The Principle Behind Ellansé in Hapjeong: How Is It Different from Hyaluronic Acid Fillers?

3-Line Summary

1. Ellansé consists of a gel that creates initial volume and microspheres that induce collagen formation.

2. The changes seen immediately after the procedure and those that settle in over time are created through different processes.

3. Unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, it cannot be immediately reversed using a dissolving enzyme, so the initial treatment plan is important.

Hello.

I’m Beauty Doctor Kim Ha-won.

Ellansé is not a procedure that directly adds collagen.

The source of the visible volume immediately after the procedure differs from the changes that settle in over time.

That is why it can be difficult to judge the result based only on how it looks on the day of the procedure.

To understand how Ellansé works, we first need to look at the two ingredients contained in the product.

One is a carboxymethylcellulose carrier gel, or a CMC-based gel.

The other is small microspheres made of polycaprolactone, or PCL.

Although they are contained in the same injection, the two ingredients act over different periods of time.

Why Is the Principle Behind Ellansé Divided into Two Stages?

The first stage is handled by the CMC carrier gel.

As the injected gel fills the space, changes in volume may be visible immediately after the procedure.

However, the appearance at this stage may reflect not only the volume created by the gel but also swelling immediately after the procedure.

Therefore, the most prominent appearance on the day of the procedure should not be considered the final result as it is.

Over time, the CMC gel is absorbed, leaving behind the PCL microspheres that had been evenly distributed within it.

Tissue reactions occur around these microspheres, inducing fibroblast activity and collagen formation.

Rather than simply describing this as “the body fighting a foreign substance,” it is more accurate to understand it as a process in which a new collagen structure forms around biocompatible microspheres.

The PCL then also breaks down over time, while the collagen structure that has formed contributes to volume and skin support.

Therefore, according to the principle behind Ellansé, the appearance on the day of the procedure and the appearance several months later are not exactly the same.

The extent and timing of the visible changes may vary depending on the injection site and amount, skin thickness, and each individual’s tissue response.

How Is It Different from Hyaluronic Acid Fillers?

Hyaluronic acid fillers are also used to fill hollow areas and improve contours.

The difference is that the main source of volume is the hyaluronic acid gel itself.

By contrast, Ellansé involves both the initial volume created by the CMC gel and the collagen response induced by the PCL microspheres.

This does not mean that one is unconditionally better than the other.

The appropriate choice may differ depending on whether you place greater importance on seeing the shape immediately and the possibility of adjustment, or on considering the tissue response that develops over time.

Another important difference is how the treatment can be reversed.

When necessary, hyaluronic acid fillers can be treated with the dissolving enzyme hyaluronidase.

However, PCL cannot be immediately dissolved and removed using the same enzyme.

Therefore, with Ellansé, it is important to carefully determine the injection site and amount after assessing the facial structure and skin thickness, rather than injecting a large amount from the outset.

If the injection is placed too superficially or becomes unevenly concentrated in one area, the surface may appear irregular or feel firm to the touch.

That is why, as important as the product name itself, are the specific area, tissue layer, and amount into which the product is injected.

What Should Be Disclosed Before the Procedure?

If you have previously received a filler or thread-lifting procedure in the same area, you should tell the provider in advance when the procedure was performed and which product was used.

Any medications you are currently taking, allergies, and areas with an infection or inflammation should also be discussed during the consultation.

If you do not know the details of your previous procedures, it is still helpful to provide at least the approximate dates and areas you remember.

When an existing injected product remains in place, it may be more difficult to predict the location and response of the new product.

After the procedure, reactions that can occur following an injection, such as swelling, bruising, redness, and tenderness, may develop.

A firm sensation or small lumps may also be felt, so the progress should be monitored.

However, if the pain worsens over time, or if the skin becomes white and then develops a mottled appearance,

or if it becomes cold or dark reddish-purple, it is better not to assume that this is simply swelling and wait.

If blurred vision or eye pain occurs, contact the medical institution where you received the procedure immediately and seek prompt medical attention.

Avoid strongly pressing on the treated area or repeatedly massaging it on your own.

Whether massage is needed and when you can resume exercise and sauna use may vary depending on the treatment site and its condition.

In Closing

The principle behind Ellansé can be divided into the initial volume created by the gel and the collagen response induced by the PCL microspheres.

However, knowing how the ingredients work does not by itself allow you to immediately determine whether the treatment is suitable for your face.

Your facial bone structure, fat distribution, skin thickness, history of previous procedures, and the degree of change you want should all be considered together.

In particular, because Ellansé differs from hyaluronic acid fillers in how it can be reversed, it is important to conservatively plan the initial placement and amount rather than choosing a product based only on how long it lasts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. When do changes from Ellansé become visible?

The changes visible immediately after the procedure are mainly influenced by the CMC gel and initial swelling.

Because the collagen-formation response develops gradually afterward, it is better to assess the progress at different stages rather than judge the final result based only on the appearance on the day of the procedure.

Q2. Can it be dissolved if I am not satisfied with it?

The same method used for hyaluronic acid fillers—immediately dissolving them with a dissolving enzyme—does not apply in the same way.

If discomfort or overcorrection is suspected, do not press or massage the area yourself. Have the medical institution where you received the procedure check its condition.

Q3. Which areas can be treated?

It may be used to improve facial hollows, contours, and wrinkles, but it is not injected in the same way into every area.

Areas with thin skin or complex blood-vessel structures require more careful consideration, so the suitability of each treatment area should be assessed first.

Thank you for reading this lengthy post.

This was Beauty Doctor Kim Ha-won.