce a softer, more balanced result than either treatment alone.
We often recommend starting with a lip flip if you are new to lip treatments. If you love the change but want more, we can add filler at a follow-up appointment. If the flip alone is enough, you have spent a fraction of the cost to find that out.
What About Downtime, Side Effects, and Safety?
Both treatments are extremely well-tolerated when performed by an experienced injector. Common, temporary, and expected effects include:
- Lip flip: tiny injection pinpoints for a few hours, mild tenderness. Rarely, if too many units are used or placed incorrectly, patients can feel a temporary weakness when sipping through a straw or pronouncing certain sounds — one more reason to see a skilled injector.
- Lip filler: swelling for 24–72 hours, small bruises at some injection sites, mild tenderness for 1–3 days. Ice packs and arnica help.
Serious complications with either treatment are rare. Choosing an experienced medical provider is the single biggest safety factor. At Remedy+, master injector Terry Selgo, RN brings 21+ years of experience and Allergan Medical Institute Faculty credentials to every appointment, and we always keep hyaluronidase on-site for HA-related events.
How to Decide Which One Is Right for You
Ask yourself three questions:
- Do I want my lips to look different at rest, or only when I smile? At rest = filler. Only when smiling = flip.
- Do I want more volume, or just more visible pink lip? Volume = filler. More visible upper lip = flip.
- What's my commitment level — 6 weeks or 6+ months? Short trial = flip. Longer-lasting change = filler.
If you are unsure, that is exactly what a consultation is for. We will look at your face together, discuss your goals, and often recommend starting conservatively.
Add-Ons That Elevate Any Lip Treatment
- SKINVIVE™ for cheeks and perioral hydration — smoother, glowier skin makes lips look even better.
- BOTOX® Cosmetic for perioral lines — softens the fine "smoker's lines" around the mouth.
- Microneedling — improves texture of the skin around the lips.
- Medical-grade lip skincare — the right daily lip regimen extends the life of your results (members save 20% on all skincare through our Love Your Face Membership).
Financing Your Lip Enhancement
If you would like to spread the cost of filler over time, we partner with Cherry and PatientFi to offer flexible monthly payment plans, with 0% APR options for qualified applicants.
Why Choose Remedy+ for Lip Flip and Lip Filler in Grand Rapids
- Master injector Terry Selgo, RN — 21+ years and Allergan Medical Institute Faculty.
- Full JUVÉDERM® and Restylane® lip filler portfolios available.
- All major neuromodulator brands — BOTOX®, Dysport®, Xeomin®, Letybo® — for lip flip.
- Cannula technique for lip filler to minimize bruising in appropriate patients.
- Conservative, natural-results philosophy — we will always tell you if less is more.
- Allē rewards on every BOTOX® and JUVÉDERM® treatment.
Ready to Refresh Your Lips?
Book your complimentary lip consultation with Terry Selgo, RN at Remedy+ in Grand Rapids today, or call (616) 355-1552. We will listen to your goals, look at your face holistically, and design the subtlest, most beautiful lip enhancement plan for you — whether that is a quick lip flip, a syringe of filler, or a thoughtful combination of both.