Skin boosters
Rejuran HB Plus side effects: what is normal? Cost, reviews, methods
Swelling, redness and bruising are usually temporary, but your allergy history and flight date still need checking. The clinic answers WhatsApp messages within 24 business hours, so ask before you book a flight.
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Jang Dong-hoon · Founder & Medical Director
Published · 9 min read
Afraid Rejuran HB Plus side effects will only show up once you're on the plane home, or unsure because the main ingredient comes from fish?
Read this before you book your flight to Seoul.
By the end you'll know which reactions are normal, who should wait, which review claims hold up, which methods change the risk, and what decides the cost. That lets you judge whether this injection suits your skin and your budget.
Hello, I'm Dr. Jang Dong-hoon, Founder & Medical Director of THE Beautiful Clinic in Seoul.
At this clinic I consult, plan and treat myself. The consultation begins with a 3D skin scan and is available in English or Bahasa Indonesia.
I'm writing this because many people assume the lidocaine in this injection lowers every risk, when all it does is reduce pain.
The most common Rejuran HB Plus side effects are generally mild and temporary: swelling, redness, pain at the injection points, itching and bruising. What deserves more thought is an allergy to one of its components, infection at the site, and the gap between the injection and your flight.
If allergy is what worries you most, write your allergy history on WhatsApp (fish, local anesthetic, filler) along with the one question you want to ask.
What is in Rejuran HB Plus, and why does it matter?
According to The Korea Economic Daily's report on its New Zealand launch, Rejuran HB Plus has three components: polynucleotide (PN), hyaluronic acid (HA) and lidocaine. Each one raises its own question, so it helps to read them one at a time.
| Component | What it does | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| PN | The core Rejuran ingredient, a skin booster from fish such as salmon or trout | Allergy to fish or fish products |
| HA | Adds moisture | Any reaction to an earlier HA filler |
| Lidocaine | Local anesthetic that reduces pain | Any reaction to local anesthetic, including at the dentist |
That's why someone who had no trouble with regular Rejuran should still ask before trying this version: two added components can each trigger their own reaction. If salmon DNA is your main question, I've covered how Rejuran's cost and variants are set out in a separate post, and allergy belongs in the same first message.
On our price list this variant appears as Rejuran HB, the low-pain type. If you're looking for the exact name HB Plus, ask on WhatsApp which product is available. The other options are on the Rejuran treatment page.
Rejuran HB Plus side effects you can expect: how long do they last?
Data specific to HB Plus is still limited, so I'm using data on PN in general. A systematic review in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology covered nine studies and 219 patients. None of the studies reported severe adverse events, and mild reactions typically resolved within a week.
Swelling was the most frequent. The review records 50% in Jeong 2019 and about 71% in Kim 2022. So if your face swells after the injection, that alone doesn't mean something went wrong.
The usual pattern looks like this, though timing differs from person to person:
- During the injection: stinging and pain at each needle point. Lidocaine reduces the pain, but you'll still feel the needle.
- The first day to a few days: small bumps at the injection points, swelling and redness.
- Up to about a week: bruising, especially on thin skin such as under the eyes, and mild itching.
This data has two limits. The studies were low to moderate in quality and follow-up ran only 12 to 28 weeks, so long-term safety isn't well documented. Those figures also can't simply be carried over to Rejuran HB Plus side effects, because the components differ.
For more on my position that a plan should fit the person, see how I work as a doctor. If you're also weighing a lifting treatment, read about its effects separately, since heat-based devices follow a different pattern.
Who should wait or skip the injection?
The review I'm citing doesn't list contraindications. The list below is general medical caution, and you should mention all of it before being injected:
- Allergy to fish, fish products, lidocaine or other local anesthetics, or HA
- Infection, inflamed acne or a wound in the area to be injected
- A recent laser or peel, especially if the skin is still flaking
- Recent filler in the same area
- Taking isotretinoin or a medicine that affects healing
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
Say you once got itchy after eating salmon, had a peel last week, and have five days of leave. I'd weigh those three things separately. The itching needs clarifying first: how severe, and when it happened. Until that's clear, a fish-derived injection isn't my first choice. Skin that's still flaking is better left to settle, and five days of leave isn't worth gambling on it.
If you want to avoid fish-derived ingredients, our menu also has other skin boosters such as Juvelook or Sculptra. They work differently and can still cause swelling, bruising or bumps.
If you're on the list above, send a daylight photo of your face and the date of your last treatment, and ask whether you should wait.
Injection methods and variants that change the risk
Our list includes Rejuran, Rejuran i for the eye area, Rejuran HB the low-pain type, and Rejuran with Dermashine. Each option changes what you might see afterward, though not necessarily how much risk you carry.
