Hyaluronic Acid Fillers in Korea — The Complete Guide, From Results by Area to Verifying the Product

Who it suits / who it doesn't

Hyaluronic acid filler takes hyaluronic acid, a moisturizing substance our bodies also contain, made into a gel and injected to fill hollow or wrinkled areas. The shape changes immediately without surgery and recovery is short, so it is very popular on trips.

• You want to fill areas that have sunk with age, such as nasolabial folds or hollow under-eyes
• You want to subtly refine the nose bridge, chin or forehead without surgery
• You want to change lip volume or the shape of the mouth corners in a natural way
• You want a way to reverse the result if you don't like it

What is hyaluronic acid filler? — A filler that can be dissolved

Fillers come in several ingredients, but in Korea the most commonly used on the face is hyaluronic acid filler. Its biggest feature is that it can be dissolved with an enzyme injection called hyaluronidase. This means there is a way to correct it if you don't like the shape or a problem occurs.

• Over time it is gradually absorbed by the body and disappears. It is not a permanent treatment.
• Each product differs in gel firmness (viscosity and elasticity) and particle size. Firmer products are mainly used where shape needs support, such as the nose and chin, and softer products where the area must stay soft, such as the lips and under-eyes.
• Rather than one product being "better", what matters is choosing one that suits the area, your skin thickness and the shape you want.

Uses and cautions by area

The amount, product and cautions differ for each area. If it's your first time, we recommend starting with the one or two areas that bother you most.

Treatment-day flow

1. 1
   Consultation (about 20–30 minutes)looking in a mirror, you decide the shape and areas you want and the product and amount to be used. Your manager interprets.
2. 2
   Cleansing & numbing cream (about 20–30 minutes): numbing cream is applied to reduce stinging. For the lips, a nerve block anesthetic is sometimes used.
3. 3
   Product checkthe product to be used is opened in front of you and the name and amount are shown to you.
4. 4
   Treatment (10–30 minutes)filler is placed little by little with a needle or a blunt-tipped cannula, with mirror checks along the way.
5. 5
   Finishing & check (about 15 minutes)after a cold pack, skin colour and pain are checked again, and you are given aftercare instructions for going home.

Swelling and bruising timeline — how it goes, day by day

The shape is visible as soon as filler is placed, but for the first few days it can look bigger than it really is because of swelling.

• Same day
  You see the change right away. Needle marks and slight redness and swelling. Swelling sometimes rises a little more in the evening.
• Days 1–3
  The period of most swelling. Lips and under-eyes swell especially easily. If you bruise, it darkens now.
• Days 4–7
  Most of the swelling goes down. Bruises turn yellow and fade, and can be covered with makeup.
• 2 weeks
  The filler settles and gets close to its final shape. If it is not enough or is uneven, a top-up is considered now.

Sample trip plans

3 days 2 nights (1–2 areas)

• Day 1 afternoon
  Arrive → consultation → filler treatment. Rest at your accommodation in the evening and avoid alcohol and saunas.
• Day 2
  Light sightseeing and shopping are fine. If you have swelling or bruising, cover it with a mask or concealer.
• Day 3
  Check the shape and skin colour at the clinic before departure, then fly home

5 days 4 nights or more (several areas, including top-up)

• Day 1
  Consultation & treatment
• Days 2–4
  Sightseeing. Share photos of the swelling going down with your manager
• Day 5
  Progress check at the clinic, small top-up if needed → guidance on care after you return home

When you fly

• Most people can fly the day after filler. However, pressure changes may make swelling feel a little stronger for a while.
• If you had nose filler, don't press on your nose with glasses or a sleep mask on the plane.
• Drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol on the plane.

How to verify the product — be sure to see it yourself

Filler goes invisibly into your body, so it matters that you check with your own eyes that it is genuine. A reputable clinic won't mind the requests below.

1. Just before treatment, ask for the product to be opened in front of you, box and packaging included.
2. Check that the product name and amount (cc/ml) match what you were told at your consultation.
3. Check the product information sticker (product name, lot number, expiry date) on the box or syringe. Many clinics stick it on your chart or on an information card for you.
4. For imported products, check that the Korean approval information is printed in Korean.
5. If several cc are used, you can ask to be shown the number of empty syringes after treatment.
6. Keeping the product sticker or a photo also helps if you see another clinic after you return home.

Normal reactions and symptoms to contact us about right away

Reactions that can normally occur

• Needle marks, slight redness and swelling (settle within a few days)
• Small bruises (about 1 week, can be covered with makeup)
• A slightly firm or lumpy feeling to the touch (usually settles in 1–2 weeks)
• Stiffness when chewing for a few days at the temples and chin

When to contact us immediately

• The treated area or surrounding skin turns white, or becomes blotchy blue or purple
• Pain keeps getting worse until it is hard to bear
• Your vision becomes blurry or your eyes hurt
• Blisters or pus appear, or redness spreads with a feeling of heat

If you don't like the result, it can be dissolved and corrected with hyaluronidase. However, the dissolving enzyme can also rarely cause an allergy, so it is done under the doctor's judgment.

Preparation before and care after treatment

Before treatment

• If possible, from 1 week before cut back on medicines and supplements that make you bruise easily, such as aspirin, anti-inflammatory painkillers, omega-3 and vitamin E (don't stop prescribed medicines on your own; tell us at your consultation).
• Avoid heavy drinking the night before. Bruising and swelling can get worse.
• Bring a record of any previous filler, Botox or lifting treatments (area, timing, product).

After treatment

• Do not press hard on or massage the treated area. Follow only what the clinic specifically advises. Avoid facial massage and meridian therapy for at least 2 weeks.
• Avoid saunas, jjimjilbang, hot baths and heat-producing treatments such as radiofrequency for about 1 week.
• Avoid alcohol and strenuous exercise for 2–3 days. Swelling and bruising may last longer.
• For a few days, don't sleep face down or with your face pressed into the pillow; lie on your back with your head slightly raised.
• Avoid makeup on the day; from the next day, wear light makeup, avoiding the needle marks.

Questions to be sure to ask in your consultation

1. Which product will you use, and how many cc in each area?
2. Is it hyaluronic acid filler? Can it be dissolved if a problem occurs?
3. Will the doctor personally consult and treat me?
4. If it's not enough or uneven, when and how is it topped up?
5. If a vascular complication occurs, can the clinic respond right away? (Is the dissolving enzyme kept on hand?)
6. If something goes wrong after I return home, can I consult by photo?

What to look for in a clinic

• The doctor personally sees your face, consults and treats you (you don't just meet a consultation coordinator)
• They open the product in front of you and show you the product name, amount and sticker
• They look at the balance of your whole face and recommend only the amount you need (not an excessive amount from the start)
• They keep the dissolving enzyme on hand and explain how they handle emergencies
• They offer foreign-language support and review your progress by photo after you go home

KBEAU connects you with partner clinics in Gangnam and Apgujeong. Send a photo of your face and the areas you want and we will tell you beforehand whether filler suits you and how many areas can be done in how many days; on the day, a dedicated manager accompanies you to interpret and help verify the product. We can also arrange accommodation near the clinic and an airport pickup car.