Wouldn’t it be convenient if you could get lip fillers at home at a fraction of the cost? It sounds too good to be true—and it is. Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care has seen the unfortunate rise of people using DIY at-home lip fillers instead of an injection. It’s been touted across social media, especially on TikTok, where users are showing off the results of their at-home lip filler attempts, sometimes with irreversible negative effects. In fact, this “trend” has become so popular that the FDA recently issued a warning about serious side effects that can occur.
These devices are popular for a number of reasons, including the fact that there’s no needles. For those who are needle-shy, the idea of a lip filler that requires “just air” sounds like a dream come true. However, these hyaluron pens can cause, according to the FDA, “serious injuries and in some cases, permanent harm to the skin, lips, or eyes.” Let’s consider how they “work” and why they’re so dangerous.
HA Pens are All Lip Service
Hyaluron pens, or Hyla-Pens, became mainstream during the pandemic for many reasons—including the fact that a lot of medical day spas were temporarily closed. Dubbed microinjectors, non-invasive injection pens, high-pressure pens, and a host of other names, these are not FDA regulated to be used as dermal fillers. Instead, such high-pressure pens were (and are) intended as a means of helping diabetics who require multiple injections per day enjoy a quicker and more comfortable treatment.
When used properly, they work by using a very high amount of air pressure to force materials into the body without a needle. This is great for diabetics and others with such requirements, but does not work well as an alternative to in-office lip fillers. There is very little control over where the injected product is placed in the body—again, fine for insulin, but definitely not for dermal fillers. In fact, the dermal fillers being put in these pens are sold separately because hyaluron pens were never intended to be used for a lip filler. Worse, since lip fillers are not meant to be sold to the general public, you don’t actually know what you’re putting in your body.
The Risks of Shortcuts
According to the director of the Office of Surgical and Infection Control Devices at the FDA, people using hyaluron pens “may not be aware of the serious adverse events that have been reported in connection with their use.” This includes “botched” jobs of course, but also severe results including permanent skin and even lip loss. The director stresses, “Patients and health care providers should know that the FDA has not approved any dermal fillers for over the counter sale for at-home use or for use with needle-free injection devices.”
Granted, some side effects are relatively minor and temporary, such as bruising and bleeding. However, scarring, permanent lumps, discoloration, and even life-threatening conditions such as tissue death and strokes from blood vessel blockages have occurred, as reported by the FDA. Additionally, it is very easy for bacteria, fungi, and viruses to get into the body when these devices are used, resulting in infections. Transmission of some diseases is another grave concern, should users share these devices.
What You Can Do: popular dermal filler options
We know it is tempting to try out an option that is seemingly more convenient and much more affordable than the alternatives. However, an at-home lip filler simply isn’t safe or worth the risk. If you want beautiful, safe results, you need to work with an expert injector. Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care offers all of the best and most popular dermal filler options, including a wide variety of exclusive lip filler choices.
Remember that it is not only the type of lip filler, but the skill of the injector that makes all the difference in getting results you’ll love. We specialize in customizing dermal fillers for every patient, considering your natural facial anatomy and goals. Zuzana Likar trains every staff member to the highest of standards so that you can enjoy an experience and results that are unprecedented. Schedule your complimentary consultation for lip fillers at Palo Alto Laser and Skin Care today by calling the office or, for a quicker response, simply complete the online form.