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العربيةSkin Boosters — Types, Differences, and How to Choose
A skin booster is an injection placed directly into the skin that aims to address the condition of the skin itself, such as texture, elasticity, and hydration.
Table of contents for this page
- What is a skin booster?
- How does a skin booster differ from fillers and botulinum toxin (Botox)?
- Why are there so many types of skin boosters?
- Which skin boosters does Face Plus Plastic Surgery use?
- Which skin booster is right for me?
- What can a skin booster not do?
- How is a skin booster procedure done? Does it hurt?
- Can a skin booster be combined with surgery?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- References
If there are so many names that you did not know where to start, this page sorts them out for you in one place.
This page answers three questions: what a skin booster is, why there are so many types, and which one is right for you.
Details for each product are on its own product page.
What is a skin booster?
"Skin booster" is a general term for procedures in which a product is injected directly into the skin to address the condition of the skin itself.
It is easiest to understand by first looking at how it differs from cosmetics.
Cosmetics applied to the skin stay on its outermost surface. A skin booster is placed deeper by injection. The place where it is mainly injected is called the dermis (the inner layer of the skin), the layer involved in skin thickness and elasticity.
Products called skin boosters can be grouped by the way they are meant to work: those that aim to directly replenish the extracellular matrix (ECM, the structural components inside the skin), those that aim to induce collagen production, those that aim to support the activity of fibroblasts (the cells that make collagen), and those that aim to replenish moisture. When the way a product works is different, the suitable number of sessions and the interval also differ.
In simple terms — they fall into four groups depending on what they aim to do.
- Aims to put in the materials that make up the skin directly
- Aims to have the skin make its own collagen
- Aims to create an environment in which skin cells can work well
- Aims to fill the skin with moisture
That is why the number of sessions also differs from product to product.
How does a skin booster differ from fillers and botulinum toxin (Botox)?
A skin booster addresses the skin itself, a filler addresses hollow areas, and botulinum toxin (commonly called Botox) addresses the movement of muscles. Their purposes are different.
Because they do different jobs, one cannot take the place of another. This does not mean that one is better than another.
| Procedure | What it addresses | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Skin Booster | The condition of the skin itself, such as texture, elasticity, and hydration | This page |
| Filler | Fills the volume of sunken areas | Filler Procedure Information |
| Botulinum toxin | Reduces muscle movement to address expression lines | Botulinum toxin procedure information |
| Thread lift and lifting surgery | Lifts sagging tissue upward | Lifting Selection Criteria |
Wrinkles also have different causes. Wrinkles that appear only when you make an expression are mainly a muscle matter. Fine wrinkles that are there even when your face is at rest are mainly a skin matter. Deep wrinkles like a fold mark are caused by problems such as the area beneath them becoming hollow or sinking down.
Why are there so many types of skin boosters?
A skin booster is not the name of a single product, so the ingredient injected and the approval classification given by the government differ from product to product.
When you first start looking into them, it is easy to be confused by the product names alone. Knowing just two criteria will help you sort them out.
First criterion — what is injected
The ingredients in products called skin boosters vary.
- Hyaluronic acid (HA, an ingredient that holds on to water)
- Polynucleotide (PN, an ingredient made from DNA fragments)
- Polycaprolactone (PCL, a synthetic ingredient that breaks down slowly in the body)
- Acellular dermal matrix (ADM, the dermal component left after the cells are removed from donated human skin)
Second criterion — what it is approved as
Even when they are all called skin boosters, the approval classification differs from product to product.
- Medical device: Each product is approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The approved intended use is set for each product.
- Human tissue: This is processed tissue from donated human tissue. It is managed through a tissue bank (an institution that processes and stores human tissue).
Sometimes a product classified as a cosmetic is also called a skin booster. A cosmetic is a product managed for application to the skin.
You are welcome to ask at the consultation what approval the product that suits you was given.
