SKINVIVE (Allergan Aesthetics) is a soft hyaluronic acid gel placed as many tiny droplets into the skin of the cheeks, aimed at smoother texture and softer fine lines while facial shape stays as it is. For Skinvive in Korea, ENTER Plastic Surgery treats under numbing cream in a 20–30 minute visit that starts with one 2 cc session.
Is it for you?
Who Skinvive suits, and who should wait
The product works on the surface quality of the skin. When the complaint is a cheek that feels rough under the fingertips, looks matte under bright light, or shows fine crisscross lines when you smile, the gel targets the layer where those changes sit. Because so little product is placed at each point, the cheek contour does not change in a way people would read as filler.
Skin quality and structure are two separate problems. A deep fold beside the mouth, a hollow under the cheekbone or a jawline that has slipped come from fat, ligament and bone changes deeper down, and a skin booster placed in the dermis does not reach them. For those concerns the consultation turns to dermal filler, a collagen stimulator or a lifting treatment.
Usually a good fit
- Rough or uneven cheek skin texture
- Fine lines on the cheeks without deep folds
- Dull, dehydrated-looking mid-face skin
- Wanting smoother skin with no change in face shape
- A short trip, with the flight home the same or next day
We may suggest waiting
- Deep folds or lost volume as the main concern
- Loose, sagging skin that needs lifting
- Active acne, cold sores or infection on the cheeks
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- A known reaction to hyaluronic acid products
- A photo shoot or wedding within the next week
Before & after
Skinvive before and after
BEFORE
AFTERHow it works
How Skinvive works in the skin
Hyaluronic acid is a sugar molecule the body already makes. It holds water in the dermis, the middle layer of skin, and the amount falls with age and sun exposure. SKINVIVE is a hyaluronic acid gel made to spread thinly, so it can be laid down as microdroplets, each one far smaller than a filler bolus. Spread across the cheek in a grid, those droplets add hydration and a little support within the skin itself.
The clinical evidence comes mainly from trials of VYC-12L, the study name of the gel. In a randomized study of cheek roughness and fine lines, people treated with VYC-12L reported a much larger rise in satisfaction with their skin at one month than an untreated control group, and responder rates on a global improvement scale stayed in the 80% range through six months (Chiu, 2023). The study was supported by the manufacturer, which is worth weighing when you read the numbers.
Wider research on hyaluronic acid injected into skin is less settled. A 2025 meta-analysis found better hydration and radiance after treatment, while elasticity and melanin measures did not differ from controls, and the authors called for more studies (Zhou, 2025). Treat Skinvive as a texture and hydration treatment, with lifting and pigment left to other options.
Skin assessment
At consultationThe cheeks are checked for texture, fine lines and dryness, and the area to treat is marked. Folds or sagging that need a different treatment are discussed at this point.
Cream to dull the needle
The skin is cleansed and a numbing cream is applied so the many small injections are easier to tolerate.
Microdroplet injections
20–30 minutesUsing a fine needle, small amounts of SKINVIVE are placed at evenly spaced points across each cheek, keeping to a shallow depth in the skin.
Hands-off aftercare
First 3–4 hoursTiny raised points at the injection sites are expected. Skip washing your face and applying makeup for three to four hours so the needle entry points can close.
How SKINVIVE compares with two other boosters offered here
| Point of comparison | SKINVIVE | Rejuran Healer | Water-glow injection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main aim | Smoother cheek texture, fine lines | Skin quality and texture | Surface hydration |
| Numbing | Numbing cream | Numbing cream (applied 30 minutes first) | Numbing cream |
| Treatment time | 20–30 minutes | 20–30 minutes | 20–30 minutes |
| Planned sessions | 1, top-up after 1 month if needed | 3, four weeks apart | 3, four weeks apart |
| Clinic guidance on duration | About 6–9 months | 3–6 months (6–12 after 3 sessions) | 3–6 months |
| Flight home | Same day or next day | Same day or next day | Same day or next day |
Durations are the clinic's own guidance and vary with skin type, age and sun exposure.
Your doctor
Chief Director · Korean board-certified plastic surgeon
“Natural, yet clearly visible change.”Eyelid and facelift surgery at ENTER is planned and performed by Dr. Jang himself.
