In this post:

Popular lip trends like keyhole lip filler and Russian lips can produce beautiful results, but only when performed on the right patient, with proper technique and anatomical understanding.
Social media has blurred the line between aesthetic enhancement and unrealistic transformation; safe, natural results should always come first.
Some trends, such as heart-shaped lips, complement natural anatomy, while others like devil lips pose unnecessary risks and should be avoided.
Advanced training, including ultrasound-guided techniques, empowers injectors to deliver personalised, safe, and effective lip enhancements.

The world of aesthetic medicine moves fast, and nowhere is this more evident than in the constantly changing landscape of lip filler trends. From keyhole lip filler to the controversial Russian lips, social media platforms are flooded with the latest ‘must-have’ lip shapes. But as medical professionals, we need to ask ourselves: are these trends safe, achievable, and in our patients’ best interests?

At the Smileworks Aesthetic Training HUB, we believe in evidence-based aesthetics that prioritise patient safety and natural enhancement over fleeting social media trends. In this post, we’ll examine some of the most popular lip filler trends and why proper training and anatomical understanding are crucial for delivering safe, beautiful results.

What is Keyhole Lip Filler?

The keyhole lip technique involves strategically placing dermal filler to create a small gap between the upper and lower lips when at rest. This gap resembles the shape of a keyhole. This trend has gained significant traction on social media, with many of our Smileworks Liverpool patients coming to us requesting this specific look.

The technique requires injecting filler slightly more laterally whilst intentionally leaving a midline ‘deficiency’ rather than creating a complete fullness across the entire lip. This method differs significantly from traditional lip filler injection techniques, which aim for an even distribution of volume.

The keyhole technique aims to deliberately create asymmetrical fullness to achieve that distinctive central gap that gives the look its name. The goal is to achieve volume whilst maintaining that characteristic space between the lips, creating the illusion of naturally full, pouty lips that don’t completely touch at rest.

When Keyhole Lips Work

Keyhole lips can produce beautiful results, but only when performed on the right candidate. Patient selection is absolutely critical for this technique, and attempting it on someone with unsuitable lip anatomy will inevitably lead to disappointment for both you and the patient.

This technique works best for patients who already have/had natural keyhole lips or possess the underlying anatomy that supports this look. Some individuals are born with lips that naturally create a small gap when at rest, often due to the shape of their teeth, jaw structure, or the way their orbicularis oris muscle sits.

When it comes to keyhole lip filler, the key principle is enhancement, not transformation. We’re essentially restoring or emphasising a feature that was already present, rather than trying to create something entirely new.

Patients who had fuller lips in their younger years, particularly those who experienced natural volume loss with ageing, often make ideal candidates because their facial structure already accommodates this lip shape. The results tend to look more natural and harmonious with their overall facial features.

The Risk of Following Trends Blindly

Whilst keyhole lips can certainly look stunning on the right patient, problems arise when injectors attempt this technique without proper patient selection or adequate training. The pressure from social media can be intense. Patients bring in photos of celebrities or influencers, not realising how different that facial structure is from their own. Not every patient’s anatomy will support this look, and forcing it will create more problems than it solves.

Attempting keyhole lips on unsuitable candidates often results in an unnatural appearance where the gap looks forced rather than effortless. This can lead to patient dissatisfaction and requests for lip filler dissolving.

There’s also an increased risk of complications when working against natural anatomy, as injectors may need to use more product or place it in suboptimal locations to try to achieve the patient’s desired look. Perhaps most importantly, unrealistic expectations can be set for future treatments, with patients believing that any and every look they see online is achievable. 

Other Lip Filler Trends

Russian Lip Technique

The Russian lip technique has become increasingly popular for its ability to create dramatic height and projection. This method involved multiple injection points along the lip border, focusing on vertical projection rather than simple volume enhancement.

When performed correctly by an experienced injector, Russian lips can create stunning results with enhanced definition and improved overall lip architecture. However, this technique is significantly more complex than standard lip filler techniques and requires advanced understanding of lip anatomy to execute it well and safely.

This trend isn’t for everyone though. It’s best for those who like the aesthetic of overfilled, dramatically plumped lips. For patients who want a subtle, natural result, this trend is to be avoided at all costs.

