A Case Story, in the Director's Words

Lip Filler Dissolve & Refill — A Real Patient Review

Dr. Jong Seon Kim walks you through Julie's case in his own words — why we dissolved her old, uneven lip filler first, and re-treated with 1mL of Juvederm for a soft, natural result.

Lip Filler (Juvederm, 1mL) — Dissolve & Re-Treatment@juliedaveoffJuly 21, 2026

As told by

Dr. Jong Seon Kim

Director, Gangnam HERA

Watch the Case

Tap to play Julie's reel — it opens right here, no app needed.

Hello, I'm Dr. Jong Seon Kim 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 — 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 — "it just doesn't look like me anymore."

Why we dissolved the old filler first

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 — 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.

The refill — 1 mL of Juvederm, two weeks later

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 — 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 — natural, and like herself again

The finish is what I care about most. A good lip should read as healthy and well-rested — 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.

Who this suits, and our promise to you

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 — 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 — no foreigner markup, ever.

#LipFiller#Juvederm#LipDissolver#GangnamClinic#KBeauty

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 — we always begin with an in-person consultation.

Dr. Jong Seon Kim · Director, Gangnam HERA

Good to Know

Questions patients actually ask

Does dissolving and refilling lip filler hurt?

We apply strong numbing first, so most patients describe both the dissolving and the refill as very manageable — more of a pressure or pinch than sharp pain. Julie was chatting comfortably through most of hers.

Why dissolve the old filler before adding new filler?

Old hyaluronic-acid filler ages unevenly and can migrate. Placing fresh filler on top of it only stacks the irregularity. Dissolving with hyaluronidase resets the lip to a clean canvas, so the new shape can be planned precisely.

How much downtime should I expect?

Plan for mild swelling and the occasional small bruise for a few days after each session. Most patients are comfortable in public quickly, and the result keeps settling over the following one to two weeks.

How long does the Juvederm refill last?

For a soft, natural result like this, expect roughly six to twelve months before a light top-up. Longevity varies with your metabolism, the amount used, and lifestyle.

Will my lips look overdone?

That's exactly what we plan against. About 1mL of a moderate Juvederm formulation, placed with a layered micro-injection technique, keeps the finish balanced and hydrated — natural movement, not a visibly "done" look.

Do international patients pay more?

No. At HERA in Gangnam you're treated directly by a board-certified doctor with an on-site English interpreter, and charged the same price as our Korean patients.

Considering the same?

Have Dr. Jong Seon Kim review your case

Send us a photo and your concern. Dr. Jong Seon Kim will tell you honestly whether this treatment is right for you — no pressure, the same price our Korean patients pay.

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