- NowChief Director, ENTER Plastic Surgery
- TrainingPlastic surgery, Kyung Hee University Medical Center
- FormerChief Director, Jang Plastic Surgery
- FormerDirector, Secret Plastic Surgery
- MemberKSPRS · KSAPS · ISAPS · ESOPRS · ASPS
At a glance
Skinvive at a glance: time, numbing, flights
| Procedure time | 20–30 minutes |
|---|---|
| Anesthesia | Numbing cream |
| Downtime | Small bumps settle in 1–3 days; needle marks or bruises can last 3–7 days |
| Recommended sessions | 1 session, top-up after 1 month if needed; repeat every 6 months |
| How long results last | About 6–9 months |
| Return to exercise | Generally, strenuous exercise, hot environments and alcohol are limited for the first 24 hours |
| Earliest flight home | Same day or next day |
Prices
Skinvive price in Seoul
The price card below is for one 2 cc session of SKINVIVE, which is the amount the clinic lists for a standard cheek treatment. It is shown before tax: 10% VAT is added when you pay, so budget for the card amount plus that tenth.
Two things are worth asking about in writing before you travel. One is whether the top-up session, if your skin needs one at about a month, is charged as a second 2 cc session. The other is whether you plan to combine Skinvive with another injectable on the same day, because each product is priced on its own line.
Prices exclude VAT (10% VAT is added at payment).
Recovery
Aftercare in the days after Skinvive
Small raised points mark where the droplets went in. Leave the skin alone for three to four hours: no face washing, no makeup, no pressing on the cheeks.
The bumps flatten as the gel spreads and settles, within about one to three days. Makeup or concealer can go on from the day after treatment.
Needle marks or small bruises can stay visible for three to seven days, depending on your skin. Do not treat lumps or color changes yourself; contact the clinic instead.
This is the point where the clinic judges whether a single top-up session would help. After that, the plan is a repeat session about every six months.
Safety
What can go wrong after Skinvive
Skinvive is a hyaluronic acid injectable, so it shares the risk profile of the HA filler family even though the volume per point is small. Pain that keeps getting worse, skin that turns pale, gray or mottled, or any change in vision after treatment need a call to the clinic straight away.
- Redness, swelling, tenderness and small bruises at the injection points.
- Raised bumps or uneven texture, and a bluish tint (the Tyndall effect) if gel sits too close to the surface (Iranmanesh, 2022).
- Infection at needle entry points, which needs prompt treatment.
- Inflammatory or delayed lumps (nodules) weeks after treatment.
- Vascular occlusion, a rare but serious complication in which gel blocks a small blood vessel.
A systematic review of high-level studies found that most adverse events after hyaluronic acid injection were temporary and mild to moderate, with rare severe events that make training and clear explanation important (Kyriazidis, 2023). Repeat treatment is part of the plan, since the gel breaks down over months.
Evidence
Research behind this page
- Improved Patient Satisfaction With Skin After Treatment of Cheek Skin Roughness and Fine Lines With VYC-12L: Participant-Reported Outcomes From a Prospective, Randomized StudyAesthetic Surgery Journal · 2023 · Chiu A et al. · doi:10.1093/asj/sjad111
Randomized study of VYC-12L for cheek roughness and fine lines: participant skin satisfaction rose 32 points at one month against 1.4 in controls, with global improvement responder rates in the 80% range to six months; manufacturer-supported.
- The Effect of Local Hyaluronic Acid Injection on Skin Aging: A Systematic Review and Meta‐AnalysisJournal of Cosmetic Dermatology · 2025 · Zhou R · doi:10.1111/jocd.16760
Meta-analysis of 12 studies of local hyaluronic acid injection: hydration and radiance improved, but elasticity and melanin index did not differ from controls; the authors call for more research.
- Employing hyaluronic acid‐based mesotherapy for facial rejuvenationJournal of Cosmetic Dermatology · 2022 · Iranmanesh B et al. · doi:10.1111/jocd.15341
Review of HA mesotherapy for facial rejuvenation: imprecise depth or placement can cause surface irregularities and the Tyndall effect, severe photoaging needs added treatments, and repeat sessions every few months keep the effect.
