Cosmetic procedures are on the up and up, especially when it comes to tiny “tweakments,” like trap tox and lip flips. In fact, there are so many out there that it feels like we’re learning about something new every day. A vampire breast lift? A vajacial? Yes, those are real things – and even some of our editors have tried them.
The latest eyebrow-raising treatment that’s hit our radar? Penis filler. Yeah, you read that right. Good old dermal filler, like the kind you get in your lips, but for your penis. Intrigued? We certainly were. That’s why we chatted with experts ahead, to answer all of our burning questions: what is penis filler? Who is a good candidate for it? What are the benefits, exactly? And, most importantly, is this safe? Keep reading to learn more.
Experts Featured in This Article
Howard Sobel, MD, is a clinical attending cosmetic dermatologic surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital. He is also the founder of Sobel Skin.
Chris Bustamante, DNP, is an aesthetic nurse practitioner based in New York City. He’s also the founder of Lushful Aesthetics.
What Is Penis Filler and What Are the Benefits?
“Penis filler is a non-surgical cosmetic procedure, utilizing FDA-approved hyaluronic acid dermal filler, to augment the girth or thickness of the penis,” aesthetic nurse practitioner Chris Bustamante, DNP, tells PS. “Both the shaft and the head of the penis can be treated with filler for penile girth enhancement.” However, it’s important to note that this treatment does not change the length of the penis while erect, although Bustamante says it does prevent full retraction of the penis when flaccid.
Because we know you were wondering: penile filler does not affect sexual performance. “This procedure has no effect (both positive and negative) on erectile performance. It is solely for aesthetic purposes,” Bustamante says.
Typically, a good candidate for penile filler is someone who is in good health and looking to add girth or width to their penis, but prior to any procedure or treatment, you should always consult with a physician to find out if it’s right for you. If you have a known sensitivity to dermal filler, you should avoid this treatment. Also, “Patients with a true micropenis can usually only have their glans (head of the penis) augmented since there is a lack of penile shaft present to augment,” Bustamante says.
Dr. Sobel says that male enlargement injections will last approximately four to six months but it’s case-dependent.
What Does the Penis Filler Procedure Entail?
Typically, most treatments start with a thorough consultation. “I perform a dorsal penile nerve block with lidocaine and then cover the penis and scrotum with topical numbing cream,” Bustamante says. He also supplies the patient with laughing gas prior to injecting. The entire treatment takes about 10 minutes to perform.
How Much Does Penis Filler Cost?
The cost of hyaluronic acid girth enhancement will depend on the location where you live, as well as the provider you choose to see. However, Bustamante says that with his patients, the minimum amount of filler used for a first-time treatment is five syringes, which costs around $4,000. On average, his patients spend around $7,500 – $10,500, depending on the desired outcome.
What Are the Potential Side Effects of Penis Filler?
Dr. Sobel says the most common complication can be bruising, and Bustamante adds that swelling is essentially guaranteed to happen. Additionally, Bustamante says there are quite a few after-procedure practices you need to adhere to. To start, you can’t exercise for 24 hours, and you can’t masturbate or go into a pool, hot tub, or sauna for 48 hours. “Sex can resume once masturbating is fully comfortable,” he adds. “For most men, this is seven to 10 days.” Additionally, Bustamante adds that 24 hours after the treatment, he instructs his patients to massage their penis utilizing firm pressure for a minimum of 15 minutes per day for a minimum of three weeks.
Renee Rodriguez (she/her) is a staff writer and social producer for PS. She writes across all verticals, but her main areas of expertise focus on fashion and beauty content with an emphasis on reviews and editor experiments. She also produces social content for the PS TikTok and Instagram accounts.
