For nasolabial folds, which fits better: Hilo Wave or filler?
Hilo Wave is compared for texture and dryness around the nasolabial folds and natural contour refinement, filler for deeply indented nasolabial folds, and lifting when sagging is the cause. Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic in Myeongji-dong, Busan explains how the two treatments differ, the durations the clinic gives, study figures on delayed reactions such as nodules, and the published fees.
Quick answer
Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic in Myeongji-dong, Busan recommends Hilo Wave, a hyaluronic acid skin booster, when the skin around the nasolabial folds is dry with fine lines and rough texture, or when you want natural refinement of the fold area, and hyaluronic acid (HA) filler when the nasolabial folds look deeply indented even at rest. Hilo Wave is recommended 3 or more times at 3-4 week intervals with maintenance considered on a 4-6 month cycle, and the clinic gives the duration of filler as about 6 months to 1 year. If the folds have deepened because the cheeks are sagging, neither treatment can lift sagging skin, so lifting is compared as well.
Why it matters now
Hilo Wave and filler both inject hyaluronic acid, but Hilo Wave is a skin booster injected into the dermis to manage the moisture environment, texture and firmness, while filler restores missing volume in hollow or indented areas, so the expected change differs even for the same nasolabial fold. If you do not first work out whether the fold is a texture problem, volume loss or sagging skin, you may spend sessions and money without getting the change you wanted.
Are my nasolabial folds a texture problem, volume loss or sagging?
If the skin around the nasolabial folds is dry with fine lines, or you want to refine the fold line naturally, look at Hilo Wave first; if the nasolabial folds look deeply indented even at rest, look at filler first. If the folds have deepened as the cheeks sag downward, compare lifting rather than only the two volume-adding treatments.
| If this is your situation | Option to consider | Evidence and limits |
|---|---|---|
| The skin around the nasolabial folds is dry, with fine lines and rough texture | Option to considerHilo Wave (hyaluronic acid skin booster) | Evidence and limitsMyongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic uses Hilo Wave for dryness, rough texture, fine lines and loss of firmness. Because it is recommended 3 or more times at 3-4 week intervals, it is not a way to fill a deep groove in one session. |
| The fold line has started to hollow and you want a change that does not show | Option to considerHilo Wave (contour refinement) | Evidence and limitsThe clinic says it also uses Hilo Wave for natural contour refinement of under-eye hollows, nasolabial folds and areas of midface volume loss. The manufacturer's stated package size is 2.0 mL per unit, but the volume and duration for the nasolabial area are not in the clinic's or manufacturer's published materials, so they are confirmed at consultation. |
| The nasolabial folds are deeply indented and cast a shadow even at rest | Option to considerFiller (hyaluronic acid) | Evidence and limitsThe clinic recommends filler when deep nasolabial folds are the concern and gives its duration as about 6 months to 1 year. Although rare, the nasolabial area is one where vision problems after filler have been reported. |
| The cheeks and midface are hollow too, making the folds look deeper | Option to considerFiller or Hilo Wave, chosen at consultation | Evidence and limitsThe filler page covers cases where the cheeks, nasolabial area and under-eyes have sunk with aging, and the Hilo Wave page covers contour refinement of areas with midface volume loss. Which fits is decided by looking at the depth and extent of the hollowing. |
| Dry skin and deep nasolabial folds together | Option to considerConsult on filler and Hilo Wave together | Evidence and limitsThere is a study in which filler and a skin booster were injected on the same day, but we did not directly find a study comparing intervals between the two treatments. The clinic's published materials also give no guidance on order or interval, so whether to combine them and the schedule are decided at consultation. |
| The folds deepen as the cheeks sag downward | Option to considerCompare lifting | Evidence and limitsHilo Wave and filler inject hyaluronic acid, so they cannot lift sagging skin. Adding volume alone may leave the sagging in place. |
Hilo Wave and filler are both hyaluronic acid, so what is the difference?
Both inject hyaluronic acid, but their goals differ. Hilo Wave injects high- and low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid into the dermis to help improve the skin's inner moisture environment and manage texture and firmness, while filler injects hyaluronic acid filler into hollow or indented areas to restore missing volume.
