Lip flip in London
Reviewed By
Dr Vishal Patel
BDS Liverpool · MSc Aesthetic & Restorative Dentistry Manchester · GDC 103127 · AACD Member · Invisalign Diamond II Provider · IFAAS (International Fellowship in Advanced Aesthetic Science) · Facial anatomy & cadaver course, Dr Ali Pirayesh, University of Amsterdam · Harley Academy foundation training in injectable aesthetics · IBSA-trained (Profhilo) · NeoStrata-trained (skin peels) · Lynton Lasers trained, incl. ONDA
Last Updated
October 1, 2026
The subtle muscle-relaxing treatment for the upper lip — what it actually is, who suits it, and why a dentist-injector with formal perioral anatomy training approaches the work differently from a single-discipline aesthetic studio.
A lip flip uses a tiny amount of a prescription muscle-relaxing medicine to let the upper lip roll slightly outward, showing more lip without adding volume. Results start in a few days and last about 6 to 10 weeks. At Dental & Wellness London, Islington, it is prescribed and administered by dentist Dr Vishal Patel after consultation, from £169.
- Shows more upper lip without volume
- Results in 3 to 5 days
- Lasts about 6 to 10 weeks
- Can be combined with lip filler
- From £169 · consultation first
- By dentist Dr Vishal Patel
Lip flip at our Islington clinic
What a lip flip is
A lip flip uses a very small amount of a prescription muscle-relaxing medicine in the muscle around the upper lip. As the muscle relaxes, the upper lip rolls slightly outward, so more of it shows, without adding volume. It suits people who want a subtle change, or whose upper lip disappears when they smile. Many people know the medicine by the brand name “Botox”.
The muscle in question is the orbicularis oris, the ring of muscle that encircles the mouth. Its inward pull tucks the upper lip under, especially when you smile. Easing that pull in the central upper lip lets the lip sit a little further forward: the lip line softens, slightly more of the pink of the lip shows at rest, and the lip tucks under less when you smile. The change is measured in millimetres. Someone who knows you well may sense that something is different without being able to say what.
What a lip flip is not
Many lip flip adverts in London promise fuller, plumper lips. That language describes filler, not a lip flip. The two treatments work differently, produce different results and suit different people. A lip flip relaxes one small muscle; it does not add volume and it does not change the shape of the lip dramatically. If you want visibly fuller lips, filler is the right category of treatment; see dermal fillers in Islington. If you want a subtle, natural-looking change to the upper lip line, a lip flip may be appropriate. Choosing the right treatment for the concern matters more than how well the injection is delivered.
Lip flip or lip filler?
A lip flip changes how much lip shows; lip filler adds shape and volume. Some people combine the two. A simple way to think about it:
- Lips look thin overall, at rest and when smiling: filler is more likely to help.
- Lips look normal at rest but thin when you smile: a lip flip is often the better fit.
- The upper lip disappears when you smile: a lip flip.
- You want both softer lip definition and a little more volume: a combination, planned and spaced appropriately.
The two also differ in timing and commitment. Hyaluronic acid lip filler shows immediately, lasts roughly 6 to 12 months and can be dissolved if needed. A lip flip develops over several days, lasts about 6 to 10 weeks and cannot be reversed, but wears off on its own. For many people that short duration is the appeal: it is a low-commitment way to see whether a change to the upper lip suits them. Lip filler is £200 for 0.5ml or £380 for 1ml if that turns out to be the better route.
Who suits a lip flip
- A thin smile: the upper lip looks fine at rest but almost vanishes when you smile.
- A gummy smile linked to an active upper lip, where a lip flip can be combined with treatment to the muscles that lift the lip. Here a dental assessment of tooth show, gum height and lip movement is part of deciding what will help.
- Early fine lines above the upper lip, where muscle activity is contributing. Established, etched lines usually need a skin-quality treatment or filler rather than a lip flip alone.