In general, manual injection leaves small visible points for a few days, and more points mean more chances of bruising. A device such as Dermashine spreads small doses evenly over a wider area, so the marks tend to be finer but more widespread. Thin skin under the eyes usually bruises more easily, whatever the method.
I don't repeat the same treatment on everybody. I choose the variant and amount after reading your skin at a consultation at THE Beautiful Clinic, because our consultation starts with the 3D scan, before the price list.
Reviews on TikTok and forums: which claims are true?
These three claims come up most often in reviews of Rejuran HB Plus side effects:
- "It has lidocaine, so it doesn't hurt." Partly true. Lidocaine lowers the pain, but you still feel the needle, especially in sensitive areas.
- "If you get bumps, the injection failed." False. Small bumps and swelling are frequent reactions and usually settle on their own.
- "It's natural, so it suits everyone." Too far. The fish origin is exactly why allergy needs asking about, and the safety data still comes from small studies.
A review describes one face. Your own allergies, medicines and skin condition aren't in it.
What decides the cost of Rejuran HB Plus?
The cost for your case usually moves with these things:
- Variant: regular Rejuran, Rejuran i or the low-pain type
- Amount: our list is counted per cc
- Area: full face, under the eyes or several areas together
- Added device: an injection with Dermashine includes a tip cost
- Course: how many sessions make sense, which only becomes clear after your skin is examined
To get the figure, ask on WhatsApp what it would cost for your case and name the area you want treated. You can ask for the range first.
Your days in Seoul and your plan once home
The clinic calendar affects your risk too. We're open Monday to Thursday 10:30 to 19:30, Friday until 20:30 and Saturday until 16:30, and closed on Sundays and public holidays. The weekday lunch break is 13:00 to 14:00.
That means an injection late on Saturday is followed by a closed day just as reactions tend to appear. It makes more sense to place the injection early in your trip and well away from your flight. You can see how to arrange your visit on the booking page. The clinic is a 2-minute walk from Exit 5 of Nonhyeon Station.
Before you leave, note the product name, number of cc, area and injection date. Your doctor in Jakarta or Surabaya will need them if a problem appears. Get checked if any of these happen:
- See a dermatologist the same day: worsening pain, pus, fever or spreading redness.
- Go straight to the emergency room: trouble breathing, swelling of the lips or tongue, pale skin at the injection site with severe pain, or vision changes.
That last group is rare. The FDA lists it as a risk of accidental injection into a blood vessel with dermal fillers. Rejuran isn't a volume filler, but I still want you to recognize the signs, because this is also an injection in the face.
Your first message doesn't need to be long. Send your arrival and departure dates on WhatsApp in Bahasa Indonesia or English, and ask the one thing that worries you most. The clinic answers within 24 business hours, and you can ask before booking anything. When you come, I examine your skin and recommend the treatment that fits.
The short version
- The most common reactions to PN injections are swelling, redness, pain, itching and bruising, generally settling within a week.
- Lidocaine reduces pain during the injection but does not reduce swelling, bruising or allergy risk.
- Allergy to fish, local anesthetic or HA should be discussed before injection.
- Infection at the site, pregnancy, breastfeeding and isotretinoin are reasons to wait or ask first.
- Cost is decided by variant, number of cc, area and any added device.
Questions patients ask
How long does swelling last after Rejuran HB Plus?
In data on PN injections generally, mild reactions such as swelling typically resolve within a week. Data specific to HB Plus is still limited, and the duration differs from person to person.
Can I be injected if I'm allergic to fish?
Mention your allergy before you book. PN comes from fish such as salmon or trout, so a fish allergy is a reason for caution and for discussing other options with a doctor.
Can I have this injection while pregnant or breastfeeding?
As general caution, it's better to wait. The safety data on PN comes from small studies, and the review I cite doesn't specifically address safety in pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Can I be injected on the day of my consultation?
Often, yes. Boosters can generally be done right after the consultation, unless your exam or history suggests waiting.
How many days before my flight should I be injected?
There's no single number for everyone. Because mild reactions can last up to about a week, don't place the injection in the final days of your trip, and mention your flight date when you ask.
Do I need to speak Korean?
No. Consultations are available in English and Bahasa Indonesia. Contact the clinic on WhatsApp before you come so a companion who can explain the treatment plan in your language can be scheduled.
Results and recovery vary between individuals, and every treatment can have side effects. Prices are from the clinic's price list and are confirmed at consultation. This article is general information, not a diagnosis.
Sources
About the author
Dr. Jang Dong-hoon
Founder & Medical Director
Founder and medical director of THE Beautiful Clinic in Nonhyeon, Gangnam. He sees every patient's skin analysis before a plan is drawn, and reviews every article on this blog against what the clinic actually does.
Credentials in full
