How long does Hiko last in Suwon, and when does the bridge of the nose start to look lower?

If you are wondering how long a nasal bridge raised with Hiko will last and whether it will look lower once the swelling goes down, knowing what the threads and filler each do makes it easier to gauge the progress. Hiko is a procedure that inserts absorbable medical PDO threads into the nasal bridge and tip to build support, then refines the area with hyaluronic acid filler to shape the nose line.

How long Hiko lasts varies depending on the filler product used and the individual, and the treatment guide generally puts it at about 6 to 12 months. At our Suwon clinic, we first look at the height of the nasal bridge, the angle of the nasal tip, the thickness of the nasal skin, and any history of nose surgery before deciding the number of threads and the amount of filler.

In this article, we go through how Hiko raises the nasal bridge, when the bridge changes during the period it lasts and which noses are not suited to Hiko, the treatment process, recovery and care, side effects, and what to check before the procedure.

Key points about Hiko

• Hiko builds support with dissolvable threads and refines the line with filler.
• Looking lower than at first as the swelling goes down is a common part of the progress.
• It lasts about 6 to 12 months and varies by filler product and individual.
• For 2 to 3 weeks after the procedure, avoid anything that presses on the nose, such as glasses or sleeping face down.

How does Hiko raise the nasal bridge?

Hiko first builds support by inserting barbed threads along the direction of the bridge and the columella of the tip, then places filler on top to refine the shape. The threads act as pillars and the filler smoothly connects the line above them, so we design the direction and number of threads together with where the filler goes.

PDO threads are dissolving threads also used for surgical sutures, and while they break down in the skin, collagen tissue forms around them. Even after the threads have fully dissolved, some of this tissue remains and supports the shape of the bridge, but it does not keep the original height as is.

For those with thick, firm nasal skin, the height shows less even with thread support, and for those with thin skin, the number and position of threads are adjusted so that the outline of the threads does not show through.

How does the nasal bridge change during the period Hiko lasts?

There are two main points when the bridge seems to drop. One is the early period when the swelling goes down, and the other is the period when the threads and filler are gradually absorbed.

If you have had rhinoplasty with silicone or implants, scar tissue has formed inside the nose, making it difficult to insert threads, and the risk of blood vessel damage may also increase. Removing silicone left inside the nose is a surgical matter that requires a plastic surgery consultation, and for noses with a large bony hump or a crooked nose, the range that threads and filler can change is narrow.

How is Hiko performed?

How the number of threads and the amount of filler are decided

The number of threads and the amount of filler are decided by how much to raise the bridge, at what angle to lift the tip, and whether the skin is thick enough to cover the threads. We also check from the front that the bridge does not widen and from the side that the transition from forehead to nose looks natural, and for men, whose bridge width and skin thickness differ, we decide the width of the bridge first.

Treatment steps at our Suwon clinic

1. Personalized Consultation
2. Numbing Cream & Local Anesthesia
3. Design
4. Disinfection
5. Treatment
6. Finishing Care

The procedure takes about 10 to 20 minutes, and you can return to daily life right after. Super Hiko consists of 1cc of imported filler and 4 threads, and in the Bespoke thread lift, Hiko threads can be used in units of 2. If you plan to receive it again, it is possible once the bruising and swelling have settled, and we first look at how much thread and filler remain, then decide with the medical team whether to top up only the filler or insert threads again.

View Super Hiko treatment information

Recovery and care after Hiko

• You can wash your face and wear makeup starting 2 to 3 hours later, and the DuoDERM on your nose comes off after 3 days.
• Take the prescribed medication consistently for 3 days to help prevent inflammation and relieve pain.
• For 3 to 7 days after treatment, avoid heavy drinking, smoking, saunas and Korean bathhouses, hot baths, and strenuous exercise.
• For 2 to 3 weeks, avoid anything that presses on the nose, such as glasses, hats, sleeping face down or on your side, facial meridian massage, ultrasound and radiofrequency treatments, and dental treatment.

If the nose is pressed during the first 2 to 3 weeks while the threads and filler are settling, the direction of the threads may shift or the filler may be pushed sideways, making the bridge look wider. If you need to wear glasses, avoid the spot where the nose pads rest or switch to contact lenses for a while, and consciously cut back on habits like touching your nose or blowing it hard.

Side effects and precautions for Hiko

After the procedure, bruising, swelling, pain, and a foreign-body sensation may occur, and most ease within 1 to 2 weeks. The speed of recovery and the results vary from person to person.

Occasionally, depending on skin condition, threads may show through or come out of the skin, and if inflammation occurs, the nose becomes red and swollen with warmth and pain. If filler presses on or blocks a blood vessel, the skin color turns white or purplish, and rarely skin necrosis and vision problems may occur. Please let us know before the procedure about any history of nose surgery, medical history such as antibiotic allergies, and whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

If pain keeps getting worse even after taking the prescribed medication, if the skin color of the nose changes or blisters form, or if your vision becomes blurry, please contact the clinic right away. If you can feel the end of a thread or see it outside the skin, do not touch it or cut it yourself; please come to the clinic.

What should be checked before Hiko?

In cases like these, first check the condition and history of your nose

• I have had rhinoplasty or an implant inserted.
• The height and angle of my nasal tip concern me more than the bridge.
• The skin on my nose is thick, or on the contrary, very thin.
• You wear glasses for long hours every day.

If two or more apply, it is best to check your nose surgery history, skin thickness, and desired height before deciding on Hiko. Whether to have the procedure, the number of threads, and the amount of filler are decided together in consultation after the medical team examines you.

In short, the key to how long Hiko lasts is not pressing on the nose during the 2 to 3 weeks it settles and judging the result by how it looks after the swelling has gone down.

FAQ

Q. What is the difference between Hiko and nose filler?

A. Nose filler adds volume to the bridge with hyaluronic acid gel, while Hiko builds support in the bridge and tip with dissolvable threads and then refines it with filler. Hiko is discussed when you also want to address the height and angle of the nasal tip.

Q. My bridge seems to have dropped as the swelling went down after Hiko. Is that okay?

A. Right after the procedure, swelling makes it look higher than planned, and looking lower than at first as the swelling and bruising subside is a common part of the progress. We judge whether additional correction is needed by looking at how it appears after the 2 to 3 weeks it takes for the threads and filler to settle.

Q. Do Hiko threads remain in the body?

A. PDO threads are dissolvable threads absorbed by the body, so they break down and are absorbed over time. While they break down, collagen tissue forms around them, and some of this tissue remains to support the bridge even after the threads have dissolved.

Q. I have had nose surgery. Can I get Hiko?

A. If you have had an implant or nose surgery, there is scar tissue inside, making it difficult to insert threads, and the risk of blood vessel damage may also increase. Please be sure to tell us your surgical history and when it was done before consultation so we can determine at the examination whether the procedure is possible.

Q. Is Super Hiko a different procedure from Hiko?

A. They are procedures based on the same principle, and Super Hiko at our Suwon clinic is an option that uses 1cc of imported filler and 4 Hiko threads at once. The number of threads and the amount of filler are adjusted at consultation according to the bridge height, tip angle, and skin thickness.

Q. How can I check the cost of Hiko?

A. The cost varies depending on the number of threads, the amount of filler, and the package you choose. We explain after confirming the desired bridge height and tip angle at consultation, and you can also see the Super Hiko options and items on the treatment guide page.