Home›Treatments›Dermal Fillers
Dermal Fillers
Volume and contour, placed where it is needed and visible the same day. Temporary by design, and reversible.
Book a consultationWhat are Dermal Fillers
Most modern fillers are a gel of hyaluronic acid, a sugar your skin already contains. Placed under the skin, it holds water and adds volume or support exactly where it sits — restoring a cheek, defining a chin or jawline, softening a fold.
The change is immediate. That is the difference between a filler and a collagen stimulator such as Juvelook, which asks the skin to build its own tissue over months. A filler occupies space now; a stimulator changes the skin over time.
It is temporary and reversible. Hyaluronic acid is gradually broken down by the body, and if needed it can be dissolved with an enzyme, hyaluronidase — which is part of why it is a forgiving place to start.
Filler vs Juvelook
Compare Treatment Guide
Both are injected, but they answer different questions. One restores volume today. The other rebuilds skin quality over months. Neither is a substitute for the other.
Dermal Filler
Material
Hyaluronic acid gel
What it does
Adds volume and contour where it is placed
Timing
Visible the same day; settles over about two weeks
Reversible
Yes — can be dissolved with hyaluronidase
Juvelook
Material
Poly-D,L-lactic acid, a collagen stimulator
What it does
Prompts your own collagen for skin quality
Timing
Builds gradually over two to three months
Reversible
No — it works by a slow, natural process
Volume loss and skin quality often occur together, and the two are frequently planned side by side. Which you need — or both, and in what order — is decided after your face is examined. Read more on Juvelook.
01
Treatment Process
Where it is used
During the visit
- The face is assessed at rest and in movement, and the actual concern — volume, contour or a fold — is agreed.
- Numbing is applied. Most fillers also contain a local anaesthetic, so comfort improves as the treatment goes on.
- The gel is placed with a fine needle or a blunt cannula, in small amounts, and gently moulded into place.
- You see the result immediately. It is reviewed in the mirror with you before you leave.
Afterwards
- Some swelling and the odd bruise are common for a few days, especially around the lips.
- The final look settles over roughly two weeks as swelling resolves.
- A review is offered once it has settled, and small adjustments can be made then if needed.
02
Before you decide
It may suit you if
It may not be the right treatment if
If the real problem is thin or crepey skin, a collagen stimulator or Rejuran fits better; if it is laxity, Ultherapy or Thermage may. We would rather say that than fill a face that does not need filling.
03
What to expect
Timing. Immediate, then a settling period of about two weeks as swelling resolves. The two-week look is the real one.
Degree. Restored volume and cleaner contour. Done well, it should look like you on a good day, not like filler.
Duration. Temporary, and it varies by area and product — commonly several months to well over a year. Areas that move a lot tend to fade sooner.
Risks. Swelling, bruising and small lumps that usually settle or can be smoothed. Rarely, filler can affect a blood vessel — a serious event we are trained to recognise and treat, and one reason to have it done by a doctor. Being reversible with hyaluronidase is part of the safety margin.
Results differ from person to person. Nothing on this page is a prediction of your own outcome, and it does not replace a consultation. See our Medical Disclaimer.
Filler in Seoul: what visitors usually want to know
Filler shows the same day, which makes it popular with people on a short trip. A few things make it go more smoothly.
Korean or imported filler Korea makes its own hyaluronic acid fillers, and imported brands are also available. Both are licensed products; they differ in feel, how firm they are and, often, price. We tell you which product is used and why it suits the area.
Book it early in your stay The shape is visible straight away, but swelling and the occasional bruise take a few days to settle. Having it early in your trip leaves time to see the settled result and for a check if needed.
Tell us what is already there Previous filler, threads or permanent material in the area change the plan. If you are not sure what you had, say so — it matters.
Take a record home We give you the product name and what was placed where. If you ever need a doctor at home to assess or dissolve it, that record helps.
Flying Flying a day or two after filler is generally fine for most people. Avoid pressing on the area and skip saunas and hard workouts for a day or two.
About price The cost depends on the area, the amount and the product, so you get a clear quote after the consultation.
Filler guides by area
Each area is planned differently. These guides go into one area at a time.
