- Duration
- Advised after consultation, depending on area and coverage
- Recommended sessions
- Number of sessions and intervals decided after consultation
- Downtime
- Injection marks, slight swelling, or bruising possible (duration advised at your visit)
Dr. Kim Tae-hoon, Medical Director · Reviewed by our medical director
Board-certified dermatologist · review date to be posted
Ultracol induces collagen formation so that change appears over time, and the degree of change and how long it lasts vary by individual. Because hydration preparation is required for each patient, booking at least 5 days in advance is required.
01Overview
Ultracol A PDO collagen booster hydrated separately for each patient
Ultracol is an injectable collagen booster made from fine particles of PDO (polydioxanone), a material that has been used in medical sutures and other applications.
- Duration
- Advised after consultation, depending on area and coverage
- Recommended sessions
- Number of sessions and intervals decided after consultation
- Downtime
- Injection marks, slight swelling, or bruising possible (duration advised at your visit)
- How long it lasts
- Advised after consultation, depending on sessions and area (individual results vary)
How we approach it
The same device can be run very differently. This is how Grays approaches this treatment.
What matters in a collagen booster is not increasing the total amount of collagen, but the remodeling process through which collagen is rearranged to resemble normal dermis.
If the initial inflammatory response is excessive, too much collagen can form and lead to scarring that hardens into lumps. That is why we emphasize reducing an excessive initial inflammatory response so that an appropriate amount of collagen forms, and we perform collagen boosters mainly with Juvelook Volume and Ultracol.
Ultracol is prepared by hydrating a separate vial for each patient. For this reason, same-day treatment is difficult and booking at least 5 days in advance is required.
It is also applied to thin-skinned areas such as under the eyes and the forehead, where the concentration and injection layer are chosen with extra precision.
Dr. Kim Tae-hoon, Medical Director · Reviewed by our medical director
02What to expect
Changes over time
The principle is that as the injected PDO particles gradually break down in the body, they induce collagen formation in the surrounding tissue.
Booking and preparation
Once your booking is confirmed, hydration of your individual vial begins. A preparation period of at least 5 days is required.
Right after treatment
Injection marks, slight swelling, or bruising may appear and usually settle within a few days.
Collagen formation phase
The period in which PDO particles gradually break down and collagen formation progresses. Change appears gradually.
Progress check
We check the degree of change and decide whether and when to proceed with the next session. Results vary by individual.
Maintenance
The interval for care after completing the sessions is decided together based on progress.
Images are illustrative; actual course varies by individual.
05Before / After
Before & After
Clinical photos. Results vary with skin condition, age and treatment plan. Before-and-after photos are published with the patient's written consent, taken under identical conditions (lighting, angle) and never retouched. Results vary by individual.
06Aftercare
Recovery & care
- 01
Within 24 hours
Do not rub or press the injection sites. Avoid alcohol, strenuous exercise, and saunas on the day of treatment.
- 02
2-3 days
Slight swelling or bruising settles within a few days. If pain worsens or things are not as expected, contact us right away.
- 03
Within 2 weeks
We recommend waiting 2 weeks before massage or intensive skin treatments.
- 04
Progress check
The timing of further sessions or top-ups is decided together based on progress.
07FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is Ultracol?
Ultracol is a treatment that injects a collagen booster made from fine particles of PDO (polydioxanone). PDO is a material that has long been used in medical sutures and other applications. It is used to improve skin firmness, density, fine lines, and shallow hollows over time.
How does Ultracol work?
The principle is that while the injected PDO particles gradually break down in the body, they induce collagen formation in the surrounding tissue. The injected material does not create volume right away, so change appears gradually over time. The degree of change varies by individual depending on skin condition.
Can it be used under the eyes or on the forehead?
Yes, it can be used on thin-skinned areas such as under the eyes or the forehead. However, these areas have delicate anatomy, so the concentration and injection layer are chosen with extra precision. Under-eye hollowing has various causes, so depending on the cause, another approach such as filler or lifting may be more suitable.
Who is Ultracol suited to, and when is another treatment better?
We consider it for those whose skin has become thinner and less firm, or who are concerned about fine lines and subtle hollowing in shallow areas. Conversely, if you want clear volume change right after injection, or the area needs defined shape such as the nose or chin, filler may be more suitable. We decide together after checking skin thickness and the cause of hollowing at consultation.
Why do I need to book at least 5 days in advance?
