Will lip filler increase the height of the upper lip? (Photos)

Question

I have a thin, M-shaped upper lip and I am unsure if lip filler would actually help make it proportionate. I am probably more suited for a lip lift, but I don’t want the stretched nostrils and upper tooth show. Am I suited for lip filler and Botox lip flip?

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

Lip filler can increase the vertical height of the upper lip but can also increase the anterior projection resulting in a "duck-like" appearance. I do not recommend the traditional bullhorn lip lift but do recommend an eccentric lip lift. This will pull more laterally than centrally. It will shorten the distance between nose and upper lip, increase the mucosa of the upper lip and pull up the corners. This takes 1 hour to perform under local anesthesia and costs $4,000.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Nelson Lee Novick, MD · Answer

At least from the photos provided, it would appear that the use of a medium viscosity HA Filler would work well for creating greater proportionality and harmony between the upper and lower lips, which nowadays is somewhere between two-thirds the volume of the lower lip up to equal volumes for upper and lower lips. In the hands of an experienced, board certified cosmetic dermatologist filler injector expert, treatment should take no more than about fifteen minutes to perform with immediate results and little to no signficant downtime. Hope this helps and best of luck.

Anna Chacon, MD, FAAD · Answer

This is a great question, and you’re thinking about the anatomy in exactly the right way. A thin, M-shaped upper lip is often challenging because the goal is not just to make the lip bigger, but to make it look more balanced and proportionate while preserving a natural shape.

The short answer is: yes, lip filler can increase the apparent height of the upper lip to some extent, but it has limits, especially when the lip is naturally thin and M-shaped.

What lip filler can do

A skilled injector can use small amounts of hyaluronic acid filler to:

add vertical height to the pink part of the upper lip (the vermilion),
soften the pronounced M-shape if desired,
improve symmetry and definition,
and increase the upper-to-lower lip proportion without creating excessive projection.

In many patients with a thin upper lip, the best approach is subtle vertical support in the central and lateral upper lip, rather than simply adding volume along the border.

What filler cannot do well

Filler is less effective at shortening the distance between the nose and the upper lip (the philtrum). If the philtrum is relatively long, filler may create more outward projection without producing enough vertical lift, which can sometimes make the lip look heavier rather than taller.

That is why surgeons sometimes recommend a lip lift for patients whose main issue is insufficient upper lip height at rest.

About your concern regarding a lip lift

Your concern about stretched nostrils and increased upper tooth show is very reasonable. A lip lift can be an excellent procedure in the right patient, but if too much skin is removed, it can lead to:

excessive incisor show,
an overly short upper lip,
widening or distortion around the nostrils,
and a less natural appearance.

The fact that you are specifically worried about those outcomes suggests that you would likely be more comfortable starting with a reversible option first.

Would a Botox lip flip help?

A Botox lip flip works by relaxing the orbicularis oris muscle, allowing the upper lip to roll slightly outward. It can create the illusion of a fuller upper lip, particularly when smiling.

However, for a thin upper lip at rest, a lip flip alone usually provides only 1–2 mm of visible change and does not truly add volume or significant height.

It tends to work best when:

the upper lip disappears when smiling,
there is minimal tooth show at rest,
and the patient wants a very subtle enhancement.
Based on your description

You describe:

a thin upper lip,
an M-shaped contour,
concern about proportion,
and hesitation about a surgical lip lift.

That combination often makes someone a better candidate for conservative lip filler than for a lip flip alone.

A reasonable strategy would be:

Most likely to improve proportion

Conservative hyaluronic acid lip filler (0.5–1.0 mL total)

This allows gradual enhancement and avoids the overfilled look that can happen when too much filler is placed in a naturally thin lip.

Optional addition

A very small-dose lip flip could be considered after filler if there is still significant inward rolling of the upper lip when smiling.

One important clue

Look at your face in a relaxed position:

If you already show a small amount of upper teeth at rest, I would be cautious with a lip flip because it can increase tooth show further.
If you show little or no upper teeth at rest, a subtle lip flip may be more appropriate.
My overall impression

For someone with a thin, M-shaped upper lip who is concerned about maintaining a natural appearance and avoiding the potential drawbacks of a lip lift, I would generally favor:

Conservative lip filler as the first-line option, with the goal of increasing vertical lip height slightly, softening the M-shape, and improving overall proportion.

I would view a Botox lip flip as a possible adjunct for a subtle outward roll, but not as the primary solution for a thin upper lip. And given your concerns about nostril widening and excessive tooth show, I think it is very reasonable to be cautious about proceeding directly to a surgical lip lift unless a thorough facial analysis shows that the philtrum length is truly the dominant issue.

The encouraging part is that lip filler is reversible and can be done gradually, which makes it an excellent way to test whether increasing the upper lip’s height and support gives you the balanced look you’re hoping for before considering any permanent surgical procedure.

Will lip filler increase the height of the upper lip? (Photos)

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