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 Filler (No Needle Filler)?
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.
Hyaluron pen treatments are illegal in the US, Canada, and Europe. In the US, the FDA has issued a clear warning not to use these devices.
Hyaluron pens are sold illegally over the counter and online for home use by using a loophole. Namely, selling hyaluron pens isn’t illegal in itself, 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 Filler Treatment
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.
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. In theory, the injected HA helps rehydrate, lift, and smooth the skin.
Is the Treatment Safe?
The way HA is administered via the 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.
The FDA has issued a warning against using hyaluron pens 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.”
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 also target the treatment area more precisely, whereas pushing HA into the skin with a hyaluron pen disperses the substance without control.
Injecting hyaluronic acid with the pen may cause asymmetrical features, bleeding, infection, and other adverse effects.
Risks and Potential Complications
The hyaluron pen is not FDA-approved and its use may have adverse effects on the patient. FDA-approved alternatives such as injectable dermal fillers are a much better option. 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 medical risks of using a hyaluron pen include:
- Inflammation
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Skin staining
- Abscesses
- Disease transmission between users
- Permanent damage to the skin, lips, or eyes due to high pressure
Safe Alternatives to Hyaluron Pens
Responsible medical professionals advise patients interested in face rejuvenation – especially lip augmentation – to use FDA-approved hyaluronic acid dermal fillers. They are administered in sterile environments by licensed professionals. The medical provider uses a needle or a cannula, which allows for 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 of these filler brands provide amazing results and last up to 18 months.
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.
Don’t forget to consider your own safety in the pursuit of the youthful look you desire. 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.
