u/Ok_Corgi4610

Thanks to u/aquinmac20 for suggesting this topic. I’m glad I can talk about this because Korean lifting machines can get confusing really fast.

Some patients need overall elasticity and skin firmness. Some need more careful work around smaller areas like the eyes or mouth. And some are more concerned about lower face heaviness, jawline softness, or early jowling.

That’s why skin thickness, facial fat, sagging pattern, hollow areas, and pain tolerance matter a lot.

First, Oligio X

Oligio X is more of an upgraded RF tightening treatment.

The main focus is collagen stimulation, skin elasticity, texture, pores, fine lines, and mild lifting. It has G mode and X mode, so the treatment can be adjusted depending on the area and skin condition.

I’d usually think of Oligio X for someone who feels like their skin is becoming less firm, their jawline is starting to soften a little, or their overall elasticity is not like before.

It’s not a facelift, of course. But for early sagging and maintenance, it can be a good option.

Next, Oligio Kiss

Oligio Kiss feels more like a detailed and customized approach.

A lot of clinics use it for smaller or more delicate areas, like around the eyes, around the mouth, curved areas, or areas where you don’t want to be too aggressive.

Depending on the clinic’s protocol, it may involve RF, HIFU, or a combination of both. So it can be useful when someone needs both skin elasticity improvement and some deeper lifting support, but in a more controlled way.

I’d think of Oligio Kiss for people with fine lines around the eyes or mouth, thinner skin with early sagging, or people who want a gentler and more detailed lifting plan.

Not everyone needs strong energy everywhere. Sometimes the result is better when the treatment is adjusted carefully by area.

Then, Xerf

Xerf is also RF based, but I think of it more for deeper tightening and lower face contour support.

If someone says their lower face feels heavier, their jawline is not as sharp, or they’re starting to see mild jowling, I’d compare Xerf more seriously.

It’s still non surgical, but compared to lighter RF treatments, Xerf feels more focused on face line, lower face tightening, and jawline definition.

About the RF question: is Oligio Kiss RF the same as Oligio X RF?

I wouldn’t say they are automatically the same.

Even if both involve RF, the result is not decided by the machine name only. It depends on the mode, tip, contact area, cooling, energy setting, depth, skin thickness, fat layer, and which part of the face is being treated.

Oligio X is more straightforward when the goal is overall RF tightening and elasticity. Oligio Kiss is usually more customized, especially when treating smaller areas or when RF and HIFU are being combined.

So if someone asks me whether Oligio Kiss RF is exactly equivalent to Oligio X RF, my answer would be no, I wouldn’t assume that unless the clinic clearly explains the actual protocol.

And yes, if RF and HIFU are separate modes or tips, the doctor may be able to focus more on RF and reduce or skip HIFU depending on your face. This is especially important for people with thinner faces, hollow areas, or not much facial fat, because more deep energy is not always better.

Hope this helps clear things up. If there are any other treatments or clinic-related topics you guys want me to talk about next, leave it in the comments. I’ll try to make a proper post when I have time ☺️

Thank you u/aquinmac20 for recommending this topic. I’m glad I can bring some helpful information here because Korean lifting machines can get confusing very fast.

These machines are often grouped together because they all sit in the lifting and tightening category, but they don’t target the face in the exact same way.

Some are better for overall elasticity and skin texture. Some are more useful for smaller, delicate areas. And some are chosen more for jawline or lower face contour. That’s why the treatment plan can change a lot depending on skin thickness, fat amount, sagging pattern, hollow areas, and pain tolerance.

1/ Oligio X

Oligio X is more like an upgraded RF tightening treatment.

The main point is collagen stimulation, elasticity, texture, pores, fine lines, and mild lifting. It also has G mode and X mode, with different tips, so the energy can be adjusted more depending on the area.

I’d think of Oligio X for someone who says their skin feels less firm, their jawline is getting a little soft, or their overall elasticity is not like before.

It’s not a facelift, but for early sagging and maintenance, I think it makes sense.

2/ Oligio Kiss

Oligio Kiss feels more like a detailed and customized approach.

A lot of clinics use it for smaller or more delicate areas, like around the eyes, around the mouth, curved areas, or areas where you don’t want to be too aggressive.

Some clinics also use it as a treatment that combines RF and HIFU, so it can help with both skin elasticity and some deeper lifting support.

I’d think of Oligio Kiss for people who have fine lines around the eyes or mouth, thin skin with early sagging, or people who want a more gentle and detailed lifting plan.

Not everyone needs strong energy everywhere. Sometimes a softer and more customized approach is better.

3./XERF

XERF is also RF based, but I think of it more as deeper tightening and contour support.

If someone says their lower face feels heavier, their jawline is less sharp, or they’re starting to see mild jowling, I’d probably compare XERF seriously.

It’s still not surgery, but it feels more focused on face line and lower face contour compared to lighter RF treatments.