Botox Lip Flip

While not a lip filler trend, Botox lip flips are certainly a lip trend. This treatment has recently gained popularity, particularly in patients who want a subtle change or are hesitant about dermal fillers. This technique involves injecting small amounts of botulinum toxin into the orbicularis oris muscle to relax the upper lip, allowing it to evert slightly and appear fully.

While this can be effective for some patients, particularly those with a strong orbicularis oris muscle that naturally turns their upper lip inward, the lip flip has limitations that social media often doesn’t show. The lip flip is known to temporarily affect normal lip function, making it initially difficult to drink through a straw or purse the lips.

Some patients also find their speech slightly affected for the first few days after treatment. If overdone, this technique can create an unnatural appearance where the upper lip appears to be constantly slightly open, which can look odd during conversation. The technique is also not suitable for patients wanting a significant volume increase, as it doesn’t actually add any to the lips.

Devil Lips

Some trends push the boundaries of aesthetic medicine into body modification territory, moving far away from the natural enhancement that should be the goal of facial aesthetics. ‘Devil lips’ represent one such extreme. This lip trend involves aggressive injection techniques designed to create additional peaks in the lip border, often resulting in an overdone appearance that is striking but rarely flattering.

These extreme modifications don’t align with the values of medical injectors and carry significantly higher complication risks. The aggressive injection techniques required can damage the delicate vascular network of the lips, leading to lip filler gone wrong. This can lead to necrosis, scarring, or permanent deformity.

From a professional standpoint, being associated with these extreme modifications can damage an injector’s reputation and credibility within their respective regulatory body. We have a responsibility to guide patients away from potentially harmful trends that prioritise shock value over natural enhancements.

Heart-Shaped Lips

Not all trends are problematic, and heart-shaped lips represent a good example of when social media trends align with aesthetic principles. Heart-shaped lips are characterised by a pronounced cupid’s bow and a fuller lower lip, creating a naturally feminine and attractive appearance. This trend works well because it enhances existing anatomical features rather than fighting against them.

The key to a successful heart-shaped lip result is recognising when a patient’s natural anatomy supports this particular look and when it doesn’t. Patients with naturally well-defined cupid’s bows and good lip structure make ideal candidates. Those with very thin lips or poor definition may need realistic expectations about what can be achieved.

The Future of Lip Fillers

As the aesthetic industry continues to grow, we’re seeing a shift towards a more natural, individualised approach to lip enhancement. Though social media spreads questionable lip filler trends, it also has played a role in educating patients about the importance of choosing qualified medical professionals over bargain alternatives.

This evolution presents an opportunity for properly trained medical practitioners to distinguish themselves by focusing on:

Personalised treatment plans
Safety-first approaches
Natural-looking results
Long-term patient relationships

The most important skill any aesthetic practitioner can develop is knowing when to say no, and this becomes even more critical when dealing with trending techniques. Trends come and go, but your reputation for safety and natural results will define your practice’s success for years to come.

Perfecting Your Lip Filler Technique

Ready to go beyond the lip filler trends? It’s time to properly introduce ourselves. We are the Smileworks Aesthetic Training HUB – an esteemed aesthetic training centre based in the UK. We pride ourselves on our wide range of online and hands-on courses tailored for every skill level.

If you’re a beginner injector, our Foundation Botox & Lip Filler course will give you the best foundations in aesthetic injecting, including the best lip filler tips. All of our courses start online, so you can jump into the course material right away!

It doesn’t stop there. For top-tier ultrasound learning, look no further than our Foundation Facial Ultrasound Course and our Advanced Facial Ultrasound Course, two musts for all injectors. Ultrasound is the single most important tool for ensuring safe and effective treatments every time.

For those looking for more in-depth training, we recommend booking a one-to-one mentoring session with Dr MJ. These sessions are 100% customisable, and you’ll receive personalised instruction based on your skill level and goals.

Join us at the HUB. Let’s shape the future of aesthetic medicine together and ensure safe, effective, and transformative results for every patient.

Want to try out our courses before committing? Take advantage of our free trial for a taste of what learning at the HUB is like.

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