DM DERMATOLOGY
Revive
ABOUT REVIVE
A skin booster with hyaluronic acid
and glycerol together
Revive is a skin booster that combines cross-linked hyaluronic acid and glycerol in one syringe. Its full name is 'Belotero Revive skin booster' by Merz.
Revive is a medical device supplied in Korea by Merz. It was first launched in Europe in 2019 and in Korea in January 2025. Each syringe contains 1 mL.
The intended use approved by Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) is the temporary improvement of shallow to moderate fine lines around the mouth in adults. The product is designed to be placed from the superficial to the mid dermis. Its use differs from fillers that add volume to the face.
At DM Dermatology in Apgujeong, we first check your skin and areas of concern at your visit. Then we decide the areas, amount, and intervals. Results and recovery time vary from person to person.
- Cross-linked hyaluronic acid
- Glycerol
- 1 mL syringe
- Superficial dermis
Fine lines, gently
Fine lines around the mouth,
starting from the shallow layers
Shallow fine lines that form around the mouth when you talk or smile are treated differently from deep wrinkles. Instead of adding volume, Revive places gel in very small amounts into the superficial dermis.
CHECK
If you have these concerns,
let's look at them together at your visit
If any of these apply, we first check your skin and areas of concern during the consultation.
- Case01
Fine lines around my mouth bother me
Shallow fine lines around my mouth stand out when I talk or smile. My concern is fine, textured lines rather than deep wrinkles. - Case02
The skin around my mouth looks rough
Makeup looks patchy around my mouth, and up close the texture looks uneven. - Case03
I don't want a treatment that adds volume
Rather than filler that fills hollow areas, I am looking into treatments for the shallow layers of the skin. - Case04
Hyaluronic acid skin boosters confuse me
I want to know how Revive, SkinVive, and Aqua Glow Injection differ in ingredients and uses before I choose. - Case05
I want to know what to tell you before treatment
If I am pregnant or breastfeeding, have allergies, or take medication, I want it checked first at my visit.
Deep wrinkles or hollow areas may suit other treatments better. Which treatment suits you is decided by examination.
1mL
Amount in one syringe
20mg/mL
Cross-linked hyaluronic acid concentration
17.5mg/mL
Glycerol concentration
4wk
Treatment interval in published studies (3 sessions)
HOW IT WORKS
Two ingredients that hold
moisture in the dermis
The skin is divided into the outer epidermis and the dermis beneath it. The dermis contains hyaluronic acid along with collagen and elastin. Revive is a gel placed from the superficial to the mid layer of the dermis.
The gel's main ingredient is cross-linked hyaluronic acid at 20 mg/mL. Hyaluronic acid is an ingredient that draws in water. Cross-linking is a process that links hyaluronic acid molecules to one another. Cross-linked hyaluronic acid breaks down more slowly in the skin than non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid.
The gel also contains glycerol at 17.5 mg/mL. Glycerol (glycerin) is a moisturizing ingredient that holds water, and it is naturally present in the outer layer of the skin. The hyaluronic acid is not derived from animals, and the injected gel breaks down and is absorbed in the body over time.
- 1
Epidermis The outermost layer of the skin. The injection passes through this layer into the dermis below.
- 2
Dermis The layer responsible for the skin's elasticity and thickness. Revive is placed from the superficial to the mid dermis.
- 3
Hyaluronic acid An ingredient that draws in water. Because it is cross-linked, it breaks down slowly in the skin.
- 4
Glycerol A moisturizing ingredient that holds water. It comes in the same syringe as the hyaluronic acid.
- 5
Moisture Water that the two ingredients draw in and hold. In the illustration, it is shown as small droplets around the gel.
DEPTH
The depth where Revive is placed
Revive is a gel designed to be placed from the superficial to the mid dermis. It does not treat the deep layers that change facial contours.
- EpidermisThe outermost layer of the skin
- Superficial dermisJust below the epidermis
- Mid dermisA layer dense with elastic fibers
- Deep dermisThick collagen bundles
- Subcutaneous fatThe layer where volume fillers are often placed
Layer where Revive is placedSuperficial to mid dermis
- In the shallow layers
It is placed only from just below the epidermis to the mid dermis. It is not a treatment to fill facial contours or hollow areas.
- In very small amounts
Only a very small amount is placed at each point. So right after injection, the needle marks may look slightly raised.
- Evenly at many points
Points are set at regular intervals across the area of concern, and the gel is divided evenly among them. The points and amount are decided after an examination.
Layer thickness varies by area and person. The illustration is a simple diagram showing the order of the layers.
