Biostimulator : How we need to use it
Visible changes right after treatment: catching both immediate results and long-term improvement
Even if nodules form, they can be dissolved: a new standard of “reversibility” in biostimulators
The rediscovery of hyaluronic acid: its original role overshadowed during the filler era
At the end of the interview, he summarized his treatment philosophy in a single sentence:
“Better procedures will keep coming. But don’t ruin your skin now.”
That was the answer from Dr. Jo Chang-hwan of Dongan Jungsim Clinic, who set a record for the highest number of Heal*Wave procedures in the shortest period of time, when asked about the goal of skincare. His point was that although better procedures will continue to emerge, the priority is not to damage the skin “right now.”
The procedure he has recently been focusing on is Heal*Wave, a hyaluronic acid-based biostimulator. It is neither a filler nor a simple moisturizing injection. Its goal is to boost the skin’s own ability to become healthy. It stimulates collagen, calms inflammation, and soothes melanocytes to create a more even skin tone.
Dr. Jo calls hyaluronic acid the starting point of biostimulators:
“Hyaluronic acid is originally a good substance. But during the filler era, it got bound up in crosslinkers and lost its natural role. Heal*Wave is designed to let it perform that role again.”
If skincare is a marathon that spans decades, two things are needed:
- A treatment that builds the skin’s foundational strength
- Safety that allows reversibility, even after repeated long-term treatments
Dr. Jo says Heal*Wave has both. Here’s what he shared.
Q. You’re actively involved as an anti-aging expert at domestic and international conferences. What do you consider most important in your patients’ skincare?
A. These days, people are exposed to so much information through social media and YouTube that many end up going from clinic to clinic. What’s important is understanding what your skin needs right now. There are procedures that are good to do immediately, and others that are more effective if you wait a little.
Rather than making decisions based only on internet information, it’s much more important to consult thoroughly with a doctor. Skincare isn’t something that ends in one or two years. If you’re in your 30s, you need to think 50 or 60 years ahead. You have to approach it like a marathon.
Q. We hear the term “biostimulator” a lot these days. How is it different from fillers or skin boosters?
A. A filler is, simply put, a form wrapped in packaging. Hyaluronic acid is tightly bound by a substance called a crosslinker. It has the advantage of lasting longer, but because it’s trapped inside that structure, it can’t perform the beneficial functions hyaluronic acid naturally has. It doesn’t blend naturally into the skin, and some people feel a foreign-body sensation when they touch it.
A biostimulator, as the name suggests, is a treatment that stimulates the skin to improve on its own. In fact, if you think about it, the “ancestor” of biostimulators is hyaluronic acid itself. Hyaluronic acid is a core component of the extracellular matrix (ECM)—the environment where skin cells live.
If we had to pick the two most important components in the ECM, they would be collagen and hyaluronic acid. In fact, hyaluronic acid is even more important than collagen. But because hyaluronic acid became known mainly through filler side effects, it has been undervalued. The problem was never hyaluronic acid itself—it was the method of over-crosslinking it to make it last longer.
Heal*Wave doesn’t do that. It allows hyaluronic acid itself to perform its natural beneficial role. It integrates naturally into tissue, so there’s no foreign-body sensation.
Q. Then what actual changes happen in the skin after a Heal*Wave procedure?
A. When hyaluronic acid functions properly, three things change:
-
Inflammatory cells calm down.
One of the root causes of skin trouble, acne, and sensitive skin is the overactivation of inflammatory cells. Hyaluronic acid helps soothe them. It also strengthens the skin barrier, improving dryness and tightness. -
Melanocytes calm down.
This reduces pigment production, so skin tone becomes brighter and more even. -
Collagen-producing cells become more active.
The skin gains elasticity and firmness.
Even people with atopic or sensitive skin are often good candidates. It’s like taking someone with a fiery personality and placing them in a bamboo forest—they calm down. In the same way, inflammatory cells settle down when hyaluronic acid creates a healthier environment.
Q. I heard it also improves volume in the mid-face area. How is that different from fillers?
A. Fillers are like putting in a packaged lump. If you touch the skin, you can feel something inside.
Heal*Wave, on the other hand, naturally diffuses into the tissue and integrates with it, so there’s no foreign-body sensation. Hyaluronic acid attracts moisture, so volume returns naturally. It feels completely different from the artificial filling effect of fillers.
