Juvelook, honestly, even I was initially

surprised when I saw nodules

Last Friday,

a 45-year-old patient came to the clinic

after getting Juvelook at another clinic and said

she had been feeling a small bump in her cheek for a month.

"This won't last forever, right?"

That one line was the heaviest question

I heard in clinic that day.

The truth is, Juvelook is made of particles that dissolve and disappear,

so it's not the kind that stays in your body forever.

But there are quite a few people who come in

with nothing but anxiety because they weren't properly told this part.

Juvelook: before we talk about side effects,

let's cover this first

Juvelook uses PDLLA (poly-D,L-lactic acid)

in micro-particle form as a biodegradable ingredient

placed in the dermis to stimulate collagen regeneration.

Unlike regular HA fillers, Juvelook's particles

gradually break down and completely disappear over time.

What remains is only the collagen

your own body has produced.

This difference makes the pattern of side effects

completely different as well.

Why is one person fine

while another gets nodules?

Director Wi Young-jin's

key insight

The reason Juvelook is safer than other fillers

is that the particles dissolve and disappear,

leaving only the collagen my body made.

That's the crucial difference from fillers

that leave foreign material in the body for life.

The patient I mentioned above had received

two vials of Juvelook all at once

at another place a month earlier.

When I examined her, I could feel two rice-grain-sized

bumps below the cheekbone.

This is what we commonly call a 'nodule.'

When PDLLA particles clump together in one place,

our body recognizes them as foreign material

and triggers a fibrotic reaction around them.

In other words, the problem is not the particles themselves,

but the 'distribution.'

It happens when the injection is too shallow

or too much is placed at one point.

Clinically palpable nodules are observed

in about 1-3% of cases,

and most can be resolved at the next step.

Step 1 (massage)

3-5 minutes a day,

and in about 2 weeks more than half will soften

Step 2 (injection treatment)

Low-dose steroid injections can settle it within one to two months

Step 3 (surgical removal)

A truly rare case; it almost never happens

Director Wi Young-jin's key summary

A Juvelook nodule

is not a 'foreign body stuck there for life.'

It's an ingredient that eventually disappears over time.

With massage and injection treatment,

most cases settle within a month or two,

so there's no need to be overly afraid,

but leaving it alone is not okay.

Juvelook,

honestly not recommended for these people

Even if you come for a consultation, there are cases

where I recommend a different procedure or ask to wait.

A 35-year-old patient who received Juvelook

last year came back recently, and

the second treatment settled in faster

than the first one.

Because the tissue had already adapted once,

the side effect rate also

tends to be lower.

3 things patients really ask about a lot,

I'll answer honestly

Q1. It was red and swollen the day after treatment.

Is that a side effect?

A. Swelling and redness for 2-3 days after the procedure

are very common.

The needle stimulated the dermis, so

it's a normal reaction.

However, if it lasts more than 5 days or the pain

keeps getting worse,

you should contact the clinic right away.

Q2. If a nodule forms, do I get a refund?

How much does treatment cost?

A. Nodules are a manageable complication, so

refunds are generally difficult.

We provide a massage guide for any nodule that develops

and handle the injection treatment

without any additional cost.

Q3. Can Juvelook side effects

last forever?

A. The key point is that Juvelook's PDLLA particles

completely break down within 6-12 months.

The particles themselves are not stuck in your body forever.

In most cases, the nodule settles

as the particles dissolve as well.

If you take away just one thing today,

it's that Juvelook side effects are

closer to a 'reaction that gets resolved over time'

than to a 'permanent scar'

that stays forever.

In the next post,

I'll go over the 'same-day to 1-month aftercare protocol

to prevent Juvelook nodules in advance.'

This was Wi Young-jin.

Read more

• Juvelook Eye—does it really work for dark circles?

• Rejuran vs. Juvelook: which is right for my skin?

• Why Juvelook Glam hurts less and lasts longer in glow than Rejuran

Frequently asked questions

Q. It was red and swollen the day after the procedure. Is this a side effect?

A. It is very common to have swelling and redness for 2 to 3 days after the procedure.

Q. If a nodule develops, is it refundable? How much does it cost?

A. Since nodules are a treatable complication, refunds are generally difficult. We take full responsibility for any nodules that occur and provide massage guidance and even injection treatment at no additional cost.

Q. Can the side effects of Juvelook last a lifetime?

A. The key point is that Juvelook’s PDLLA particles are completely broken down within 6 to 12 months.

Q. I had a Juvelook nodule before; would a second treatment be riskier?

A. Not necessarily. Once your tissues have adapted, the risk of side effects actually tends to be lower the second time around. However, if you are prone to keloids, have active acne, or have an autoimmune disease, please make sure to consult with us beforehand.