COMPARE
How Revive and volume fillers are used
| Revive | Typical hyaluronic acid volume filler | |
|---|---|---|
| Main use | Shallow fine lines around the mouth (approved intended use in Korea) | Adds volume to hollow areas or contours |
| Injection depth | Superficial to mid dermis | Deep dermis to subcutaneous fat (varies by product and area) |
| Injection method | Very small amounts divided among many points | Placed together where needed |
| Gel properties | A soft gel with low viscoelasticity | A gel with high viscoelasticity to hold shape |
| Ingredients | Cross-linked hyaluronic acid 20 mg/mL + glycerol 17.5 mg/mL | Cross-linked hyaluronic acid (some products contain lidocaine, an anesthetic) |
This table shows only general differences in uses and injection methods. It is not meant to rank one over the other. Which treatment suits you is decided at your visit based on your skin.
COURSE
An example Revive treatment schedule
- Session 1
The first treatment is done after your examination. Redness and small bumps at the needle marks usually settle within 1–2 days.
- After 4 weeks · Session 2
We check your skin again and do the second treatment. If you still have a bruise, please tell us before treatment.
- After 8 weeks · Session 3
The third treatment is done. Published studies used this schedule: 3 sessions, 4 weeks apart.
- From 6 months on
Hyaluronic acid breaks down gradually in the body. From around this time, we decide on the timing of the next treatment together, based on your skin.
This is an example of a general schedule. DM Dermatology sets the intervals and number of sessions after an examination, and the degree of change and how long it lasts vary from person to person.
PROCESS
Revive
treatment process
step 01
Examination and consultation
We look at your areas of concern, skin condition, and wrinkle depth. We ask about medications, allergies, pregnancy or breastfeeding, autoimmune diseases, and any recent filler or laser treatment.
step 02
Cleansing and numbing cream
We remove your makeup and disinfect your face. Numbing cream is applied to the treatment area, and you wait about 30 minutes.
step 03
Placing small amounts in the dermis
We mark the injection points on the skin. With a fine needle, we place the gel into the superficial dermis in very small amounts at many points.
step 04
Soothing and going home
We disinfect the treated area and cool it with a cold pad if needed. We tell you when you can wear makeup, wash your face, and use a sauna, and we set your next session.
INFORMATION
Revive
treatment info
- Procedure time
- About 15–20 min of injection
Plus about 30 minutes of waiting with numbing cream - Numbing
- Numbing cream about 30 min before injection
You may still feel a sting as the needle goes in - Recovery
- Redness and bumps at needle marks 1–2 days; swelling and bruising 3–7 days
Bruises sometimes last up to about 2 weeks - Daily life
- Makeup after 12 hours
Skip saunas and jjimjilbang for 2 weeks, and intense exercise and alcohol for 2–3 days - Interval
- 4 weeks apart
- Sessions
- 3 sessions to start
The next treatment is decided from 6 months on, based on your skin - Volume
- 1 cc (1 syringe) per session
The amount is decided by the depth and extent of the wrinkles
These are general guidelines and vary from person to person. DM Dermatology explains your treatment schedule after an examination.
Caution
Revive aftercare
and precautions
For 2 weeks, avoid heat and irritation, and tell us right away if anything feels unusual.
- 01Do not knead the treated area
On the day of treatment, do not press or rub the treated area. Skip facial massage and massage devices for a few days.
- 02Makeup from 12 hours after
Do not wear makeup for 12 hours after treatment. Wash your face gently with lukewarm water when the clinic tells you it is okay.
- 03Avoid heat, cold, and UV for 2 weeks
Avoid saunas, jjimjilbang (Korean bathhouses), hot baths, strong sunlight, and severe cold for 2 weeks. When going out, apply sunscreen and wear a hat.
- 04Skip exercise and alcohol for a few days
Skip exercise that makes you sweat a lot, and alcohol, for 2–3 days. This helps keep swelling and bruising from getting worse.
- 05Tell us about other treatment plans
If you have planned laser, peels, or other injection treatments before or after, please tell us in advance. The intervals are decided at your visit.
- 06Contact us right away about warning signs
If pain keeps getting worse, the skin turns white or purplish, or you develop warmth and pus, contact the clinic right away.
- Redness, swelling, itching, tenderness, and bruising may occur at the injection sites. These reactions are usually mild and settle within 1–2 days. Bruises can last longer, up to about 2 weeks.
- Right after injection, the needle marks may rise into small bumps, which usually settle within a day or two. In areas with thin skin, swelling or firmness may last longer. Rarely, small lumps (nodules) may be felt for a long time; in that case, have them checked at the clinic.
- Rarely, a bacterial infection may develop at the injection site. If you have had cold sores, blisters may come back after treatment.
- Hypersensitivity reactions to the product's ingredients (sodium hyaluronate, glycerol, and the cross-linker BDDE) may occur. If you are allergic to these ingredients, treatment is not given.
- With facial injections, very rarely the injected material can block or press on a blood vessel. This can damage the skin (necrosis) or cause vision problems. If pain keeps getting worse, the skin turns pale or shows a purplish net-like pattern, or your vision becomes blurry, contact the clinic immediately.
- Treatment is not given during pregnancy or breastfeeding, to people under 18, if you have an infection in your body, if an autoimmune disease is active, or if there is inflammation or infection in the treatment area.