- Nasolabial filler: softening smile lines
Why supporting the cheek matters, how long it lasts and the risks. - Lip filler before and after
The swelling timeline and when the real result shows. - Chin filler before and after
What projection and shape can change, and the settling timeline.
04
FAQ
Does it hurt?
Numbing is used, and most fillers contain a local anaesthetic, so it becomes more comfortable as it goes. The lips are the most sensitive area.
How long does it last?
It depends on the area and the product — often several months to more than a year. Mobile areas such as the lips tend to fade sooner than the cheeks or chin.
Is it reversible?
Hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved with an enzyme called hyaluronidase, if a result needs adjusting or in the rare event of a complication.
Will it look overdone?
That comes from too much, or filling the wrong thing, not from filler itself. The aim is a natural restoration; if a fuller look is not what you want, say so and it is planned conservatively.
Can I have it under the eyes?
Sometimes, but the tear trough is a delicate area where lumps and puffiness show easily. We assess whether it is suitable and are willing to advise against it.
Can it be combined with other treatments?
Often, yes — with a collagen stimulator, a booster or toxin, since each addresses something different. The plan and order are decided at consultation.
Are Korean fillers good?
Licensed Korean hyaluronic acid fillers are widely used and well established. Which product suits you depends on the area and the look you want, and we tell you what is used.
Do Korean fillers last as long as imported ones?
It depends more on the product type, the area and your metabolism than on the country of manufacture. We tell you what to expect for the product chosen.
How much do fillers cost in Korea?
Many visitors find it less than at home. The cost depends on the area, amount and product, so we quote after the consultation.
Can I fly after filler?
For most people, a day or two later is fine. Swelling can be a little more noticeable on a long flight and settles afterwards.
What if I want it adjusted after I get home?
Hyaluronic acid filler can be dissolved by a doctor if needed. Keep the product record we give you so your doctor knows what was used.
05
Evidence
The papers behind the statements on this page, with what each covers and where it stops short. Product and area vary between studies.
Efficacy and safety of a new hyaluronic acid filler for nasolabial folds: a 52-week, multicenter, randomized, evaluator/subject-blind, split-face study. Cheon HI, Kim JH, Kim BJ, et al. Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology 2021;20(5):1467–1473. PubMed 33085170
A controlled split-face trial: the HA filler corrected nasolabial folds effectively and safely over a year. What it does not show: it is one product in one area, not proof for every filler or every part of the face.
Efficacy and durability of two hyaluronic acid-based fillers in the correction of nasolabial folds: a prospective, randomized, double-blind, actively controlled pilot study. Nast A, Reytan N, Hartmann V, et al. Dermatologic Surgery 2011;37(6):768–775. PubMed 21605236
Supports the point that duration is real but finite and varies between products. What it does not show: a small pilot, with older products than those in use today.
Divergent Time Courses of Poly-L-Lactic Acid and Hyaluronic Acid Fillers for Nasolabial Fold Correction: A Multicenter Randomized Trial With 120-Week Follow-Up. Liu Y, Zhang G, Yang F, et al. Journal of Craniofacial Surgery 2026 (online ahead of print). PubMed 42594306
Directly illustrates the difference on this page: the HA filler acts immediately, while the collagen stimulator builds more slowly and lasts longer. What it does not show: it compares specific products, and individual results vary.
Filler brands and licensing differ by country. The full list of our doctors’ own publications is on our Journal Articles page. Links checked 22 September 2026.
From our channels
YouTube · from our channel
What to do about a droopy eyelid after botox
YouTube short on treating eyelid ptosis after botox
Watch on YouTube →
Instagram · from our channel
Aiming for results that do not look done
Instagram reel about natural, inconspicuous treatment results
Watch on Instagram →Not sure filler is what you need?
That is what the consultation is for. We will look at your face and tell you what we would recommend and what we would leave alone — including if the honest answer is a different treatment, or nothing for now.
Book a consultation
General information, not medical advice for your individual case. Dermal fillers are licensed for use in Korea; brands and licensing differ by country. See our Medical Disclaimer and Medical Review Process.
Medically reviewed by Hyoung Moon Kim, MD, PhD on 22 September 2026.
From the team at Maylin Clinic Apgujeong, an English-speaking skin clinic at 815 Eonju-ro, Seoul. See location and opening hours.