Full lips are always in demand – but exactly what they should look like has changed. “For a long time, Kylie Jenner was the big role model, but now the focus is on natural-looking looks like those of Bella Hadid or Hailey Bieber,” says Dr. Katharina Brüggemann, a Teoxane expert.

“Women don‘t want duck-face lips, they want gentle definition and a harmonious overall look.” In other words, the opposite of the ‘injected’ look, which is still hyped in some quarters, especially on social media. Fillers are still used, but much more sparingly. They are used to even out asymmetries, gently accentuate the Cupid‘s bow or create a slightly plastic lip contour.

Hyaluronic acid is still the best choice for injection material because it is well tolerated, resembles the body‘s own substances and delivers natural results. “Although there have been experiments with other substances, hyaluronic acid remains the safest and most effective option,” says the expert.

Thanks to modern techniques and anesthetic creams, the treatment is well tolerated (you only feel a slight pressure). To ensure that the result is as natural as desired, experience and good advice are essential. “A ‘beak mouth’ usually occurs when too much material is used or when it is placed incorrectly. We inject the hyaluronic acid into the vermilion border, not into the white tissue around the lips,” says Dr. Brüggemann.

It also makes sense to start with a smaller amount and then, if necessary, add a little more volume in a second session. This way, even thin lips can be significantly plumped up – but always within the bounds of natural anatomy.

Besides injections, there are other procedures that can subtly increase fullness. In a procedure known as “lip flip”, the muscle above the lip is relaxed with Botox so that the upper lip appears to be flipped outwards a little more. Microneedling and laser treatments can also improve the lip structure – however, the volume effect is much more subtle here. This also applies to care products with hyaluronic acid, menthol or capsaicin, which smooth the lips and make them appear plumper for a few hours. But it‘s not just about volume.

“A beautifully curved contour, a precise cupid‘s bow and a smooth vermilion border give the lips attractiveness,” emphasises Dr. Brüggemann. And the harmony of the face is just as important: only when the proportions and lip shape match the type does a naturally beautiful overall picture emerge.