A lip flip is a non-surgical cosmetic procedure that uses a small amount of a neuromodulator to enhance the appearance of the upper lip. The treatment involves injecting the product into specific muscles around the mouth, causing the upper lip to relax slightly and “flip” outward. This creates the illusion of a fuller, more defined lip without adding volume. This procedure is quick and has minimal downtime, but careful post-procedure care is necessary to ensure the best possible aesthetic outcome. A frequent question regarding this recovery period is whether using a straw is permitted.
The Immediate Restriction on Straw Use
Using a straw immediately following a lip flip is strongly discouraged by practitioners, typically for a period of at least 24 to 48 hours. This restriction is primarily a safeguard against the migration or improper settling of the injected neuromodulator. The product is strategically placed in precise muscle fibers, and excessive pressure or movement can cause the liquid to diffuse away from the targeted area.
The intense, puckering motion required to draw liquid through a straw generates a significant contraction in the muscles surrounding the mouth. This forceful movement risks pushing the neuromodulator to adjacent, unintended muscle areas. If the product spreads, it can lead to compromised aesthetic results, such as an asymmetrical lip appearance. Treating the area gently allows the product to bind correctly to the intended nerve receptors.
Understanding the Orbicularis Oris Muscle
The lip flip procedure targets the orbicularis oris, a complex, circular muscle that encircles the mouth. This muscle is responsible for movements including closing the mouth, pursing the lips, and puckering, which are necessary for speaking and whistling. The neuromodulator works by temporarily blocking the nerve signals that cause this muscle to contract, allowing the upper lip to gently evert, or roll outward, and appear fuller.
Drinking through a straw requires a concentrated, high-intensity contraction of the very muscle fibers that the lip flip is intended to relax. This action directly counteracts the goal of the treatment. If the orbicularis oris is excessively stimulated, it can create a suction force that prematurely displaces the newly injected product. Furthermore, over-relaxing the muscle due to product migration can lead to temporary functional difficulties, such as minor speech changes or a slight inability to keep the lips fully sealed.
Safe Drinking Methods and Related Post-Care
To avoid the intense pursing motion of straw use, patients should opt for alternative, gentler methods of hydration immediately after the procedure. Sipping liquids carefully from an open cup or glass is the safest method, as it requires minimal lip movement and pressure. For thicker liquids like soups, a spoon should be used to avoid any unnecessary strain on the perioral muscles.
Minimizing pressure and movement extends beyond just drinking habits; other activities involving forceful lip pursing must also be avoided. This includes smoking, vaping, or using any instrument that requires a tight mouth seal, such as a wind instrument. General post-care also involves avoiding any pressure on the lips, such as sleeping face down or receiving facial massages, for the first one to two days to prevent product displacement.
The Timeline for Resuming Normal Lip Function
The timeline for safely reintroducing activities like straw use depends on the product’s activation and settling period. The neuromodulator typically begins to take effect within three to seven days after the injections. However, the full aesthetic result of the lip flip is usually not visible until the ten to fourteen-day mark.
Patients should wait until at least the one-week point before considering the reintroduction of any activity that requires forceful lip pursing. Waiting until the full two-week mark is the most cautious approach, when the product is fully settled and the final results are apparent. Always prioritize the specific instructions provided by the practitioner, as they are based on the dosage and injection sites used during the procedure.