Filler types in Suwon: why are hyaluronic acid fillers used differently for each area?
If you are looking into fillers and find the many names, such as Restylane, Belotero, and Korean-made fillers, confusing, it is worth first checking which properties suit the area to be treated rather than focusing on the name. Fillers are divided by ingredient into hyaluronic acid fillers, calcium particle fillers, and the polylactic acid family, and the most widely used on the face are hyaluronic acid fillers.
Even among hyaluronic acid fillers, the degree to which the ingredient is cross-linked, the size and shape of the particles, the resistance to pressure, and the tendency to hold together and spread differ by product, so the areas they are used in differ. At FACE FILTER Clinic Suwon, the consultation begins by looking at skin thickness and movement and whether the area needs support to build shape, and the formulation and amount are then decided.
This article covers, in order, filler types by ingredient, the differences among hyaluronic acid fillers and formulations by area, the properties of Restylane and Belotero and how the procedure is carried out, longevity and aftercare, and side effects.
Filler Types: Key Points
- Fillers are divided by ingredient into hyaluronic acid, calcium particle, and polylactic acid types, and only hyaluronic acid fillers can be dissolved with hyaluronidase.
- Even among hyaluronic acid fillers, firmness and spreading behavior differ depending on the degree of cross-linking and particle structure.
- Supportive formulations are used for the nose and chin, soft formulations for the lips, and thinly spreading formulations for under the eyes and neck lines.
- The longevity we advise is 6 to 12 months, and absorption may feel faster in areas with more movement.
How are filler types divided by ingredient?
Hyaluronic acid filler is a product made by turning the hyaluronic acid naturally found in the skin into a gel, and the injected gel immediately fills the hollow area. Over time, it is broken down by enzymes in the body and absorbed, and when the result needs to be changed, it can be dissolved with hyaluronidase, a breakdown enzyme.
Calcium-particle fillers contain fine calcium granules in a gel; at first the gel creates volume, and as the gel is absorbed, the granules stimulate collagen production. Poly-L-lactic acid types work by gradually filling in with collagen made by the body over several weeks rather than immediately after injection. Neither can be dissolved with hyaluronidase, so the amount and placement are decided more carefully.
How do hyaluronic acid fillers differ from area to area?
Hyaluronic acid injected as is would be absorbed within a few days, so fillers are made to last longer through cross-linking, which binds the ingredient's chains together. The higher the degree of cross-linking, the firmer the filler and the more slowly it breaks down. Products in which the gel is formed into particles of uniform size have high elasticity that keeps their shape under pressure, while products that join gels of different densities into a single mass have high cohesiveness and spread evenly within thin skin.
| Area | Required properties | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Nose, chin | A firm formulation that does not spread easily | Must withstand pressure from the skin and build height |
| Lips, mouth corners | A soft, stretchy formulation | Moves constantly when talking and eating, so a firm filler can look lumpy |
| Under the eyes, neck wrinkles | A low-density formulation that spreads thinly | The skin is thin, so contours or a bluish tint can easily show through |
| Cheeks, temples, nasolabial folds | A formulation of medium firmness | A wide area must be filled in a naturally continuous way |
Even within the same face, a supportive product may be used for the nose and a thinly spreading product for the neck lines. Rather than choosing a product first, the right order is to choose the properties suited to the area and then decide on a product within that range.
Properties of Restylane and Belotero fillers and how the procedure is carried out
Restylane filler and Belotero filler
Restylane filler is a hyaluronic acid filler made by Galderma of Sweden, characterized by a gel with uniformly sized particles. It is designed with high elasticity and is mainly used in areas that need defined height, such as the nose, chin, and front of the cheekbones, and there are also separate soft products for areas with a lot of movement, such as the lips.
Belotero filler is a hyaluronic acid filler made by binding gels of different densities into a single mass. Its high cohesiveness lets it spread evenly in the shallow layers of the skin, so it is used in thin, delicate areas such as neck lines, fine lines around the eyes, and the lips, and it comes in a lineup of four products with different firmness. The two products have different properties, so the areas where they are used differ.
Treatment steps at our Suwon clinic
- Personalized Consultation
- Photos (Before Treatment)
- Numbing Cream / Local Anesthesia
- Design
- Disinfection
- Treatment
- Photos (After Treatment)
The procedure takes about 10 minutes, and you can return to daily activities right away; longevity is advised as 6 to 12 months depending on the area, the product, and individual differences. FACE FILTER Clinic Suwon uses Korean-made hyaluronic acid fillers as well as the imported fillers Restylane and Belotero. Korean-made fillers come in 1cc, 3cc, and 5cc options, and for neck lines there is an option of Belotero neck line filler 1cc given as one session or three sessions. The amount of imported filler is decided during the consultation based on the area and how hollow it is.