- People curious about muscle-relaxing treatment who would like to start with a small dose in a small area.
Who it does not suit
A lip flip is not the right choice if you want visibly fuller lips, if deep vertical lip lines are the main concern, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is not suitable with certain neuromuscular conditions or some medicines, which we screen for. If you play a wind instrument, sing professionally or rely on precise lip control at work, we discuss this carefully before deciding, as even a small change in lip strength can matter.
Why precision around the mouth matters
The orbicularis oris does a great deal: it seals the lips for eating and drinking, shapes speech, and contributes to expression and the smile. The aim is to relax it just enough for the cosmetic change and not so much that everyday function is noticeably affected. That depends on a small, carefully judged dose placed at exactly the right points along the upper lip border. The area around the mouth also carries a dense network of blood vessels and nerves, and anatomical understanding here is the difference between a result that looks natural and one that affects the way you drink, speak or smile.
What to expect
- A consultation first
- A few tiny injections, taking minutes
- Results start at 3 to 5 days
- Lasts about 6 to 10 weeks
- Drinking through a straw may feel different for a few days
The consultation
We look at your lips at rest and when you smile, how much of your teeth and gums show, the balance between upper and lower lip, and facial symmetry. We take a medical history, including medicines, previous treatments, pregnancy or breastfeeding and any neuromuscular conditions, and we talk about what you have noticed and what result would feel worthwhile. Then we give you an honest view: whether a lip flip is the right tool, whether filler or a combination would serve you better, or whether no treatment is the sensible answer. A skin and aesthetic consultation is £65, redeemable in full against treatment, and treatment goes ahead only when it is clinically appropriate and you are ready.
The treatment
The injections are given with a very fine needle at a few points along the upper lip. Most people describe a brief pinch at each point, and numbing can be used. The treatment itself takes a few minutes. You may have small pinpoint marks or slight swelling, which usually settle within hours.
Results, week by week
In the first day there is no visible change. From around day 3 to 5 the effect begins, and the upper lip may feel slightly different when you speak or drink through a straw; this settles within a few days. The effect reaches its peak at around two weeks, when we review you. It then holds before gradually fading between about 6 and 10 weeks as normal muscle activity returns. The lip muscle is small and constantly in use, which is why a lip flip lasts less time than anti-wrinkle treatment on the forehead or around the eyes.
The result is meant to be subtle. Some people say they cannot see a difference at two weeks until they compare photographs taken before treatment. Results vary, and we do not promise a particular outcome.
Aftercare
- Stay upright for about four hours and avoid strenuous exercise for the rest of the day
- Avoid rubbing or massaging the lip area for 24 hours
- Avoid facials, saunas and heat treatments for 24 hours
- Expect the lip to feel a little different when speaking or drinking for a day or two
Contact us if you notice anything unexpected, such as asymmetry that does not settle, or any concern during the first two weeks.
Side effects and safety
In trained hands a lip flip has a good safety profile, and the dose used is small. Common effects are pinpoint bruising, slight swelling or tenderness at the injection points, and a brief change in lip sensation, all of which usually settle within a day or two. Less commonly, particularly where too much is used or placement is imprecise, people notice a slightly uneven smile, difficulty with certain sounds, or trouble pursing the lips or using a straw. These effects are temporary and wear off as the medicine does, and they are reduced by conservative dosing and accurate placement.
Lip flip alongside other treatments
A lip flip can be paired with lip filler where both softer definition and volume are wanted, usually spaced apart so each can be assessed. It can be combined with treatment for a gummy smile. For people having orthodontic treatment such as Invisalign, which changes the support behind the upper lip, a lip flip can sometimes refine how the lip sits once the teeth have moved. Where fine lines are also a concern, a skin-quality treatment may be added. We suggest a combination only where it genuinely adds something.
Lip flip cost in Islington
A lip flip is part of our anti-wrinkle treatment in Islington, from £169, which includes a two-week review and refresh if a small top-up is needed. The price for your treatment is confirmed in writing after consultation. Finance is available at 0% APR over 12 months.
