"Lip Gloss" Filler Is the Secret to Soft, Hydrated Lips

There's no denying that conversations around cosmetic injectables have come a long way. Treatments that were once some of Hollywood's best-kept secrets can now be broken down into a 10-minute TikTok video with pointers from everything on the best doctor for the job to an Amazon list of all products you'll need pre- and post-appointment. Still, there are a few "tweakments" that manage to slip under the radar, like "lip gloss" filler.

Developed by dermatologist Michelle Henry, MD, this injection technique is used specifically to give a more plump, youthful appearance. "I created this technique to make the lips look hydrated — as if you had just applied a beautiful lip gloss," Dr. Henry tells POPSUGAR. "Many of my patients come in just looking for the mouth to look more hydrated, and this is a great way to achieve that goal."

Though this method is done using traditional hyaluronic-acid filler, it's not one that is used to give significant volume as the normal injection would. If you have lots of lines in the area or simply want the look of more moisturized lips, Dr. Henry breaks down everything you should know about lip-gloss filler ahead.

Again, this trend is not meant for adding volume. "Lip-gloss filler is a technique in which a hyaluronic-acid filler is injected to provide hydration and reduce the fine lines and wrinkles that we often associate with [less elastic,] more mature skin," Dr. Henry says. The technique can also act as a balancer when getting filler so the mouth looks symmetrical, even if you don't necessarily "need" it in that area for volume.

As with most dermal fillers, hyaluronic acid is used for this technique, but the injection method differs. "By injecting superficially, I determined that I could use the filler almost as an injectable hydrator, not a volumizer," Dr. Henry says. "The method allowed me to be able to draw water back into the outermost surfaces of the lip to give that gloss effect without necessarily making the lips look larger."

The science behind this method comes from the fact that hyaluronic acid is a humectant, and the molecule draws up to 1,000 times its weight in water toward itself. Therefore, wherever you place it, it will try to find and attract water. Once placed in the appropriate plane in the lip, the hyaluronic acid will still continue to try to bring water to itself, in turn providing that smooth appearance that we associate with gloss.

As is normal for cosmetic procedures, this filler method is considered elective and therefore will not be covered by insurance. Depending on your natural lip shape, about a half to a full syringe of filler could be used for the procedure. The cost of getting lip-gloss filler varies based on everything from your injector to location, but if you'd like to see Dr. Henry specifically, then you are likely looking at around $600 to $1,000 per session.

You should never make cosmetic decisions like these based on anything but your own desires. Still, being aware of the options available should you want any tweakments of your own can provide a fuller picture of how to approach your own cosmetic enhancement journey, and there's no better feeling than being armed with expert knowledge.