Ingredients and approval classification of the products at Face Plus Plastic Surgery
The terms in parentheses, "biomaterial for tissue repair" and "material for tissue repair," are the medical device item classification names of the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety.
| Product | Main ingredient | Approval classification |
|---|---|---|
| Re2O | Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) | Human tissue |
| Cell Re DM | Acellular dermal matrix (ADM) | Human tissue |
| Rejuran · Rejuran I · Rejuran HB Plus | Polynucleotide (PN) | Medical device (biomaterial for tissue restoration) |
| GOURI | Liquid polycaprolactone (PCL) | Medical device (tissue restoration material) |
| Hilowave | Same as left | |
| Water-glow injection | Product used | To be entered after the product to be used is confirmed |
Which skin boosters does Face Plus Plastic Surgery use?
Face Plus Plastic Surgery uses Re2O, Cell Re DM, the Rejuran line, and others, chosen according to the condition of the skin.
Below is a short introduction to each product. It is not an order of which is better. Details are on each product page.
Re2O
A human tissue product made from the dermis of donated human skin
Cell Re DM
A human tissue product made by processing donated human skin tissue
Rejuran line
A PN medical device made by PharmaResearch
Re2O
Re2O is a human tissue product made from the dermis of donated human skin. It is made by L&C Bio. It is classified as human tissue, not as a medical device.
It is a product made by turning the component left after the cells are removed from the dermis (acellular dermal matrix, ADM) into a fine powder. It is a method that aims to directly replenish the structural components inside the skin.
Cell Re DM
Cell Re DM is also a human tissue product made by processing donated human skin tissue. The tissue bank is Hans Biomed, and domestic sales are handled by Mid Medical.
It is in the same human tissue classification as Re2O. The differences between the two products are explained on the Cell Re DM page.
Cell Re DM Procedure Information
Before the procedure, we explain that a human tissue product is a product that comes from human tissue, and we obtain your consent.
Rejuran · Rejuran I · Rejuran HB Plus
The Rejuran line consists of medical devices made by PharmaResearch. We have three: Rejuran, Rejuran I, and Rejuran HB Plus.
The approved intended uses of the three products are
Hilowave
Water-glow injection
"Water-glow injection" (mulgwang) is the familiar name for the type of skin booster that fills the skin with moisture.
SKINVIVE
Which skin booster is right for me?
We do not choose the product first. We first sort out whether your concern is a problem of the skin itself, of hollowness, or of sagging.
Here is what we hear in the consultation room, just as it is said. Even concerns that sound the same have different places to look at first.
| Patients often say | What we look at first at the consultation | Related information |
|---|---|---|
| My skin seems to have gotten thinner. I have more fine wrinkles | The condition of the skin itself | A skin booster is considered |
| My skin feels tight and dry inside. My skin texture is rough | The condition of the skin itself | A skin booster is considered |
| Wrinkles form around my eyes only when I smile | Movement of the expression muscles | Botulinum toxin procedure information |
| The area under my eyes looks hollow. My nasolabial folds have deepened | Whether the area has sunken or has dropped | Filler procedure information, Criteria for choosing a lift |
| My jawline has lost its definition | Sagging | Lifting Selection Criteria |
| My eyelids sag and feel heavy | Whether there is excess eyelid skin | Droopy eyelid surgery (upper blepharoplasty) information |
A Word from the Doctor
"Materials and specific techniques are of course important, but... making an appropriate plan and choosing the method that suits each person is just as important."
What we look at first differs by area
The area is decided at the examination.
| Area | What we look at first at the consultation |
|---|---|
| Eyelids and under the eyes | Skin thickness. This is where the skin is thin on the face |
| Tear trough (groove under the eyes) | Whether the problem is that the skin is thin or that the area is hollow |
| Outer corner of the eye | Whether the wrinkles are there even at rest or form only when you smile |
| Cheeks and midface | Whether it is a skin problem or a problem of sinking down |
| Neck | Because this is an area with a lot of movement, we decide the dose and depth more cautiously than for the face |
As for which line within skin boosters is considered first for which skin, see
What can a skin booster not do?
