Injectable · Volume · Structural

Dermal Fillers (Hyaluronic Acid)

How this page was made

This page was written with AI assistance and reviewed against the sources listed under References below. It is general information only, not medical advice. See our full disclaimer for how SHEA creates and reviews treatment information.

What it is

Dermal fillers are injectable materials used to add volume or alter the shape of a treated area. This page covers hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers. Hyaluronic acid is naturally present in the body, and HA filler products use manufactured HA gels with properties that vary between products.

HA filler is different from botulinum toxin treatment. Filler adds or redistributes volume, while botulinum toxin temporarily reduces activity in selected muscles.

HA fillers are used in different areas of the face, including the lips, cheeks, chin, jawline, nasolabial folds, and other areas depending on the product and treatment plan. The appropriate product and injection approach depend on the area being treated.

Different HA filler products are available in Korea. Ask the clinic for the exact product name and whether it is approved for the intended use.

Why people consider it

They want to add or restore volume in a particular facial area
They want to soften the appearance of certain facial folds
They are considering non-surgical changes to facial contours
They want additional volume or definition in the lips

What the experience is like

HA filler is injected into selected areas using a needle or cannula. Some filler products contain lidocaine, and clinics may use additional measures to reduce discomfort.

Swelling, redness, tenderness, and bruising can occur after treatment. These effects are usually temporary, although their severity and duration vary.

How long a cosmetic result remains visible varies substantially according to the filler product, treatment area, amount injected, and individual factors. Published studies of different HA fillers have reported effects lasting for different periods, so a single duration should not be assumed to apply to every product or treatment area.

Hyaluronidase can be used to break down hyaluronic acid filler when clinically appropriate, including in the management of some complications. This requires additional treatment and should not be understood as guaranteeing that every filler result can simply or completely be reversed.

Limitations & considerations

Vascular complications

Unintentional injection of filler into a blood vessel can obstruct blood flow. Although uncommon, this can cause serious complications including tissue damage and, in rare cases, vision loss or stroke. These complications require prompt recognition and medical management.

Swelling, bruising, redness, pain, tenderness, and other injection-site reactions can occur
Infection, inflammatory reactions, nodules, and other delayed complications can occur
The risks differ according to the treatment area, filler product, and injection technique
The exact filler product should be confirmed before treatment because HA fillers differ in their formulation, approved uses, and clinical evidence
No specific shape, degree of correction, or duration of result can be guaranteed

Evidence note

The vascular complications reference below describes the mechanism, reported high-risk injection areas, and hyaluronidase-based management of filler-related vascular events, drawing on published case reports and clinical literature. The international consensus reference reviewed complication avoidance and management specifically for Allergan's Hylacross and Vycross HA technologies (marketed as Juvederm) rather than Korean-manufactured products; most of its panel members disclose paid consulting or research relationships with Allergan, Merz, or Galderma. The underlying vascular risk is not unique to those products, since vascular complications can result from the injection of HA filler into or around blood vessels; however, the consensus recommendations themselves were not developed using Korean-brand products. The FDA's current safety communication on dermal fillers separately confirms the vascular risk, lists common and less-common reactions, and notes that approved indications vary by product.

References

Peer-reviewed and regulatory sources.

1. DeLorenzi C. Complications of injectable fillers, part 2: vascular complications. Aesthetic Surgery Journal, 2014;34(4):584–600.

Peer-reviewed · Clinical review

2. Signorini M, Liew S, Sundaram H, et al. Global Aesthetics Consensus: Avoidance and Management of Complications from Hyaluronic Acid Fillers — Evidence- and Opinion-Based Review and Consensus Recommendations. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 2016;137(6):961e–971e.

Peer-reviewed · International consensus · Most authors disclose industry ties (Allergan, Merz, Galderma) · Reviewed Allergan HA products specifically

3. US Food and Drug Administration. Dermal Fillers (Soft Tissue Fillers) — risks, safety communication, and approved-use information.

US regulatory · Current safety guidance

4. Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). Product approval records — YVOIRE (LG Chem), Neuramis (Medytox), Elravie (Humedix), for dermal filling / soft tissue augmentation.

Regulatory