When it comes to plumping your lips to their fullest potential, there are several paths you can take. One path will lead to a medspa or your skin doctor’s office, where you can choose from hyaluronic acid-based injectables, from Juvederm to Volbella and Kysse. Or, you can go the non-invasive route, using a needle-free method to enhance your pout – the choice is yours.
However, if you do decide to go the natural lip filler route, you should be armed with everything you need to know before you start your journey to fuller, plumper lips. Luckily, we reached out to the pros to learn about the best alternatives to injectables, the full-on products you can use at home, and why you should never go near a hyaluronic pen. Ahead, read natural lip fillers and more.
Hyaluronic acid stars in the show.
If you’re looking for a topical route to plump lips, look for a lip product that contains hyaluronic acid (HA). After all, it’s the same ingredient that most injectable lip fillers are made from, and many lip treatments, oils, and filler complexes are infused with the moisturizing ingredient.
“HA is found in many products designed for plump lips,” notes Brooke Jeffy, a board-certified dermatologist in Arizona. “In these products, HA attracts water, hydrating lips and leaving them feeling smoother and softer and looking subtly fuller. These temporary effects may occur in just a few minutes, but long-term effects can only occur with continued long-term use.” She recommends The PCA Hyaluronic Acid Lip Booster and Revision Skincare YouthFull Lip Replenisher.
Georgina Ferzli, a board-certified dermatologist in New York, says her go-to product for an HA lip blast is Byroe Black Cherry Plump Lip Oil “In addition to having tons of antioxidants and moisturizing ingredients, it contains a complex of eight different hyaluronic acids that work together to plump lips and lock water into the skin,” she says.
The esthetician Dr. Gendai Echezona, MD, recommends Dior Addict Lip Maximizer for a fuller pout. “This lip shampoo contains hyaluronic acid spheres to hydrate and plump lips, giving them a subtly fuller look,” she says. “The results will not be dramatic.” Plus, it comes in a range of shades, from holographic lavender to sheer raspberry and shimmery bronze.
Echezona is also a fan of him Jan Marini Hyla3D Lip Complexwhich is infused with hyaluronic acid, peptides and retinol. “It provides both immediate and long-term benefits, reducing fine lines and wrinkles while boosting lip volume,” she says. “It’s perfect for day and night use.”
Dior Lip Maximizer Plumping Gloss
Jan Marini Hyla3D HA Lip Complex
PCA SKIN Hyaluronic Acid Lip Booster
Revision Skincare YouthFull Lip Replenisher
True Botanicals Moisture Lock Glossy Balm
Needle-free lip treatments are available at Medspas.
You can also get your fix at a medspa. “Non-invasive, needle-free lip treatments have become increasingly popular for those looking to enhance their lips without the use of injections or surgery,” says Lindsay Holdorf, Dermstore’s resident esthetician. “These treatments often focus on hydration, plumping and smoothing, offering a less intimidating option for lip enhancement.”
If you’re looking for a more professional, needle-free full lip treatment, in-office options include:
LED lip treatment
“LED therapy uses different wavelengths of light to reduce inflammation, boost collagen, and enhance healing, leading to smoother, fuller lips,” notes Holodorf. Although the treatment is on the Medspas menu, you can also try it at home. Sephora, Nordstrom and other retailers carry FDA-cleared lip masks that use red light to enhance your pout.
“Red light promotes cell renewal, reduces inflammation, increases collagen production, enhances radiance, and helps regenerate skin to keep it youthful and hydrated,” says Ferzli. An FDA-cleared lip mask “focuses exclusively on the lips in a safe, effective way, making it a game-changer in the gorgeous lips department,” she adds.
Currentbody Skin Skin LED Lip Perfector
Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare DRx SpectraLite LipWare Pro LED Device
Revive Light Therapy Lux Collection Lip Care LED Lip Plumping Device at Nordstrom
HydraFacial Lip Perk
You can also combine your lip filler with one Hydrofacial. “The HydraFacial has an added service that helps seal in the lips — it’s called the HydraFacial Lip Perk,” says Echezona. “It uses a special device with a technology called ‘roller-flex’ that exfoliates and smooths the lips while infusing them with a serum containing hyaluronic acid, peppermint oil and peony extract. This will gently exfoliate, moisturize and plump the lips. The effects of the treatment may be short-term, lasting a few days, but there is a serum available to take at home to help maintain the results.’
