A Guide to Filler Types — Ellansé, Restylane, and Radiesse
Filler treatments improve wrinkles and restore volume by filling wrinkled skin or subcutaneous fat with an external material. A safe filler uses a material similar in composition to the skin itself, and it's best to use a material that remains safe over the long term even if it absorbs quickly.
Paraffin and silicone, which were used in the past, are no longer used today; modern fillers primarily use materials such as hyaluronic acid-based substances or PCL, which are similar in composition to skin tissue. The right material depends on the wrinkle, treatment area, and individual characteristics, so it's best to choose after a consultation. Effects and duration vary by individual.
How Long Does Ellansé Filler Last?
Ellansé is a filler made of PCL (a medical-grade polymer material). Results are visible immediately after treatment, followed by a temporary reduction in volume around three weeks later, with volume building back up again by about five weeks. It comes in S, M, L, and E types, of which S and M are currently available and in use in Korea. The S type is said to last around one year and the M type around two years; it is understood to stimulate the body's own collagen production and gradually break down and be absorbed by the body over time. Duration varies by individual.
What Is Restylane Used For?
Restylane is a hyaluronic acid filler, a component naturally found in the skin. Injected beneath a wrinkle, the substance draws in moisture proportional to its volume, helping to improve nasolabial folds, and it is also used to correct acne scars or sunken areas. Its effects generally last around nine months to a year, longer than Botox. If you're interested in hydration and wrinkle care, you may also want to check out The Story Behind the Intensive Water Glow Injection.
What Areas Can Radiesse Correct?
Radiesse (a calcium-based filler) is used to restore volume and refine contours in various areas of the face, including the forehead, temples, nose bridge, cheekbones, nasolabial folds, cheeks, marionette lines, and the jawline/chin area (V-line correction). It is also used in combination with multiple injection points to add three-dimensional definition to the face; results vary by individual.
How Does Nose Filler (MISCO) Work?
MISCO stands for minimally invasive rhinoplasty. During nose filler injection, a thread attached to the syringe is inserted alongside the filler to help refine the nose bridge and nose-tip line. Kim Jongseo Plastic Surgery uses MISCO for the nose tip and filler for the nose bridge. It is performed without surgery, but because filler is gradually absorbed over time, repeat treatment may be needed.
What Are the Characteristics of Collagen and Autologous Fat Fillers?
Because animal-derived collagen is a protein, it can cause allergic reactions, so a skin sensitivity test is recommended about a month before treatment to check for allergies. There is also a method that uses collagen extracted from the patient's own body. Micro autologous fat grafting takes dermis and fat from areas such as the buttocks, underarms, or groin and transplants it into the desired area; because it uses the patient's own tissue, there tends to be less concern about foreign-body sensation.
What Is Kim Jongseo Plastic Surgery's Academic Involvement in Filler Research?
Dr. Kim Jongseo has participated in a Restylane seminar presentation at the IMCAS (International Master Course on Aging Skin) Annual Meeting, an international academic conference on skin aging and fillers, and holds a Certificate of Attendance from that conference. If you'd like to learn more about his approach and background, please see About the Director.
Consultation Information
Kim Jongseo Plastic Surgery (Apgujeong, Seoul) · 2F Apgujeong Building, 842 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul · 02-3416-0070 (after hours 070-4027-0070) · Book a Consultation
This article is for informational purposes only. The effects and duration of treatment may vary by individual. All medical procedures carry the possibility of side effects, so please consult thoroughly with a specialist beforehand.
Treatment Details
The materials below are treatment information from the previous website (surgery.co.kr). Before-and-after results may vary by individual, and all medical procedures carry the possibility of side effects.
