Dermal Fillers

Dermal Fillers in Seoul

Medically reviewed by Dr. Chae-ho Lee, Medical Director, Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae; Member, Korean Filler Society

Doctor profile · Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae, Seoul

Dermal fillers in Seoul are injectable gels placed beneath the skin to restore lost volume, soften deep wrinkles, and refine contours such as the cheeks, chin, and jawline. At Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae, the filler menu is built around hyaluronic acid (HA) products and covers facial contouring, the ears, the shoulders, and the dissolving of unwanted HA filler. Each plan is designed in a private consultation with Medical Director Dr. Chae-ho Lee, who also performs every injection.

What Is a Dermal Filler Treatment?

A dermal filler treatment is the injection of a gel-like implant into targeted soft tissue to add volume or structural support where it has been lost or was never fully present.

• Hyaluronic acid is one commonly used filler material; it is a substance the body already contains, and HA filler can be broken down with an enzyme called hyaluronidase.
• Filler works by occupying space: it lifts a hollow, fills a fold, or adds projection at a chosen point, rather than relaxing a muscle.
• Because many fillers are gradually absorbed, the effect fades over months and is usually maintained with repeat treatment.
• How long a result lasts depends on the filler material and the area injected, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
• Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae names two HA filler lines, Juvederm and Atiere, and hyaluronidase for dissolving injections.

The distinction from botulinum toxin matters at consultation. A fold caused by lost volume calls for a different tool than a line caused by repeated muscle movement, and some faces need a bit of both. Part of the consultation is deciding whether your concern comes from volume loss, contour, skin quality, or muscle activity, because that determines whether filler is the right tool at all.

The clinic's stated approach is natural, harmonious change rather than an obviously "done" look. It also states that it uses certified genuine products and keeps to labeled quantities.

Who Performs Dermal Fillers at Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae

Dr. Chae-ho Lee, Medical Director

Every filler consultation and injection here is handled by Dr. Chae-ho Lee, the Medical Director and sole physician on staff. Dermal fillers are one of his stated core specializations, and his listed technique expertise includes Point Lifting / Contour Filler together with fillers for other facial areas. He is a member of the Korean Filler Society, alongside several other Korean aesthetic and laser medicine societies. Earlier in his career he held director positions at Lienjang Clinic Hongdae and at Doctorpetit Clinic Gangnam.

Having one doctor own the whole process means the same person maps your proportions, chooses the product and injection points, and judges the settled result. His published philosophy centers on individualized planning and results that still look like you.

Dermal Filler Options Available

Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae lists four filler services. Three add volume with HA filler; the fourth removes it.

Service	What it addresses	Procedure time	Typical recovery	Longevity (varies by individual)
Point Lifting / Contour Filler	Facial contour points such as the cheeks, chin, and jawline	About 15–30 minutes	Mild bruising or swelling for a few days to about a week	About 6–18 months, by area and product
Ear Filler	Small, folded, or compressed-looking ears	About 30–40 minutes	About 1–3 days	About 6 months to 1 year
Shoulder Filler	Shoulder points and the line from neck to shoulder	About 15–30 minutes	Same-day recovery possible	About 6–18 months, by product and metabolism
Filler Dissolving Injection	Excess, uneven, migrated, or lumpy HA filler	About 15–30 minutes	Mild bruising or swelling for a few days to about a week	Filler absorption within hours to 24–48 hours

Point Lifting / Contour Filler

Point Lifting / Contour Filler is one of Dr. Lee's listed subspecialty techniques. Rather than filling every hollow evenly, filler is placed at selected support points so that the added structure improves facial contour and counters a sagging appearance without surgery. Treatment areas may include the cheeks, chin, and jawline, where a small amount of support can change facial proportions. A lifting effect is usually visible immediately, and the contour settles as swelling goes down over roughly one to two weeks. The clinic's guidance for international patients is that a stay of about 3–5 days generally covers the procedure and a follow-up check. Depending on individual needs, other injectable fillers or non-surgical contouring treatments may be discussed as alternatives.

Ear Filler

Ear Filler uses hyaluronic acid to reshape ears that look small, folded, or compressed, aiming for a rounder and more balanced outline. The clinic describes delicate, point-by-point volume control to refine the ear's contour. Numbing cream and local anesthesia are used, and the session takes about 30–40 minutes. The change is visible straight away. The shape then softens into a more natural appearance over one to two months. Fat grafting, which can offer longer-lasting volume, and surgical earlobe repair, which corrects structure, are the alternatives; filler is the less invasive of the three and involves little downtime.

Shoulder Filler

Shoulder Filler adds HA volume to points on both shoulders to create a soft, straighter shoulder line. Before injecting, Dr. Lee calculates the shoulder angles while comparing neck length, collarbone symmetry, and the overall upper-body line, and the clinic states that an appropriate filler formulation is selected for the area. Improvement is visible immediately, with final settling over one to two weeks. Same-day recovery is possible, and a stay of roughly 2–3 days generally allows for treatment and a check. The choice between this and trapezius muscle-relaxing injections depends on the cause: those injections reduce muscle bulk to slim the neck-to-shoulder slope, whereas shoulder filler adds volume to fill hollows or broaden narrow points.