A skin booster will not lift a sagging face. Areas that are very hollow also cannot be filled with a skin booster alone.
So that your expectations and the actual result do not diverge, we state clearly at the outset what a skin booster does not do.
- If the cheeks and jawline are sagging: thread lift procedure information, mini facelift surgery information, facelift surgery information
- Drooping eyelids: Droopy Eyelid Surgery (Upper Blepharoplasty) Information
- For areas that are very hollow: Filler Procedure Information
A skin booster is not a procedure that takes the place of a lift. Each has a different job.
How is a skin booster procedure done? Does it hurt?
At the consultation we look at the condition of your skin and decide the product and the area, then give anesthesia and inject by needle or cannula.
Since it may feel vague the first time, we have laid it out step by step.
1. Consultation
We start by looking at what is bothering you. If we judge that a different procedure is more suitable, we will tell you so.
2. Explanation and Consent
We explain the product, the area, and the reactions that may occur. For human tissue products, we separately explain that the product comes from human tissue.
3. Anesthesia
The anesthesia method and the waiting time
4. Injection
It is injected with a needle or a cannula (a tube with a rounded tip). Which tool is used and at what depth depends on the product and the area.
5. Aftercare Instructions
We explain the precautions and the symptoms for which you should contact us.
How painful is a skin booster?
Pain differs depending on the area and the product. Areas where the skin is thin, such as under the eyes, are more sensitive.
As for how long the procedure takes,
Can a skin booster be combined with surgery?
It depends on the type of surgery. Some are done on the same day, and some are done on separate days.
If you have surgery coming up, you are probably wondering first how to schedule the dates.
The depth at which a skin booster is injected and the depth at which surgery is performed are different. A skin booster mainly goes into the dermis. Surgery is performed in layers below that.
| Surgery / Procedure | If you have the skin booster first | If you have the surgery or procedure first |
|---|---|---|
| Thread Lift | 2 weeks after the skin booster | Same day possible. |
| Mini Facelift | Surgery 2 weeks after the skin booster | Same day possible. After that, once the stitches are removed |
| Neck Lift | Surgery 2 weeks after the skin booster | Same day possible. After that, once the stitches are removed |
| Facelift | Surgery 2 weeks after the skin booster | One month after surgery |
| Eye surgery (upper blepharoplasty, lower blepharoplasty, lower eyelid fat repositioning) | 2 weeks after the skin booster. 1 week after if there is little swelling | About 1 week after stitch removal |
If you wish to have a skin booster before surgery, the guideline is to finish it at least 2 weeks before surgery. This is because swelling can remain after a skin booster.
Surgery information is in Mini Facelift Surgery Information, Facelift Surgery Information, Neck Lift Surgery Information, and Criteria for Choosing Eye Surgery.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many skin booster sessions are given, and at what intervals?
The number of skin booster sessions and the interval differ from product to product, and are decided at the consultation after looking at your skin condition.
You are probably wondering first about the schedule: whether one session is enough or whether you will need to come several times.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of sessions and interval by product | |
| When you begin to feel a change | For the type that fills the skin with moisture directly, from about 3 to 5 days; for the type that aims to induce collagen production, from about 2 to 3 weeks. There are individual differences |
If you have an important event, please tell us in advance. Redness or swelling may be present right after the procedure, so it is best to leave some time before and after your schedule.
What are the side effects of skin boosters?
Because a skin booster is an injection procedure, swelling, bruising, and raised bumps at the injection sites can occur. There are also problems that need treatment, such as lumps and infection.
Even a simple injection has things you should know. That is why we have written them out without shortening.
Reactions at the injection site
- Redness at the injection site
- Swelling
- Bruising
- Embossing (a raised bump at the injection site)
- Small grain-like bumps
- Tenderness (pain when pressed)
Conditions that may require treatment
- Infection
- Hypersensitivity reaction (allergic reaction)
- Nodules (palpable lumps)
- Granuloma (an inflammatory lump that forms when the body recognizes something as a foreign substance)
- When the injected material enters a blood vessel
What we explain separately for human tissue products (Re2O, Cell Re DM)
Do not wait in these cases
If anything feels wrong after the injection, please do not endure it alone.
