Asymmetrical smile 3.5 months after common lip flip, will it stay this way forever? (Photo)

Hi Gabriella1723,
Thank you for your question. Based on your pictures it appears that you had Botox injected into the bottom corner of your mouth. While there is no way to reverse the effects of Botox, the good news is that it does go away on its own with time. While the amount of time this takes can vary based on individual patient factors and how much Botox was injected, generally the effects last 3-4 months. Therefore, you should begin to see improvement in the near future.
Hope this helps!

Hello,
If you had botox injected into your lower lip or the corner of your mouth it is possible that it has affected the muscles more on one side than the other. This is likely your issue. This should go away as the botox wears off.
Dr. Halka

I'm sorry to hear you are unhappy with your lip flip results. Unlike fillers, the results of Botox are irreversible. But the good news is, Botox results are not permanent and typically last for 3-4 months. You should begin to see improvement in the coming weeks.

It is best to always receive treatments from qualified injectors who understand facial anatomy to help you achieve more symmetrical results. I recommend scheduling an in-person consultation with an experienced expert injector who can assess your concerns and design the best course of action to deliver the results you desire.

Dear Gabriella1723,
you should wait until the effects of Botox go away. It depends on the amount of Botox and the area where it is injected but it usually last for 3-4 months. You should discuss your concerns with your injector.
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

For unique cases where a variety of modalities could be used to treat the condition, I would suggest an in person or virtual consultation to develop a custom and effective treatment plan. It is difficult to precisely define the best option without collecting the same information. I suggest reaching out to an expert for a consultation with surgical and non-surgical methods to get a comprehensive option. Best, Dr. Emer.

Based on this photo, it looks that your asymmetry and frozen lip is result of Botox? If that is the case, it may take 4-6 months for this problem to resolve. It is always the bast to address this problem with person who performed your procedure.

Don't get me wrong. I suspect there was someone out there with the perfect anatomy and with serendipity got just the right amount of botox to turn the lip. From there the service was over-hyped. At best it is a rare type of result that is seldom reproduced. Do your own internet search. Most "lip flips" are botox plus filler. Mostly the filler is doing the heavy lifting. For the vast majority of folks getting botox for flipping their lip, they would not have a result without the filler. This is the Emperor has no clothes situation. When the botox does not flip the lip perfectly (ultra-rare) it can cause unwanted weakness of the lip edge muscles (much more common). This does wear off but it is highly annoying. So sorry.

Generally we're not a big fan of lip flip procedures since they can cause difficulty with speech. They do not provide a significant amount of lip augmentation. Based on your photo, your left Depressor Anguli Oris muscle looks weak. Botox can last up to 6 months in some people, however, results are never permanent. Just sit tight and this will go away. Please keep us posted and I hope this is helpful. Sincerely, Dr Joseph

It is not common for lips to become uneven or for one side to freeze up after a lip flip procedure. While some degree of swelling, bruising, or temporary asymmetry can occur, these usually resolve within a few days to a week or two.

It is possible that the injection was not placed correctly or that too much product was used, which may have caused the unevenness and frozen appearance in your lip. It is important to speak with the provider who performed the procedure to discuss your concerns and to determine if any corrective measures can be taken.

If the unevenness and frozen appearance persist for an extended period of time, it is recommended that you seek a second opinion from another medical professional, such as a dermatologist or plastic surgeon, who may be able to provide additional insights and treatment options.

I hope this helps,
best of luck !

Hi Gabriella,
I’m sorry to hear about your experience. I understand how upsetting this can be, but I want to reassure you that what you’re describing is not common, and there are steps we can take to address it.
Lip flip procedures typically involve small amounts of Botox injected into the muscles around the lips (specifically the orbicularis oris). When Botox is injected unevenly or in higher doses, it can sometimes result in temporary muscle weakness, leading to an asymmetrical smile. This could explain the “frozen” sensation and unevenness you’re experiencing.
Botox typically lasts between 3 to 6 months, so most people regain normal muscle function within this time. Since it’s been 3.5 months, you should begin seeing improvement soon. However, if the asymmetry persists beyond 6 months, it might be worth exploring other causes, such as muscle weakness related to conditions like Bell’s palsy, though this is less common.
In some cases, an electromyogram (EMG) study, which measures muscle function, might be recommended by a neurologist to rule out any underlying nerve or muscle issues.
For now, I would suggest staying in touch with your provider and monitoring your progress. If things haven’t improved after 6 months, further evaluation could be beneficial.
I hope this helps ease some of your concerns, and I’m wishing you a smooth recovery!