6 Lip Shaping Options to Enhance the Appearance of Your Lips

If you’ve been researching ways to get a plumper pout, you aren’t alone. The desire for fuller lips has been on the rise over the last few years due to an increase in photo filters, lip transformations seen on celebrities and the affordability of lip enhancement over other cosmetic procedures. These factors and more have landed lip augmentation in the top five minimally invasive cosmetic procedures, with more than 1.4 million procedures performed annually.¹

Whether you are looking to regain lost volume, reshape your smile or enhance your lip definition, lip shaping procedures may help you achieve your goals.

What Is Lip Shaping?

Over time, lips can lose shape and volume due to aging, genetics, sun damage and smoking. Lip shaping treatments can help counteract these changes and renew, smooth, reshape and plump the lip area.

Lip shaping can be used to:²

• Add volume and fullness

• Enhance contour

• Improve lip symmetry

• Refine lip shape

• Smooth lip wrinkles

Lip shaping isn’t always about creating a younger, fuller pout. Those who have excessive tooth show or a lopsided or gummy smile may also benefit from lip shaping as a way to refine their smile.²

Anatomy of the Lips

If you're looking to reshape your lips, it can be helpful to understand the different parts of the lip that can be impacted with a lip shaping treatment.

There are four main parts of the lip:³

1. Cupid's bow is the inverted V-shape at the center of the top lip.

2. Vermillion borders are the downward- and upward-sloping sides of the lips on the top and bottom.

3. Oral commissures are the corners of the mouth where the lips meet.

4. Philtrum is the indentation above the upper lip that connects the Cupid's bow to the nose.

Lip Shape Types

Before considering lip shaping treatments, it can help to know what your desired lip shaping results are. Lip shapes are often categorized into these nine shapes:⁴

1. Full lips

2. Heavy upper lips

3. Wide lips

4. Round lips

5. Heavy lower lips

6. Thin lips

7. Bow-shaped lips

8. Heart-shaped lips

9. Downward-turned lips

Treatment Options for Lip Shaping

If you are interested in exploring lip shaping, you have several treatment options to consider — from subtle, temporary solutions to permanent techniques — to enhance your lips. Here are six common lip shaping treatment options. Consult with your cosmetic surgeon on which option may be right for you.

1. Lip filler

One of the most common methods to shape and plump the lips is with hyaluronic acid fillers. Injectable hyaluronic acid dermal fillers such as Juvéderm^® or Restylane^® can add temporary volume and definition to the lips.⁴ 

Lip filler can be strategically injected to correct asymmetry, add volume or create definition based on the patient’s goals. The procedure usually takes less than an hour, and results are nearly immediate. Unlike other fillers, hyaluronic acid lip fillers create less bruising and are less likely to cause an allergic reaction.⁵

The results from lip filler will depend on the specific filler used and your body’s rate of metabolizing it, but most individuals will see results last an estimated 12 months.⁶

The national average cost* of lip fillers is $959 but can range from $332 to $2,354.⁷

2. Lip lift

A lip lift is a surgical procedure to permanently enhance the size and shape of the upper lip. In the more common version of this procedure, called a subnasal or bullhorn lip lift, an incision is made under the nose and a small amount of skin between the lip and the nose is removed. Once sutured closed, this procedure lifts the upper lip and exposes more red of the lip to create a plumper appearance. Initial healing from a lip lift is two to three weeks, with complete results visible within two to three months.⁸

While the bullhorn lift has become more common in recent years, there are alternative lip lift procedures that may be a better fit depending on your desired results:⁹

• Central lip lift

• Corner lip lift

• Direct lip lift

• Italian lip lift

Talk with your surgeon to decide which option is right for you.

The average cost* of a lip lift is $3,126 but can range from $2,409 to $6,144.¹⁰

3. Lip flip

A lip flip is a cosmetic procedure where a neurotoxin, such as BOTOX^® Cosmetic, is injected into the top lip muscle, which allows the muscle to relax and "flip” upward to create the appearance of a more voluminous upper lip. Lip flips can create a more natural shape and be more affordable than fillers.¹¹

The full effect of a lip flip can take one to two weeks to set in. The results are subtle and temporary, and the procedure needs to be repeated every three to four months.¹¹

The average cost* of a lip flip is $248 but can range from $190 to $485.¹⁰

4. Lip fat transfer

As an alternative to dermal fillers for lip shaping, fat transfer can also add volume and definition to the lips. In this procedure, fat is removed from the thighs or abdomen through liposuction and then injected into the lips.¹²

Since fat transfer doesn’t use foreign materials, it can look more natural. And because it uses your body’s own material, there is a lower rate of allergic reaction, making it a desirable option for many patients. Fat transfer lip shaping is considered to be a permanent lip-shaping solution.¹²

The average cost* of a lip fat transfer is $3,231 but can range from $2,495 to $6,175.¹⁰

5. Lip implant

Lip implants are another option for those looking for a more permanent lip shaping solution. For this lip shaping treatment, pliable silicone implants are inserted into the lip through tiny incisions in the corners of the mouth. The procedure can take less than an hour, only requires one to three days of downtime and can provide permanent results.¹²

Lip implants cannot correct lip asymmetry, and in those with very thin lips, a physical lip implant may be visible under the skin.¹³

The average cost* of a lip implant is $2,969 but can range from $2,292 to $5,358.¹⁰

6. Cosmetic lip tattoo

Another way to enhance the shape of your lips is with a cosmetic lip tattoo. A lip tattoo can be used to create a more defined outer line of the lip or to fill the lips with a semipermanent color called lip blushing. Lip tattoos can help reshape lip asymmetry and can help create the appearance of fuller, more voluptuous lips. The procedure can also be used to address lip scars or discoloration.¹⁴

Lip shaping with lip tattooing can take two to three hours to complete, and the results can last one to three years.¹⁴

The average cost* of a cosmetic lip tattoo is $303 but can range from $233 to $562.¹⁰

Financing Lip Shaping With the CareCredit Credit Card

Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for lip shaping and related expenses not covered by health insurance.** Use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. 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 15 years of experience. Her work has appeared in Parents, Women's Health, Beachbody and OpenFit.