What each treatment aims to change
Hilo Wave is used to manage dryness, rough texture, fine lines and loss of firmness, and for natural contour refinement of the nasolabial fold area. Filler aims to restore volume in indented areas such as nasolabial folds and hollow cheeks.
Injection approach
For Hilo Wave, injection depth and interval are decided at consultation after checking skin thickness and the area of concern. For filler, injection position, depth and volume are adjusted to each area's structure, and the area is shaped after injection.
Number of sessions and when to judge the change
Hilo Wave is recommended 3 or more times at 3-4 week intervals, and according to the clinic improvement in texture and firmness can be felt after 2-3 weeks. The filler page lists people who want quick volume improvement without surgery as candidates.
Typical injection volume
In nasolabial fold filler studies, about 0.8-1.7 mL was typically injected per fold. A study of 104 people with moderate nasolabial folds used a median initial injection of 0.8 mL plus a 0.3 mL touch-up, and a study of 123 people with moderate to severe folds used a median of 1.7 mL for the initial injection and touch-up combined. The manufacturer's information also gives no volume for using Hilo Wave on nasolabial folds.
Duration
Hilo Wave maintenance is considered on a 4-6 month cycle, and the clinic gives the duration of filler as about 6 months to 1 year. In nasolabial fold filler studies, improvement was mostly maintained up to 12 months, and at 18 months 59% maintained improvement with one product, so results varied by product. No published materials give a duration for Hilo Wave used only in the nasolabial area.
The manufacturer describes Hilo Wave as a tissue-repair biomaterial that injects cross-linked hyaluronic acid, with the stated purpose of temporarily improving facial wrinkles in adults. In nasolabial fold studies, two cross-linked hyaluronic acid fillers showed similar improvement over 12 months of follow-up, while two non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid products gave short-term correction but limited duration of effect.
How does Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic perform Hilo Wave and filler, and what do they cost?
Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic in Myeongji-dong, Gangseo-gu, Busan performs Hilo Wave over about 20-30 minutes after applying numbing ointment, and says swelling, redness and bruising usually ease within a few days. Filler is performed over about 10-20 minutes after topical or local anesthesia, with injection position, depth and volume set to each area's structure, and the clinic gives the recovery period as within 1 week.
The published non-covered fee list shows Hilo Wave 2cc at KRW 550,000 per session, and for filler, Rejuviel 1cc at KRW 150,000 and Belotero 1cc at KRW 250,000 (checked November 2, 2026). The filler product and volume used for nasolabial folds and the cost of Hilo Wave volumes other than 2cc are not published, so the total cost including the recommended number of sessions is confirmed at consultation, and non-covered fees may change.
| Item | Hilo Wave | Dermal Fillers |
|---|---|---|
| Anesthesia | Hilo WaveNumbing ointment | Dermal FillersTopical or local anesthesia |
| Treatment time | Hilo WaveAbout 20-30 minutes | Dermal FillersAbout 10-20 minutes |
| Sessions and maintenance | Hilo Wave3 or more times at 3-4 week intervals recommended; maintenance on a 4-6 month cycle considered | Dermal FillersDuration about 6 months to 1 year |
| Recovery | Hilo WaveSwelling, redness and bruising usually ease within a few days | Dermal FillersRecovery period within 1 week |
| Published fee | Hilo Wave2cc, 1 session KRW 550,000 | Dermal FillersRejuviel 1cc KRW 150,000, Belotero 1cc KRW 250,000 |
For nasolabial folds, how large are the effects and side effects such as nodules in numbers?
Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic has no published statistics on Hilo Wave or filler results and side effects. In a randomized study of 47 people who received cross-linked hyaluronic acid filler in the nasolabial folds, almost all participants were rated as improved over 12 months, and delayed inflammatory reactions such as nodules after hyaluronic acid filler were rare, at about 1 case per 2,000 patients over 1 year of follow-up.
Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic data
Treatment results and side-effect statistics including nodules: no published data
Converset-Viethel et al., 2025 (randomized, double-blind, split-face; 50 randomized, 47 analyzed)
Two cross-linked hyaluronic acid fillers were injected into opposite sides of moderate to severe nasolabial folds, with 12 months of follow-up. Both evaluators and participants rated almost all participants as improved throughout the study, and the two products had similar effectiveness and safety. These are not the clinic's products, and the authors received support from the manufacturer.
Ahn et al., 2012 (randomized, split-face; 40 people)
Two non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid products were each injected twice into one nasolabial fold, and at the optimal result 98% showed a 1-2 point improvement in wrinkle score. The investigators concluded that they were effective for short-term correction but that the duration of effect was limited. These are products other than Hilo Wave.
Seo et al., 2026 (systematic review and meta-analysis; 242 studies)
Delayed inflammatory reactions after hyaluronic acid filler occurred at 0.0005 events per patient-year, or about 1 case per 2,000 people over 1 year of follow-up. The median time to onset was 3 months (2 weeks to 12 years), common presentations were nodules, redness, swelling and hardening, and frequency differed by the filler's cross-linking technology. These results pool filler studies and are not figures for skin boosters.
Beleznay et al., 2015 (literature review; 98 cases of vision problems)
Of 98 reported cases of vision problems after filler, 13.3% involved the nasolabial area and 23.5% involved hyaluronic acid filler. The most common symptoms were immediate vision loss and pain, and most vision loss did not recover.
Dayan et al., 2020 (randomized, split-face; 123 people)
Cross-linked hyaluronic acid filler was injected into one side of moderate to severe nasolabial folds, with 18 months of follow-up. The share improved by at least 1 grade was 93% at 6 months, 85% at 9 months and 59% at 18 months, and repeat treatment achieved similar improvement with about one-third of the initial volume. This is not the clinic's product.
Lee et al., 2024 (single-arm pilot study; 20 people)
After a hyaluronic acid skin booster was microinjected into the dermis 3 times at 2-week intervals, wrinkle scores fell by 40% at 8 weeks and about 33% improvement was maintained up to 12 weeks. One of the 20 participants developed a transient subcutaneous nodule, and there were no serious adverse events. This is a product other than Hilo Wave.
Hilo Wave data
Effects and nodule frequency of Hilo Wave injected into nasolabial folds: no directly verified published data
Points to note when reading the figures
All study products differ from the Hilo Wave and filler products used at the clinic, and participants and counting methods vary between studies, so the figures cannot be applied directly to an individual's results or risk.
What should I avoid after treatment, and which symptoms mean I should come back to the clinic?
After Hilo Wave, face washing and makeup may be restricted on the day of treatment, and saunas, jjimjilbang, strenuous exercise and alcohol are avoided for at least 2-3 days. After filler, avoid makeup for about 1 hour right after treatment, do not rub or press the treated area, and take care that it is not pressed by a pillow or your hands.
Common reactions that pass
Swelling, redness, bruising, pain and itching may appear temporarily right after Hilo Wave, and bruising, swelling and mild pain after filler.
Symptoms to report right away
If your vision becomes blurred or you cannot see, with severe pain, during or right after filler injection, tell the medical staff immediately. In a review of 98 cases of vision problems after filler, the most common symptoms were immediate vision loss and pain.
Symptoms that need another visit weeks to months later
If you newly feel a lump (nodule) in the treated area, or redness, swelling or hardening develops, see the clinic again. In hyaluronic acid filler studies, such delayed reactions were reported from 2 weeks to 12 years after treatment.
When reactions continue after Hilo Wave
The clinic advises that if abnormal reactions persist after Hilo Wave, a check by the medical staff is needed.
The cause of nasolabial folds, the injected product and volume, and the course of recovery vary with each person's condition and the medical staff's judgment, so your own medical staff's diagnosis and guidance take priority over general information online. The typical intervals, durations and volumes in this article are reference values based on published studies and product information, and the exact values for you are confirmed at consultation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Hilo Wave and filler
Both inject hyaluronic acid, but Hilo Wave is a skin booster that injects high- and low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid into the dermis to manage the moisture environment, texture and firmness, while filler restores missing volume in hollow or indented areas. So Hilo Wave is given 3 or more times at 3-4 week intervals, whereas filler is injected into the planned area and then shaped.
