Every Wrinkle Has Its Own Cause | Gangnam Seoul, Korea Dermatology Clinic Guide

When researching Lifting & Tightening procedures, many people first look at the 'depth' to which energy is delivered.

However, it can be said that the 'cause' is more important than the depth.

In fact, wrinkles are divided into different types:

• Fine lines
• Expression lines
• Deep wrinkles caused by loss of elasticity

These three tell different stories, so understanding the cause first determines whether Rejuran, Botulinum Toxin, or Monopolar RF is right for you.

So today, we will tell you what to look for first when choosing a wrinkle treatment in the Sinnonhyeon dermatology clinic.

Take just 1 minute to read this.

When consulting about wrinkles in the clinic, many people ask, "Wouldn't it be enough to just get the most powerful procedure?"

However, even for the same facial wrinkles, if the cause of their occurrence is different, the approach will naturally differ.

If the cause of wrinkles is different, the applicable procedure also changes. They can be broadly divided into three types:

• Fine lines that appear as shallow cracks in the skin texture due to skin aging
• Expression lines that fold as facial muscles repeatedly move
• Deep, thick wrinkles that form as skin elasticity decreases

It's easy to understand if you compare it to a wall. Shallow cracks on the surface can be filled, but cracks caused by the wall itself leaning require structural correction.

Wrinkles are similar; if you receive a procedure that is not suitable for the cause of your wrinkles, it may be difficult to achieve the desired results.

Therefore, the first thing we do in a consultation is not to choose a procedure, but to collaboratively identify the cause of your wrinkles.

For fine lines that appear as shallow cracks in the skin texture due to collagen reduction, Rejuran may be considered.

Rejuran is a procedure that approaches by directly injecting ingredients into the skin to improve the skin's own texture and regenerative power.

It is often suitable for areas where the skin is thin and fine lines are prominent, such as around the eyes or on the cheeks.

A key characteristic is the speed of change.

Rather than immediate changes right after the procedure, the texture gradually improves as new collagen is formed, so it is better to observe changes over time.

(※ Effects and reactions may vary depending on individual skin condition, and suitability for the procedure is determined through consultation with medical staff.)

For the same reason, there are cases where people feel "it doesn't seem to be effective" even after receiving the procedure.

Most of these cases are related to the speed at which changes appear or initial recovery reactions, which we have separately summarized in What to check first when Rejuran seems ineffective.

If you are concerned about shallow fine lines around your eyes and forehead, you may also find it helpful to read The story of fine lines around the eyes and forehead and Skin Booster.

If you are unsure what type of fine lines you have, you can check the area and condition first by Consulting via chat now.

Wrinkles that appear between the eyebrows, around the eyes, and on the forehead when smiling or frowning are often primarily caused by muscle movement.

Botulinum Toxin is often used for such expression lines, and it works by relaxing excessive muscle movement.

What is easily overlooked here are the frequency and dosage.

There is a view that if it is repeated too frequently or excessively, antibodies may form, leading to a reduced effect compared to before.

Adhering to the appropriate frequency and dosage can be helpful for long-term management.

After the procedure, temporary changes in muscle movement, swelling, and redness may appear, and reactions may vary depending on the individual's condition.

Therefore, it is important to determine the appropriate dosage and area together during the pre-procedure consultation.

For deep, thick wrinkles caused by decreased skin elasticity, Monopolar Radiofrequency (RF) Lifting & Tightening devices such as Thermage FLX or OligioX may be considered.

This method delivers thermal energy to the deep layers of the skin to induce collagen regeneration and help improve elasticity.

Like Rejuran, RF-based treatments also show results as new collagen forms, so changes are often felt after a certain period rather than immediately after the procedure.

Temporary swelling, heat sensation, and redness may appear in the treated area, and there may be individual differences.

If you are curious about the characteristics and criteria for each device, you can broaden your understanding by reading Misconceptions about Thermage pain and effects and The difference between Oligio and Onda Lifting.

There are cases where Rejuran, Botulinum Toxin, and Monopolar RF are performed together to expect a synergistic effect.

This can be a reasonable choice for individuals who have wrinkles caused by different factors.

However, this combination is not equally suitable for everyone.

It is necessary to consider your wrinkle type, skin condition, and recovery conditions to determine the sequence and combination.

