How to get plumper lips

If you want the perfect pucker, you can create the illusion of plumper lips. Anyone can have an Angelina Jolie smile with the lip plumper solutions available today.

Unless you’ve been blessed with full and plump lips, it’s depressing to know that as you age, your lips thin out. They also get more wrinkled as collagen and elastin (the fibrous proteins that fill out lips) disappear. Lip plumper can come in the form of topical lip enhancers, lip plumping devices and surgical or injectable lip enhancements. If you want to learn how to get plumper lips, here are a few ideas:

Topical agents tend to be the most economical, although they have varying degrees of success in actually plumping your lips. Most lip enhancers come in the form of a gloss, balm, stick or gel. Use them aloneor layer it as a primer underneath lipstick and gloss.

They are designed to irritate or “sting” the lips by increasing blood flow, leading to a mild plumping reaction and redness. Common ingredients include spicy extracts like cinnamon, ginger mint, menthol or capsicum (the fiery compound that gives hot peppers their heat) and even caffeine.

More recently, topical lip plumping agents are turning to science. Microscopic dehydrated marine collagen spheres (derived from fish) and rice lipids are newer ingredients in lip plumper. They are instantly absorbed by the lips creating a plumping effect and help keep the lips moisturized.

The result with any topical application is temporary. It will last a few hours at most, though many women are still satisfied, especially considering the low price tag. Expect to pay anywhere from $5 to $50, depending on the brand.

Yesterday’s collagen implants are today’s hyaluronic acid fillers. Hyaluronic acid is a natural substance found in the body. It’s still a temporary solution, as the filler is gradually absorbed within three to four months after an application.

Hyaluronic acid has become a popular choice since the amount of substance can be controlled, and injections can be paced until desired results are achieved. Bumps and nodules are less likely. A patient can expect some bleeding and discomfort in the form of swelling and bruising. The price tag can be anywhere from $500 to $2,000.

If you're considering injectables, always seek out a qualified medical professional who can help determine the right solution for you.

If you’ve watched late night infomercials, you may have seen advertisements for lip plumping devices designed to bring out a fuller pout. These rely on basic suction to draw blood to your lips. This is another temporary solution, lasting only a couple of hours. There is a danger of using too often or incorrectly, which can leave behind unfortunate bruising. The price tag for such a device can be as low as $20.

It seems getting plumper lips is easy, but keeping them beyond a few hours or a few months is much harder. It all depends on your budget.