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.

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.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear binky07,
I perform a lot of lip injections with fillers such as juvederm and it works great. Many times I need to put more in one side than the other to attempt to even out the vermillion border (The red line of the lip). This helps provide more symmetry at times.For patients looking for a more long lasting result, I recommend fat grafting. That is, using your own bodies fat to make your lips naturally look more shapely. The bonus is that the results last many many years.
In general, I avoid using permanent prosthesis because I find that the lips are such dynamic and sensitive structures, the end result is not natural.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

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

Answers (10)

Answer: Roll out upper lip

Answer: Roll out upper lip

Answer: Lip augmentation

Answer: Lip augmentation

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: Roll out upper lip

Answer: Roll out upper lip

Answer: Lip augmentation

Answer: Lip augmentation

Browse related questions

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.