If I get Hilo Wave for nasolabial folds, will it plump them up like filler
Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic uses Hilo Wave for natural contour refinement of the nasolabial fold area and recommends filler when deep nasolabial folds are the concern. Hilo Wave works on texture and firmness over several sessions, and according to the clinic improvement can be felt from 2-3 weeks, so the way it changes the skin differs from filler, which fills indented areas and changes their shape.
How long does Hilo Wave last for nasolabial folds
Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic advises that after 3 or more Hilo Wave sessions at 3-4 week intervals, maintenance is considered on a 4-6 month cycle; neither the clinic's nor the manufacturer's published materials give a duration specific to the nasolabial area. For reference, in studies of cross-linked hyaluronic acid filler injected into nasolabial folds, improvement was mostly maintained up to 12 months and about 59% was maintained at 18 months depending on the product, and the clinic gives the duration of filler as about 6 months to 1 year.
About the clinic behind this article
Myongji Best Plastic Surgery Clinic is a board-certified plastic surgery clinic in Myeongji-dong, Gangseo-gu, Busan. Dr. Hyungseok Noh, board-certified plastic surgeon and medical director, provides care.
- Address
- Units 302–305, Building 1, 3 Myeongji-gukje 2-ro 28beon-gil, Gangseo-gu, Busan
- Main Line
- 051-711-7991
- Clinic Hours
- Weekdays AM 10:00 ~ PM 07:30Saturday AM 10:00 ~ PM 03:00Sundays & Public Holidays Closed
- Treatment guide
- View the Hilo Wave page
- Booking
- Naver Booking
REFERENCES
References
This article uses the clinic’s published information together with authoritative medical sources.
- Myongji Best Plastic Surgery ClinicHilo Wave information
Supports: Injection of high- and low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid into the dermis, target concerns, contour refinement of under-eye hollows, nasolabial folds and the midface, when effects are felt, intervals and maintenance, consultation on injection depth
It can be used when dryness, rough texture, fine lines and loss of firmness are concerns. It is also used for natural contour refinement of under-eye hollows, nasolabial folds and areas of midface volume loss. Improvement in texture and firmness can be felt after 2-3 weeks. 3 or more sessions at 3-4 week intervals are recommended, and maintenance is considered on a 4-6 month cycle. Injection depth and interval are discussed after checking skin thickness and the area of concern.
- Myongji Best Plastic Surgery ClinicHilo Wave basic treatment information and aftercare
Supports: Treatment time, anesthesia, recovery period, reactions right after treatment and what to avoid afterward
Treatment time: about 20-30 minutes. Anesthesia: numbing ointment. Recovery period: swelling, redness and bruising usually ease within a few days. Temporary swelling, redness, bruising, pain and itching may appear right after treatment. Face washing and makeup may be restricted on the day of treatment. Saunas, jjimjilbang, strenuous exercise and alcohol are avoided for at least 2-3 days. If abnormal reactions persist, a check by the medical staff is needed.
- Myongji Best Plastic Surgery ClinicDermal filler information
Supports: Recommended for deep nasolabial folds and hollow cheeks, nasolabial areas and under-eyes; hyaluronic acid injection; position, depth and volume adjusted by area
When deep nasolabial folds are a concern. When the cheeks, nasolabial area, under-eyes and similar areas have sunk with aging. When quick volume improvement is wanted without surgery. Hyaluronic acid filler is injected into hollow or indented areas to restore missing volume. Injection position, depth and volume are adjusted to each area's structure, and the area is shaped after injection.
- Myongji Best Plastic Surgery ClinicFiller treatment information and aftercare
Supports: Treatment time and anesthesia, duration and recovery period, reactions and precautions after treatment
Treatment takes about 10-20 minutes with topical or local anesthesia. The duration is about 6 months to 1 year, and the recovery period is within 1 week. Temporary bruising, swelling and mild pain may occur. Please avoid makeup for about 1 hour right after treatment. Please do not rub or press the treated area. Please take care that the treated area is not pressed by a pillow or your hands.