Replying to the RF question about Oligio X vs Oligio Kiss

About whether the RF from Oligio Kiss is the same as Oligio X, I wouldn’t automatically assume they are equivalent. Oligio X publicly emphasizes stronger RF output, dual mode, optimized tips, and upgraded cooling. With Oligio Kiss, if the clinic or company does not clearly disclose the RF power and specs, I would be careful saying it is the same RF.

RF is not only about the machine name. It depends on power, tip size, contact area, cooling, pulse pattern, depth, and settings.

So my answer would be: RF from Oligio Kiss may still work well, but I would not call it the same as Oligio X unless the clinic can clearly explain the specs and protocol. And yes, if RF and HIFU are separate tips or modes, the doctor may be able to use more RF and skip or reduce HIFU depending on your skin.

Also, if there’s any treatment or clinic related topic you guys want me to talk about next, leave it in the comments. I’ll try to make a proper post about it when I have time ☺️

I actually like talking about lip filler because people think it is such a small, simple treatment, but lips are one of the easiest areas to make look unnatural.

A good lip filler result is not just about making the lips bigger. It is about balance. The lips sit right in the center of the face, so even a small change can make the whole face look softer, prettier, or sometimes awkward.

1. Too much volume from the beginning

This is probably the most common reason lip filler looks unnatural.

I know a lot of patients come in with a photo and want that full lip look immediately. But lips are not like cheeks or temples where volume can be hidden more easily. If you overfill the lips in one session, they can start pushing forward instead of looking naturally plump.

This is how people end up with that duck-lip look, or lips that feel too heavy for the rest of the face.

For lips, I really prefer building slowly. A small amount first, let it settle, then adjust if needed. It may feel slower, but this is usually how you get lips that look like they actually belong to your face.

2. Old filler that has already built up

Another big reason is old filler.

A lot of people forget that lip filler does not always disappear perfectly. If someone has done filler many times, especially at different clinics with different products, the lips can become stiff, uneven, or bumpy.

Sometimes the shape is already set in a bad way, so adding more filler only makes the problem worse.

In those cases, the prettiest result usually comes from dissolving first and redesigning from zero. I know patients hate hearing this because they don’t want to lose volume, but if the base shape is already distorted, more filler is not going to fix it.

3. Copying a lip shape that does not suit your face

This is also very common. Patients bring celebrity photos or influencer photos and want the same shape. But lips depend so much on your nose, chin, teeth, facial length, and side profile.

A lip shape that looks amazing on one person can look too projected, too flat, or too childish on another face.

Especially from the side, the E line matters a lot. If the lips are already forward compared to the nose and chin, adding too much volume can make the profile look protruded. If the chin is weak, the lips can look even more pushed out after filler.

One more thing people forget: movement

Some lips are uneven because of movement, not volume.

One side may pull higher when smiling, the corners may move differently, or the lower lip may fold in a way that makes the mouth look sad or crooked.

If the problem is muscle movement, filler alone will not fully correct it. In some cases, a tiny amount of Botox around the mouth area can help relax the pull and make the lip line look more stable. But this has to be done carefully because too much Botox around the mouth can affect your smile or speech.

I get this question a lot from younger patients, especially in Korea where skin clinics are so common.

A lot of people in their 20s come in asking if they should already be doing Botox, lifting, lasers, skin boosters, or some kind of prevention treatment. And honestly, my answer is usually: not necessarily.

Most people in their 20s don’t need cosmetic treatments for aging yet. The skin still has good collagen, good elasticity, and usually recovers faster than older skin. So when someone in their 20s says their skin suddenly looks bad, I’m usually not thinking “aging” first.

I’m thinking acne, clogged pores, acne marks, dehydration, sun damage, irritation, or damaged skin barrier.

So for this age group, I don’t really like the idea of doing treatments just because they’re trendy. The focus should be more on keeping the skin healthy and treating actual problems early.

For example, acne is one thing I wouldn’t ignore. If someone has active acne or early acne scars, treating it early can save a lot of trouble later. Acne scars are much harder to improve once they become deeper, so in that case, treatments like acne laser, gentle peels, LED, calming treatments, or light microneedling can make sense.

Pigmentation is another common one. A lot of younger patients think pigmentation is only an older skin problem, but acne marks, sun exposure, picking at the skin, or hormones can cause it quite early. For this, gentle laser toning, pico laser, or brightening care can help, but I would be careful with going too strong. If the skin is sensitive or prone to PIH/melasma, aggressive treatments can make things worse.

And honestly, sunscreen is still the boring answer that matters the most. If you’re doing pigment treatments but not using sunscreen properly, you’re making the treatment work twice as hard.

Another thing I see a lot in people in their 20s is damaged barrier. The skin looks dull, red, oily but dry, and easily irritated. Usually it’s from too many actives, over-exfoliating, strong retinol too early, poor sleep, stress, alcohol, or just changing products too often.

In that case, I would not jump straight into lasers. If basic moisturizer stings, that’s usually a sign the skin needs repair, not more procedures.

