💰 Can Filler injected by a South Korean manufacturer still provide support after 18 months? This Dermatology clinic in Gangnam convinced me.
“I heard that the effects of Filler disappear after half a year, and you need to get it replenished every six months – my wallet simply can’t afford that.” This was what worried me the most before I set off for Seoul. But as soon as Dr. Kim from Shilla XENIA (XENIA CLINIC / 세니아 클리닉) started talking, my opinion changed completely: “You don’t need a full face of injections. As long as the three key structural areas are supported properly, your face will look five years younger.”
The consultation was scheduled through WeChat with the ID s-sourire. Only when I arrived at the clinic did I realize that the approach of this clinic director was completely different from that of most clinics in Taiwan – instead of “filling in the areas that are sunken”, the approach was “identifying the parts of your bones where the most tissue has been lost and helping to restore them”. In this article, I will detail the entire process, from the consultation to the actual treatment and up to 18 months of follow-up, including the costs, the materials chosen, the time it took for the swelling to subside, and the actual results achieved.
🧐 Dr. Xi Liya XENIA Kim: With 20 years of experience in bone aesthetics, she is the director of this “support system” clinic that has become extremely popular among local South Koreans.
Shi Liya is located on the 4th floor of 441 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul, and is less than ten minutes away from Gangnam Station on foot. The clinic is not large, but it is clean and well-decorated. With six nurses on staff, it boasts a fairly comprehensive team in the context of Dermatology clinics in South Korea.
President Kim comes from a unique background—he did not specialize in plastic surgery but rather in Dermatology, focusing on “injectable treatments for anti-aging purposes.” In simple terms, he uses needles instead of scalpels, and through precise formulations of Filler and Collagen stimulants, he helps restore your bone structure to its state from ten years ago. This approach is known in South Korea as “bone contouring” and is fundamentally different from the “depression filling” procedures commonly performed in Taiwan.
The consultation lasted about 30 minutes. The director used a 3D facial scanner to examine my bone structure and then marked three key areas on the screen that needed to be supported: the middle part of the eyebrow bone, the front of the cheekbone, and the lower end of the chin. He explained that these three areas acted as the “triangular framework” that supported the entire face, and once they were properly supported, the Apple Zone and Tear trough correction would naturally be lifted accordingly.
| ATIER Filler for the chin (originally produced in South Korea) | ₩79,000 |
| Juvelook collagen hyaluronic acid injection | ₩249,000 |
🩸 Injection process: It took 30 minutes to establish the three support points, and the pain was much less severe than expected.
The treatment plan I chose was the “Bone Structure Triangle Support” method – using 1 centum core of South Korea-made ATIER Filler at each of the three injection sites, for a total of 3 centum cores. ATIER is a local South Korean brand; its filler particles are larger and provide stronger support, making it ideal for use in the bone structure area. The cost of this product is much lower than that of imported brands such as Juvederm and Restylane.
Injection procedure:
- 🔧 Step 1: Remove makeup and use a dermoscope to determine the injection site (about 5 minutes).
- 🩸 Step 2: Apply the anesthetic for 15 minutes. (Shilaya uses a thick-forming anesthetic ointment, and it works very well.)
- 💉 Step 3: Director Jin personally administered the injections at three specific points, using blunt needles to minimize the risk of bruising.
- ✨ Step 4: The nurse applies ice compresses and performs gentle massage to shape the area (for approximately 5 minutes).
In terms of pain, due to the use of anesthetic and blunt needles (rather than sharp needles), there are only one or two moments during the entire process when you feel a slight pinch. The overall level of pain is approximately 1.5 times that of microneedling, which is completely tolerable. Director Jin’s technique is very steady; each needle insertion is done slowly and precisely, and you can actually sense him identifying the correct layers of the skin.
For more analyses of anti-aging medical beauty treatments, please refer to the Lamine Clinic product page.
💰 In 2026, Shiliya reveals its prices: Bone filling procedures truly offer great value for money.