- It is not injected into the glabella (between the eyebrows) or the nose. It is also not injected into areas that have had non-absorbable filler. Treatment is not recommended if you have had a streptococcal disease or tend to form keloids or hypertrophic scars. If you have had a severe allergy or anaphylaxis, the doctor decides separately whether to treat.
- If you have a bleeding disorder or take blood-thinning medicine (aspirin, anticoagulants), bruising and bleeding may increase. Do not stop any medication on your own; talk with the prescribing doctor first.
- Please tell us if you recently had, or plan to have, laser treatment or a peel. We will adjust the order and intervals of treatments.
The degree of results, how long they last, and recovery time depend on skin condition, age, and lifestyle, and vary from person to person.
DM DOCTOR
Our Medical Director, a board-certified dermatologist, examines you in person
The right approach depends on whether the lines around your mouth are shallow texture lines or lines caused by volume loss. Dr. Shin Young-ik, Medical Director, examines your skin in person and first decides whether Revive is right for you.
Dr. Shin Young-ik Medical Director · Board-Certified Dermatologist
- M.S., Hanyang University College of Medicine
- Adjunct Professor, Hanyang University
- Full Member, Korean Dermatological Association
- Clinical Fellowship in Dermatology, Jefferson Medical College (Thomas Jefferson University), USA
FAQ
01What kind of skin booster is Revive?
Revive is 'Belotero Revive skin booster' by Merz, a gel that combines cross-linked hyaluronic acid (20 mg/mL) and glycerol (17.5 mg/mL) in one syringe. Each syringe contains 1 mL. It is placed in very small amounts from the superficial to the mid dermis.
02Is Revive approved by Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety?
Revive is a medical device approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS), in the category of 'biomaterials for tissue repair.' Its approved intended use in Korea is the temporary improvement of shallow to moderate fine lines around the mouth in adults.
03How long does Revive last?
Hyaluronic acid breaks down gradually in the body, so results do not last indefinitely. Studies abroad followed patients for about 36 weeks (about 8 months) after the last of 3 sessions. The timing of a repeat treatment is generally decided from 6 months on, based on your skin. How long results last varies from person to person.
04How many Revive sessions do I need?
Published studies used 3 sessions, 4 weeks apart. At DM Dermatology in Apgujeong, we decide the intervals and number of sessions at your visit, based on your skin and areas of concern. After the first 3 sessions, we review your progress and decide the timing of the next treatment together.
05Does Revive hurt?
Because it is injected at many points with a fine needle, you will feel a sting. Revive does not contain an anesthetic (lidocaine), so numbing cream is usually applied before treatment. The level of pain varies by person and area.
06How is Revive different from SkinVive?
Both are skin boosters that place cross-linked hyaluronic acid into the superficial dermis, but they differ in manufacturer and ingredients. Revive is a Merz product that contains hyaluronic acid at 20 mg/mL with glycerol. SkinVive is an AbbVie (Allergan) product that contains hyaluronic acid at 12 mg/mL with lidocaine, an anesthetic. This does not mean one is better; which product to use is decided at your visit.
07How is Revive different from Aqua Glow Injection?
Aqua Glow Injection is a broad name for treatments that place small portions of hyaluronic acid into the dermis, and the product used differs by clinic. Revive is the name of a specific product made of cross-linked hyaluronic acid and glycerol. We tell you which product DM Dermatology uses for Aqua Glow Injection during your consultation.
08How long do swelling and bruising last after Revive?
Redness and small bumps at the needle marks usually settle within 1–2 days. Swelling and bruising can last about 3–7 days, and bruises sometimes remain for up to about 2 weeks. In areas with thin skin, swelling may last a little longer.
09When can I wear makeup after Revive?
The manufacturer advises no makeup for 12 hours after treatment. Wash your face gently with lukewarm water when the clinic tells you it is okay. Avoid saunas and jjimjilbang for 2 weeks. At DM Dermatology in Apgujeong, we go over the precautions again on the day of treatment.
CONSULTATION
Consultation comes first
Before any treatment is chosen, a board-certified dermatologist checks your skin in person.
DM Dermatology, 4F, 579-1 Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
From Apgujeong Station (Line 3) Exit 5, walk straight for 50 m. 4th floor of the A Twosome Place building
- Weekdays
- am 10:00 - pm 07:00
- Saturday
- am 10:00 - pm 04:30
- Lunch break
- pm 01:00 - pm 02:00
- Sun & holidays
- By appointment only
- Subway
3Apgujeong StationExit 5
Walk straight for 50 m · 2 min on foot · 4th floor of the A Twosome Place building
- Bus
Apgujeong Station Exit 4 · Exit 32310523429
Blue bus147 · 148 · 240 · 463 · 343Green bus4211
Kwanglim Church · Hyundai High School2310323104
Blue bus143 · 240 · 345 · 472Green bus3011 · 4312 · 4318
- By car
Search in your navigation app158 Apgujeong-ro, Gangnam-gu디엠피부과의원
Use the building’s underground parking · Parking available in the building
