A Dysport lip flip typically requires 6 to 12 units, injected into the upper lip along the border of the muscle that circles your mouth. That’s roughly equivalent to 2 to 4 units of Botox, since Dysport uses a different unit scale. The exact number depends on the strength of your lip muscles and how much eversion your provider wants to create.
Why the Unit Count Is Lower Than Other Areas
The lip flip targets a very small section of the orbicularis oris, the circular muscle that controls your lips. When this muscle contracts, it pulls the upper lip inward and downward, which is why some people feel their upper lip “disappears” when they smile. A small dose of Dysport relaxes just the upper portion of this muscle, letting the lip roll slightly outward and show more of its pink surface. Because the treatment area is so precise, and because over-relaxing the mouth creates functional problems, the doses stay intentionally low.
Providers typically place 2 to 4 injection points along the upper lip border. Some use a center-heavy approach with slightly more product at the cupid’s bow, while others distribute units evenly. The total rarely exceeds 12 units of Dysport for a first treatment, though your provider may adjust upward at a follow-up if the initial result is too subtle.
Dysport vs. Botox Units for Lip Flips
Dysport and Botox are measured in different unit systems, which is why the numbers sound higher for Dysport. The most widely supported conversion ratio is roughly 3 units of Dysport for every 1 unit of Botox, though some practitioners use a 2.5:1 ratio. A Botox lip flip typically calls for 4 to 6 units, so the Dysport equivalent falls in the 6 to 12 unit range. If a provider quotes you a number that sounds dramatically different from this, it’s worth asking which product they’re using to make sure the math checks out.
What a Lip Flip Does (and Doesn’t Do)
A lip flip doesn’t add volume. It won’t make thin lips look fuller in the way that dermal fillers do. What it does is change the position of your upper lip by relaxing the muscle tension that pulls it inward. The result is a subtle “flip” that shows more of the lip you already have.
This works especially well if your upper lip curls under when you smile, if you show a lot of gum tissue above your teeth, or if you want a slightly more defined lip border without the commitment or cost of filler. The change is mild. If you’re hoping for a noticeable increase in lip size, filler is the better option. Many people end up combining both: a lip flip to improve the resting position and a small amount of filler for added fullness.
Timeline and Duration
Results start showing within a few days, with full effect visible at one to two weeks. This is slightly faster than Dysport in larger muscle groups, partly because the doses are so small and the muscle is thin. The flip lasts about two to five months, which is shorter than most neuromodulator treatments in other facial areas. The orbicularis oris is one of the most active muscles in your face. You use it every time you talk, eat, drink, or make facial expressions, so the product breaks down faster here.
Because the duration is relatively short, many people schedule lip flip touch-ups every 8 to 12 weeks to maintain the look.
Cost
A lip flip generally costs between $80 and $500 per session, depending on your location and the provider’s pricing structure. Some clinics charge per unit, while others set a flat fee for the procedure. At a per-unit price, Dysport tends to cost less per unit than Botox, but you need more units, so the total often comes out similar. Because the treatment uses so few units overall, a lip flip is one of the least expensive cosmetic neuromodulator procedures available.
Side Effects Worth Knowing About
The most common side effects are minor: small bruises at the injection sites, slight swelling, and tenderness that resolves within a day or two. The risk that matters more with a lip flip is functional. If too many units are used, or if the injection points are placed too deep into the muscle, the relaxation can interfere with normal lip function. This can mean difficulty drinking through a straw, trouble pronouncing certain sounds, or mild drooling. These effects aren’t permanent and resolve as the product wears off, but they can last weeks.
This is one reason providers start conservatively with lip flips, especially for first-timers. It’s easier to add a couple of units at a two-week follow-up than to wait out an over-treated lip. If you’ve never had a lip flip before, expect your provider to lean toward the lower end of the dosing range and adjust from there.