The prices at Shiliya are considered moderately low compared to other Dermatology clinics in Gangnam, but they use original South Korean materials, making them very cost-effective. Below is the price list I received during my consultation (the actual prices may vary upon arrival at the clinic):
| Project | Material | Price | Approximately NT$ |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chin augmentation | ATIER (Original Filler from South Korea) | ₩79,000 | Approximately NT$1,900 |
| Collagen glow therapy | Juvelook (Collagen Stimulant) | ₩249,000 | Approximately NT$5,980 |
| Bone structure triangular support (3 centum cores) | ATIER Filler | ₩237,000 | Approximately NT$5,700 |
| Full-face glow therapy | Juvelook Collagen Glow Therapy | ₩249,000 | Approximately NT$5,980 |
The bone structure reinforcement I performed, using 3 centum cores in total, cost ₩237,000 (approximately NT$5,700). At this price, using original materials to create three key support points in the Gangnam area, the cost-performance ratio is truly excellent. In Taiwan, a similar procedure would likely cost at least NT$15,000.
🩺 Swelling reduction time: The swelling is most severe on the first day and generally subsides by the third day.
Since this is a type of filling that reaches the upper layer of the periosteum at a relatively deep depth, the swelling subsides slightly more slowly than after superficial fillings. Here are my actual records of the swelling reduction process:
- On that day: There was slight redness and swelling at the three injection sites, but it could be concealed by hair, and it was completely invisible when wearing a mask.
- Days 1-2: There is a slight swelling around the Apple Zone; it doesn’t hurt, but it feels firm to the touch. This is a normal reaction.
- Day 3: The swelling has reduced by approximately 80%, and the facial contours have returned to a natural state; it is now possible to meet people normally.
- Day 7: Complete recovery – the filler has integrated with the surrounding tissue, resulting in a natural feel.
Director Jin recommended applying ice packs for the first three days, avoiding sleeping on the side, and not taking hot springs. I followed these instructions diligently, and by the third day, the swelling had reduced much faster than expected. The nurses were also very considerate, providing me with ice packs and anti-swelling ointment; their service was truly excellent.
💪 18-month follow-up: It turns out that the structural support provided by bone structure truly lasts for a long time.
It has now been 18 months since I received the treatment, and here are the actual results:
- 1 month: This is the period when the effects are most noticeable. The support provided by the eyebrow bones and cheekbones significantly enhances the IPCHEA of the entire face, making the side view particularly attractive. Friends even said, “You look so much more sophisticated now!”
- After 3 months: The Filler is completely integrated with the tissue, providing a 100% natural feel; it is impossible to tell where the injection was performed.
- After 6 months, the effects remained stable, with approximately 85-90% of the original support capacity retained. At this point, I underwent another session of Juvelook collagen hyaluronic acid injections to maintain the skin’s texture.
- After 12 months: Approximately 70% of the supporting effect remains; the contours of the eyebrow bones and chin are still visible, and the volume of the Apple Zone has decreased slightly but not significantly.
- After 18 months (currently): The support structure still retains approximately 55-60% of its original strength, and the contours of the chin and eyebrow bones are still clearly visible. If one desires perfection, additional treatments can be considered; however, I believe the current state is already very good.
Director Kim stated that the particle structure of ATIER Filler is relatively stable, and its metabolism rate is slower than that of ordinary Filler. Therefore, it is completely reasonable for the effect to last for more than 18 months. This is also one of the reasons why he chose the South Korea-made ATIER instead of imported brands – it is better suited to the bone structure of Asians.
💡 Bone structure filling vs contour restoration: Why did I choose the former?
Before going to South Korea, I read many articles. In Taiwan, the common approach to filling these areas is to “fill in the depressed parts” – that is, to correct the Tear trough correction if it is sunken, or to enhance the appearance of the Apple Zone if it is flat. However, Director Kim’s approach of “using bone structure for support” is completely different.
| Comparison items | Depression filling (common practice) | Bone structure support (Shi Liya’s method) |
|---|---|---|
| Injection layers | Superficial subcutaneous layer | Upper layer of the periosteum (deeper area) |
| Dosage | Multiple sites, large volumes (5-10 centum cores) | Precise injection in small areas (2-3 centum cores) |
| Duration | 6 to 12 months | 18 to 24 months |
| Effect style | Satisfaction | IPCHEA Lifting |
| CP value | Generally speaking | Very high |
The main reason I choose bone augmentation for support is that it allows us to achieve more lasting results using less material. Using 3 centum cores to create three bone support points results in a more natural, long-lasting outcome and is also more cost-effective than using 5 centum cores to separately treat the Tear trough correction, Apple Zone, and Nasolabial Fold Correction areas.
