Keyhole lips
Keyhole lips describes fuller lips with a small opening at the centre when the mouth is relaxed. Clinic guides agree on the opening but disagree on placement: The IV Lounge describes central fullness, while InjectCo describes both central and outer-lip placement within one article. Use the name to start a conversation about the shape you want, not to specify a technique.
One of the looks you can preview on your own photo
Illustration of the shape over an untreated lip, not a photo or a preview of a result.
Keyhole lips at a glance
- Source-reported amount
- Not stated
- Technique
- A specialist technique; ask how often the injector does it
- Type of filler
- Either, depending on how the injector works
- How long it lasts
- 6–12 months, as reported
Also called keyhole pout, keyhole lip filler.
Sources describe materially different results under this one name. Treat it as a starting point for a conversation, not a definite outcome.
The name describes an opening, but the cited clinic guides do not agree on how it is created. The IV Lounge describes central fullness; InjectCo describes both central and outer-lip placement. Ask the injector to explain the intended shape and assess whether it is feasible for your lips.
What it looks like
From the front
A small opening sits between the lips, framed by fullness on either side. InjectCo describes a relatively unprojected centre in one explanation and central filler in another. The shared visual idea is the parting, rather than a fully closed pout.
From the side
The clinic sources describe the front more clearly than the side. InjectCo links one version to a relatively unprojected centre, but the name does not establish how far your lips would come forward. Ask to see comparable side-view results at consultation; a front-view preview cannot show that angle.
Keyhole lips before and after on 7 demo faces
An illustrative comparison on 7 demo faces at the available preview amounts. The cited sources establish no amount range for this name; these settings are not treatment recommendations. Sources use this name for different descriptions. The frames are visual interpretations, not proof of one agreed technique. Pick a face, then an amount.
What to look at: Compare the overall fullness and the central opening in each frame. A visible gap in an illustration is a shape reference, not evidence that treatment can create or preserve it on your lips. The amount labels are preview settings, not a recommended dose.
BeforeAfter · Keyhole lips, illustrative interpretation · 0.5 mLDrag the handle to compare.
Where the filler goes for Keyhole lips
The IV Lounge describes adding central fullness while keeping an opening. InjectCo describes that approach as well as placement toward the outer parts of the lips. These conflicting accounts are descriptions to discuss with an injector, not instructions for treatment.
Parts of the lip involved
- Width
- Upper centre
- Lower centre
Who it suits
Good for
Not the best choice for
Keyhole lips vs the other lip filler looks
Any of these can be previewed on the same photo. What sets them apart is how much filler is used, where it goes, and what changes as a result.
| Look | Source-reported amount | What changes | Technique |
|---|---|---|---|
| Keyhole lipsSources disagree | Not stated by sources | Crisper outline, Lips come forward more | Specialist |
| Russian lips | 0.5–1 mL | Crisper outline, Upper lip turns out a little | Specialist |
| Cherry lipsSources disagree | Not stated by sources | Smoother, plumper surface, Smoother texture | Standard |
| Heart-shaped lipsSources disagree | Not stated by sources | Crisper outline, Lips come forward more | Specialist |
| Cupid's bow lips | Up to 0.5 mL | Crisper outline | Standard |
| Butterfly lipsSources disagree | 0.3–0.6 mL | Crisper outline, Lips come forward more | Specialist |
| Doll lipsNot a distinct technique | Not stated by sources | Lips come forward more, Crisper outline | Not a distinct technique |
| Natural lip enhancement | 0.5–1 mL | Smoother, plumper surface, Soft, natural-looking shape, Smoother texture | Standard |
| Bow-tie lipsNot a distinct technique | Not stated by sources | Crisper outline | Not a distinct technique |
Preview Keyhole lips on your own photo
Compare the illustrated lip shape and the demo frames to describe the fullness and central parting you prefer. Your own-photo preview is a visual approximation. It cannot establish whether an injector can preserve that opening, how your lips will move, or what they will look like after healing.
Try it on your photoRendered with Restylane Kysse (from 1.0 mL) or Restylane-L (from 1.0 mL).
Product names are trademarks of their respective owners. LookPrep is independent and is not affiliated with, sponsored by, or endorsed by any manufacturer. Names are used only to identify the products a person may discuss with a qualified provider.
Good to know before you decide on Keyhole lips
Keyhole lips: common questions
Keep reading
Where this information comes from
Written by LookPrep Editorial · Sources checked · How we write these pages
The IV Lounge and InjectCo are clinic marketing sources for the name and the central opening. Their placement descriptions conflict, including two different accounts within InjectCo. Neither provides a reliable keyhole-specific dose. The Life review supplies anatomical context; the FDA supplies general filler safety information. These sources do not establish a standard keyhole procedure. It is still a style name rather than a medical term, so ask your injector what they mean by it.
- 1.Dermal Filler Do's and Don'ts for Wrinkles, Lips and More (FDA) — research or public health guidance
- 2.Anatomical-Based Diagnosis and Filler Injection Techniques: Lips and Philtrum (Life, 2025) — research or public health guidance
- 3.Russian Lips, Cherry Lips, Keyhole Lips: 3 Lip Filler Trends (The IV Lounge) — clinic marketing, treat with care
- 4.Lip Filler Shapes, Types & Styles Guide 2026 (InjectCo) — clinic marketing, treat with care
LookPrep is not a medical provider. This page explains how a look is described; it does not diagnose, prescribe, or predict your result. A qualified injector decides what is realistic and safe for you.