For Botox, I don’t think everyone in their 20s needs it. It can be useful if someone has very strong expression muscles and the lines are already staying even when the face is relaxed. But if there are no visible lines yet, I wouldn’t rush. If we do it, I prefer a very light dose. The goal is prevention and soft movement, not a frozen face.

Fillers are where I’m more cautious. Most people in their 20s don’t need fillers for aging. Sometimes filler is used for balance, like lips, chin, or small contour correction, but I don’t like heavy filling at a young age. Too much cheek filler, under eye filler, or trendy facial sculpting can look strange over time. Trends change, and filler doesn’t always disappear as quickly as people think.

For lifting treatments like HIFU, Thermage, Ultherapy, or RF, I also don’t think they’re necessary for most people in their 20s. If there is no real laxity, there’s not much to lift. And if the face is already slim or hollow, too much heat-based treatment can sometimes make the face look more tired.

Skin boosters are probably one of the safer maintenance type treatments when used properly. They can help if the skin is dehydrated, dull, or rough. But even then, I wouldn’t call them essential. They work best when your basic skincare is already stable.

So my general advice for people in their 20s is pretty simple: don’t treat aging if aging is not the problem.

Treat acne early. Don’t wait too long with scars. Be gentle with pigmentation. Fix the skin barrier before doing strong treatments. Use sunscreen every day. Don’t overfill the face. And don’t do lifting treatments just because someone says it’s preventative.

There’s nothing wrong with doing skin treatments in your 20s, but they should have a reason.

A lot of people in their 40s come to Korea thinking they need one anti aging treatment to fix everything. But honestly, 40s skin is usually not just one problem.

It is usually a mix of volume loss, mild sagging, thinner skin, pigmentation, bigger looking pores, and slower skin recovery. So if you only treat one thing, the result can feel disappointing.

For most people, I would divide treatments into a few categories.

1. Botox (good, but don’t overdo it)

Botox is useful for forehead lines, frown lines, crow’s feet, jaw clenching, and sometimes neck bands. In the 40s, I usually prefer softer Botox rather than freezing everything.

Too much Botox can make the face look stiff, especially if the lower face is already starting to lose support. The goal should be to relax strong movement, not remove all expression.

2. Filler (only where volume was actually lost)

Filler can be very helpful in the 40s, but it needs to be used carefully.

The areas that often benefit are the temples, midface, cheeks, and sometimes the nasolabial area. But putting filler directly into every fold is not always the answer. Sometimes the fold is there because the upper face has lost support.

Good filler should make the face look more rested, not puffy. In Korea, many clinics are conservative with filler compared to the “overfilled” look people worry about, but you still need to choose the injector carefully.

3. Collagen stimulators

This is one category I think makes a lot of sense for people in their 40s.

Treatments like Sculptra, Juvelook Volume, PDLLA, PLA, or similar collagen stimulating injectables are not instant like filler. They work gradually by encouraging collagen production.

They are better for people who want slow improvement in firmness, skin quality, and mild volume loss. The downside is that results take time and you usually need a series. Also, technique matters a lot. These should not be injected casually.

4. Skin tightening devices

Ultherapy, HIFU, Thermage, RF lifting, and similar devices can help with mild to moderate laxity.

They are not the same as a facelift. I think this is where people get disappointed. These treatments can give subtle tightening, especially around the jawline, lower face, brows, and neck, but they will not dramatically lift heavy sagging.

For someone in their 40s with early laxity, these can be useful as maintenance. For someone with significant skin laxity, threads or surgery may be more realistic.

5. Lasers (choose based on pigment, texture, or pores)

Lasers are huge in Korea, but laser is too general. There are many types.

For pigmentation, clinics may use pico lasers, Q switched lasers, toning lasers, or 1927 nm/thulium-type lasers.

For pores, texture, acne scars, and fine lines, fractional lasers or fractional RF may be better.

For redness and broken capillaries, vascular lasers are more appropriate.

The important thing is not to chase the strongest laser. Especially in your 40s, aggressive heat can sometimes worsen pigmentation or damage the barrier if your skin is not prepared.

6. Skin boosters

Skin boosters are very popular in Korea for a reason. They don’t lift like filler and they don’t erase wrinkles like Botox, but they can improve hydration, glow, elasticity, and overall skin texture.

Common categories include HA boosters, PN/PDRN-type treatments, amino acid blends, and other microinjection formulas.

I usually see them as “skin quality” treatments. They are nice when the skin looks dull, thin, dry, or tired. But they are not enough if the main issue is sagging or deep volume loss.

7. Threads

Thread lifts can help with mild jowling or midface sagging, but they are not magic.

They work best when the skin is not too heavy and the sagging is not too advanced. In some people, threads give a nice subtle lift. In others, the result is underwhelming or temporary.

I would not start with threads automatically. I would first look at whether the issue is volume loss, skin laxity, or true tissue descent.

