Why a Lip Filler At-Home Kit Is a Bad Idea

Author

Dr. Stephen Cosentino

Perhaps you’d like to fix thin or downturned lips (or both). Or maybe you’re satisfied with your lip shape, but want to add more volume anyway. Maybe you’re just curious what you’d look like with a few lip tweaks.

Whatever your goals, you want to achieve them in the comfort of your own home. And you’d prefer not to pursue the “traditional” approach. In other words, you seek alternatives to injecting filler into the lips with a needle.

Recently, a new treatment option has emerged: “needle-free” hyaluron pens that claim to deliver hyaluronic acid to the lips without professional help. But these “lip filler at-home kits,” as they’re popularly known, are not FDA-approved and may have serious side effects. Here’s what you need to know about them — and why you should consider the alternatives.

What Is a Lip Filler at Home Kit?

A lip filler at-home kit is a DIY lip filler that may help you achieve fuller lips without visiting a medical spa or dermatologist clinic. It uses a lip filler pen rather than a lip injection with a needle.

The pen relies on pressurized air to deliver small amounts of hyaluronic acid beneath the skin (subcutaneously). The idea is to mirror the results you’d get from actually injecting hyaluronic acid without the time and expense involved in a clinic or spa visit.

These kits’ marketing materials claim they’re nearly as effective as injections and much more effective than noninvasive alternatives like lip gloss and topical hyaluronic acid serums. However, unlike the specially formulated lip fillers used by aesthetic professionals, they’re not regulated by the FDA and their effectiveness hasn’t been assessed by any neutral parties.

Why Lip Filler at Home Kits Are a Bad Idea

Why are lip filler at-home kids a bad idea? Let’s count the ways.

They’re Not Approved By the FDA

It’s one thing to apply topical hyaluronic acid in the comfort of your home, but using an alternative subcutaneous delivery method is much higher-risk.

The FDA hasn’t rigorously evaluated any hyaluron pens available for purchase today, and it warns consumers against purchasing any unapproved filler products online (even if the retailer appears reputable). You just don’t know what you’ll get.

They Can Have Serious Side Effects

Even when used as directed, lip filler at-home kits can cause serious, lasting side effects:

Noticeable bruising
Cysts and granulomas (small lumps)
Infection
Undesirable changes to lip shape or color

Your experience might go smoothly, but the risk is always there.

Most Users Lack Lip Filler Training

No matter how careful you are, you have little experience using DIY filler at home. This can lead to “user error” complications with serious or even life-threatening consequences, like blocked blood vessels and deep-tissue infection.

It’s always better to work with a plastic surgeon or board-certified dermatologist who has completed Advanced dermal filler injection training. Yes, even if it costs a bit more out of pocket.

They May Be Unsanitary

Finally, even if the injection goes smoothly and you don’t notice any immediate side effects, there’s always the risk that unregulated medication bought online will be contaminated by harmful bacteria or fungi.

A bad batch could result in life-threatening complications. That’s not a risk worth taking.