See Restylane filler treatment details
See Belotero filler treatment details
Filler longevity and aftercare
- You may wash your face and wear makeup starting 2 to 3 hours after treatment, and the DuoDERM patches on the injection sites are removed after 1 to 3 days.
- For 3 to 7 days after treatment, avoid heavy drinking, smoking, saunas and Korean bathhouses, hot baths, and strenuous exercise.
- Take the prescribed medication consistently for 3 days to prevent inflammation and relieve pain.
- For two to three weeks, avoid pressure from hats or glasses, sleeping face down or on your side, facial meridian massage, dental treatment, and ultrasound and radiofrequency procedures.
Fillers are gradually broken down by enzymes in the body and by movement. Areas that move all day, such as the lips, feel like they absorb filler faster, while areas with little movement, such as the nose, tend to retain the same product longer; the degree of cross-linking, the amount injected, and an individual's metabolic rate also change longevity. When looking for a long-lasting nose filler, using a firm product in a thin area based only on longevity can cause visibility or lumping.
Side effects and precautions for fillers
Because it is an injection procedure, bruising, swelling, pain, and a foreign-body sensation can occur, and most subside within one to two weeks. Filler placed in a shallow layer may show a bluish tint, feel like a lump, or look uneven between the two sides; if needed, these are adjusted by touch-up or by dissolving the filler, and the degree of reaction varies from person to person.
Rarely, nerve damage, allergic reactions, or inflammation can occur, and if filler blocks a blood vessel, skin necrosis can occur. If a blood vessel leading to the eye is blocked around the glabella or eyes, there is a risk of reduced or lost vision, so injection depth and amount in these areas are kept conservative. If you have a history such as antibiotic allergies, are pregnant or breastfeeding, are taking blood-thinning medication, or have filler remaining from a previous procedure, please be sure to tell us before the procedure.
If pain keeps getting worse despite taking prescribed medication, your skin turns white or purplish, blisters, warmth, or itching persist, or your vision becomes blurry, please contact the clinic right away.
What should be checked before choosing a filler type?
In these cases, start with a consultation on formulations for each area
- You do not know the ingredient or product of filler you had before.
- There are areas, such as the nose or chin, where you want to build height.
- Your concern is an area with thin skin, such as neck lines or under the eyes.
- You are mainly looking for a long-lasting product.
If two or more of these apply, it is best to first check the skin thickness and movement of the area to be treated and your previous treatment history. Whether to proceed, the method, and the extent of treatment are decided together during the consultation after examination by the medical team.
In short, the key in choosing a filler type is to first decide on properties suited to the skin thickness and movement of the area to be treated, rather than the product name, and then choose within that range.
FAQ
Q. How do I choose between Restylane filler and Belotero filler?
A. Restylane, with its high elasticity, is mainly used in areas where height is built, and Belotero, with its high cohesiveness, in areas where the filler must spread thinly. The choice is made based on the area, skin thickness, and movement, and the two products are sometimes used separately within the same face.
Q. How long does lip filler last?
A. The lips move constantly when you talk and eat, so absorption may feel faster than in other areas. Since it varies with the product, the amount injected, and individual metabolic rate, we review when filler was last injected and how much remains, and confirm this during the consultation.
Q. What type of filler is used for nose filler?
A. The nose needs support for its height, so a firm formulation that does not spread easily is used. However, the nose has a dense network of blood vessels, so deciding the injection depth and amount comes before choosing a product, and the plan is made after examining the shape of the nose and the skin thickness.
Q. What is the difference between Korean and imported fillers?
A. Each manufacturer uses a different cross-linking method and particle structure, so firmness and spreading behavior differ. The longevity we advise for both is 6 to 12 months, but it varies by area and individual, so the choice is made together during the consultation according to the area to be treated.
Q. Can a different type of filler be injected into the same area?
A. We first need to know the ingredient and timing of the filler you had before. If a non-hyaluronic acid filler remains, it cannot be dissolved with hyaluronidase and the plan changes, so please tell us the treatment dates and product names you know during the consultation.
Q. How can I check the cost of each type of filler?
A. The cost depends on the filler product and amount. Which product among Korean-made fillers, Restylane, and Belotero to use and how much is explained after confirming the area during the consultation, and this can also be found on the treatment information page.
This content is provided as general treatment information and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a medical professional to decide whether and how to proceed with a treatment.