Why have it with us
As a dentist, Dr Vishal Patel knows the muscles around the mouth closely and considers how your lips sit over your teeth and smile. He has around twenty years in dentistry and ten years in facial aesthetics, with training that includes the International Fellowship in Advanced Aesthetic Science, a facial anatomy and cadaver course with Dr Ali Pirayesh at the University of Amsterdam, and Harley Academy. Prescribed and administered by Dr Vishal Patel, BDS, MSc Aesthetic & Restorative Dentistry, GDC 103127, the clinic’s sole aesthetic prescriber.
The clinic is at 222 Essex Road, Islington, London N1 3AP, two minutes from Essex Road station and a short ride from Angel, Highbury, Canonbury, Hackney and Stoke Newington. Buses 38, 56, 73, 341 and 476 stop on Essex Road. Many patients cycle or use a Lime or Forest e-bike. We are open Monday to Friday, 8am to 7pm, by appointment, and have cared for patients in N1 since 2009.
Clinically reviewed by Dr Vishal Patel · BDS · MSc Aesthetic & Restorative Dentistry · GDC 103127. Last reviewed 1 October 2026.
Dr Vishal Patel
Clinical lead · Sole aesthetic prescriber · 10 years in facial aesthetics
BDS Liverpool · MSc Aesthetic & Restorative Dentistry (Manchester) · GDC 103127 · International Fellowship in Advanced Aesthetic Science (IFAAS) · Facial anatomy and cadaver course with Dr Ali Pirayesh, University of Amsterdam · Harley Academy · IBSA and NeoStrata trained
We will tell you when a treatment is not the right answer. That honesty is part of the treatment.
Read Dr Patel’s profile →For the full picture, including how this compares with the alternatives, see our guides to dermal fillers and anti-wrinkle treatment.
Further reading
Anatomy Depth
Oral Surgery
Ethical Aesthetics
A lip flip changes how the upper lip moves, not its volume; if fullness is the goal, we will tell you that filler is the better fit.
A subtle change, assessed first.
Consultation — £65
A skin assessment with an honest view of what will help. The fee is redeemable in full against treatment.
Treatment
A few tiny injections, taking minutes.
Review at two weeks
We check the result.
Start with a consultation
- £65, redeemable in full against treatment
- Carried out by Dr Vishal Patel
- A written plan before treatment
Or call 020 8127 4567 · WhatsApp +44 7974 910222
222 Essex Road, Islington N1 3AP · Mon–Fri, 8am–7pm
Before and After
Our happy patients,
in their own words
Transparent pricing
Prices are set out below. Your written plan confirms the fee before any treatment begins.
Clear prices, set out before you start.
Redeemable in full against treatment
Anti-wrinkle treatment
Included
- Assessment by Dr Patel
- Two-week review
Quoted separately
- Lip filler, priced separately
Questions
people ask
If your question isn't answered here, call reception on 020 8127 4567 or email reception.
Is a lip flip the same as “Botox”?
A lip flip uses botulinum toxin, of which “Botox” is one brand, in a very small dose to the upper lip.
How long does a lip flip last?
About 6 to 10 weeks, shorter than other areas because the lip muscle moves constantly.
Will a lip flip make my lips bigger?
Not in volume. More of the upper lip shows, which can look fuller.
Lip flip or lip filler: which should I choose?
A flip shows more lip; filler adds volume and shape. Some people combine them.
Is a lip flip safe?
With a trained prescriber, yes. Side effects are usually mild, such as a slight change when drinking through a straw.
Can I combine a lip flip with lip filler?
Yes, it is a common combination.
How much is a lip flip?
From £169 at Dental & Wellness London, after a £65 consultation, redeemable.
How quickly will I see the lip flip?
From day 3 to 5, with the full effect by about a week.
