A Case Story, In the Director's Words
Lip Filler Dissolve & Refill β A Real Patient Review
Our lead director Dr. Lee Jong Hoon walks you through Julie's case in his own words β why we dissolved her old, uneven lip filler first, and re-treated with 1mL of Juvederm for a soft, natural result.
As told by
Dr. Lee Jong Hoon
Lead Director, Gangnam HERA
Watch the Case
Tap to play Julie's reel β it opens right here, no app needed.
Hello, I'm Dr. Lee Jong Hoon, lead director at Gangnam HERA. I wanted to walk you through Julie's (@juliedaveoff) lip case myself, because it's the kind of question I hear almost every week. Julie never disliked having lip filler β what bothered her was how her old filler had aged. Over the months it had settled unevenly: a little lumpy in places, slightly heavier on one side, and the crisp outline of her lips had started to blur. Her exact words were the ones I hear most often β "it just doesn't look like me anymore."
So before adding anything new, we dissolved the old product first. I know the word "dissolve" sounds dramatic, but it's simply a quick injection of hyaluronidase β an enzyme that gently breaks down old hyaluronic-acid filler over a few hours to a few days. Why start there? Because layering fresh filler on top of uneven old filler only stacks the problem. Dissolving gives me an honest, clean canvas: I can finally see and feel Julie's natural lip and plan from there, instead of guessing around product that has already migrated.
We then waited about two weeks before re-treating, and that pause really matters. The tissue needs time to settle so the swelling resolves and the skin re-drapes over its natural structure β judging symmetry on a still-swollen lip is exactly how people end up over-corrected. For the refill I used around 1mL of Juvederm, a soft, cohesive hyaluronic-acid filler, placed in tiny amounts along the lip border and body with a layered micro-injection technique. I chose a moderate, natural formulation over the big-volume options on purpose: the goal was hydration and a gentle, balanced shape, never a bigger lip.
The finish is what I care about most. A good lip should read as healthy and well-rested β it should still move naturally when you talk and smile, not look visibly "done." Julie's lips look like hers again, just softer and more even. That is the whole point of a reset like this: refining what is already there rather than piling more volume on top.
This dissolve-and-refill approach genuinely suits anyone who feels their current filler looks uneven, or simply not like them, and who wants a soft reset instead of more volume. It isn't the right first step if you have an active cold sore, a known hyaluronic-acid allergy, or you're pregnant or breastfeeding β so we always begin with an in-person consultation. And at HERA in Gangnam, every international patient is treated directly by a board-certified doctor, supported by an on-site English interpreter, and charged the same price as our Korean patients β no foreigner markup, ever.
Is This for You?
Who this treatment is genuinely for
Signs it may be time to consider it
- Your old filler feels lumpy or firm to the touch
- One side looks fuller or heavier than the other
- The once-crisp border of your lips has blurred or spread
- Filler has drifted above your natural lip line ('migration')
- Your lips read as 'done' rather than like your own
It's a good fit if
- Your existing lip filler looks uneven, lumpy, or has migrated over time
- Your lips "don't look like you" anymore and you want a natural reset
- You'd rather refine and rebalance the shape than simply add more volume
- You want a soft, hydrated finish that still moves naturally when you talk and smile
Not the right first step if: This isn't the right first step if you have an active cold sore, a known hyaluronic-acid allergy, or you're pregnant or breastfeeding β we always begin with an in-person consultation.
βIf two or three of these sound familiar, the honest answer is usually a reset β dissolving first, then refilling gently β not simply adding more filler. Send a photo and I'll tell you directly what I would, and wouldn't, do.β
Good to Know
Questions patients actually ask
Does dissolving and refilling lip filler hurt?
Why dissolve the old filler before adding new filler?
How much downtime should I expect?
How long does the Juvederm refill last?
Will my lips look overdone?
Do international patients pay more?
Considering the same?
Have Dr. Lee review your case
Send us a photo and your concern. Dr. Lee Jong Hoon will tell you honestly whether a dissolve-and-refill is right for you β no pressure, same price as our Korean patients.
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