Some more medspa treatments you can consider are:
- Microcurrent treatment: This technique sends tiny electrical currents to the lips to stimulate muscle activity and collagen production. Holodorf notes that it’s ideal for improving contour and firmness around the lips.
- Radio frequency (RF) treatments: Using an electromagnetic device that generates heat to boost collagen and skin elasticity around the lips, this treatment can smooth fine lines and subtly plump the pout.
- Ultrasound therapy: Commonly used in facial treatments, ultrasound therapy can be tailored to focus on the lips. “It stimulates collagen and tightens tissue for subtle lip enhancement, targeting signs of aging like fine lines and loss of elasticity,” explains Holodorf.
Step away from the Hyaluron Pen!
You may have heard of the hyaluronic pen, an at-home device touted as a needle-free, painless alternative to dermal fillers. A word to the wise: Experts tell us to steer clear of the hyaluronic pen.
Hyalruon pens use high pressure air to deliver non-medical grade HA to the skin of the lips. Sound sketchy? There are others: “Unregulated, over-the-counter devices like the hyaluronic pen in non-medical hands are a recipe for disaster,” says Jeffy. “Think bleeding, bruising, scarring, infection and damage to your eyes from the extreme strain required to attempt this. If you want HA on your lips, see a medical professional.”
Injectable Lip Fillers: Juvederm & Restylane
Of course, you could always go the injectable route. “Lip filler injections are a relatively non-invasive way to add volume to the lips,” says Ferzli. “Almost all lip fillers are made of hyaluronic acid, a molecule that binds water. In fact, one molecule of hyaluronic acid can bind up to a ton of water! These fillers will differ primarily in their G-prime, which refers to the viscosity and elasticity of the product. G-prime determines how fluid or flexible a filler is. A thicker filler will provide more structure and is usually used when someone is looking for more shape or contour to their lip. A rougher filler will provide a lot of hydration and a plusher filler will give a more pillowy pout.
Ferzil describes the texture of the most popular types of injectable lip fillers as follows:
- Juvederm: Thick & Hard
- Juvederm Volbella: Runnier
- Juvederm Volur: Velvet
- Restylane Kysse: Fimer
- Restylane Silk: Average
Baby Lip Fillers
Don’t forget: You don’t just have the choice of what kind of filler to take — you can weigh the amount, too. (Think baby Botox—but do it on the lips.) “Most of my patients prefer the subtle and natural-looking results of lip fillers,” says Dr. Rachel Reyes-Bergano, the medical director of SkinSpirit Pasadena. “The HA half fill syringe is a popular choice, especially for contact sessions. The majority of my patients see me once or twice a year for lip fillers.”
Before and after care for dermal lip fillers
If you go the injectable route, you’ll need to give your lips some TLC—not just in the days after the service, but in the time leading up to it as well. “Preparatory care at home in the days before the lip filler procedure greatly affects healing,” says Reyes-Bergano. “I often advise my patients to avoid blood thinners such as aspirin for a week to limit the risk of bleeding. It is also important to mention to their clinic if they have a history of cold sores because medication may be required before the procedure to prevent a flare-up afterwards. Some of my patients like to use Arnica, an herbal supplement that helps reduce bleeding and bruising a few days before their procedure.”
After a procedure, Reyes-Bergano recommends using a petroleum jelly-based balm to lock in moisture. “This is important, especially after lip-filler,” she says. “I keep a tube in my purse to keep my lips hydrated throughout the day.” She also recommends using reparative lip products enriched with antioxidants like vitamin E and moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid.
Meet the Experts
- Dr. Rachel Reyes-Bergano it’s the SkinSpirit Medical Director of Pasadena.
- Georgina FerzliMD, MS, FAAD, director of cosmetic dermatology at Tribeca Dermatology and MedSpa and associate clinical professor at the Weill Cornell Department of Dermatology.
- Dr. Yedai EhezonaMD, is an aesthetic physician in Connecticut.
- Lindsey Holdorff is the resident beautician at Dermstore.
- Brooke Jeffy, MDis a board-certified dermatologist in Scottsdale, Arizona, and the founder of youth skincare brand BTWN.
Why trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products across categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts and reviewing items that customers love. For this piece, ELLE.com contributor Jenny Berg interviewed dermatologists and other skin care experts about injectable fillers and needle-free alternatives to achieving plump, soft lips.