- Myongji Best Plastic Surgery ClinicNon-covered fee information
Supports: Published fees for Hilo Wave 2cc, Rejuviel and Belotero
Hilo Wave 2cc 1 session KRW 550,000, Rejuviel 1cc 1 session KRW 150,000, Belotero 1cc 1 session KRW 250,000
- HILO WAVEHILO WAVE product information
Supports: Hilo Wave's product classification (tissue-repair biomaterial), whether it is cross-linked hyaluronic acid, package size of 2.0 mL per unit, and intended use
Product category: tissue-repair biomaterial. Package: 2.0ml * 1Syr/box. Main ingredient: HA 48mg. Intended use: to temporarily improve facial wrinkles in adults … Used to temporarily improve facial wrinkles in adults through physical repair by injecting cross-linked hyaluronic acid subcutaneously
- PubMedSafety and Effectiveness of Hyaluronic Acid Injectable Gel in Correcting Moderate Nasolabial Folds in Chinese Subjects
Wu Y, Xu J, Jia Y, Murphy DK. J Drugs Dermatol. 2016;15(1):70-76. PMID: 26741384
Supports: Initial and touch-up volumes per fold and 6-month response rates in a randomized study of 104 people with moderate nasolabial folds
Among the 104 subjects who completed the study, median initial volumes (mL) were 0.8 (range, 0.2-1.4) for Juvéderm Ultra and 0.8 (0.3-1.5) for Restylane; median touch-up volumes were 0.3 (0.1-0.5) and 0.3 (0.1-0.5), respectively. At 6 months, investigator-assessed responder rates were 87.3% for both products, indicating that Juvéderm Ultra was noninferior to Restylane; mean improvement in NLFSS scores from baseline was 1.0 for both products.
- PubMedA prospective, split-face, randomized, comparative study of safety and 12-month longevity of three formulations of hyaluronic acid dermal filler for treatment of nasolabial folds
Prager W, Wissmueller E, Havermann I, et al. Dermatol Surg. 2012;38(7 Pt 2):1143-1150. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2012.02468.x. PMID: 22759250
Supports: Injection volume per fold and 12-month course in a 40-person split-face study of three hyaluronic acid fillers in nasolabial folds
Mean volume of HA was slightly <1.5 mL/NLF. … Mean pretreatment NLF severity rating for both arms was 2.3; at 12 months, mean posttreatment severity rating was 1.5 for HA-1/HA-2 and 1.6 for HA-1/HA-3.
- PubMedSafety and Effectiveness of VYC-17.5L for Long-Term Correction of Nasolabial Folds
Dayan S, Maas CS, Grimes PE, et al. Aesthet Surg J. 2020;40(7):767-777. doi:10.1093/asj/sjz200. PMID: 31346621
Supports: Injection volume, 6-, 9- and 18-month response rates and retreatment volume in a randomized study of 123 people with moderate to severe nasolabial folds
Median volume of Vollure injected was 1.7 mL for initial/touch-up treatment combined and 0.6 mL for repeat treatment. The NLF Severity Scale responder rates were 93%, 85%, and 59% at months 6, 9, and 18 after initial/touch-up treatment and increased to 94% at 1 month after repeat treatment. … Repeat treatment required one-third of the injection volume to achieve similar improvement in NLF severity as initial/touch-up treatment.
- PubMedThe efficacy of intradermal hyaluronic acid filler as a skin quality booster: A prospective, single-center, single-arm pilot study
Lee JH, Kim J, Lee YN, et al. J Cosmet Dermatol. 2024;23(2):409-416. doi:10.1111/jocd.15944. PMID: 37705328
Supports: Wrinkle improvement rate and a transient subcutaneous nodule in a 20-person study of a hyaluronic acid skin booster given 3 times at 2-week intervals
They received three injections at 2-week intervals and were followed up for a total of 12 weeks. … The mean Lemperle wrinkle scale demonstrated a 40% decrease from 2.60 ± 0.60 at baseline to 1.55 ± 0.51 at week 8. The improvement rate was maintained at about 33% until week 12. … No serious adverse effects or persistent adverse effects were reported, except for a transient subcutaneous nodule in one subject.
