Skin-firming injections: why are there so many kinds?
GOURI, Rejuran, Juvelook, Re2O, Radiesse… “They're all firming injections, so what's the difference?” I hear this question often. There are many names, but sorted by what they do, they fall into a few groups.
The short answer
Sorted by what they do, firming injections fall into four groups: those that fill volume straight away (hyaluronic acid filler), those that call up collagen (PLLA, PDLLA, PCL, CaHA), those that replace material directly (hADM), and those that add water and texture to the skin (PN, non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid and similar). I found no trial comparing all four head to head, so I choose by concern, then layer, then group, then product, not by brand name. If sagging is the main concern, lifting comes before injections. At Miso Clinic, 4F Bombom Building, 125 Dongdeok-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu (Exit 1, Kyungpook Nat'l Univ. Hospital Station), +82-53-428-2700, I start by deciding which group suits your skin now.
How do firming injections divide up?
| Group | What it does | Examples | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filling | Fills volume immediately, can be dissolved | Hyaluronic acid filler | Hollowing |
| Calling up collagen | Prompts collagen over weeks to months | Juvelook (PDLLA), Everwrinkle (PLLA), GOURI (PCL), Radiesse (CaHA) | Broad hollowing, thinned skin |
| Replacing material | Adds collagen scaffold directly | Re2O, CellREDM, REALLO (hADM) | Thin, weak skin |
| Water and texture | Texture, hydration, fine lines | Rejuran (PN), non-crosslinked hyaluronic acid boosters | Texture, fine lines, dryness |
Within each group, particle size, injection layer and dilution differ, so products have different uses. The evidence for each product is in its own column.
→ More: Collagen booster groups
Which one is best for firmness?
That's hard to answer. I found no trial that split the four groups across the same people and compared them. So I don't rank them.
What fits depends on the concern. If hollowing leads, filling; if thinner skin leads, calling up collagen or replacing material; if texture and dryness lead, water and texture.
Can injections lift a sagging face?
Usually not. Firming injections address skin quality and volume; they don't pull descended tissue back up. When sagging leads, RF or thread lifting comes first.
If hollowing and sagging come together, I set an order. Usually support first, then skin quality.
When will I see results?
It differs by group. Hyaluronic acid filler shows straight away. With collagen-calling groups, the early fullness is the water injected with them, which fades over 1–3 weeks, and then volume builds over weeks to months. So I usually judge with photos taken under the same conditions two to three months after the last session.
Fullness fading after the first days isn't failure. Don't judge in that window.
When would you not recommend firming injections?
- When sagging is the main concern — lifting comes first.
- When you need results next week — collagen groups take time.
- During pregnancy or breastfeeding, or with inflammation at the site
- Plans that layer several products in the same spot at once
I'd rather not set a package of sessions in advance; I decide after seeing how the first one goes.
→ More: Choosing a skin booster
Skin-firming injections FAQ
Is it better to combine several?
If you have two concerns, using one for each makes sense. But I found no trial showing that layering products in the same spot works better.
How many sessions do I need?
It depends on the group and product. I decide the next step after seeing the first.
Can people in their 20s have them?
In your 20s, sun protection, moisturising and barrier care usually come first. I discuss injections when there's a clear concern.
Where can I get a firming injection consultation in Daegu?
At Miso Clinic, 4F Bombom Building, 125 Dongdeok-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu (Exit 1, Kyungpook Nat'l Univ. Hospital Station), +82-53-428-2700. Weekdays 11:00–19:00, Saturday 10:00–16:00, closed Sundays and public holidays.
Read next
Product pages
Who wrote this
Written and reviewed by Lee Chi-Hak, MD, director of Miso Clinic, Daegu. The treatment standards and injection design set out here are the ones we use in practice.
| Medical director | Lee Chi-Hak, MD |
|---|---|
| Address | 4F Bombom Building, 125 Dongdeok-ro, Jung-gu, Daegu, South Korea · Exit 1, Kyungpook National University Hospital Station |
| Phone | +82-53-428-2700 |
| Hours | Weekdays 11:00–19:00 (lunch 13:00–14:00) / Saturday 10:00–16:00 (no lunch break) / Closed Sundays and public holidays |
| Columns | All clinical columns |
| Reference library | All booster and device references |
References
- Korean medical advertising law — Korean Medical Service Act Article 56(2) (no treatment testimonials, no comparisons with other clinics, no superlatives). This is why this column carries no prices, reviews or before-and-after photos.
- Miso Clinic practice guidelines — dissolvable hyaluronic acid filler is considered first for hollowing and lifting first for sagging; boosters are chosen in the order concern, then layer, then product; no RF treatment that day if there are metal or electronic implants, pregnancy or skin inflammation.
Everything in this column is general information and does not replace medical diagnosis or treatment. Effects and side effects vary with individual skin condition, age and underlying illness, and the same result is not guaranteed for everyone. Any decision to proceed should be made in an in-person consultation with a physician.