Cherry Lips Filler: The Biggest Trend of 2023

David Fuller

Last Updated On: March 27, 2024

What Are Cherry Lips?

Cherry lips are the latest Korean lip surgery trend where, by using dermal fillers, plastic surgeons help their patients get plumper but still natural-looking lips.

Unlike other popular dermal filler techniques, where the filler is spread evenly around the treated area, this technique is only used on the middle portion of the upper and lower lip. The desired effect is to get lips that are plump only in their center section, as if two cherries were inside both lips. That’s also where the name comes from.

While the trend originated in Seoul, including various K-pop stars that underwent the treatment, it’s already taking the world by storm. Everyone is looking for fuller, pouty lips and that youthful look that cherry lip fillers provide.

Achieving the Cherry Lip Look

The biggest reason so many people are interested in getting cherry lips is that the procedure is non-surgical and non-invasive. It’s all done with hyaluronic-based dermal fillers, so patients won’t suffer through a lengthy recovery period.

In fact, the procedure has been streamlined so much that there’s no doubt about how it’s supposed to be done or what products to use.

Lip Fillers for Cherry Lips

One of the big debates about this procedure was which product to use. Is one filler better than the others? Well, not really. Any of the top-rated dermal fillers that can be injected into the lip area can be used in this Korean lip filler trend.

Products like Juvederm and Belotero are the most sought-after by patients, but primarily because these products were the most popular among the pop stars that started the trend.

What is important is the filler consistency that you’ll use for the treatment. Fillers with thinner consistency are generally better for getting the best results and that natural pout, but there are also surgeons who recommend thicker fillers. This is another topic that has been hotly debated, just like when any new beauty trend arises. Ultimately, what truly matters is the patient’s physiology, the availability of the products, and the injector’s skill to sculpt the lips using the dermal filler.

Cherry Lip Technique

When the cherry lip trend gained popularity, some confusion arose among aesthetic surgeons about whether this was just another name for Russian lips.

But, unlike Russian lips, where the goal is to define the cupid’s bow, the focus when performing the cherry lip injections is to target the plump areas in both lips with a slightly larger dose used for the lower lip (the ratio is 1:1.3). This effectively means there are four target areas, and, it’s worth noting, the injector should avoid treating the corners of the mouth if the patient has requested to get cherry lips.

Besides the aforementioned cherry shape, the desired effect is for the lift to cause a slight smile in the corners of the mouth.

Cherry lips usually last 6 to 12 months, but the exact longevity also depends on the patient’s metabolism and other factors, including age and the amount of filler used.

Ideal Candidates for Cherry Lips Fillers

Now that the trend has taken over in the United States, many patients have expressed a desire to get cherry lips. But only some are ideal candidates.

The primary purpose of dermal fillers based on hyaluronic acid is to restore the natural look to the face. The person who could be perceived as the ideal candidate for the cherry lips procedure is one whose lips already have a similar shape. Again, the goal is to produce a natural-looking result, even though the filler isn’t injected evenly throughout both lips.

Patient consultation is, therefore, highly recommended. It is necessary to assess whether the patient is a good candidate for the procedure; and whether it will clash with their facial features for the best possible outcome. The medical practitioner should recommend alternatives if the patient isn’t a good candidate for cherry lips, and offer other lip filler techniques that can produce similar results.

Cherry Lips Aftercare

Whether the patient has done standard dermal fillers or Korean lip fillers, the aftercare during the first 24 hours after the procedure is extremely important.

The aftercare for cherry lips is similar to the care needed for other lip injections, and includes:

• Avoiding any strenuous exercise and similar activities for the first 24 hours.
• Refraining from putting on lip balms or lipstick.
• Proper hydration while refraining from drinking alcohol.
• Refrain from making puckering motions with the lips, including kissing and drinking from a straw.
• Avoid touching or pressing the lips. Any pressure on the treated area is not recommended.
• When brushing teeth, the patient should do so slower than usual, taking extra care not to press the brush against the middle portion of their lips.

If bruising or swelling occurs, the patient should put an ice pack on the problematic area and keep it there for 10 minutes.

Cherry Lips Risks and Side Effects

If your patients are eager to get onto the cherry lips Korean trend, ensure you warn them about potential risks and unwanted reactions to the procedure.

Hyaluronic acid is generally considered safe, as it’s a natural-occurring substance that the human body won’t reject. Allergic reactions to this substance are very rare, and if you’re ordering your supplies from licensed sources like Med Supply Solutions, you’re reducing any possible risk.

Still, it’s highly unadvisable for patients with a history of severe allergies to get hyaluronic acid injections, including the cherry lips procedure. Also, it’s worth repeating that this procedure isn’t recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

Lip injections that include hyaluronic acid can cause some minor side effects. These include slight itching and redness in the treated area and, in some cases, bruising, swelling, and pain. The manufacturing process for hyaluronic acid has drastically improved in recent years, so only 2% of patients experience these side effects.

Of course, using sterile equipment and proper technique is imperative to avoid infections or tissue necrosis.

FAQ

What is cherry lip filler?

Cherry lips is a recent popular technique that originated in South Korea where dermal fillers are injected only in the middle sections of the patient’s lips, resulting in a natural pout, plump look.

How long do cherry lips last?

Like other lip fillers, cherry lips typically last six months to a year. Of course, certain factors are in play, and the longevity of your cherry lips may vary.

How do you get cherry lips?

The filler is injected into two plump parts of each lip, making lips look like four plump cherries sitting atop each other.

References

Cherry Lips – Korea’s latest lip filler trend; Julie Yang, 2023

https://aerskinlab.com/zh/blogs/journal/cherry-lips-korea-s-latest-lip-filler-trend

Hyaluronic Acid; Kendra Walker, Brandon M. Basehore, Amandeep Goyal, Patrick M. Zito; Mar 2023

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482440/

Everything you need to know about hyaluronic acid; Jamie Eske, Sep 2019

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326385