Skin Guide · Nov 2026
Skin Guide
Know your filler
Korean and imported hyaluronic acid fillers are both licensed products. The real choice is how firm the filler needs to be for each area.
Product
by
area
Maylin Apgujeong
Model portrait
Not a patient
Skin Guide · Fillers
Korean Filler Brands Explained: How Clinics Choose a Product
Korea makes its own hyaluronic acid fillers, such as Yvoire from LG Chem and Neuramis from Medytox, and clinics also use imported brands such as Juvederm and Restylane. All of them must be approved by Korea’s Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) before clinics can use them. A clinic chooses a product mainly by how firm or soft it needs to be for the area, then by how long it tends to last and its cost. Whatever is used, ask for the product name and keep it for your records. For filler basics, see our dermal fillers guide.
Maylin Apgujeong · Skin Guide
Korean or imported: is one safer?
Not by origin alone. Every hyaluronic acid filler sold for use in Korea, Korean or imported, is regulated as a medical device by the MFDS and must be approved before clinics can use it. Major Korean fillers are also exported and approved in other markets. Yvoire from LG Chem, for example, is sold in many countries and was the first Korean filler launched in Canada.
Imported brands such as Juvederm, from Allergan Aesthetics, and Restylane, from Galderma, have long track records and a large body of published research behind them. Korean brands have been studied too, including head-to-head trials against imported products for midface volume. The practical differences are in the product range, the feel in the tissue, how much published data exists for a particular use, and the cost.
The question that matters more than “Korean or imported” is “which product line, for which area, and is it genuine?”
What actually makes fillers different?
Most fillers used today are cross-linked hyaluronic acid. Cross-linking joins the hyaluronic acid chains together so the gel lasts months rather than days. Brands differ in how they do this, and each brand makes a range of products for different jobs.
- Firmness: how well the gel holds its shape under pressure. Firm gels lift and project; soft gels spread and smooth.
- Cohesiveness: how well the gel stays together. This affects how it moves with the face and how it can be shaped.
- Water uptake: some gels draw in more water after injection, which can mean more swelling. This matters under the eyes.
- Lidocaine: many fillers contain a local anaesthetic to make injection more comfortable.
A doctor uses these properties to match a product to the tissue and the result you want. Two brands can have a very similar product for the chin, and very different products for the lips.
Filler firmness by area
How is a product chosen for each area?
| Area | What the filler needs to do | Typical choice |
|---|---|---|
| Chin and jawline | Hold shape and project, placed deep near bone | Firm, cohesive gel |
| Front cheek | Support and lift the midface | Firm to medium gel |
| Smile lines | Soften a fold while moving with the face | Medium gel |
| Lips | Add volume and shape that stays soft when you talk | Soft, flexible gel |
| Under the eyes | Smooth a hollow under thin skin with little swelling | Soft gel with low water uptake |
This is a broad guide; the doctor’s choice also depends on your skin thickness, how much movement the area has, and whether you have had filler there before. Our guides to cheek filler and how long filler lasts go into individual areas.
Does brand change how long filler lasts?
Somewhat, but the area matters more. Filler in a low-movement area such as the chin tends to last longer than filler in the lips, whatever the brand. Within an area, firmer and more highly cross-linked products often last longer than soft ones. Your own metabolism, exercise habits and the amount used also play a part. Be cautious of any promise of a specific number of months.
Why ask for the product name?
- Safety records: if you ever have a reaction, the product name and lot number help any doctor treat you.
- Future treatment: a doctor at home can plan top-ups or dissolving more safely when they know what is there.
- Comparing quotes: a lower quote may reflect a different product or a smaller amount. You can only compare like with like if you know both.
- Genuine product: a sealed box and syringe, opened in front of you, with the product label visible, is a reasonable thing to expect.
Our guide to choosing a safe skin clinic in Seoul covers what else to check.
What about fillers that are not hyaluronic acid?
Some injectables are designed to stimulate your own collagen rather than add volume directly, such as Juvelook. These behave differently and cannot be dissolved in the same way. Hyaluronic acid filler has the advantage that it can be broken down with hyaluronidase if there is a problem. See is Juvelook a filler? for the difference. Permanent fillers are not something we recommend for the face.
How cost fits in
Imported and Korean fillers are priced differently, and products within one brand vary too. The cost depends on the product chosen and how much is used, and you get a clear quote after the consultation. We will tell you which product we suggest and why, and you are welcome to ask about alternatives.
FAQ
Are Korean fillers approved?
Fillers used in Korean clinics must be approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. Several Korean brands are also approved and sold in other countries.
Is Juvederm better than Korean filler?
Not automatically. Juvederm has a long track record and a wide range. Korean brands are licensed and widely used. The right product depends on the area and the result you want.
Can I choose the brand?
Yes, you can ask for a specific brand. A doctor will tell you if a different product would suit the area better.
Can Korean filler be dissolved?
Yes. Korean and imported hyaluronic acid fillers can both be dissolved with hyaluronidase.
Will my doctor at home know the brand?
They may not know every Korean brand by name, which is another reason to keep the product name and, ideally, the label sticker.
Does a more expensive filler mean a better result?
No. Technique, placement and choosing the right product for the area matter more than the price of the product.
Plan a visit: send a photo of the area on WhatsApp, LINE, or KakaoTalk, and we will explain which type of filler would suit it, in English, before you land.
This guide comes from Maylin Clinic Apgujeong, the Apgujeong branch of the Maylin Doctor Network in Gangnam, Seoul. You can meet our doctors before you book.
General information, not medical advice for your individual case. What is appropriate depends on your history and on an examination. See also our Medical Disclaimer and Medical Review Process.
Published
Medically reviewed by Hyoung Moon Kim, MD, PhD on .
From our channels
YouTube · from our channel
When BTX Met Energy, episode 4: choosing the right toxin for EBD treatments
YouTube episode on choosing the right botulinum toxin for energy-device treatments
Watch on YouTube →
Instagram · from our channel
Hands-free InMode for the jawline and double chin
Instagram reel about hands-free InMode treatment at Maylin Apgujeong
Watch on Instagram →Not sure this is the right treatment?
That is what the consultation is for. We will look at your skin and tell you what we would recommend and what we would leave alone, including if the answer is nothing for now.
Book a consultation