Receiving strong procedures all at once is not always the answer; choosing methods appropriate for the cause and performing them as needed often leads to greater satisfaction.

Effects are not achieved by the procedure alone.

Daily habits influence the maintenance of results, and two things are particularly important.

1. UV Protection

UV radiation is known to be associated with collagen damage and is a factor that exacerbates skin aging and wrinkles.

Even newly formed elasticity from a procedure can be quickly depleted if UV protection is neglected.

Consistently applying sunscreen can be helpful.

2. Correcting Facial Expression Habits

If you unconsciously frown or squint your eyes intensely, expression lines will repeatedly form.

Consciously reducing such habits can help maintain the effects.

If you want to know more about post-procedure care, please refer to The story of post-procedure regeneration care.

Rather than receiving excessively strong procedures all at once, consistent care with methods suitable for your skin may be more beneficial in the long run.

If you are curious about which wrinkle type you have or what approach would be best, please Consult via chat now to tell us the area and condition, and we will assist you with booking and consultation.

Can I receive the same procedure for both fine lines and deep wrinkles?

Since the causes vary depending on the wrinkle type, the same procedure may not be equally suitable for all wrinkles.

Rejuran is considered for fine lines, Botulinum Toxin for expression lines, and Monopolar RF for deep wrinkles caused by loss of elasticity. It is important to identify your wrinkle type through consultation with medical staff.

Is it true that the effect of Botulinum Toxin decreases if administered too frequently?

There is a view that if administered too frequently or excessively, antibodies may form, leading to a reduced effect compared to before.

Adhering to the appropriate frequency and dosage can be helpful for long-term management, and the specific frequency may vary depending on individual conditions, so it is best to decide after consultation.

Is it wrong if I don't feel an immediate effect right after Rejuran or Thermage procedures?

Rejuran and Monopolar RF (Thermage, OligioX) treatments work by gradually showing changes as new collagen is formed.

Even if immediate changes are not felt right after the procedure, improvements are often experienced over time.

(※ The speed of change may vary individually.)

Is receiving all three procedures simultaneously always more effective?

While combining the three procedures to expect synergy is an option, this combination is not equally suitable for everyone.

It is important to consider your wrinkle type, skin condition, and overall health to determine the optimal combination and sequence through consultation.

What is the most important daily care after wrinkle procedures?

UV protection and correction of facial expression habits can help maintain the effects.

UV radiation is associated with collagen damage and can rapidly deplete newly formed elasticity, and reducing unconscious habits like frowning or squinting intensely can also help delay the recurrence of expression lines.

For injection procedures like Rejuran, swelling, redness, and minor marks may appear at the injection site immediately after the procedure, usually subsiding within a few days, with individual differences.

Botulinum Toxin typically has minimal downtime, but numbness or temporary changes in facial expression may occur immediately after the procedure.

Monopolar RF treatments like Thermage FLX and OligioX, which deliver thermal energy, may cause a sensation of heat, redness, and mild swelling in the treated area, which usually subsides within a few days.

(※ Recovery speed and reaction intensity may vary depending on the area, intensity, and individual skin condition, and it is best to confirm the specific progress during a consultation.)

The cost of wrinkle procedures is not fixed but varies depending on what is done and how it is performed.

For Rejuran, the injection volume and area, for Botulinum Toxin, the area and dosage (units), and for Monopolar RF, the type of device and treatment area (number of shots) are the main factors determining the cost.

When designing a combination of these three procedures, the cost structure also changes depending on the combination, sequence, and whether post-care is included.

The exact cost will be provided after confirming your wrinkle type and area during a consultation.

O.N Clinic is conveniently located on Gangnam-daero, easily accessible on foot from Gangnam Station Exit 11.

If you want to find out which wrinkle type you have or what approach would be best, please Consult via chat now to tell us the area and condition, and we will assist you with booking and consultation.

Author: Dr. Oh Seung-min (Chief Director of O.N Clinic, graduated from Seoul National University College of Medicine, Academic Committee Chairman of the Korean Laser Dermatology and Hair Society). For detailed history, please refer to Medical Staff Introduction. First published 2026-07-08 / Last reviewed 2026-08-02

This article is for general informational purposes only, and appropriate treatment and results may vary depending on individual conditions.