LIP FLIP OR LIP LIFT? The latest choice in Lip Augmentation...

FOR FILLER-FREE, FULLER LIPS WOULD YOU RATHER LIFT OR FLIP?

With Valentine’s day knocking on the door, what better time to perfect your pout? If the question on your lips is whether you should go for the latest lift or flip techniques, then you’ve come to the right place. If you prefer the idea of avoiding fillers, the lip lift or lip flip procedures could be your ideal solution. 

But which one to choose? Let’s weigh up the options…

WHAT IS A LIP LIFT?

A lip lift involves a simple, in-office procedure which serves to elevate, or ‘lift’, the upper lip. Candidates for a lift often have a longer distance between the nose and lip than most; a lip lift reduces this space. The surgery can also increase the level of ‘red show’ (how much lip is visible) for those with a naturally thin upper lip. 

LIP LIFT PROCEDURE - WHAT DOES IT ENTAIL? 

The lip lift procedure is a simple surgical one which, if carried out alone will only require a local anaesthetic. Markings are places on the upper lip according to the plan made between you and your surgeon. Once the anaesthetic is administered and the area is numbed, the line of skin just below the nose is removed; the incision is then sealed using lots of hair-thin sutures to keep the scarring to a minimum. These sutures are removed within a week or so. The lip is naturally pulled up and outwards as the length of the skin is shortened. 

WHAT IS A LIP LIFT RECOVERY LIKE? 

There will be some swelling and soreness which varies from person to person in severity. The swelling can worsen for the first few days and can be quite painful and uncomfortable. This is not uncommon and will pass fairly quickly, it is nothing to be concerned about unless the pain becomes unmanageable with regular pain relief. 

The stitches and incision are kept clean using an antibacterial ointment and stitches are removed around 1 week post-op. Physical exertion, and therefore exercise is not advised for around two weeks, depending on the patient. Healing takes anywhere between 2-4 weeks and real results are noticed up to three months later, with scarring reducing over time. 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIP FILLERS AND A LIP LIFT?

A lip lift does not use injectable fillers - where hyaluronic acid injections are added to the lip to achieve a bigger volume. A lip lift uses the existing lip size and shape but, with a small surgical procedure, enhances the ‘vermillon border’ - the lip line, bringing it closer to the nose. 

HOW DOES A LIP LIFT LOOK?

The space between the nose and the lip line is surgically reduced and the lip appears to be fuller, more pronounced, and lifted; more ‘red show’ is apparent. See the before and after shots for a closer look. 

This lip lift, performed by Dr. Kai Kaye at Ocean Clinic Marbella, shows the patient one-month post surgery. She received local anaesthetic, and the surgery took just under one hour.

Recovery time was one week and pain was considered 2/10.

You can see the difference in her lip size as well as the shorter distance between the lip and nose. The upper lip is more pronounced and has more 'red show' than before. 

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A LIP LIFT? 

The benefits of a lip lift are a rejuvenated appearance, a fuller, better-proportioned upper lip shape and space between the nose and upper lip. Lip lines and wrinkles are reduced as the skin has been tightened to create the new lip line. 

IS A LIP LIFT FOR ME?

If you feel that the space between your nose and upper lip is too long, if fillers did not work for you perhaps leaving the lip too heavy and long rather than plump, or you feel that your upper lip is too thin or out of proportion with the lower lip, then this could be for you.  All such examples represent a good candidate for lip lift surgery. 

IS A LIP LIFT SAFE?

The procedure is a relatively simple one, done in-house with a local anaesthetic (unless being carried out within a combination of procedures which require deeper anaesthetic). The surgery takes only an hour (approx.) and recovery time is minimal. Scarring is also minimal and should be barely visible over time (within a year the results should be complete). 

DOES A LIP LIFT LAST FOREVER? 

Yes! A lip lift is for life. The procedure will produce a permanent result, however, one must be aware that the ageing process will continue as normal in the surrounding areas. 

Now let us consider the same questions for the Lip Flip to help decide which option may work for you…

WHAT IS A LIP FLIP?

The lip flip is a relatively new option in lip augmentation and, similarly to using fillers, involves injectables being placed into the lip to create a fuller appearance.

LIP LIFT PROCEDURE - WHAT DOES IT ENTAIL? 

The lip flip is a quick, non-surgical procedure simply consisting of injections being placed into the muscles above the upper lip. No anaesthetic is required for the procedure and it takes minutes to achieve.  The injectables placed into the orbicularis oris muscles causes them to relax, the lip then naturally ‘flips’ slightly outwards to create a fuller effect using only the existing lip itself. The effects are noticeable very quickly - it takes only 5-7 days to see the full effects of the lip flip procedure and they last for around 3-4 months (metabolism depending). 

WHAT IS THE RECOVERY LIKE FOR A LIP LIFT?

Great news! There isn’t any recovery time. The only possible thing that may take a little getting used to is sipping through a straw or other reasons to tightly pucker the lips, but this won’t take long to rectify itself. You may experience very mild swelling or bruising which will also pass rapidly. 

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIP FILLERS AND A LIP LIFT?

Lip fillers add volume to the lip whereas the lip lift simply uses the existing volume by pushing it forward to create a fuller effect. The natural size of your lip does not change with a lip lift, it is just shifted to make it look more plump and pronounced.  Both procedures last for around the same amount of time. 

HOW DOES A LIP FLIP LOOK?

As mentioned above the lip lift uses an injection to relax the muscles in the upper lip, which then causes the lip itself to flip forwards. This creates a subtle, fuller looking lip and a more pronounced profile as it protrudes forward slightly more than before. Obviously all people will get a different result depending on their existing lip.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A LIP FLIP? 

With the lip flip there’s no recovery time, no anaesthetic, no drastic alteration, minimal swelling or side effects, the result is rapid, and it is affordable.  If you aren’t happy with the outcome - within 3-4 months you can choose to do it differently, or not at all! 

IS A LIP FLIP FOR ME?

If you have a ‘gummy’ smile, are unhappy with ageing lip lines (barcode lines), want a subtle (yet obvious to you) change, want a fuller lip but would rather not have surgery, or prefer not to have fillers alter the size of your lips, then yes this could be the option for you. 

IS A LIP FLIP SAFE?

Yes, a lip flip is safe, it is just the same as any similar injection. There is a very slight risk that the smile could become asymmetric - however, this is minimal. Ensure that you choose a board-certified, experienced practitioner to carry out the procedure. 

You may experience very minimal bruising just at the site where the injection was placed, this should heal within 1-2 days. 

DOES A LIP FLIP LAST FOREVER?

No, the lip flip will only last as long as the injectable stays in your system. The body will naturally ‘outgrow’, or reject, it over time. Most people see results for up to 3-4 months, but it varies from person to person depending on their individual metabolic rate. 

COMPARING THE LIP LIFT WITH THE LIP FLIP (that’s quite a mouthful!)

• The lip flip is a far less invasive method of creating a fuller lip than the lip lift.

• A lip lift is for life and is not for everyone, it causes the lip to change shape and height and therefore alters the face and proportions permanently. This is something that must be deeply considered when toying with the idea of any surgical procedure. Finding the right surgeon who can work with your given anatomy to provide you with the perfect look for you is essential. The lip flip is instant and lasts only 3-4 months. 

• A lip lift means not having to return to the doctors for ‘refills’, but, at the same time permanence cannot be altered without further surgery. The lip flip will require a top up every 3-4 months. 

This should help clear up a lot of questions you may have had about lip flip or lifts, if you would like any more information or require a consultation please contact Ocean Clinic today.