Not everyone who wants smoother, healthier-looking lips wants traditional lip filler.
Some people want better hydration, improved softness and a subtle freshening effect without significantly changing the shape or size of their lips.
That is where a lip booster may be considered.
At BONAVADA Aesthetics, formerly Mr Beautox, in Worthing, I use Puri Lips B12, an injectable lip booster containing hyaluronic acid, mannitol and vitamin B12.
But what does a lip booster actually do, how is it different from filler, and what does the scientific evidence say?
The straightforward answer
A lip booster is an injectable treatment intended primarily to improve the hydration and surface quality of the lips.
It may help lips appear:
smoother
softer
less dry
subtly plumper
and slightly fresher in colour
It is not intended to create the same structural volume, projection or shape change as conventional lip filler.
The term lip booster is not one universally defined treatment. Different clinics may use different products, ingredients and techniques, so it is important to know exactly what is being injected.
What is Puri Lips B12?
Puri Lips is a hydro lip booster containing:
high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid
mannitol
cyanocobalamin, which is vitamin B12
The manufacturer states that the product contains 22 mg/ml of hyaluronic acid and is supplied in a 1.1 ml syringe (WEDERM, n.d.).
Hyaluronic acid attracts and retains water, which is why it is commonly used in injectable skin-hydration treatments.
Mannitol is included within the formulation as an antioxidant stabilising ingredient.
Vitamin B12 gives the product its distinctive pink-red colour and is marketed as contributing to a fresher, rosier appearance.
However, Puri Lips should not be confused with a vitamin B12 injection used to treat or prevent vitamin deficiency. Its purpose here is cosmetic and local to the treated area.
Is a lip booster the same as lip filler?
No, although both may contain hyaluronic acid.
Traditional lip filler is usually selected to create or restore:
volume
shape
border definition
projection
symmetry
or structural support
Puri Lips is intended to focus more on hydration, softness and surface quality.
A lip booster may produce a small amount of visible fullness because hydrated tissue can appear plumper. However, it should not be chosen by someone expecting a significant increase in lip size or a strongly defined lip shape.
A simple way to think about it is:
Lip filler changes structure. A lip booster primarily aims to improve condition and hydration.
There can be some overlap, but the treatment goals are different.
Who might consider a lip booster?
Puri Lips may be suitable for someone concerned about:
persistently dry or dehydrated-looking lips
fine surface lines
loss of softness
lips that appear dull or tired
subtle age-related thinning
wanting a very natural-looking improvement
or maintaining the condition of previously treated lips
It may also appeal to someone who is curious about injectable lip treatments but does not want the visible volume associated with conventional filler.
A lip booster is not a replacement for medical assessment of persistent cracking, bleeding, inflammation, sores or unexplained changes to the lips.
What does the scientific research say?
There is growing evidence that injectable hyaluronic acid treatments can improve skin hydration and skin quality.
A 2023 systematic review examined 13 clinical studies of injectable hyaluronic acid formulations. The authors found promising improvements in areas such as hydration, firmness, brightness, texture and elasticity, although they also concluded that larger randomised trials were still needed (Ghatge and Ghatge, 2023).
A larger randomised, assessor-blinded study published in 2026 involved 448 adults receiving three facial treatments at monthly intervals. The treated group showed greater improvements in hydration, elasticity, texture and fine lines than the untreated control group (Cheng et al., 2026).
However, these studies examined facial skin generally. They did not specifically test Puri Lips B12 in the lips.
Lip-specific research remains much more limited. A 2025 case report using a different formulation containing hyaluronic acid and polynucleotides found improved hydration and a rosier appearance in one patient with dry, cracked lips. That result is interesting, but one patient and a different product cannot establish how all lip boosters will perform (Ruchiatan et al., 2025).
The honest conclusion is:
There is credible evidence that injectable hyaluronic acid can improve skin hydration, but strong independent clinical evidence specifically examining Puri Lips B12 is not currently available.
Why do I recommend three treatments?
At BONAVADA Aesthetics, I generally recommend an initial course of:
Three sessions, with one treatment approximately every month for three months.
The aim is to build the improvement gradually rather than expecting one treatment to correct ongoing dehydration or changes in lip quality.
Three-treatment protocols spaced approximately one month apart have also been used in wider research into injectable hyaluronic acid skin treatments, although that does not prove that one schedule is ideal for every product or patient (Ayatollahi et al., 2020; Cheng et al., 2026).
After the initial course, any maintenance treatment should be based on how your lips respond rather than automatically booked at a fixed interval.
How quickly will I see a result?
Some people notice improved softness and hydration within the first few days.
However, swelling immediately after treatment can temporarily make the lips look fuller than the eventual result. It is therefore sensible to allow the lips to settle before judging the outcome.
The result should become clearer as any swelling reduces and the hydration effect develops.
Results vary between individuals. Factors such as natural lip condition, age, smoking, skincare, hydration, environmental exposure and the severity of existing dryness may all influence the visible response.
Will Puri Lips make my lips pinker?
The formulation contains cyanocobalamin, a red-coloured form of vitamin B12.
This may contribute to a temporarily fresher or rosier appearance following treatment. However, I would not describe Puri Lips as an alternative to lip blush tattooing or promise a permanent change in lip colour.
The degree and duration of any colour change are likely to vary considerably.
Can I have Puri Lips if I already have filler?
Potentially, yes.
Puri Lips is marketed as being compatible with hyaluronic acid lip filler. The manufacturer recommends waiting approximately four to six weeks after filler treatment before using it as an additional lip treatment (WEDERM, n.d.).