- Adverse Events Associated with Hyaluronic Acid Filler Injection for Non-surgical Facial Aesthetics: A Systematic Review of High Level of Evidence StudiesAesthetic Plastic Surgery · 2023 · Kyriazidis I et al. · doi:10.1007/s00266-023-03465-1
Systematic review of high-level studies on HA filler: adverse events were mostly temporary and mild to moderate, with rare severe events, so explanation, training and skill matter.
FAQ
Skinvive FAQ
How long do the bumps and needle marks last after Skinvive?
The small raised points flatten within about one to three days as the gel settles. Needle marks or bruises can take three to seven days to fade, depending on your skin. Lumps that stay, spreading redness or skin that turns pale or gray should be reported to the clinic.
Can I fly home right after Skinvive?
Yes. The clinic's guidance is that you can fly the same day or the next day. Plan the treatment early in your trip if you can, so that any bruise has a few days to fade and you are still in Seoul if a question comes up in the first days.
Who gives the Skinvive injections?
A physician at ENTER Plastic Surgery performs the treatment. Dr. Choi Yul, a family medicine specialist, focuses on Botox, injections and pigment treatment at the clinic. Facial surgery at the clinic is performed by Dr. Jang Jin-woo, a Korean board-certified plastic surgeon.
Is VAT included in the Skinvive price?
No. The 2 cc price of ₩700,000 is listed before VAT, and 10% VAT is added at payment. Numbing cream (a topical anaesthetic, as it is spelled in the UK) is applied before the injections; ask for your quote to list every line so the total is clear.
How do I contact the clinic from abroad?
Use the form on this page or message us on WhatsApp, and we will get back to you as soon as possible. English-speaking staff are available at the clinic. Mention your travel dates, so the appointment can sit early in your stay.
Do I need a deposit for Skinvive, and what if I cancel?
Deposit and cancellation terms are set for each booking, so ask for them in writing before paying anything. If your flight dates change, tell the clinic early, because a session placed late in a trip leaves less time for bruises to fade.
Is Skinvive a filler?
Skinvive is made of hyaluronic acid, the same material family as many fillers, yet it is used differently. The gel goes into the skin as many tiny droplets to improve texture and fine lines, while a filler is placed as larger amounts deeper down to restore volume or shape.
Can Skinvive in Korea treat deep cheek hollows or sagging?
No. Skinvive acts on the skin layer, so hollows under the cheekbone, deep folds and sagging along the jaw are outside its range. Those concerns call for dermal filler, a collagen stimulator or lifting, which can be discussed at the same visit.
How many Skinvive sessions will I need?
The plan starts with one 2 cc session. At about one month the skin is reviewed, and a single top-up is added only if it would help. After that, the clinic suggests repeating the treatment about every six months to keep the effect.
When can I wear makeup after Skinvive?
From the next day. On treatment day, avoid washing your face and applying makeup for three to four hours so the needle points can close. From the following morning, makeup or concealer can cover any marks, applied gently without rubbing the cheeks.
How is Skinvive different from Rejuran Healer?
SKINVIVE is a hyaluronic acid gel, while Rejuran Healer is a polynucleotide injection. At this clinic Skinvive starts as one session with an optional top-up, and Rejuran Healer is planned as three sessions four weeks apart. Both use numbing cream and allow a same-day or next-day flight.
Will my insurance cover Skinvive in Korea?
We cannot say whether your insurer will cover cosmetic skin treatment abroad. Check with your provider before you travel, and ask the clinic for an itemized receipt in case you need to submit a claim.
Google reviews
Reviews on Google Maps
Great experience! Dr. is very sweet and kind. He listened to what I wanted to fix and correct. He explained everything very well. Wasn’t pushy and didn’t try to sell anything extra. This isn’t a clinic that comes out on instagram, which I…
Jennifer LyuA month agoI came to Enter Plastic Surgery on a friend’s recommendation for under-eye fat repositioning. I was pretty nervous going in, but the doctor took the time to explain what would work for my under-eyes, what the procedure involved, and what…
Michael2 months agoThe staff are incredibly friendly, and the consultation was very thorough. I was very worried since it was my first procedure, but the director explained the aftercare in detail, so I felt completely confident trusting them!!
ROOHEUI SHIN (RHS)2 months ago · Translated by Google