Two patients came to Excellence Medical Boutique with untreated lips and the same two concerns: they were nervous about needles, and they did not want lips that looked fake. Both were right to be cautious, and both ended up with a natural result. They did not have the same treatment.
In this video, Dr Rami Haidar explains why one patient had a lip flip and the other had a small amount of soft hyaluronic acid filler. This article covers how each treatment works, which lips each one suits, and why the decision comes from anatomy rather than preference alone.
Dr Rami Haidar | 30th May 2025 | Excellence Medical Boutique, Dubai
A lip flip is a treatment that uses a very small amount of botulinum toxin to relax the muscle around the mouth along the upper lip border. When that muscle relaxes slightly, the upper lip rolls a little outward, so more of the natural lip shows. No volume is added.
The same relaxation can also soften the fine vertical lines above the lip that form with repeated pursing. Results usually appear over one to two weeks and typically last around two to three months, which is shorter than anti-wrinkle treatment elsewhere because the dose is small and the mouth moves constantly.
Lip filler adds structure and hydration to the lip using hyaluronic acid, a substance naturally present in the skin. A soft hyaluronic acid filler can define the lip border, support shape and draw water into the tissue, so the lip looks fuller and better hydrated. For the second patient in the video, Dr Rami used a soft filler to give subtle plumpness and definition while respecting her lip anatomy.
Lip filler made from hyaluronic acid usually lasts around six to twelve months. It can also be dissolved with an enzyme if a result needs adjusting, which is one reason it is the standard choice for lips.
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The choice depends on what the lip actually needs. A lip flip suits patients who have reasonable volume but an upper lip that looks thin, often because it rolls inward when they smile. Lip filler suits patients whose lips lack structure, definition or hydration. Some patients benefit from both, and some need neither.
Proportion matters as much as the lip itself. The balance between the upper and lower lip, the shape of the cupid’s bow and the relationship of the lips to the nose and chin all shape the plan. Lip treatment that ignores the rest of the face is usually how lips end up looking separate from it.
You do not need a big change for a big impact. That is the myth Dr Rami addresses directly in the video. In both patients, small adjustments based on their anatomy made a visible difference while the lips still looked like their own. Natural lip treatment means working with the shape that is already there.
Both treatments are medical procedures with possible side effects. A lip flip can temporarily affect drinking through a straw, whistling or pronouncing certain sounds, particularly if the dose is too high. Filler can cause swelling and bruising and, rarely, more serious complications, and poorly placed filler can migrate beyond the lip border over time. Choosing a medically trained practitioner who understands lip anatomy is the most important safety decision a patient makes.
If you are considering lip treatment for the first time and want a result that still looks like you, the right starting point is an assessment of your lips in the context of your whole face. Dr Rami Haidar sees patients at Excellence Medical Boutique in Jumeirah, Dubai, and can advise whether a lip flip, filler or a combination is appropriate.
Located in the heart of Jumeirah, Dubai, Excellence Medical Boutique is more than a clinic, it’s a destination. A sanctuary where innovation, expertise and care come together to enhance your natural beauty and confidence. Excellence Medical Boutique is conveniently located on 197 Jumeira St, Jumeirah, Jumeirah 1, Dubai. This makes it easy for patients travelling from across Dubai to visit for consultation and treatment.