8. Pigmentation

Pigment in the 40s can be tricky because you may be dealing with sun spots, melasma, post-inflammatory pigmentation, redness, or a mix of all of them.

This is why one random laser session often does not solve everything.

For pigment, I would be careful with heat, especially if you are melasma-prone or have Asian skin. Gentle repeated treatments plus sunscreen and good topical skincare usually work better than one aggressive session.

My personal approach would be: don’t do everything at once. Start with the main aging issue, then build from there. For example, Botox for movement lines, filler or collagen stimulators for support, RF or HIFU for laxity, lasers for pigment or texture, and skin boosters for glow.

The biggest things I’d be careful about are overfilling the face, overheating the skin with too many devices, and damaging the skin barrier. In your 40s, the best result is usually not dramatic. It should just make you look fresher, firmer, healthier, and more rested.

Having a sharp, snatched jawline is a massive beauty standard here in Seoul. But I see so many patients coming into the clinic super frustrated because their double chin just won't budge, no matter how much weight they lose.

They usually want to book "whatever works fastest," but there is a massive trap here. Treating the under chin area depends entirely on one question: Is your double chin caused by actual fat, or is it just sagging skin?

If you pick the wrong treatment, you are basically throwing your money away. Let's break down the two most popular options in Korea right now and how to choose.

Fat-Dissolving Injections: For actual fat volume. We use deoxycholic acid based formulas (like V-Olet) or customized clinic lipo-slim cocktails. The solution physically breaks down and destroys the fat cells, and your body metabolizes them over a few weeks.

Best for: A soft, pinchable, full under chin profile where you actually need slimming.

It does not lift or tighten skin. Expect a few days of looking like a bullfrog from the swelling before the magic happens.

HIFU Lifting (Shurink / Ultherapy): For loose, sagging skin. These machines use focused ultrasound energy to hit the deep SMAS muscle layer under your chin, causing it to contract and tighten. It's like a non-surgical shrink-wrap for your jawline.

Best for: Loose skin, early jowl sagging, or structural heaviness where there isn't actually a lot of fat to pinch. One session a year and you're set.

But it does not dissolve fat.

To be completely honest, most patients who come into my clinic actually have a little bit of both, some fat volume and some skin laxity.

If you just dissolve the fat, you are left with loose, deflated skin hanging under your chin. If you just do HIFU, the ultrasound waves can't fully get through a thick layer of fat to lift the muscle effectively.

That is why the gold standard in Seoul is combining them in the same season. We use the injections to melt away the fat pocket, and then we blast the area with Shurink Universe or Ultherapy to tightly snap the skin back against the jawbone. That is how you get that razor sharp profile.

If you are looking at your profile in the mirror and can't tell if you need melting or lifting, leave a comment below. I'll check back when I cann😉🙌🏻

So let’s talk about the absolute hardest thing to treat in dermatology: Acne Scars.

I always have to be brutally honest: if you have deep, indented acne scars (ice pick, boxcar, or rolling scars), just paying for a basic laser package is going to be a waste of your money. Lasers like Fraxel, Pico Fraxel, or Secret RF are amazing for smoothing the skin surface, reducing pores, and fixing post-acne redness. But they cannot lift a deep dent on their own.

The reason your skin looks pitted is because the scar is physically being pulled down by tough, fibrous bands underneath the skin. If you don't cut those bands or fill the hole, no amount of top layer laser will make your skin flat.

1. Subcision & TCA Cross

If you have rolling scars (the ones that look like gentle waves), we have to do subcision. We literally take a tiny needle or cannula under the skin and physically cut the fibrous bands that are pulling the scar down.

If you have those deep, sharp ice pick scars or enlarged pores, we use TCA Cross. We drop a tiny amount of strong acid exactly into the hole. It purposely damages the scar to force the skin to scab and rebuild itself upwards.

A warning for Asian/melanin rich skin: TCA Cross is incredible, but if a doctor uses an acid concentration that is way too high to try and rush the results, you will get severe post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH) that takes months to fade.

2. Rejuran S vs Juvelook

Once we cut the bands with subcision, there is now an empty pocket under the scar. If we just leave it alone, the body sometimes heals right back down into a dent again. We need to fill it so the skin stays lifted. In the past, clinics used regular HA fillers, but they don't last and can look unnatural.

Now, the two biggest heroes for acne scars in Korea are Rejuran S and Juvelook.

• Rejuran S: This is the Scar version of Rejuran. It is much thicker than the normal black box Rejuran Healer. Because it is highly concentrated salmon DNA, it is the ultimate healer. If your scars are still very red, inflamed, and your skin barrier is completely destroyed from aggressive acne breakouts, Rejuran S is incredible for repairing the damaged tissue.
• Juvelook: This is the current gold standard in Seoul for indented, pitted scars. Juvelook is a collagen stimulator (PDLLA). When we inject it directly under the acne scar, it creates a microscopic scaffold. Over the next 4 to 8 weeks, it forces your body to build brand new collagen right inside that dent. It literally fills the hole from the inside out using your own tissue, and the structural results last 1 to 2 years.