The changes below are ones you should tell us about without waiting until your next visit.
- When your vision suddenly becomes unclear or looks abnormal
- When the skin color of the treated area changes
- When the pain becomes severe
- When you have a fever
- When swelling is severe on one side only
- When small grain-like bumps or lumps stay the same or get bigger after a week
If your vision suddenly becomes unclear, do not wait, regardless of clinic hours, and go to the emergency room.
If you develop hives all over your body, are short of breath, or your lips or throat swell, call 119 or go to an emergency room.
Precautions after a skin booster procedure
- On the day of the treatment, it is best to avoid saunas, jjimjilbang (Korean bathhouses), strenuous exercise, and alcohol.
- If bruising appears, apply a cold compress for the first few days, and keep the area warm after that.
As for when you can wash your face and wear makeup,
Are there cases in which a skin booster should not be received or should be postponed?
Yes. Typical examples are being pregnant or breastfeeding, or having inflammation at the treatment site. Other cases are checked during the consultation.
A skin booster is not suitable for everyone.
Typical cases we check during the consultation are as follows.
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
- If you have an autoimmune disease (a disease in which immunity attacks one's own body) or are taking immunosuppressants (drugs that suppress immunity)
- If there is an infection, inflammation, or active skin disease (a skin disease with symptoms at present) at the treatment area
- If you have a history of keloids (a tendency to form large raised scars) or hypertrophic scars (thick raised scars)
- If you are taking an anticoagulant (a drug that thins the blood)
The product labeling of Re2O lists penicillin and streptomycin (antibiotics) and amphotericin (an antifungal) as the solutions used in tissue processing. Product-specific contraindications follow each product's instructions for use.
In plain terms — If any of the following applies to you, please be sure to tell us at your consultation.
- I am pregnant or breastfeeding
- I have an immune-related condition
- There is inflammation at the treatment site
- I tend to form large scars
- I take blood-thinning medicine
Please also tell us if you are allergic to antibiotics. Please tell us about all medications you are taking and all conditions you have.
If you want to have a laser or peel on the same day
It depends on the product. For some products, the instructions for use say not to use them together with laser treatment, chemical peels (a procedure that removes skin with a chemical agent), or skin resurfacing. For those products, we schedule them on separate days.
If you have surgery coming up
We adjust the timing. This is explained in Can a skin booster be combined with surgery?.
Will a skin booster lift a sagging face?
No. A skin booster is a procedure that aims to address the condition of the skin itself. Sagging is explained in Criteria for Choosing a Lift.
Is a water-glow injection different from a skin booster?
"Water-glow injection" (mulgwang) is the familiar name for the type of skin booster that fills the skin with moisture.
References
- Rho NK, Kim HS, Kim SY, Lee W. Injectable "Skin Boosters" in Aging Skin Rejuvenation: A Current Overview. Arch Plast Surg. 2024;51(6):528–541. PMID 39544509. PMCID PMC11560330. https://doi.org/10.1055/a-2366-3436
- Beleznay K, Carruthers JDA, Humphrey S, Carruthers A, Jones D. Update on Avoiding and Treating Blindness From Fillers: A Recent Review of the World Literature. Aesthet Surg J. 2019;39(6):662–674. PMID 30805636. https://doi.org/10.1093/asj/sjz053
He personally consults on and performs facial aging treatments such as facelift, droopy eyelid surgery, and thread lift. The doctor personally sees you from consultation through recovery.
About the DoctorThe content of this page is general medical information provided in accordance with the Medical Service Act, and the effects and recovery time of surgeries and procedures may vary by individual. All surgeries and procedures can cause side effects, so please make your decision only after a thorough consultation with a plastic surgery specialist.