Retizen,

how is it different from filler?

I'm Dr. Wee Youngjin

from Beauty Stone Clinic in Hongdae.

💡 Check this first before reading

Q. Isn't Retizen also just a type of filler?

A. No.

Filler works by adding volume,

while Retizen directly injects pure collagen into the dermis

to restore the skin's structure itself.

Q. Is sagging skin as we age

due to collagen?

A. Yes.

Collagen decreases by about 1% each year starting in the mid-20s,

and when this structure collapses,

it leads to reduced elasticity, wrinkles, and changes in skin texture.

"Retizen directly injects pure collagen into the dermis

to restore the collapsed skin structure and

create a firm, smooth texture."

— Dr. Wee Youngjin (Beauty Stone Clinic, Hongdae)

The real reason skin sags,

is not the 'amount' of collagen,

but a problem with its 'structure'

"I've lost elasticity"

"My pores have enlarged and my skin texture has become rough"

Whenever I hear things like this,

there's one thing I always check first.

It's not how much collagen is left in the skin right now,

but how the remaining collagen is

organized.

Let me explain a bit more.

Collagen in the dermis

acts like a kind of 'mesh net'.

When this net is tightly woven and well made,

the skin looks firm and smooth.

But as we age, are exposed to UV rays,

and depending on our lifestyle,

this net gradually starts to loosen.

When that happens, the skin sags downward,

the pores stretch,

and the surface becomes uneven.

The tricky thing is,

even if you take collagen supplements

or apply creams that contain collagen,

this structural restoration hardly happens.

That is because collagen molecules are large,

so it's extremely difficult for them to pass through the skin barrier.

So 'ingested collagen' or 'topical collagen'

often just stays on the surface of the skin and ends there.

This is exactly why Retizen is meaningful.

Retizen uses pure collagen

and injects it directly into the dermis.

It's not something you eat or apply,

but a method of placing it directly where the skin actually needs it.

As a result, the collapsed net-like structure

is physically restored,

bringing back the skin's own elasticity and firm texture.

This is the decisive difference from filler.

Hyaluronic acid filler is a way of 'filling' volume.

It plumps up hollow areas and lifts them.

Retizen, on the other hand, is about

'restoring' the skin's structure itself.

It doesn't just fill in space;

it rewires the collagen network inside the dermis.

These two differ in both purpose and mechanism.

👨‍⚕️ Dr. Wee Youngjin's key summary

Skin aging is not about collagen 'disappearing',

but about the collagen structure inside the dermis collapsing.

Retizen directly injects pure collagen into the dermis

to restore this collapsed structure.

It's not about adding volume like filler,

but about rebuilding the skin's own framework,

so that's how you should understand it.

So who is

Retizen right for?

To be honest, Retizen is not

the first choice for everyone.

Let me break down which cases this procedure is actually meaningful for.

1) People who have lost elasticity but haven't lost much volume

For those who have lost a lot of volume, filler may come first.

But if the skin has generally become thinner,

feels rough in texture,

and the pores have enlarged while the skin has lost its firmness,

Retizen is a much better fit.

That's because what they need is restoration of the dermal structure.

2) People who have tried various lifting procedures

but haven't seen improvement in skin texture

Devices like Ulthera and Shurink, which use RF and ultrasound,

stimulate the skin tissue with heat

to induce collagen regeneration.

But this method is about

'activating the collagen that is already there'.

If someone has already lost a lot of collagen,

no matter how much stimulation you give,

the regeneration response can only be weak.

In such cases, Retizen, which directly replenishes collagen,

becomes the more realistic choice.

We've actually had quite a few cases where people said they had no effect even after several treatments elsewhere,

but after 2-3 Retizen sessions, they said, "It feels a bit different now."

3) People who want a natural-looking improvement

Retizen is not a procedure that changes volume.

You won't suddenly look different or swollen after the procedure.

Instead, the skin texture gradually improves,

and elasticity starts to return.

That's why it's a good fit for people who want to look naturally better.

But it's not all good news.

Because Retizen doesn't produce an immediate volume effect,

people expecting dramatic changes

may end up less satisfied.

Also, since the effect appears gradually and the maintenance period can

vary depending on the situation more than with hyaluronic acid filler,

it's more realistic to approach it as ongoing management

rather than expecting to do it just once and be done.

That said, for people who want improvements in the skin's own texture

and elasticity,

I still think it's a reasonable choice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Can I return to daily life right after

Retizen treatment?

A. Since it's an injection-based procedure,

there may be injection marks on the day of treatment

or slight swelling and bruising.

Most of these subside within 2-3 days,

and daily activities are usually possible starting the next day.

However, strenuous exercise, sauna, and alcohol immediately after treatment can

affect recovery, so it's best to avoid them for a few days.

Q2. How many sessions of Retizen

do I need to feel results?

A. This is something many people misunderstand,

but it's hard to feel dramatic changes in just one session.

Usually, after about 2-3 sessions,

many people start to notice changes in

their skin texture or elasticity.

Since it varies depending on skin condition and age,

I think it's best to tell you the exact number only after checking the skin condition directly.

I recommend having a thorough consultation

before deciding.

That was Dr. Wee Youngjin.

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