Rejuran in Korea: Does It Hurt, How Many Sessions, and How Long Do the Bumps Last?

What is Rejuran — and is the cream the same thing?

Rejuran is a Korean injectable skin booster made from polynucleotide (PN), a material derived from salmon DNA. It is placed in small amounts into the upper layers of the skin and is commonly used to support overall skin quality: fine texture, dryness, fine lines and a tired look. It is not a filler and is not designed to change the shape of the face.

Because of its source, Rejuran is sometimes called a “salmon injection”. On the price list of ATTITUDE Clinic in Seoul, the Salmon DNA injection (PDRN) is a separate item: PDRN is a related ingredient, but a different product from Rejuran.

Rejuran skincare is not the injection

Creams, serums and masks sold under the Rejuran name in shops and online are cosmetics applied to the skin surface — a different category from the injection, which is a medical procedure carried out by a doctor. When comparing prices, compare injection with injection, and check the product name, the amount in cc and whether VAT is included.

Does Rejuran hurt?

Honestly, it is felt. Rejuran is injected at many points close to the surface, and most people describe a stinging or pinching sensation at each point. Thin-skinned areas — under the eyes, around the mouth, the lips — tend to feel more intense than the cheeks. How much it bothers someone varies a lot.

To make it more comfortable, a numbing cream is commonly applied before the injections, and some Rejuran formulations (such as HB) are made with a local anesthetic in them. Rejuran can be injected by hand or with an injector device, and the two can feel different.

How long do the bumps last, and what are the side effects?

The small raised bumps (some compare them to mosquito bites) are where the product sits in the skin. They are expected and typically flatten as the product settles. A typical course — it varies from person to person:

For the first few days, doctors commonly advise avoiding saunas, very hot baths, heavy exercise and alcohol, not rubbing or massaging the treated area, and using sun protection. Follow what your own doctor tells you, because the advice depends on what was done.

Side effects are possible with any injection. Common ones are bumps, redness, swelling, tenderness and bruising. Less common ones include swelling that lasts longer, small lumps, infection and allergic reactions. Rejuran is made from salmon-derived material, so tell the doctor about any allergies, including to fish, as well as the medicines you take (including blood thinners), any skin infection or inflammation in the area, and whether you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and ask about the risks before treatment.

How many sessions do you need?

Rejuran is usually planned as a course rather than a single treatment. A common pattern is an initial course of a few sessions spaced a few weeks apart (2–4 weeks is common), followed by maintenance sessions at longer intervals. This is typical, not a rule: the number, spacing and amount depend on your skin, the area and the product, and your doctor decides.

Changes, when they appear, are gradual, and how much change someone notices varies. If you visit Korea only once or twice a year, say so at the consultation: the doctor can explain what a single session can and cannot be expected to do, or plan the sessions around your trips.

Healer, HB, HB lips, S and Eye: what is the difference?

The Rejuran family uses PN in different formulations for different areas. In general terms:

Which one, how much and where is the doctor's decision. More than one can be used in a session — say, one for the face and another for under the eyes — if the doctor thinks it makes sense.

What is ATTITUDE Signature Rejuran?

It is ATTITUDE's own combination of Rejuran, a skin toxin injection (diluted botulinum toxin injected superficially, often used for oiliness and the look of pores) and a Water Glow (hydrating) injection. During our opening event, until 31 Oct 2026, it is shown with the regular price and the event price, VAT excluded: 4cc — regular price KRW 550,000, opening-event price KRW 390,000; 6cc — regular price KRW 990,000, opening-event price KRW 590,000. The doctor decides whether the combination suits you or whether a single product makes more sense. See the Signature opening event.

Can you fly after Rejuran?

Flying is not usually considered a problem after Rejuran; the question is comfort and margin. The bumps are most visible on the first day, and cabin air is dry. A conservative plan is to have Rejuran at least 3 days before a long-haul flight, or about a week if a possible bruise would matter to you, so the skin has time to settle and you are still in Seoul if you have a question. After other treatments at the same visit, the doctor may suggest more time.

• Keep your hands off the treated areas.
• Moisturize as your doctor advised; cabin air dries the skin.
• Skip alcohol on the flight.
• Before you leave, ask how to reach the clinic if something worries you after you get home.

More on timing for each type of treatment: Can you fly after skin treatments in Korea?

Questions to ask before you book

You can send these to any clinic:

• Which Rejuran product (Healer, HB, S, Eye) and how many cc are you suggesting, and why?
• Is the price per cc or per session, and does it include VAT and numbing?
• What numbing is used, and is the injection done by hand or with a device? Who does it?
• How many sessions, how many weeks apart — and what if I can only come once?
• What side effects are possible, and when can I wear makeup, exercise and fly?
• Can I see the product package before treatment? Is there anything I don't need?
• How do I contact you after I fly home?

How ATTITUDE approaches this

At ATTITUDE, an AI skin analysis first records and organizes your skin data. The analysis supports the consultation; it does not provide a medical diagnosis or assessment. One of our two co-directors goes through it with you and decides whether Rejuran is what you need, which formulation and how much, what you don't need, and in what order. Rejuran products are priced per cc on the price list, with the same prices on every language version of this site, shown without VAT; 10% VAT is added at payment. For numbing, aftercare and anything else not covered here, ask us when you send a booking request.

Frequently asked questions