Acne scars require patience. You cannot completely erase them in a 5 day tourist trip to Seoul. Usually, it takes a minimum of 3 to 5 sessions of a customized cocktail: Subcision to release the scar + Juvelook pumped under it to build volume + a surface laser to blend the edges.

I actually love talking about this because everyone knows Thermage, but Korean machines like Oligio X and XERF are getting so good now and they are huge in Seoul right now.

Let's talk about the pain because some mentioned they are pretty painless.

To be totally honest as a doctor, nothing that actually delivers enough heat to build long lasting collagen is 100% painless. If it doesn't hurt at all, it's probably not working. But compared to Thermage (which can be a nightmare for some people), yes, Oligio X and Xerf are a breeze.

Oligio X has an amazing upgraded cooling gas system compared to the original Oligio, so it feels mostly like warmth with a few hot snaps. Xerf also has continuous real time cooling. With Xerf, because it goes deeper, you might feel a deep sudden heat or a quick zing especially near your jaw bone where there is less fat. But it's very tolerable. We usually just use numbing cream for both and my patients sit through it perfectly fine without needing sleep anesthesia.

Now, which one has better and long lasting results?

Here is the main scientific difference you need to know:

Oligio X is a single frequency (6.78 MHz) monopolar RF. This wavelength targets your dermis. So it is fantastic for skin elasticity, smoothing out fine lines, and giving you that tight, bouncy skin surface.

Xerf is a newer technology because it uses DUAL frequencies (6.78 MHz + 2 MHz). This is the game changer. The 6.78 MHz tightens the surface just like Oligio, but the 2 MHz wavelength penetrates much deeper into the tissue, hitting the retaining ligaments and deeper fat layers.

Because Xerf works on the deep structural layers AND the surface at the same time, the lifting effect is generally more noticeable and lasts longer. Oligio X is more for tightening the skin envelope, while Xerf actually gives you a bit of structural lifting and contouring, especially around the lower face and jawline.

So which one would I recommend based on efficacy and cost?

It really comes down to your face shape, age, and budget!

• If you are in your 20s or 30s, your face is already pretty structured, you don't have much sagging, and you just want preventative care, tighter skin, and better elasticity: go with Oligio X. It is usually more affordable than Xerf, and it does exactly what you need for a great price point.
• If you have some lower face sagging, a little bit of a double chin, or you are noticing your jawline isn't as sharp as it used to be: I highly recommend paying a bit more for Xerf. Because it hits those deeper ligaments, it will give you that contouring and lifting effect that Oligio X might not fully achieve.

Also, just a tip: because Xerf is the shiny new toy in Korean clinics, the cost will be higher right now. But if you have the budget and want something that bridges the gap between Thermage (which is great for surface) and Ultherapy (which is great for deep lifting), Xerf is an amazing hybrid choice.

Let me know if you have any other questions. I always tell my patients that the machine is important, but having a doctor who knows how to control the energy and shoot the right vectors for your specific face shape is even more important!

A lot of people panic after Rejuran because right after the treatment, the face can look… honestly a little scary.

You expect glowing skin, but instead you see small bumps everywhere like mosquito bites.

Rejuran is injected very superficially into the skin. It is not placed deep like filler. So right after injection, you can literally see small raised bumps where the product was placed. This is usually just the product and swelling sitting inside the skin before it slowly spreads and calms down.

In most cases, these bumps go down within a few hours to 1–2 days.

But of course, not everyone heals the same. If your skin is very thin, sensitive, or if you did Rejuran around the under eyes, the bumps can look more obvious. Under eye skin is so thin that even a tiny bit of swelling can look dramatic there.

Usually, I would not worry too much if the bumps are small, soft, similar size, and slowly getting flatter.

A bit of redness, tiny injection marks, mild swelling, or small bruises can also happen. It does not mean the treatment failed or the clinic injected it wrong.

What I would pay more attention to is when one area becomes more painful, more red, warm to touch, or keeps getting bigger instead of calming down.

That is different.

Also, if there is one hard lump that stays for a long time and does not change, that is not the same as normal Rejuran swelling. Normal bumps should gradually soften and flatten. They should not stay firm for weeks.

I think the confusing part is people call everything a bump. The small mosquito bite bumps right after treatment are usually normal.

A bruise can also feel a little raised. Irritation can look red and angry.

But a true nodule is more persistent. It does not calm down day by day like normal swelling.

So I usually tell people to look at the direction, not just the bump itself.

Is it getting better every day? Probably normal.

Is it getting more painful, more swollen, more red, or staying hard in one spot? Then you should ask the clinic to check.

Also please don’t massage it aggressively unless your clinic specifically told you to. I know it is tempting because you want the bumps to disappear faster, but rubbing too much can make the skin more irritated, especially right after injection.

Same with sauna, alcohol, intense workout, and strong skincare. These can all make the redness and swelling look worse.