Q. How long does the procedure take, and what about pain and recovery time?
A. There are two main methods:
-
Direct injection into multiple points
You may see small raised bumps right after treatment, but they disappear within a day or two. Compared with other injectable procedures like Rej*ran or El*vie Retuo, the pain is much less, and topical numbing cream is usually enough. -
Cannula method (using a thin tube)
There is almost no downtime. Patients can return to normal life right away. It’s not so much painful as mildly uncomfortable. This method is more suitable for people who want to minimize downtime.
Q. When can patients feel the effects? What are their reactions right after treatment?
A. It’s fast. Many patients look in the mirror after treatment and say,
“I’ve never seen anything like this before.”
Other skin boosters are also effective, but it’s rare to have this kind of immediate, noticeable change right after the procedure. Female patients in particular tend to notice the difference very quickly—sometimes before I do.
Of course, there are also long-term changes from collagen stimulation. So you can expect both:
- Immediate glow and hydration
- Firmness that builds over time
Q. What kinds of skin concerns respond best to this treatment? And are there any cases that need caution?
A. It’s especially effective for people with:
- Deep wrinkles and volume loss
- Dull or uneven skin tone
- Frequent breakouts
- Dry and sensitive skin
Because hyaluronic acid attracts moisture, it also naturally restores volume.
On the other hand, for people who already have enough facial volume, it’s better not to treat the whole face uniformly. It’s better to focus on relatively sunken areas.
The key is to consult with a doctor beforehand and tailor the approach to your skin.
Q. I heard there’s a synergy effect when this is combined with other laser or lifting devices.
A. Yes—if anything, that’s exactly when it really shows its true value. It pairs well with virtually any lifting device, including Ul*ra, Su*k, Th*rji, Ol*jio, So*rano Titanium, On*, and Em*ice. The reason is that Heal*Wave builds the skin’s “baseline strength.”
It calms inflammatory cells and soothes melanocytes, which helps reduce the risk of side effects people often worry about after laser procedures, such as post-inflammatory pigmentation or redness. In other words, it enhances results while lowering side-effect risks.
Among the combinations I’ve personally seen the best response from are So*rano Titanium and On*. Those two devices tighten and lift tissue by creating structural support, and when Heal*Wave is added underneath, the internal skin structure gains strength and volume. The synergy significantly improves overall patient satisfaction.
Q. Many people are worried about nodules as a side effect. Is Heal*Wave safe in that regard?
A. A lot of people are concerned about nodules, but Heal*Wave is reassuring in two ways.
First, the likelihood of nodules occurring is much lower compared to other collagen-stimulating treatments. Of course, proper and even distribution during treatment is important, but because the base material is hyaluronic acid, the rate of side effects is lower than with many other ingredients.
Second, even if a problem does occur, it can be dissolved. Since it’s hyaluronic acid, it can be easily removed with an enzyme injection that breaks down hyaluronic acid. Even later on, if someone wants it removed, it can be dissolved at any time.
With some other collagen-stimulating treatments, there may be no way to remove nodules once they form. In that sense, Heal*Wave offers a safety net—it’s a treatment that can be reversed if needed.
Q. How often should the treatment be done? Is one session enough?
A. Even one session is enough to feel a noticeable effect. However, many patients come back around three months later wanting to repeat it. It’s not that they’ve gone all the way back to how they were before—they just want to return to the point where their skin looked and felt its best.
So, I usually recommend maintenance about once every three months. And the key point is this: your skin condition stays improved compared to before treatment. You’re not returning to square one—you’re gradually improving over time.
Q. Lastly, how do you think skincare trends will change in the future, and what would you like to say to people considering Heal*Wave?
A. Honestly, I don’t even know what treatments will come next. The field is evolving so quickly that this year is different from last year, and next year will be different again. New devices we never imagined keep appearing, and we’re entering an era where patients can improve more comfortably than ever.
But one thing is certain: you shouldn’t damage your skin while waiting.
When people hear “collagen-stimulating treatment,” many worry about side effects like nodules. But Heal*Wave is a good option because it allows you to enjoy collagen stimulation safely and without that fear.
Better treatments will definitely continue to come out.
But don’t ruin your skin now.
Building your skin’s baseline strength with the safest methods available today—that’s what will determine how your skin looks 10 or 20 years from now.