I decided to go to Nicole Frontera, an aesthetic nurse in New York who specializes in natural-looking injectables. We decided on a combination of both a flip and a lip filler – more common than not – to add plumpness to my upper lip and further enhance the results of my lip flip. But when it comes to showing your doctor a 15-second #lipfillercheck video to inspire your new pout, Frontera suggests leaving it at home.
You could argue that the rise of social media has contributed to a meteoric rise in aesthetic medicine, rooted in an overwhelming, vain self-awareness and constant bombardment of Instagram-style beauty standards. Like most 23-year-olds, I don’t often find that what I see online affects how I feel about myself. It’s not that I’m easily swayed—in fact, I usually don’t have the brainpower to constantly check out every celebrity’s mouth—but I’ll try anything once.
“The most important thing is to do the initial consultation [with a clinic]—not that you just heard it from a TikTok—and ask yourself if it’s right for you,” explains Frontera. “If someone comes to my office and I know they are not going to benefit or see much change from lip plumping, then I will advise them not to waste their money and instead get a result where you actually see. A difference.”
Will I notice a difference with a lip flip?
Lip flipping before and after depends on a number of factors. “If someone has a lip that’s too visual and bigger, they might not see a difference from the lip,” explains Frontera. “Conversely, if someone has a smaller lip and we’re struggling to get even an upper lip to begin with, then I might give them a little lip filler combined with a lip liner so the lip stays nicely open.”
My peewee-sized lips were in the latter camp, making me an ideal candidate for both a syringe of Restylane Kysse (a softer, gentler filler) and four units of neuromodulators.
When pursuing any kind of cosmetic change, you have to manage your expectations from the get-go: When your face changes overnight, it’s a big psychological change, Frontera explains. It is important to have a doctor who will not only inform you of the expectations of what is possible for your face shape, but also personally analyze what would look best on you, regardless of the image you show him. My results were too subtle for anyone but me and close family to notice.
Do lip curls look natural?
Most doctors agree that lip fillers are a natural lip enhancement. “Lip tucks give the appearance of fuller lips, but they don’t physically increase lip volume,” says Dr. Peredo. “They look slightly fuller and very natural.” However, if you want a noticeable lip look or a more prominent lower lip, Dr. King suggests lip augmentation. she says.
How long does a liplip last?
According to Dr. Peredo and Dr. King, a lip pout will last about two to three months.