So my honest answer is, Rejuran bumps are usually not something to panic about. They are expected because of how shallow the injection is. But they should calm down, not get angrier.

A lot of people panic after Rejuran because right after the treatment, the face can look… honestly a little scary.

You expect glowing skin, but instead you see small bumps everywhere like mosquito bites.

Rejuran is injected very superficially into the skin. It is not placed deep like filler. So right after injection, you can literally see small raised bumps where the product was placed. This is usually just the product and swelling sitting inside the skin before it slowly spreads and calms down.

In most cases, these bumps go down within a few hours to 1–2 days.

But of course, not everyone heals the same. If your skin is very thin, sensitive, or if you did Rejuran around the under eyes, the bumps can look more obvious. Under eye skin is so thin that even a tiny bit of swelling can look dramatic there.

Usually, I would not worry too much if the bumps are small, soft, similar size, and slowly getting flatter.

A bit of redness, tiny injection marks, mild swelling, or small bruises can also happen. It does not mean the treatment failed or the clinic injected it wrong.

What I would pay more attention to is when one area becomes more painful, more red, warm to touch, or keeps getting bigger instead of calming down.

That is different.

Also, if there is one hard lump that stays for a long time and does not change, that is not the same as normal Rejuran swelling. Normal bumps should gradually soften and flatten. They should not stay firm for weeks.

I think the confusing part is people call everything a bump. The small mosquito bite bumps right after treatment are usually normal.

A bruise can also feel a little raised. Irritation can look red and angry.

But a true nodule is more persistent. It does not calm down day by day like normal swelling.

So I usually tell people to look at the direction, not just the bump itself.

Is it getting better every day? Probably normal.

Is it getting more painful, more swollen, more red, or staying hard in one spot? Then you should ask the clinic to check.

Also please don’t massage it aggressively unless your clinic specifically told you to. I know it is tempting because you want the bumps to disappear faster, but rubbing too much can make the skin more irritated, especially right after injection.

Same with sauna, alcohol, intense workout, and strong skincare. These can all make the redness and swelling look worse.

So my honest answer is, Rejuran bumps are usually not something to panic about. They are expected because of how shallow the injection is. But they should calm down, not get angrier.

A lot of people panic after Rejuran because right after the treatment, the face can look… honestly a little scary.

You expect glowing skin, but instead you see small bumps everywhere like mosquito bites.

Rejuran is injected very superficially into the skin. It is not placed deep like filler. So right after injection, you can literally see small raised bumps where the product was placed. This is usually just the product and swelling sitting inside the skin before it slowly spreads and calms down.

In most cases, these bumps go down within a few hours to 1–2 days.

But of course, not everyone heals the same. If your skin is very thin, sensitive, or if you did Rejuran around the under eyes, the bumps can look more obvious. Under eye skin is so thin that even a tiny bit of swelling can look dramatic there.

Usually, I would not worry too much if the bumps are small, soft, similar size, and slowly getting flatter.

A bit of redness, tiny injection marks, mild swelling, or small bruises can also happen. It does not mean the treatment failed or the clinic injected it wrong.

What I would pay more attention to is when one area becomes more painful, more red, warm to touch, or keeps getting bigger instead of calming down.

That is different.

Also, if there is one hard lump that stays for a long time and does not change, that is not the same as normal Rejuran swelling. Normal bumps should gradually soften and flatten. They should not stay firm for weeks.

I think the confusing part is people call everything a bump. The small mosquito bite bumps right after treatment are usually normal.

A bruise can also feel a little raised. Irritation can look red and angry.

But a true nodule is more persistent. It does not calm down day by day like normal swelling.

So I usually tell people to look at the direction, not just the bump itself.

Is it getting better every day? Probably normal.

Is it getting more painful, more swollen, more red, or staying hard in one spot? Then you should ask the clinic to check.

Also please don’t massage it aggressively unless your clinic specifically told you to. I know it is tempting because you want the bumps to disappear faster, but rubbing too much can make the skin more irritated, especially right after injection.

Same with sauna, alcohol, intense workout, and strong skincare. These can all make the redness and swelling look worse.

So my honest answer is, Rejuran bumps are usually not something to panic about. They are expected because of how shallow the injection is. But they should calm down, not get angrier.

cellREDM is EVERYWHERE in Korea recently 🧐 patients keep asking me if it is the new Rejuran or if it replaces RE20.

To me, both treatments are in that regenerative/repair type category. So these are not filler type treatments and not really those glass skin overnight treatments either. They are more treatments that slowly improve the skin condition itself over time.

RE20 feels more like a skin recovery/repair treatment. Those with damaged skin barrier, redness, irritation after lasers, thinner skin or acne inflammation usually respond pretty nicely to it.

Usually with RE20, the skin just starts looking calmer, less irritated and healthier overall. Makeup also tends to sit better once the inflammation settles down.

I also feel like RE20 works better for patients whose skin is constantly sensitized from too many lasers, over exfoliation, strong skincare or acne treatments. In Korea I see this A LOT actually!

