Here Are the Most Popular Beauty Treatments for the Mouth

Author

Dr. Stephen Cosentino

Just kidding. You knew that already. Maybe you’re thinking about doing something about it. Or perhaps you already have.

There’s never been a better time. Recent advances in cosmetic medicine have expanded the range of safe, effective beauty treatments for the mouth — from minimally invasive mouth fillers to advanced skincare routines that restore a youthful glow to perioral skin while smoothing nearby facial wrinkles.

Popular Beauty Treatments for the Mouth: Dermal Fillers, Neuromodulators & More

Here’s what you need to know about the most popular beauty treatments for the mouth and lips.

Dermal Fillers (Lip Fillers)

Dermal filler is the most popular minimally invasive beauty treatment for lip and perioral complaints. It’s an injectable treatment that can last anywhere from a few months to several years, depending on the type and area treated.

There are several different types of lip fillers (and types of dermal filler in general), each with different active ingredients, mechanisms of action, and risk profiles:

Hyaluronic acid (HA) filler: This is the most common type of lip filler. HA is a naturally occurring substance that adds natural-looking volume to the treated area and may stimulate collagen production. Notable U.S. brands include Juvederm® and Restylane®.

Calcium hydroxylapatite filler: Also known as CaHa, this type of filler stimulates collagen production in the treated area and produces more durable results (up to two years and sometimes even longer). In the U.S., the CaHa brand Radiesse® is indicated for the treatment of nasolabial folds and marionette lines.

PMMA and PLLA filler: These semi-permanent fillers use specially formulated microbeads to add volume and stimulate collagen and elastin production around the lips and mouth. Their results can last for several years.

Lip implants: Lip implants such as Bellafill® are more or less permanent, though their appearance may change over time and your provider may recommend adjusting or even removing them at some point. They’re more expensive and more invasive than other lip fillers.

Lip and mouth filler side effects are mostly mild and temporary, but more serious events can occur, including potentially life-threatening blood clots. That’s why it’s vital to work with a board-certified provider who has completed dermal filler training coursework.

Neuromodulators (Botulinum Toxin)

The most popular brand of botulinum toxin neuromodulator is Botox®, which is FDA-approved to treat a variety of cosmetic issues. Around the mouth, it’s often used to treat:

Lip lines (vertical lines extending off the upper and lower lips)
Mild marionette lines
Chin dimpling
Other fine lines and wrinkles of the lower face

Under normal circumstances, Botox remains in the body for at least three months and sometimes as long as six. After that, the procedure must be repeated to maintain the desired results.

Noninvasive Skin Treatments

The fast-growing universe of noninvasive skin treatments that can address cosmetic complaints around the mouth include:

Chemical peels
Microdermabrasion
Laser skin resurfacing

These nonsurgical procedures must be repeated regularly to maintain results. Fortunately, they’re often less expensive than injectable treatments.