Filler Dissolving Injection

Filler Dissolving Injection uses hyaluronidase, an enzyme that breaks down hyaluronic acid, to reduce or remove HA filler. It is used when excessive volume, asymmetry, migration, lumps, or other filler-related problems appear after a previous treatment. Absorption may begin within a few hours and usually occurs within 24–48 hours, after which the area is reassessed to decide whether more dissolving or a corrective step is needed. Before any enzyme is injected, Dr. Lee needs to establish what was injected, where, and when, and to examine the tissue to judge whether dissolving is the right step. How completely the filler breaks down depends on its type, cross-linking, concentration, location, and the amount of enzyme used. Hyaluronidase only works on HA filler; many non-HA fillers cannot be dissolved this way. Because the enzyme can also act on the skin's own hyaluronic acid, the amount of volume lost can be hard to predict, so bring the brand, location, and approximate date of your previous filler.

Who Is a Good Candidate for Dermal Fillers?

Good candidates are adults with realistic expectations who want to restore volume, soften folds, or refine a specific feature, and whom the doctor judges medically suitable after examination.

You may be a candidate if you:

• Have lost facial volume, or have flattened contour points at the cheeks, jaw, ears, or shoulders.
• Want more definition or better balance between facial features without surgery.
• Notice facial asymmetry that added structure could improve.
• Have ears that look small, folded, or compressed and want a rounder shape.
• Want a softer, straighter shoulder line rather than a reduced trapezius muscle.
• Have HA filler from an earlier treatment that looks overfilled, uneven, or migrated and want it partially or fully removed.

Treatment may need to be postponed or avoided if you:

• Have an active infection, inflammation, or significant irritation where the filler would go.
• Are allergic to the filler, its ingredients, or, for dissolving, to hyaluronidase.
• Have a bleeding disorder or another relevant medical condition.
• Are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• Have a non-HA filler that hyaluronidase cannot break down.

What to Expect: Procedure, Recovery, and Results Timeline

Preparing for treatment

Share your medical history, allergies, current medications and supplements, and any past filler treatments or reactions to injectables. If you are having filler dissolved, bring what you know about the earlier product: brand, location, approximate date, and amount. The clinic's filler guidance asks patients to avoid excessive alcohol before treatment. Tell the doctor about aspirin, anticoagulants, anti-inflammatory drugs, or fish oil, because these can increase bruising. Do not stop a prescribed medication on your own; discuss it with your prescribing doctor first. Arrive with clean skin and no makeup over the treatment area.

On the day

1. Consultation and assessment of your anatomy, skin condition, and elasticity.
2. Cleansing of the area and marking of injection points.
3. Pain control with numbing cream, local anesthetic, or both, depending on the area; some fillers also contain lidocaine.
4. Injection of HA filler, or of hyaluronidase for dissolving.
5. A check of the treated area and written aftercare guidance.

Most sessions fall between about 15 and 40 minutes, depending on the service and the number of areas treated.

Recovery and results timeline

Time after treatment	What usually happens
Same day	Volume or contour change is visible immediately; swelling can make the area look fuller than the final result. Dissolving starts working within hours.
Days 1–3	Ear filler recovery is typically complete. Dissolved filler is usually absorbed by 48 hours.
Days 3–7	Bruising and swelling after contour filler generally fade over this period.
Weeks 1–2	Facial and shoulder results settle as swelling resolves.
Months 1–2	Ear shape becomes more natural.
Months 6–18	Filler is gradually absorbed; timing depends on product, area, and metabolism.

Aftercare

Avoid pressing on or vigorously massaging treated areas unless the doctor instructs otherwise. After ear filler, try to sleep on the opposite side and avoid heavy exercise and extreme heat for 24–48 hours. After shoulder filler, avoid side sleeping and carrying heavy bags at first, and hold off on strenuous upper-body exercise, saunas, and excessive alcohol for one to two weeks. If symptoms worry you after returning home, contact the clinic through its website or by phone.

Combining Dermal Fillers with Other Treatments

Combinations are planned case by case after examination.

• Botox Treatments — For the shoulders, trapezius muscle-relaxing injections can slim an overdeveloped neck-to-shoulder slope while Shoulder Filler adds definition to the outer shoulder contour.
• Ear Filler with facial filler — Ear Filler is sometimes combined with facial filler treatments during the same visit.
• Dissolving before re-treatment — After hyaluronidase has acted, the area can be reassessed to decide whether further correction is appropriate.

Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae also accepts international patients who want non-surgical correction or volume rebalancing after an asymmetrical, overfilled, or otherwise unsatisfactory treatment at another clinic. Each corrective case starts with an in-person examination of the existing filler.

Safety, Precision, and Clinic Standards

• The Ministry of Health and Welfare registered Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae as a medical institution for attracting foreign patients.
• The registration dates from January 2023.
• It was granted under the Medical Overseas Expansion and Foreign Patients Attraction Act.
• Business registration: No. 250-54-00398.
• According to the clinic, only certified genuine filler products are used, in labeled quantities.
• The HA filler lines named by the clinic are Juvederm and Atiere.
• Every filler plan begins with a 1:1 consultation that considers skin condition and elasticity.
• Dr. Chae-ho Lee performs all filler and dissolving injections.