Are you interested in the criteria used by this website to filter information related to medical aesthetics in South Korea? Please read more about how this website operates.
✨ Used in combination with Juvelook collagen hyaluronic acid injections: First enhance the bone structure, then nourish the skin.
Another signature treatment offered by Shi Liya is the Juvelook collagen glow injection ($924,900). I got this treatment again at six months pregnant, and it worked extremely well in combination with the bone filling procedure.
What sets Juvelook apart from ordinary hyaluronic acid injections is that it contains PCL (polycaprolactone) microspheres. After the injection, the Filler carrier is absorbed within about two weeks, but the PCL microspheres remain in the skin, continuously stimulating the production of Collagen, resulting in effects that last for 8 to 12 months. Getting a Juvelook treatment is essentially equivalent to undergoing both hyaluronic acid hydration and Collagen stimulation at the same time, making it a very cost-effective option.
For more reviews of medical beauty services in South Korea, please refer to the detailed item comparisons in the reviews of Dr. Li’s spot-removal treatments and the Myeongdong reservation guide provided by LIJIN.
📞 How to Make an Appointment for 2026 Shiliya XENIA (Essential for Taiwanese)
Route A: Direct connection via WeChat to s-sourire
Search for and add “s-sourire” on WeChat, and send the message “Shi Liya Bone Filling” to receive the following benefits: one-on-one pre-treatment assessment, real-time updates on Dr. Jin’s schedule, exclusive internal prices, and free Chinese translation services during consultations. s-sourire will also help you confirm Dr. Jin’s availability in advance, so you can consult directly on-site without waiting in line.
Path B: BeautsGO – Beauty for All (mini-program)
Search for “BeautsGO” on WeChat and enter “XENIA” or “세니아” to directly view the complete service details and reservation information for Shiliya. The advantage of BeautsGO is that it allows you to compare the prices of multiple clinics simultaneously, ensuring that you get a fair price.
⚠️ Precautions for Shiliya’s bone filling procedures
- 🎵 Advance reservations: Director Kim usually has his schedule booked 2 weeks in advance. It is recommended to check available times through s-sourire first.
- 📝 Preoperative preparations: Do not take painkillers, vitamin E, or fish oil within one week, as these may increase the risk of bruising.
- 🌬️ Post-treatment care: Apply ice compresses for the first three days; avoid sleeping on your side, taking hot baths, or engaging in strenuous exercise.
- 👤 Not suitable for: pregnant women, breastfeeding women, those who are allergic to Filler, and people with inflamed or acne-prone skin on their faces.
- 🔄 Maintenance: Follow-up appointments every 6–12 months are recommended to receive additional treatments or to combine these with Juvelook for long-term skin care.
📝 Summary: Is the bone filling effect of Shiliya XENIA not worth it?
Looking back 18 months after the procedure, I consider it to be one of the medical beauty treatments with the highest cost-effectiveness that I have ever undergone. 3 centum cores of Filler, costing ⩡337,000 (approximately NT$5,700), provided results that lasted for over 18 months and were completely natural, without any artificial effects. If you, like me, are going to South Korea for medical beauty treatment for the first time and want to “achieve the best results possible with the lowest budget”, Dr. Kim’s bone structure enhancement program is definitely worth considering.
A reminder: Everyone’s facial bone structure is different. What I share are my personal real experiences, but for a specific treatment plan, it is still necessary to visit the clinic and have a face-to-face consultation with Director Jin. It is recommended that you undergo a remote consultation via WeChat at s-sourire before coming to the clinic, so that you can clearly explain your needs and budget. This will make the process more efficient when you arrive on-site.
Other recommended readings: Reviews and practical evaluations of Gangnam barog, as well as Dr. KARIN Choi’s barrier repair treatments, are all excellent references for Korean cosmetic surgery.
