Design Filler

Hyaluronic acid filler is gradually absorbed by the body and usually lasts 6–12 months. It tends to be shorter in areas that move a lot, such as the lips; in areas that move less, such as the chin or under the eyes, it sometimes lasts up to about 12 months. It varies from person to person with the product, the amount injected, and how fast your body absorbs it.

You feel a sting as the needle goes in and a dull pressure as the gel goes in. Before the injections, numbing cream is applied for 20–30 minutes, and a gel containing an anesthetic (lidocaine) reduces stinging. The lips are more sensitive, so a local anesthetic injection is sometimes added. How much you feel varies from person to person.

Swelling is strongest in the first 2–3 days and usually settles within 1 week. It may last a little longer on the lips and under the eyes, and bruises fade over 1–2 weeks. We look at the shape after 2–4 weeks, once the swelling has gone down, to decide whether a touch-up is needed.

Hyaluronic acid filler can be dissolved with an enzyme injection called Hyalase (hyaluronidase). It is used when you are unhappy with the shape, when a lump can be felt, or when a blood vessel problem is suspected. Restylane and Chaeum at DM Dermatology are both hyaluronic acid fillers. Fillers made from other ingredients, such as calcium or PLLA, do not dissolve.

The nose is an area where blood vessels run close to the skin, so the risk of filler blocking a vessel is high. Of the reported cases of vision loss after filler, about four in ten involved the nose. That is why we inject small amounts slowly, in portions, while watching skin color and pain. The nose is not listed separately as an area of use in the approvals, so we first explain the risks in an examination.

DM Dermatology offers Restylane (Galderma), an imported filler, and Chaeum (Hugel), a Korean-made filler. Both are gels made by cross-linking hyaluronic acid, and both are medical devices approved by Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The manufacturer, the way the gel is cross-linked, and the firmness differ, so we cannot say that one is better. We choose together at your visit based on the area and the shape you want.

Filler adds volume by placing gel in hollow or low areas. Botox reduces muscle movement to refine expression lines and muscle contours. Filler is considered for hollows or deep wrinkles visible even at rest, and Botox for lines that deepen with expressions; the two are sometimes planned together.

Wash your face gently on the evening of treatment, and wear makeup 12 hours after treatment. Do not lie down for 4 hours after treatment. Avoid saunas, Korean spas (jjimjilbang), massage, and intense exercise for about 1 week.

If an injection site suddenly becomes very painful, or the skin turns pale or develops spreading blotchy purple patches, it may be a blood vessel problem. These symptoms can appear a few hours after treatment, so do not wait until the next day; contact us right away. If your vision becomes blurred or you cannot see, call 119 or go to the nearest emergency room.

DM Dermatology is at 4F, 158 Apgujeong-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, a 2-minute walk from Apgujeong Station (Line 3) Exit 5. A board-certified dermatologist examines your facial proportions and skin thickness, then sets the areas, depth, and amounts. Telling us in advance about past fillers and the medicines you take helps the consultation.