Approved areas and how fillers are regulated

In the United States, dermal fillers are medical device implants that the FDA has approved for specific uses, including wrinkles and folds and augmentation of the lips, cheeks, chin, and back of the hand (FDA). The agency notes that it may not have reviewed filler use in every body location, and it recommends against fillers for body contouring such as breast or buttock augmentation. Ear and shoulder placements fall outside the listed U.S. indications, which is worth discussing with your doctor when weighing these options.

Known risks

Common short-term effects include bruising, redness, swelling, tenderness, itching, and mild pain at the injection sites. Less common problems include infection, lumps or nodules, asymmetry, contour irregularity, filler migration, and allergic reaction.

The most serious filler risk is accidental injection into a blood vessel, which can block blood flow and lead to tissue death, vision problems including blindness, or stroke (FDA). The FDA describes the chance as low but the consequences as potentially serious and lasting. Seek emergency care for unusual pain, vision changes, white, gray, or blue skin near the injection site, or any sign of stroke during or after treatment.

Hyaluronidase carries its own risks, including swelling, bruising, and allergic or hypersensitivity reactions. Because the enzyme can also affect the body's natural hyaluronic acid, the exact volume lost can be hard to predict. Hyaluronidase is used as a main or supporting treatment for HA filler complications such as vascular occlusion, nodules, hypersensitivity, and poor aesthetic outcomes, but a 2022 scoping review found only five small randomized trials, all on uncomplicated nodules, so controlled evidence is still limited (Scoping review, PMC).

The Bottom Line

• Dermal fillers add volume or structure; they do not relax muscles, and HA filler is gradually absorbed.
• Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae offers Point Lifting / Contour Filler, Ear Filler, Shoulder Filler, and Filler Dissolving Injection, all performed by Dr. Chae-ho Lee.
• Results are visible immediately and usually settle within one to two weeks, or one to two months for the ears.
• Downtime is short, so most filler plans fit a visit of a few days in Seoul.
• Vascular occlusion is rare but serious, and knowing its warning signs is part of informed consent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which filler brands does Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae use?
The clinic names the Juvederm and Atiere hyaluronic acid filler lines, plus hyaluronidase for dissolving. It states that it uses certified genuine products in labeled quantities. Ask during consultation which product is planned for your area.

What makes Point Lifting different from ordinary filler?
Point Lifting places filler at selected support points instead of spreading it across a whole hollow. The goal is better contour and less visible sagging using structure at key spots. Which points suit you depends on your facial anatomy.

How long do the results of HA filler last?
It varies with the product, the area, the amount used, and your metabolism. The clinic's estimates range from about six months to a year for ear filler and about 6–18 months for contour and shoulder filler.

Can you fix filler I had done at another clinic?
Often, yes, if it is hyaluronic acid filler. The clinic accepts international patients seeking correction after uneven or overfilled results elsewhere, and hyaluronidase can partly or fully dissolve HA filler. Bring any records you have, since non-HA products may not respond to the enzyme.

How many days should I plan to stay in Seoul?
The clinic suggests about 3–5 days for contour filler, 2–3 days for shoulder filler, and 1–2 days for filler dissolving, including a follow-up check. A single ear filler session can usually be done in one day. Dr. Lee confirms the recommended stay for your plan.

Is filler injection painful?
Most people feel brief stinging, pinching, or pressure. Numbing cream and local anesthesia are used for ear and shoulder filler, and many fillers contain lidocaine. Sensitivity differs by area and person.

When can I fly home after filler?
There is no single mandatory waiting period that applies to every filler treatment. Because swelling and bruising can appear in the first days, discuss flight timing with Dr. Lee, especially if several areas or larger volumes are treated. Allowing time for a follow-up check before departure is sensible.

What warning signs after filler need urgent care?
Severe or unusual pain, skin that turns pale, gray, or blue, and any change in vision need immediate medical attention. These can signal a blocked blood vessel, which is rare but time-sensitive.

Book a Consultation at Doctorpetit Clinic Hongdae

Planning dermal fillers in Seoul starts with a private assessment by Dr. Chae-ho Lee, where he examines your proportions, any existing filler, and what you hope to change before suggesting a plan. English consultation and interpretation are available. You will find the clinic at 151 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu (Wookdo Building, 8th floor), directly outside Exit 1 of Hongik University Station. Request an appointment here, and browse before-and-after results or reviews from past patients while you plan your trip.

Disclaimer

Treatment suitability, expected results, recovery time, risks, and potential side effects vary by individual. The information provided is for general informational purposes and does not replace an in-person medical consultation. Patients should discuss their medical history, treatment goals, and individual circumstances with a qualified medical professional before undergoing treatment.

Sources & Further Reading

• FDA — Dermal Fillers (Soft Tissue Fillers)
• PMC — A Scoping Review of Hyaluronidase Use in Managing the Complications of Aesthetic Interventions