How can I make my upper lip curl up and look less like a monkey? (photos)

Question

Just wondering what the best option is to have a more defined upper lip that curls out more.

Kenneth D. Steinsapir, MD · Answer

Let me clarify. There might be some single soul with unique lip anatomy who had a tiny injection of Botox in the lip edge and low and behold the upper lip edge rolled out and that magical event was called by the injector, the lip flip. The reality is that 99.999% of the upper lips out there are not going to "flip." This is just more over-hyped nonsense. When you study the subject, 99.9% of lip flips are filler plus botox. I assure you that the Botox did not do anything; it was all filler that shaped the lip edge. Your lip edge is flat. I assure you that injecting it will Botox will not cause the lip edge to rise up and roll. Now let's talk fillers. The vast majority of fillers that injectors are likely to want to use a runny filler on your lip edge. These are fillers like Restylane Kysse, Belotero, or any of the Juvederms. Marketers call these products "smooth." They are pushed because the lumps and bumps made by inexperienced injectors smooth themselves out as the product migrates after being placed (think lip shelf and other lip filler crimes). The bad news is that what you really need to have a nice lip edge treatment is product that stays precisely where it is placed. For that reason, high G prime fillers are much better than the smooth or low G prime fillers. I only use Restylane in the lip edge for this reason.

Rita Rakus, MBBS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question. It is always best to see you face to face for a consult and examination however in this case a small amount of lip filler would help reshape and volumise your upper lip. I hope that helps answer your question. Always seek an experienced and qualified medical professional for these treatments. Very best wishes

Gary M. Horndeski, MD · Answer

I recommend a lip lift.  A lip lift does 4 things: shortens the distance between your nose and upper lip, increases the mucosa of the upper lip, increases the incisor show and pulls up the corners.  The procedure takes less than 1 hour to perform under local anesthesia and costs $3,000.

Best Wishes,

Gary Horndeski, M.D.

Jason Emer, MD · Answer

you need a lip lift and filler, filler alone will not give a huge improvement but will look better, adding to the chin will balance. I would start with daily hydration and plumping (see link).  Best, Dr. Emer.

Falguni Patel, MD, FACOG · Answer

Hi thanks for your question. If your only concern is having your upper lip roll up a little more i would recommend a lip flip. which is botox above the upper lip. if volume is also an issue you can do fillers in the lips in combination with the lip flip.

How can I make my upper lip curl up and look less like a monkey? (photos)

Answers (10)

Answer: How to make your lip flip up or curl up -- emeragecosmetics lip essentials, nude skin lip butter

Answer: How to make your lip flip up or curl up -- emeragecosmetics lip essentials, nude skin lip butter

Answer: Roll out upper lip

Answer: Roll out upper lip

Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Lip Fillers

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.

How can I make my upper lip curl up and look less like a monkey? (photos)

Answers (10)

Answer: How to make your lip flip up or curl up -- emeragecosmetics lip essentials, nude skin lip butter

Answer: How to make your lip flip up or curl up -- emeragecosmetics lip essentials, nude skin lip butter

Answer: Roll out upper lip

Answer: Roll out upper lip

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Lip Fillers

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.