Every time I look there’s a new trend purporting to deliver full lips without filler or surgery…
Lip blushing is trending on TikTok. New technique to volumize your lips without surgery or filler or more empty promises? Image by asierromero for Freepik.
There’s something about human nature that propels us towards wanting things we don’t have. Greener grass, fuller lips…
Before Angelina Jolie made extra full lips the coveted beauty feature of the 2000s (and inadvertently sent legions of women in search of collagen injections), women were already well and obsessed over the appearance, size, and shape of their lips. And our collective focus on the mouth is understandable.
What we find attractive often boils down to facial harmony. How well attention is directed towards the eyes for example, and the best plastic surgery in the world focuses on that very goal. Lips play a big part.
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: many people who covet fuller lips really want a shorter philtrum (achieved through a surgical lip lift). A long philtrum, the area between the upper lip and base of the nose (something that increases with age), can pull attention to the center of the face (nose, cheeks, mouth), and away from the eyes. It can also mask the upper teeth when the mouth is slightly parted. For the right candidate (typically someone with a philtrum distance greater than 1.5 cm), shortening the philtrum can increase facial harmony and direct attention back to the eyes.
The problem with trying to chase a long philtrum with lip filler is that it can make the distance between the nose and the upper lip even more prominent. Yet surgery can be daunting and not everyone is a candidate or wants a drastic change.
Enter lip blushing!
What Is Lip Blushing?
Unlike many of the trending procedures out there… this isn’t a bad one.
I recently reacted to a YouTube video where a creator documented her own experience getting lip blushing in South Korea. It’s a great jumping-off point to discuss what this procedure can (and can’t) do.
Lip blushing (lip liner tattooing) can be a great option if you’d like fuller lips but aren’t a candidate for surgery or don’t want the maintenance of lip filler. One word of caution – the colour matching can be tricky. Go to someone who specializes in this procedure and look at their catalogue to make sure you’re on the same aesthetics page. Image by cookie_studio for Freepik.
Unlike lip fillers, which add actual volume beneath the skin, a lip liner tattoo uses pigment to enhance the vermilion border and subtly adjust symmetry or shape. Think of it as makeup you can’t wash off for a couple of years.
The technique is similar to other cosmetic tattoos, like eyebrow microblading or eyeliner tattoo. After numbing cream is applied, a fine needle is used to deposit pigment into the top layers of the skin. The results can last 1–3 years, with touch-ups required to maintain color. Keep in mind that this never quite goes away either, even when it fades (which can be a con for some people, and a plus for others).
Who is Happiest with This Procedure?
The ideal candidate for this type of lip augmentation is someone who likes their natural lips but wants to restore some definition and color, especially as collagen and elastin start to decline with age, and the crispness of the lip border begins to blur.
People most likely to have a high satisfaction aren’t really interested in surgery nor are they enamoured with the idea of lip filler and the maintenance that accompanies it.
So yes, if you tick those earlier aesthetic boxes (border, definition, color), this might be a worthwhile procedure.
The Experience: Pain, Healing, and Cost
The discomfort is minimal (a topical numbing cream is applied beforehand), with most people reporting a 3–5 out of 10. The cupid’s bow is often cited as the most sensitive spot, which makes sense: that central zone of the lip has more nerves and blood vessels.
Like any tattoo, healing involves swelling and peeling. Gentle skincare products, like my Feel Confident line, are a must. Within a week, the swelling subsides and within roughly two weeks the pigment settles to its final shade.
While South Korea is a hotspot (the price runs about $500–$600 USD including a touch up session), many artists are available for this procedure in the US, and for a lot less once a flight is factored in. As mentioned, results last up to three years but that can vary with skin type, skincare habits and sun exposure.
Expect swelling, peeling, and pigment darkening before lips settle into their final shade. Sun protection and gentle lip balm are a must. Image by rawpixel.com for Freepik.
Final Word
Can you really plump lips without filler? Yes and no. A lip blush tattoo can redefine, recolor, and subtly reshape. Done well, it can look very natural: “your lips, but better.” Done poorly, it can leave mismatched pigment or awkward borders that are difficult to undo. As with any cosmetic treatment, results depend heavily on the provider’s artistry and experience.
However, increased volume and/or a shorter philtrum is still well in the realm of lip filler and surgery.
If you’re considering this one, think carefully about your long-term goals, research your provider thoroughly, and weigh the pros and cons of each option.
Like all aesthetic procedures, the best outcome is one that makes you feel more confident—not one that follows the latest trend.
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TLDR: How Lip Blushing Compares to Filler and Surgery
Lip Filler (HA-based): Adds actual 3D volume. Can hydrate and restore the vermilion roll. Downside: needs repeat treatments, and there’s always a risk of migration.
Lip Lift Surgery: Permanently shortens the philtrum (the space between nose and upper lip) and exposes more of the lip tissue and increases upper tooth show. Great for structural change, but invasive. Corner lip lifts expose the outer portions and invert a curled down lip.
Lip Liner Tattoo: Strictly visual. It enhances the outline, adjusts symmetry, and adds tint. It can simulate fullness but cannot add physical volume.
Think Before You Buy…
Like all aesthetic treatments, lip tattoos aren’t risk-free. Here’s what to keep in mind:
- Pigment permanence. Even after fading, traces of pigment can remain. Laser removal doesn’t always erase it completely.
- Color mismatch. A “perfect” color match isn’t guaranteed. Pigments can heal warmer or cooler than expected.
- Swelling and trauma. As with any tattoo, the process creates micro-injuries. There’s a risk of infection, herpes outbreak, or prolonged healing.
- Asymmetry. While tattoos can correct small imbalances, they can also highlight existing asymmetries if not carefully mapped.
- Not truly reversible. Unlike filler, which can be dissolved, pigment removal is complex.
Lip blushing may not be a good fit if you:
- Expect a significant increase in volume
- Have a history of keloid scarring or poor healing
- Are prone to cold sores
- Prefer reversible or easily adjustable results