- PubMedEvaluation of the Performance and Tolerance of the Combination of an HA-based Filler with Tri-Hyal Technology and a Skin Biorevitalizer on Skin Aging Parameters
Fanian F, Philippon V, Gorj M, et al. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol. 2023;16:1095-1105. doi:10.2147/CCID.S372490. PMID: 37123622
Supports: A study in which hyaluronic acid filler and a skin biorevitalizer were injected together on the same day (manufacturer-supported)
To demonstrate the anti-aging performance and safety of a new protocol, BIONUTRILIFT, which combined an HA-based filler with Tri-Hyal technology and a skin biorevitalizer, to target the skin quality and wrinkles correction at the same time. … BIONUTRILIFT may satisfy the subjects' demand by obtaining in the same session a simple, personalized, noninvasive, atraumatic, and reproductible technique.
- PubMedEffectiveness and Safety of STYLAGE® L Lidocaine in the Treatment of Nasolabial Folds (NICE Study): A Randomized, Double-Blind, Split-Face Controlled Study
Converset-Viethel S, Dobosz M, Baspeyras M, et al. Aesthetic Plast Surg. 2025;49(24):6846-6857. doi:10.1007/s00266-025-05105-2. PMID: 40830240
Supports: A randomized, double-blind, split-face study injecting two cross-linked hyaluronic acid fillers into nasolabial folds with 12 months of follow-up
This was a double-blind, randomized, controlled, within-subject (split-face) study with 12 months follow-up. … Of the 50 subjects randomized, 47 were analyzed. … Both evaluators and subjects considered NLFs improved, with all or almost all subjects classed as GAIS responders with both devices throughout the study. … Results up to 12 months suggest comparable effectiveness and safety profiles.
- PubMedClinical comparison of two hyaluronic acid-derived fillers in the treatment of nasolabial folds: Mesoglow® and IAL System®
Ahn JY, Lee SH, Park KY, et al. Int J Dermatol. 2012;51(5):601-608. doi:10.1111/j.1365-4632.2011.05347.x. PMID: 22515587
Supports: Improvement rates and duration of effect in a 40-person randomized split-face study of two non-cross-linked hyaluronic acid products in nasolabial folds
At the optimal cosmetic result, 98% of subjects showed a 1- or 2-point change in WSRS score with either treatment. … This study indicates that Mesoglow® and IAL System® are equally effective in achieving short-term correction of NLFs, but the longevity of their effects is limited.
- PubMedIncidence and Characteristics of Delayed Inflammatory Reactions Secondary to Hyaluronic Acid Filler Injections: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis
Seo J, Kadouch J, Pavicic T, et al. Aesthet Surg J Open Forum. 2026;8:ojag165. doi:10.1093/asjof/ojag165. PMID: 42781409
Supports: Frequency, time to onset and common presentations of delayed inflammatory reactions such as nodules after hyaluronic acid filler
The pooled incidence of DIRs was 0.0005 (95% CI, 0.0002-0.0013) events per patient-years, equivalent to an event occurring for every 2000 patients with 1 year of follow-up. … The median time to onset was 3 months (range, 2 weeks to 12 years), and time to resolution was 2.9 months (range, 1 day to 6 years). Common presentations included nodules, redness, swelling, and induration.
- PubMedAvoiding and Treating Blindness From Fillers: A Review of the World Literature
Beleznay K, Carruthers JD, Humphrey S, Jones D. Dermatol Surg. 2015;41(10):1097-1117. doi:10.1097/DSS.0000000000000486. PMID: 26356847
Supports: Risk sites (nasolabial 13.3%), filler types, common symptoms and recovery in 98 cases of vision problems after filler
The sites that were high risk for complications were the glabella (38.8%), nasal region (25.5%), nasolabial fold (13.3%), and forehead (12.2%). Autologous fat (47.9%) was the most common filler type to cause this complication, followed by hyaluronic acid (23.5%). The most common symptoms were immediate vision loss and pain. Most cases of vision loss did not recover.
Published 2026.11.03Last updated 2026.11.03