As a rule, Ultracol is not mixed just before treatment; it is prepared through a thorough hydration process. Once your booking is confirmed, we record the patient's name and the hydration start date and begin hydrating that vial in advance. The prepared product is used exclusively for that patient, and even if the treatment does not take place, it is discarded rather than used for another patient.
How painful is it, and how long does it take?
There is an injection sensation, so topical numbing cream is applied beforehand to reduce discomfort. Treatment time depends on the area and coverage and is advised at your visit. How it feels varies by area and individual sensitivity.
Will I bruise or swell? What should I be careful about afterward?
Injection marks or slight swelling and bruising may appear, and they usually settle within a few days. For 24 hours after treatment, do not rub or press the injection sites, and avoid alcohol, strenuous exercise, and saunas on the day of treatment. We recommend waiting 2 weeks before massage or intensive skin treatments, and please contact us right away if pain worsens or you notice unexpected changes.
When will I notice results, and how long do they last?
Because collagen formation takes time, many people notice change as time passes rather than right after treatment. When change appears and how long it lasts depend on the area, number of sessions, and skin condition, and are advised at your visit. How long results last also varies by individual depending on lifestyle.
How many sessions do I need?
The number of sessions and intervals needed are decided after consultation based on skin thickness, your goal, and progress after 1 session. Rather than judging change from a single session, we adjust the plan while checking progress. We also advise on the timing of care after completing the sessions.
How do I choose between Ultracol and Juvelook Volume?
Both are boosters that induce collagen formation, but their ingredients differ: PDO (Ultracol) and PDLLA (Juvelook Volume). Grays Dermatology performs collagen boosters mainly with these two, choosing one or planning both together depending on the area, skin thickness, and degree of hollowing. Which approach suits you is advised after consultation.
Are there side effects? Is there anything I should tell you before treatment?
Along with bruising and swelling at the injection site, adverse reactions such as lumps (nodules) may rarely occur, so a board-certified dermatologist injects directly, following the set preparation process and injection method. Be sure to tell us at your visit if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, taking anticoagulants, or have ever had a hypersensitivity reaction to the product's ingredients. Treatment may be postponed if there is inflammation or infection at the injection site.
How much does it cost, and how do I book?
The cost depends on the area, volume, and number of sessions, and is confirmed after consultation; reference prices can be found on the price list on our website. Because Ultracol requires hydration preparation for each patient, same-day treatment is difficult and booking at least 5 days in advance is required. To book at Grays Dermatology in Haeundae, Busan, use Naver Booking, our KakaoTalk channel, or call +82-51-710-1891; consultations are also available via LINE.
Fees
Pricing depends on area, volume, and number of sessions, and is confirmed after consultation. Booking at least 5 days in advance is required.
See the fee schedule →References 3
- Korea MFDS medical device registry — searchable by approval number
- Korean Dermatological Association — specialist credential lookup
- Reviewed by: Dr. Kim Tae-hoon, Medical Director
⚠ Cautions & contraindications
- —Active infection or inflammation at the injection site
- —Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- —If you take anticoagulants, be sure to tell us at your visit (increased risk of bruising)
- —History of hypersensitivity reactions to the product's ingredients
Summary & comparison
| Treatment | Target layer | Main change | Duration | How long it lasts | Downtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultracol ← | — | A PDO collagen booster hydrated separately for each patient | Advised after consultation, depending on area and coverage | Advised after consultation, depending on sessions and area (individual results vary) | Injection marks, slight swelling, or bruising possible (duration advised at your visit) |
| Juvelook / Juvelook Volume | L2 Dermis | A regenerative booster that stimulates your own collagen | 20-30 minutes | Reported to last over a year after completing the course (individual results vary) | Slight swelling or bruising possible for 1-3 days |
| Rejuran / Rejuran HB | L2 Dermis | A regenerative injection that restores damaged skin from its foundation | 20-30 minutes | Several months after completing the course (individual results vary) | Injection marks and slight swelling possible for 1-3 days |
| SkinVive | — | Micro-droplet hyaluronic acid for a lit-from-within glow | 15-25 minutes | Several months (individual results vary) | Slight marks possible for up to a day |
| Hilowave | — | Volume support for areas where filler feels like a burden | Advised after consultation, depending on area and coverage | Advised after consultation, depending on area and volume (individual results vary) | Injection marks, swelling, or bruising possible (duration advised at your visit) |
Treatments used for the same concern, placed side by side. Which one fits is decided in consultation after the layer is identified.
Reviewed byDr. Kim Tae-hoon, Medical Director · Board-certified dermatologist · review date to be posted
Related treatments
Next step
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