Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are among the most popular cosmetic treatments today. They are the best non-surgical solution for thin lips, deep folds, and sagging skin in the mid-face area.
Recently, the cosmetic industry has gone a step further and offered a seemingly improved version of fillers: a no-needle filler or hyaluron pen.
What is a hyaluron pen, how does it work and what are the risks?
This article explains this new device and why our skin experts at Vibrant Skin Bar are strongly against using the hyaluron pen.
Disclaimer: The hyaluron pen has not been FDA-approved and Vibrant Skin Bar strongly recommends against using this method as a replacement for injectable dermal fillers. The use of hyaluron pen may cause permanent skin damage.
What Is a Hyaluron Pen?
A hyaluron pen is a novel cosmetic device that delivers hyaluronic acid to lips and facial skin to allegedly reduce the signs of aging. It is being marketed as a treatment that adds volume to lips and smooths wrinkles in the lower part of the face. In essence, the hyaluron pen is being sold as a no-needle dermal filler.
What Does the Hyaluron Pen Do?
The hyaluron pen uses bursts of high pressure to create micropores in the skin, delivering hyaluronic acid to the top layer of the skin without a needle.
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring ingredient in the body that retains water and hydrates the skin. As we age, our bodies slow down HA production, resulting in the loss of skin moisture. With coinciding collagen loss, people experience dehydrated, dull, and sagging skin.
In theory, the injected HA helps rehydrate, lift, and smooth the skin. However, the way HA is administered via the hyaluron pen is not considered safe. The high pressure used to press the device against the skin may cause tissue damage, and the uneven administration of HA often causes unwanted results.
Additionally, HA cannot penetrate deeper into the dermal layers when administered via the pen. Hence, the potential gains are non-existent or limited. With an injectable filler, the medical professional can target the treatment area more precisely, whereas pushing HA into the skin with a hyaluron pen disperses the substance without control.
Are Hyaluron Pens FDA Approved?
The FDA hasn't approved hyaluron pens. The agency has issued a clear warning not to use these devices because of the “serious adverse events that have been reported in connection with their use, such as permanent damage to the skin, lips, and eyes.”
Hyaluron pens are sold over the counter and online for home use by using a legal loophole. Namely, selling hyaluron pens isn’t illegal, but the product must not be marketed as a dermal filler. Many untrained, non-medical professionals also provide hyaluron pen treatments in cosmetic salons.
Hyaluron Pen Side Effects
Since the hyaluron pen disperses uncontrolled amounts of HA into the skin, there is a high chance of unwanted results and adverse health outcomes.
The risks of using a hyaluron pen include:
- Asymmetrical features
- Inflammation
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Skin stains
- Abscesses
- Disease transmission between users
- Permanent damage to the skin, lips, or eyes
Safer Alternatives to the Hyaluron Pen
Responsible medical professionals advise patients interested in face rejuvenation – especially lip augmentation – to use treatments with a high safety profile. Consider the following cosmetic treatments and products.
Hyaluronic Acid Dermal Fillers
HA dermal fillers are FDA-approved and administered in sterile environments by licensed professionals. The medical provider uses a needle or a cannula, which allows for the safe and precise administration of hyaluronic acid to the treated area.
The two most popular HA dermal fillers are Juvéderm and Restylane. Each brand has a series of products designed for specific facial skin issues, from thin lips to deep nasolabial folds. Both filler brands provide amazing results and last up to 18 months.
Botox Lip Flip
The Botox lip flip is a safe alternative to hyaluron pens when performed by licensed medical professionals.
Unlike fillers, it doesn’t volumize lips with hyaluronic acid but causes the upper lip to curl to create a subtle pout – giving the appearance of fuller lips. The results last up to two months because of the low Botox dosage (4 to 6 units), but they can be maintained with regular treatments.
The procedure is quick, minimally invasive, and more cost-effective than dermal fillers.
Note: For more information, refer to our comprehensive guide to Botox lip flip treatments.
Lip-Plumping Skincare Products
People who are not comfortable with needles can still enjoy more volumized lips using advanced skincare formulations.
SkinMedica® HA5® Smooth and Plump Lip System is a two-step treatment for plumper, rosier, and more hydrated lips. It is formulated with dimethicone and hyaluronic acid, helping lips retain moisture and appear fuller.
Conclusion
The idea of having full lips and a wrinkle-free face without an injection may sound tempting. However, hyaluron pen treatments are not safe. That is why our skin experts recommend sticking to the proven dermal filler injections until the cosmetic industry comes up with an even less invasive (and safe!) treatment.