The texture improvement with RE20 is usually softer and more natural looking. Not really that super shiny glass skin finish social media likes.

Meanwhile cellREDM feels more focused toward collagen regeneration and overall rejuvenation. Most patients asking for cellREDM are usually concerned about pores, elasticity, dull skin, fine lines and early aging.

Compared to RE20, I feel like cellREDM gives more of that skin quality upgrade feeling over time. Patients usually say their skin feels firmer, smoother and more refreshed rather than just calmer.

I also noticed patients who already like treatments like Juvelook, Rejuran or exosomes are usually interested in cellREDM too because the treatment goals overlap quite a bit.

But personally I do not really see cellREDM as a replacement for RE20 because the patient types are a bit different.

If someone has very sensitive skin, compromised barrier, post laser redness or active inflammation, I would probably still lean more toward RE20 first before trying stronger regenerative treatments. But if the patient mainly wants smoother texture, elasticity and more overall rejuvenation, then cellREDM makes more sense to me.

Another important thing is expectations! With treatments like RE20, cellREDM, Rejuran,.. the results are usually more gradual and cumulative.

Pain wise, I feel like cellREDM is easier than original Rejuran for most patients. Downtime also depends a lott on the injection technique and injector type. Even with very good products, if the injection is too superficial or aggressive, patients can still end up swollen or bruised for days.

One thing I noticed is that regenerative treatments evolve very quickly. Every year there is always a new ingredient, new protocol, new combination treatment, new skin booster trend.

But at the end, I still think understanding the patient's actual skin condition is more important than just choosing whichever treatment is trending at the moment.

If you’re here for like 5 days and still wanna go outside, eat, shop, take photos etc, there are some treatments that make way more sense than others bc some of the treatments I see tourists booking are actually insane 🥴 like subcision, aggressive lasers, rejuran or filler all before their flight home

Then they spend the whole trip swollen!!

One thing I actually recommend a lot is skin botox (dermotoxin)

Not regular botox btw, it’s injected very superficially into the skin instead of the muscles

So it doesn’t really freeze your face, it’s more for oil control, smoother texture, pores looking a bit tighter, makeup sitting better

Usually the skin starts looking nicer after like 1-2 weeks
Downtime is pretty low too except tiny bumps for few hours depending on skin thickness

Another thing korean clinics use on literally everyone is LDM

I feel like tourists never know what this machine is because it sounds underwhelming compared to all the flashy lifting lasers but honestly for irritated skin, dry skin, redness, damaged barrier, post laser inflammation… it works really nicely

It uses ultrasound frequencies that switch really fast, so instead of damaging the skin it’s more calming /repairing

I use it a lot after stronger procedures because it helps calm down the heat and irritation faster. Also if someone overdid tretinoin before coming to Korea… LDM usually saves them

For jawline / lower face I think Onda is becoming really popular lately

Especially for people who don’t necessarily need lifting but have slight heaviness around the lower cheek or double chin

It targets fat + tightening together so the face looks a bit cleaner over time, not immediate though
Usually looks better after few weeks once swelling goes down and the lymphatic drainage kicks in properly but downtime is low enough that most people go eat dinner right after

Laser toning is another one tourists do a lot here

For pigmentation, uneven skin tone, dullness, leftover acne marks etc

When done gently it’s one of the easier lasers to recover from, usually just mild redness for few hours. The problem is some clinics overtreat tourists trying to make the results faster and then the barrier gets completely destroyed

Good laser toning should look gradual, not dramatic after js 1 session

And then there’s skin boosters like skinvive / chanel injections / exosomes etc. These are more for hydration and texture like when people say they want that korean glass skin look, this is usually closer to what they mean

Personally I don’t think these are miracle treatments the way social media makes them sound, especially if someone’s barrier is already damaged. Sometimes simple hydration just looks good because most people are dehydrated and sleep deprived honestly lol

Anyways yeah… if you’re coming to Korea for treatments I really think downtime matters more than people expect. There’s no point doing the strongest procedure possible if you spend the rest of the trip hiding in the hotel with ice packs on your face!!

At first glance, Coretox and Xeomin sound like the same thing. And honestly… they’re very similar, but not 100% identical.

Both are what we call pure toxins, meaning they don’t have those extra complexing proteins that older formulas do. Those proteins don’t help your wrinkles, but your body can react to them over time → which is where resistance can start.

That’s why clinics in Seoul have been slowly shifting toward these.

Xeomin came first. It’s from Germany, been around longer, and is known for being very consistent. A lot of doctors trust it because it behaves pretty predictably, esp in patients who feel like their Botox isn’t hitting the same anymore.

Coretox is kind of the Korean version of that idea. Also purified, no complexing proteins, and no animal derived ingredients. It’s become really popular here mainly because it gives similar results but at a better price point.

