How Many Units of Botox for the Lips

The signs of aging do not spare even the lips. Some will also develop wrinkles in the lip area, such as lipstick lines, lip lines, and more. Injections of botulinum toxin become the immediate solution for these types of problems. With the accurate dose, it can reduce the appearance of your lip wrinkles. It could even improve your appearance more than bring back your youthful glow.

So what are the right units for Botox in your lips? The right dose of Botox for your lips will depend on your aesthetic goals. For removing lip lines, you’ll need about 6 average units. If you’re interested in having lip flips, you’ll need around 4-6 units. If you aim for plumper lips, Botox is best paired with dermal fillers.

How Many Units of Botox For Your Lips

Botox treatments concerning the lips can be delicate. Botox reduces the appearance of wrinkles by temporarily relaxing the facial muscles. This means your smile can get affected especially if done by an inexperienced injector. Meanwhile, following the right amount of units for lip injections will provide you with stunning results.

1) Vertical Lip Lines

Vertical lip lines are sometimes called smoker’s lines or lipstick lines. Many patients found this lip wrinkle to be one of the most unflattering facial wrinkles they have. These are the vertical lines that show between your upper lip and nose. It can also show up under your lower lip.

Treatment of lip lines with Botox involves injecting 6 units into the orbicularis oris muscle above your upper lip. This procedure reduces the appearance of your lipstick lines. 

2) Lip Flip

Injecting dermal filler for fuller-looking lips has been in trend as it adds definition and contour to your face. Aside from getting lip fillers, injecting Botox above the lips adds charm and drama to the lips, called a lip flip.

Getting a lip flip procedure aims to resolve your gummy smile–the smile where our upper lips push farther back to show our gums. Lip flips also make our lips look fuller and plumper. Our plastic surgeons will inject about 4-6 units of Botox at the orbicularis oris as the lips are a bit rolled up. Some would also add dermal filler injections to make the lips plumper.

Some patients prefer getting Botox lip flips because it is more affordable than lip fillers. A unit of Botox costs about $10 to $15. Lip flips need 4-6 units of Botox, so it just costs around $40 to $90. These rates may still depend on your location.

What Botox Can Do to Your Lips

Injecting botulinum toxin near your lips can smoothen wrinkles. It can also enhance your lip volume and restore your youthful appearance.

1) Showcases Your Upper Lip

Getting a Botox lip flip will showcase your upper lip as it starts to form a sloped shape. Your plastic surgeon will slightly flip your upper lip to give off an illusion of having fuller lips. They will inject Botox in the top half of the orbicularis oris to relax the part that holds the upper lip up. The lip can relax, leaving the upper lip subtly raised. Botox lip flip procedures define the edge of your lip or the vermillion border.

2) Reduces The Appearance of Vertical Lines

Injecting Botox near your lips will also relax the muscles that form vertical lines on your skin. This procedure will reduce the possibility of getting unwanted wrinkles and help you preserve a younger look in turn.

3) Reduces The Appearance of Gummy Smile

Getting a lip flip also reduces the appearance of your gummy smile. If you find it unflattering that your gums show up when you smile, this procedure is one of the cosmetic treatments you should look into. Botox will relax your lip elevator muscles, so your upper lip will no longer lift too much when you smile.

What Happens If You Get the Wrong Dose

Getting the wrong unit of Botox for your lips can pose risks, especially if you received more than you need. Receiving fewer units of Botox injections may cause underwhelming results for your lip injections. The outcome may be too subtle, and you may not be satisfied. You will most likely receive Botox injections again.

Overdosing on Botox for the lips may cause the botulinum toxin to spread to the surrounding areas of the injection site. These areas will feel paralyzed, and your smile may be affected. You may not get the results you want, and it will be a bit difficult to correct. 

You may also experience side effects from Botox, like pain, swelling, bruising, and others. A rare risk is to develop an illness called botulism, which causes muscle paralysis and may even lead to death, but this only happens if the provider is inexperienced or if you get your procedure done in an illegal or back-alley clinic.

Difference of Botox and Dermal Fillers on the Lips

Botox temporarily paralyzes the muscle near the lips, while lip fillers inject substances into the skin to make your lips plumper. Facial fillers use substances like hyaluronic acid to add volume and stimulate collagen production in your skin. 

Botox doesn’t add substances that make your lips plumper. It just freezes your muscles and provides an illusion that your lips are fuller. This can give your lips a natural and subtle look.

If subtle isn’t your thing, maybe dermal fillers are more suitable for you. You can add as much volume to your lips as long as it can handle the fillers. Some patients combine Botox with dermal fillers for a more enhanced effect.

Both of these cosmetic injectables are temporary. Botox lasts for about 3-4 months, while hyaluronic acid can maintain its results for 6 months.

Get Your Botox From The Experts at aNu Aesthetics

The accurate Botox unit for your lips can transform your lips and make them look plumper and youthful. 4-6 units of Botox can make your lip lines and gummy smile disappear. To achieve the lips you want, it’s best to seek board-certified plastic surgeons that will guide you throughout your cosmetic procedures.

Here at aNu Aesthetica, we are committed to providing you with the treatments and services that will make you look and feel good. Our highly-trained cosmetic professionals will ensure your satisfaction with your treatments. Let’s talk about your options by booking a consultation with us now.