Dermal fillers have completely transformed the landscape of aesthetic medicine. What once required invasive surgery can now be achieved through simple, quick injections with little to no downtime. According to Precedence Research, the global dermal fillers market was valued at USD 7.01 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to USD 15.71 billion by 2034. This massive growth underscores how fillers have become an essential tool for non-surgical facial rejuvenation.
As we age, the fat pads in our face shrink and descend, collagen production slows, and the skin loses elasticity. Picture a balloon losing air—the surface begins to sag and wrinkle. This results in hollow temples, sunken cheeks, a drooping jawline, and deepening lines. Dermal fillers restore lost volume and provide critical structural support, lifting sagging areas and recreating youthful facial contours. When expertly administered, fillers can help patients look 5 to 10 years younger by addressing these volume deficits while preserving natural expressions. Before-and-after photos worldwide show stunning transformations—hollow temples filled, sunken mid-faces restored, and youthful curves returned to the cheeks and jaw.
The history of fillers dates back to the 1980s with bovine collagen-based products like Zyderm and Zyplast. These provided early solutions for wrinkle correction but required allergy testing and had short durations.
The introduction of hyaluronic acid (HA) fillers in the late 1990s revolutionized the field. HA is a substance naturally present in human skin, joints, and connective tissue, making it highly biocompatible and hypoallergenic. Unlike earlier options, HA fillers did not require allergy testing. Moreover, their effects could be easily reversed with hyaluronidase, providing flexibility and added safety.
HA fillers quickly became the gold standard because they were affordable, reversible, and offered immediate results. They allowed practitioners to correct wrinkles, add volume, and enhance facial contours with minimal risk and downtime.
However, despite their many advantages, HA fillers come with limitations. A significant drawback is that HA is highly hydrophilic—it attracts and retains water. While this can enhance plumpness and hydration, it can also cause swelling or puffiness, especially when overused or injected superficially. A study in Dermatologic Surgery confirmed that HA fillers can lead to a "puffy" or "pillowy" appearance in certain cases. This is especially common in the under-eye area where the skin is thin and prone to the Tyndall effect, a bluish discoloration caused by superficial placement of the filler.
Initially, non-crosslinked HA fillers lasted 6 to 12 months. Technological advances led to the introduction of crosslinking, particularly with BDDE (1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether). This improved the durability of HA fillers, with some lasting up to 18 months.
However, BDDE has come under scrutiny in academic circles. Although the trace amounts used in fillers are considered safe, some studies have pointed to potential carcinogenic concerns if present in large quantities. (De Boulle et al., Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, 2020). This has spurred innovation in the industry, with manufacturers developing products that reduce or eliminate BDDE where possible.
One of the leading advancements in HA fillers is EPTQ, produced by Jetema Co., Ltd., a major South Korean biopharmaceutical company. Established in 2009, Jetema is listed on the KOSDAQ (stock ticker: 216080). As of April 2025, the company’s market capitalization is approximately ₩266.68 billion (USD 182 million). Jetema is widely recognized as an aesthetic industry giant in Asia, particularly known for its advanced dermal filler technologies.
EPTQ fillers utilize physical crosslinking technology that minimizes the use of BDDE, resulting in more cohesive, long-lasting products with an improved safety profile. This innovation provides patients with the benefits of HA fillers—such as reversibility and affordability—without some of the safety concerns associated with older crosslinking methods.
At Ozhean Group, we have transitioned from traditional HA products like Juvederm to EPTQ. We value its combination of performance, safety, and patient satisfaction. EPTQ fillers deliver natural-looking results, excellent volume retention, and fewer side effects, making them our HA filler of choice.
Ellansé emerged in the early 2010s and has quickly gained a loyal following. Unlike HA fillers, Ellansé provides both instant volume restoration and collagen stimulation, which improves skin quality over time. Composed of polycaprolactone (PCL) microspheres suspended in carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) gel, Ellansé offers results that can last up to two years.
Ellansé has become especially popular in South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, and China, where patients favor treatments that deliver natural, long-lasting results without appearing overdone. Numerous influencers and beauty experts, including Trinny Woodall and various K-beauty personalities, have praised Ellansé for its ability to create subtle yet profound facial improvements.
As a biostimulator, Ellansé not only fills but also encourages the skin to produce new collagen. Over time, this results in firmer, more youthful skin—even after the initial filler has biodegraded.
One important consideration: Ellansé is not reversible with hyaluronidase, unlike HA fillers. If correction is necessary, practitioners may use saline injections to help disperse the product, though this is only partially effective. This makes proper planning, precision, and experience critical when using Ellansé.
At Ozhean Group, our doctors are extensively trained in advanced techniques, including our signature 7-Point Lasting Lift, to ensure that Ellansé is administered safely and artistically.
One of the earliest biostimulatory fillers, Sculptra uses poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) to stimulate collagen growth. However, it is a weak volumizer and has a known risk of causing nodules or bumps when improperly injected (Park et al., J Dermatolog Treat, 2021).
PDLLA (poly-D,L-lactic acid) fillers like Lenisna are newer alternatives to PLLA. Their microsphere structure enhances biocompatibility and reduces risks like nodule formation or scarring. PDLLA has become incredibly popular in South Korea for its balanced volumizing and collagen-boosting effects.
Radiesse contains calcium hydroxylapatite (CaHA) microspheres. It provides immediate volume and promotes collagen production, particularly types I and III collagen—which Merz, its manufacturer, claims results in softer, more youthful tissue. However, its effects typically last 6 to 12 months.
PDO (polydioxanone) fillers like UltraCol are the newest entrants in the biostimulatory filler category. They are biocompatible and stimulate collagen, offering results comparable to inserting 100 PDO threads in one treatment. However, their duration is relatively short—3 to 6 months.
| Filler Type | Composition | Volume | Collagen Stimulation | Longevity | Reversible | Risks |
| HA Fillers (EPTQ) | Hyaluronic Acid | Yes | Low | 6-18 months | Yes | Swelling, Tyndall effect |
| Ellansé | PCL Microspheres | Yes | High | Up to 2 years | No | Precision needed |
| Sculptra (PLLA) | Poly-L-lactic acid | No | High | Up to 2 years | No | Nodules possible |
| PDLLA (Lenisna) | PDLLA Microspheres | Yes | Moderate | Up to 2 years | No | Minimal bumps |
| Radiesse (CaHA) | CaHA Microspheres | Yes | Moderate | 6-12 months | No | Shorter duration |
| PDO Fillers | PDO | Minimal | Mild | 3-6 months | No | Short duration |
At Ozhean Group, we customize each treatment plan based on your needs, facial anatomy, and long-term goals:
By combining advanced products with precision techniques, we achieve results that are natural, safe, and long-lasting.
When choosing between Ellansé vs Traditional Fillers, there is no universal answer. It depends on whether you value reversibility, longevity, collagen stimulation, or a blend of all three. What’s essential is working with a qualified, experienced injector who can help you select the best product—and apply it artfully for the most flattering, youthful, and natural result.
Book a personalized consultation with Dr. Park today and discover how Ellansé or other fillers can redefine your beauty - naturally and gracefully.
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