"Isn't all filler the same thing?"
"If anything, can't I just get it all at once somewhere cheap?"
These are things people looking into filler often say.
Hello, I'm Director Kwon Si-jin & Yoon Ju-hyun at DA Clinic Myeongdong ^^
We're set to open in Myeongdong soon, and since there are so many misconceptions about filler, we wanted to lay things out for your information.
Let me say it in one line up front. With filler, it's not the 'product' but 'which area you put it in and how' that decides the result.
Filler Is, in the End, a 'Filling' Treatment
Filler is a treatment that fills the dermal layer with a viscoelastic material to make up for lost volume and tidy up the lines.
The most commonly used component is hyaluronic acid. Since it's a component our skin originally has too, it settles in relatively well, and a big advantage is that if needed it can be dissolved again with a breaking-down enzyme.
Why Should Each Area Be Viewed Differently?
Even with the same hyaluronic acid, the properties an area calls for differ.
Spots that need to provide support, like the cheeks or nasolabial folds, suit a product that holds firmly. Conversely, thin, mobile spots like the lips or under the eyes suit a product that's soft and has different cohesion.
To put it in a simple analogy, it's like using soft jelly where you mean to stand a pillar, and hard clay in a delicate spot like the lips. Put a product that doesn't match the area in, and it easily clumps or shows through.
Know This About Each Area
The forehead and nasolabial folds are spots where support matters, so the key is 'controlling the amount' to bring out the curve naturally.
Under the eyes is a tricky area where the skin is thin, so the product easily shows through or clumps. That's why you have to carefully judge from the start whether to put it in at all, and whether you're a suitable candidate.
The lips move a lot, so I've found that overfilling quickly looks unnatural. It's safer to approach little by little while watching the result.
How It's Injected, and Safety
Filler is often used together with a round-tipped cannula to reduce the risk of bruising and vessel injury.
Also, keeping ready to respond with the breaking-down enzyme that dissolves hyaluronic acid when a problem arises is the basis of safety management.
Rarely, complications are reported where filler blocks a vessel and causes problems with the skin or vision. That's why injecting it with precise knowledge of the anatomical location matters above all.
Side Effects and Limits Worth Knowing
After the treatment, bruising, swelling, and temporary asymmetry can occur. These generally sort themselves out over time.
Depending on the area or product, clumping or nodules can sometimes be felt, and in those cases I've found it's adjusted with the breaking-down enzyme.
And filler is a treatment that fills lost volume; it isn't a treatment that lifts sagging skin or stops aging itself. It's good to understand this point in advance. (results may vary by individual)
FAQ
Q. How long does filler last?
A. The duration of filler varies by area, product, and cross-linking method, but generally you can think of it as 6 months to as long as 2 years. Even with the same hyaluronic acid, a firmly cross-linked product lasts longer, while a soft product tends to be absorbed relatively quickly. Also, areas that move a lot, like the lips or around the eyes, break it down that much faster, so even the same product can have a shorter duration there. Conversely, spots with little movement, like the nasolabial folds or cheeks, tend to settle in for longer. There are also differences depending on your individual metabolic rate, so rather than stating a flat "this many months," it's more accurate to understand it as a range.
Q. If I don't like it, can it be reversed?
A. A big advantage of hyaluronic acid filler is that it can be adjusted or reversed by dissolving it with a breaking-down enzyme. If the shape isn't to your liking, or clumping or asymmetry occurs, the method is to inject an enzyme called hyaluronidase to break down the filler. Thanks to this, it tends to be easier to respond to in terms of safety management than other kinds of filler. That said, the enzyme treatment also carries a possibility of an allergic reaction, so it has to be done carefully while watching the response. Also, rather than redoing the treatment right after dissolving, it's good to allow time for the swelling and condition to settle. So I believe an approach of putting it in little by little from the start, while watching, is ultimately the path to fewer things needing reversal.
Q. Is there anything to watch out for after the treatment?
A. On the day of the filler treatment, it's good to reduce stimulation so the injected filler can settle. Please put off activities that apply heat or greatly raise blood flow—like saunas, jjimjilbang, and intense exercise—for a few days. Rubbing or pressing the treatment area hard can also affect the shape, so it's safer to avoid that. Bruising and swelling commonly appear after the treatment, and they generally settle over a few days to a week. Rather than massaging excessively to get the swelling down faster, it's good to leave it to sort itself out naturally. And if the treatment area becomes excessively pale or severe pain continues, you must get it seen right away without delay.
In closing
If we sum up today's content in one line, it's this.
With filler, it's not the 'product name' but 'the right choice for the area and precise injection' that makes the result.
This piece isn't one that recommends a treatment; it's something we put together for your information as we prepare to open.
DA Clinic Myeongdong is set to open soon. We'll share news of our opening and treatment information first on our blog and Instagram ^^
Thank you for reading this long piece. This was Director Kwon Si-jin & Yoon Ju-hyun at DA Clinic Myeongdong.
This column is an informational article meant to provide general medical information, and the effects and side effects of treatments may vary by individual. DA Clinic Myeongdong is set to open soon. (Medical Service Act Art. 56)