Top Types of Lip Fillers: Choosing the Best One for Your Needs

Whether achieved through a quick gloss, dermal fillers or even implants, fuller lips have become a defining hallmark of modern beauty. According to the latest data from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, lip augmentation has consistently ranked among the top five minimally invasive cosmetic procedures since tracking began in 2022.¹ Whether you are looking to enhance volume, refine shape or improve symmetry, lip fillers can offer a customizable way to achieve your ideal pout.

What Are Lip Fillers?

Lip fillers are a non-surgical cosmetic treatment that uses injectable dermal fillers to add volume, shape and definition to the lips. These fillers can enhance the natural contours of the lips, smooth fine lines around the mouth and add fullness to the lips that may be lacking due to aging or genetics to achieve plumper, more balanced lips.²

Popular Types of Lip Fillers

When it comes to plumping the lips, the most popular types of filler are currently hyaluronic acid fillers, such as Juvéderm® and Restylane®. Other options for lip enhancements include collagen filler, fat transfer and lip implants.²

Juvéderm lip filler

Juvéderm is a popular brand of hyaluronic acid fillers designed to add volume and symmetry to the lips as well as smooth fine lines around the mouth.³ Juvéderm Volbella® uses a blend of low and high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid to create a smooth, subtle lip enhancement, while Juvéderm Ultra XC has a high hyaluronic acid concentration, making it suitable for more significant plumping.⁴ Juvéderm fillers last around 12 months, providing a more voluminous look for the lips.²

Restylane lip filler

Restylane is another popular line of hyaluronic acid filler used to contour and define the lips. Restylane can be used to add volume and projection to the lips.⁵ Restylane Silk® creates soft, natural-looking definition and shaping. Its cohesive texture allows it to stay in place once injected, making it especially valued for its ability to sculpt and refine the lip shape.⁶ Restylane fillers only last an average of six to 10 months.²

Belotero lip filler

Belotero Balance is an ultra-thin hyaluronic acid filler designed to smooth fine lines and superficial wrinkles with a soft, natural finish. Because it’s placed close to the skin’s surface, minor bruising is more common. As with other hyaluronic acid fillers, results are immediate, but for Belotero, typically only last three to six months.⁷

Other lip fillers

While hyaluronic acid fillers remain the most popular option for lip fillers, some providers may also offer lip enhancement with other dermal fillers.

• Calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA). CaHA fillers like Radiesse® are thicker and longer-lasting, and are generally used for structural facial volume rather than subtle lip enhancement.⁸

• Collagen lip fillers. Once the go-to option for adding lip volume, collagen fillers have largely been replaced by hyaluronic acid fillers, which offer more natural-looking results. Made from bovine collagen, collagen fillers require allergy testing to ensure you do not have a reaction and can have less predictable longevity than hyaluronic acid fillers.⁵

• Poly-L-lactic acid. Poly-L-lactic acid fillers like Sculptra® help to stimulate your body’s own collagen production and can provide longer-term results, but may have a higher risk of lumpiness compared to hyaluronic acid fillers.⁸

Other lip enhancement treatments

In addition to cosmetic injectables, lip enhancement can also be done through fat transfer injections and lip implants.³

Fat transfer lip injections use your body’s own fat to enhance the size, fullness and shape of your lips. Fat is traditionally removed from the abdomen, thighs or buttocks, processed and then injected into the lips. Because this procedure involves fat harvesting, it can have a longer recovery time than dermal fillers. Results can be longer-lasting but also less uniform, with lumpiness being a concern compared to other lip fillers.³

Unlike lip fillers, which need to be redone every six to 12 months, lip implants are permanent, providing continuous plumping and fullness without any maintenance. During a lip implant, lip-shaped implants made out of silicone, expanded polytetrafluoroethylene or allograft dermis are surgically inserted into the upper and/or lower lips.⁹ While providing permanent results, the implants may result in a less natural feeling in the lips.³

With so many lip filler options to choose from, you’ll want to schedule a consultation with a qualified practitioner to review your aesthetic goals to help decide which treatment may be best for you.

Where to Get Lip Filler

Lip rejuvenation procedures may be offered through a cosmetic surgeon, dermatologist or medi spa. Selecting an experienced injector for lip fillers will help ensure your safety as well as the quality of your results. Look for a certified medical professional such as a registered nurse, nurse practitioner or medical doctor. Explore a provider’s before-and-after photos as well as reviews from past clients. During your consultation, look for a provider who asks questions, listens to your feedback and offers input to help you achieve the results you want.¹⁰

Next Steps for Lip Rejuvenation

If you’re ready to take the next steps to plump and define your lips, schedule an initial consultation with a qualified provider of lip fillers. There, you can discuss your goals, hear about treatment options and feel confident and ready as you head into your lip rejuvenation appointment.

Financing Lip Fillers With the CareCredit Credit Card

When getting lip fillers or another cosmetic procedure, the CareCredit credit card can help you pay for costs not covered by insurance.* Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic specialist near you that accepts CareCredit. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go and easily access the Well U blog for more great articles, podcasts and videos.

In addition to cosmetic procedures, you can also use your CareCredit credit card for dentistry, pet care, vision, hearing, health systems, dermatology, pharmacy purchases, spa treatments and so much more within the CareCredit network. How will you invest in your health and wellness next?

Author Bio

Kate Bayless is a health and wellness freelance writer with 20 years of experience. Her work has appeared in Parents, Women’s Health, Beachbody and OpenFit.