If we keep it simple:

Xeomin: more established, very consistent, slightly more expensive
Coretox: newer, similar effect, more budget-friendly

In terms of actual results… most people won’t notice a big difference tbh. Both kick in after a few days, both last around 3–4 months, and both soften lines the same way if injected properly.

Where it does matter more is long-term.

→ if you’re doing Botox regularly for years
→ or doing Skin Botox (more injections, more exposure)

then choosing a cleaner toxin can make more sense over time.

If I had to say it in a very real clinic way: Xeomin is the safe, established choice… Coretox is the practical choice that most people are happy with.

Dose, placement, dilution, even how often you’re doing it, all of that affects your result way more than whether it’s Xeomin or Coretox. I’ve seen amazing results with both, and also very underwhelming ones with both.

Curious if anyone here has tried both? Did you feel any diff or basically the same? 👀

A lot of patients ask me about Lip Botox lately, especially people who are scared of getting that obvious filler look, so I thought I’d explain it simply.

Lip Botox (or Lip Flip) is very different from lip filler.

We’re not adding volume with hyaluronic acid. Instead, we use a very small amount of Botox around the orbicularis oris muscle, which is the muscle surrounding your mouth.

When that muscle relaxes a little, the upper lip gently rolls outward. It makes more of the pink part of the lip show, so the lip looks slightly fuller without actually adding volume.

This works best for people who feel like their upper lip disappears when they smile, or people who want a softer, subtle pout without looking like they got filler.

But if your goal is real volume, bigger lips, or correcting strong asymmetry, I’ll be honest, Botox won’t do much. That’s where filler makes more sense.

The procedure itself is very quick, usually under 10 minutes. Just a few tiny injections.

Unlike filler, there’s almost no swelling and no “duck lip” phase, which is why many people like it.

The result is also not immediate. Usually you start noticing the flip after about 3–7 days as the muscle starts relaxing.

One thing I always tell patients during consultation: expectations matter a lot.

Lip Botox is subtle. Very subtle.

If you’re expecting a dramatic transformation, you’ll probably be disappointed. It’s more of a soft refresh than a big change.

Also, because the muscle around the mouth is slightly relaxed, some people feel a little awkward drinking from a straw or pronouncing certain words for the first few days. It’s temporary, but it does happen.

The downside is that it doesn’t last very long, usually around 2 to 3 months because we use a very small dose in an area that moves constantly.

Personally, I think Lip Botox is great for the right person, especially if you want a “trial version” before deciding on filler.

It’s one of the easiest ways to make the smile look softer and prettier without much downtime. The best results always come from understanding your own lip shape first, not just following trends online.

Rejuran is honestly one of my favorite treatments for skin healing.

I use it a lot for patients with sensitive skin, redness, damaged skin barrier, post laser recovery, and overall skin quality improvement. It makes the skin healthier, calmer, and smoother over time.

But when someone comes in mainly worried about enlarged pores, especially oily pores or acne scar type pores, I usually tell them very honestly that Rejuran alone is often not enough.

Because “large pores” is actually a very broad term. Not all pores are the same, and the treatment depends completely on what is causing them.

The first and most common cause is oil production.

If your skin gets shiny very fast, makeup disappears by lunchtime, and your T-zone is always oily, the pores usually look bigger because the sebaceous glands are overactive.

In these cases, Skin Botox often works much better than Rejuran because it helps reduce oil production itself. Less oil means pores naturally look tighter. For oily skin patients, this is often the fastest visible improvement.

The second cause is collagen loss around the pore walls.

This is something I see a lot after acne, or simply with age.

People often think the pore itself is the problem, but actually the issue is that the collagen support around it becomes weaker, so the pore stretches and stays enlarged.

This is where treatments like Potenza, Sylfirm X, or RF microneedling usually make much more sense. You need to rebuild the structure around the pore, not just hydrate the skin.

And then there’s the third group, which gets misdiagnosed all the time: acne scars pretending to be pores.

A lot of people say they have “huge pores,” but when I examine the skin, they actually have shallow acne scars.

That’s a completely different treatment plan.

No facial, no serum, and honestly no basic skin booster is going to fix that. That usually needs subcision, fractional laser, RF microneedling, and sometimes Juvelook.

This is why some people keep doing Rejuran and keep feeling disappointed. It’s not that Rejuran failed, it’s that it was never treating the real problem.

Personally, for acne scar pores and rough texture, I often prefer combining Potenza with Juvelook.

That combination has become really popular in Korea because Juvelook helps stimulate collagen without giving that heavy filler look, and the long-term improvement is usually stronger.

So if Rejuran didn’t help your pores, I wouldn’t immediately say the treatment was bad.

Most of the time, it simply means your pores were caused by oil, collagen loss, or scarring not skin barrier issues.

And treatment always has to match the cause.

Sometimes the answer is Skin Botox. Sometimes it’s Potenza. Sometimes it’s Juvelook.

And sometimes… you actually needed subcision from the beginning !!

That’s why proper diagnosis matters way more than just booking whatever treatment is trending on TikTok.