A lip flip does not add volume. It relaxes the muscle around the mouth so the upper lip rolls slightly outward, showing more of the pink. If you were told it is a filler alternative, you were told wrong.
What it actually does
Tiny doses into the orbicularis oris just above the vermilion border relax the muscle that curls the lip inward. The lip everts slightly — the same lip, differently positioned, showing one or two millimetres more pink.
Who it suits: people whose upper lip disappears when they smile, people with a long distance between nose and lip, and people who want a change too small to be noticed as a treatment. It also softens a mild gummy smile as a side effect.
Who it does not suit: anyone wanting fuller lips. Volume comes from filler. A flip changes position, not size, and the difference between the two is obvious in photographs.
What a lip flip costs
| Lip flip | Price | Approx. USD |
|---|---|---|
| 4–6 units | $72,000 – $108,000 COP | USD 22 – 34 |
| Per unit of Botox® | $18,000 COP | USD 5.60 |
One of the least expensive things in aesthetic medicine, which is part of why it gets recommended more often than it is indicated.
Consultation is free and the 15-day review is included. The full rate for every area is on the price page.
The trade-offs nobody mentions
- It is short. Six to ten weeks, notably shorter than botox elsewhere, because the dose is tiny and the muscle is in constant use.
- Over-dosing affects function. More than six units and people report trouble with straws, whistling, pronouncing p and b sounds, and drinking from a bottle. It resolves, but it takes weeks and it is genuinely annoying.
- Musicians and speakers should think twice. Anyone who plays a wind instrument or uses their voice professionally should weigh even a small change in lip control.
Flip or filler
| Lip flip | Filler | |
|---|---|---|
| What it changes | Position of the lip | Volume of the lip |
| Duration | 6–10 weeks | 6–12 months |
| Cost here | $72,000 – $108,000 COP | Quoted separately |
| Reversible | Wears off | Dissolvable |
| Visible as a treatment | Rarely | Depends entirely on dose |
They combine well, and in practice a flip is often the finishing touch on a filled lip rather than an alternative to it.
Frequently asked questions
Medical references
The clinical claims on this page rest on public, verifiable sources. They are cited so you can check them, not as an endorsement of this practice by those organisations.
- Aesthetic Surgery Journal (2025) — systematic review of HIFU in skin tightening and body contouring
- Lasers in Medical Science (2020) — systematic review and meta-analysis of HIFU safety and efficacy for face and neck
- American Academy of Dermatology — wrinkles and treatment options
- INVIMA — medical device registration in Colombia
Book a free consultation
We will tell you honestly whether a flip or a filler is the right answer for your lip.
Message us on WhatsApp+57 316 042 2194 · El Poblado, Medellín · English spoken
About who signs this content
Dr. Olga González — physician trained in Aesthetic Medicine (Universidad de San Martín), Health Coach in Nutrition, Longevity and Biohacking. She practises at Dra. Juventud, El Poblado, Medellín, where she applies botulinum toxin (Botox® by Allergan and Dysport® by Ipsen) and treats skin laxity with Ultraformer MPT. Consultations are available in English.
Content last reviewed: September 1, 2026. This text is informational and does not replace an in-person medical assessment.