This allows the initial filler swelling and bruising to settle and gives the result time to stabilise.
A consultation is still required because persistent lumps, asymmetry, inflammation or concerns about previous filler should be assessed before another product is injected.
What is the downtime?
Common temporary effects can include:
swelling
redness
tenderness
bruising
small injection marks
temporary firmness
unevenness while the swelling settles
The lips are highly vascular, so bruising and swelling can occur even when treatment is performed carefully.
Most minor reactions should settle over the following days, although every patient responds differently.
Are there any serious risks?
A lip booster is still an injectable treatment. It should not be described as risk-free simply because it is intended to hydrate rather than create significant volume.
Less common risks include:
infection
persistent lumps
inflammatory reactions
prolonged swelling
asymmetry
unsatisfactory results
and vascular compromise
Vascular occlusion occurs when injected material interferes with the blood supply to tissue. It is uncommon, but it requires urgent recognition and treatment. Warning signs can include unusual or increasing pain, blanching, mottled skin or an abnormal colour change (Murray et al., 2021).
Patients should receive clear emergency contact instructions following treatment.
When might treatment not be suitable?
Treatment may need to be postponed or avoided if you have:
an active cold sore
broken or infected skin
an active inflammatory lip condition
unexplained sores, cracking or bleeding
a known allergy to an ingredient
pregnancy or breastfeeding
or a medical history that makes injectable treatment unsuitable
A history of cold sores should always be disclosed before lip treatment because injections can trigger a recurrence.
My evidence-based conclusion
Puri Lips B12 is not traditional lip filler.
It is intended for people wanting better hydration, softness and a subtle freshening effect without significantly changing the natural structure of their lips.
The broader evidence for injectable hyaluronic acid and skin hydration is encouraging. However, product-specific clinical research into Puri Lips B12 remains limited, and the result should not be exaggerated.
The most realistic expectation is:
Softer, smoother and better-hydrated lips, with possible subtle plumping and a fresher appearance.
It is not designed to provide dramatic volume, permanent colour or the shaping effect of lip filler.
Frequently asked questions
Will a lip booster make my lips bigger?
It may create a subtle plumping effect through hydration and temporary swelling, but it is not intended to produce the same volume as conventional lip filler.
Is Puri Lips a filler?
It contains hyaluronic acid, but it is better described as a hydro lip booster rather than a traditional structural or volumising filler.
How many treatments will I need?
At BONAVADA Aesthetics, I usually recommend three sessions, with one treatment each month for three months.
Does it contain vitamin B12?
Yes. Puri Lips contains cyanocobalamin, a form of vitamin B12. In this product, it is part of the local cosmetic formulation and is not a treatment for vitamin B12 deficiency.
Can it treat severely cracked lips?
A booster may improve hydration, but persistent cracking, bleeding, inflammation or sores should be medically assessed before cosmetic treatment.
Can I have it after lip filler?
Potentially, yes. A gap of approximately four to six weeks is generally recommended so the filler can settle and any swelling or bruising can resolve.
How long will the result last?
There is not enough independent product-specific research to promise a precise duration. Results and maintenance requirements vary between patients.
Considering a lip booster in Worthing?
At BONAVADA Aesthetics in Worthing, every lip treatment begins with a consultation to establish whether your concern is primarily hydration, skin quality, shape or volume.
This helps determine whether Puri Lips B12, traditional lip filler or no injectable treatment at all is the most appropriate option.
Visit www.mrbeautox.co.uk, email hello@mrbeautox.co.uk, or call or message 07902 245304 to arrange a consultation.
Written by Injector Rick at BONAVADA Aesthetics, Worthing.
Because subtle treatments still deserve honest, evidence-based information.
References
Ayatollahi, A., Firooz, A. and Samadi, A. (2020) ‘Evaluation of safety and efficacy of booster injections of hyaluronic acid in improving the facial skin quality’, Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. doi: 10.1111/jocd.13493. Available at:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32419355
Accessed: 27 July 2026.
Cheng, H., Jiang, M., Zhong, S., Liu, X., Cao, D., Feng, Q., Li, Y. and Xu, W. (2026) ‘A prospective, multicenter, randomized, assessor-blinded study assessing the efficacy and safety of injectable non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid for improving facial skin rejuvenation’, Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 19, 590699. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S590699. Available at:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41971651
Accessed: 27 July 2026.
Ghatge, A.S. and Ghatge, S.B. (2023) ‘The effectiveness of injectable hyaluronic acid in the improvement of the facial skin quality: A systematic review’, Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 16, pp. 891-899. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S404248. Available at:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37038447
Accessed: 27 July 2026.
Murray, G., Convery, C., Walker, L. and Davies, E. (2021) ‘Guideline for the management of hyaluronic acid filler-induced vascular occlusion’, Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 14(5), pp. E61-E69. Available at:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34188752
Accessed: 27 July 2026.
Ruchiatan, K., Yogya, Y., Arifani, I., Hindritiani, R., Puspitosari, D., Rizqandaru, T., Gondokaryono, S.P. and Achdiat, P.A. (2025) ‘Combination of hyaluronic acid and polynucleotides injection for the treatment of cheilitis simplex’, Clinical, Cosmetic and Investigational Dermatology, 18, pp. 3645-3652. doi: 10.2147/CCID.S571184. Available at:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41488547
Accessed: 27 July 2026.
WEDERM (n.d.) PURI LIPS: Hydro Lip Booster with B12. Available at:
https://wedermglobal.com/products/details?product_id=8
Accessed: 27 July 2026.