Skin boosters
Rejuran scar side effects: normal bump or warning sign? Cost, reviews, methods
Bumps and bruises after injection are usually temporary, but some signs need a prompt exam. You can ask on WhatsApp, and the clinic answers within 24 business hours.
Written and medically reviewed by Dr. Jang Dong-hoon · Founder & Medical Director
Published · 8 min read
You've wanted to soften your acne scars for a long time, but do Rejuran scar side effects make you hesitate to book a flight to Seoul?
Before you book anything, read this through to the end.
You'll know what decides the cost, which review claims hold up, which methods are available, and which signs need an exam. That lets you weigh which option fits your scars and your budget.
Hello, I'm Dr. Jang Dong-hoon, Founder & Medical Director of THE Beautiful Clinic in Seoul.
At our clinic I do the consulting, planning and treating myself. The consultation begins with a 3D skin scan, before any price list. You can ask by message in English or Bahasa Indonesia, and the clinic answers within 24 business hours.
I wrote this because a normal bump is often mistaken for a complication, while a sign that really needs treatment gets left until the patient is home.
The most common Rejuran scar side effects are redness, swelling, small bumps and bruising at the injection points, and they usually settle on their own within a few days to about two weeks. Worsening pain, pus, fever or pale, bluish skin need a prompt medical exam.
If one scar bothers you most, photograph it in daylight and send it on WhatsApp with one question: which reactions should I plan for in this area?
A short glossary for after the injection
Rejuran contains polynucleotide derived from salmon DNA. Skin boosters like this ask the skin to make its own collagen, so change comes slowly. Almost everything you see on day one is a reaction to the needle and the fluid, and has nothing to do with the treatment result yet.
The words below appear on forums with blurry meanings. How long each reaction lasts differs from person to person, so read this as a general picture.
| Term | What it means | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Bump | Fluid not yet absorbed at the injection point | Usually shrinks within a few days |
| Bruise | A small vessel touched by the needle | Can last about one to two weeks |
| Erythema | Redness from mild inflammation | Fades gradually; get it checked if it grows hot and painful |
| Nodule | A firm lump that stays | Show a doctor if it is still there after several weeks |
| PIH | Dark marks after inflammation | More common on darker skin; protect it from the sun |
A systematic review of polynucleotides in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology reported side effects that were generally mild and temporary. Evidence specific to acne scars is still limited, though, so I won't promise how far your scars will fade. The Rejuran treatment page lists the types we use.
Risks and side effects to know
Rejuran scar side effects fall into two groups: those that affect how you look, and those that need treatment. Swelling and bruising belong to the first group. Infection, lasting nodules and blood-flow problems caused by an injection belong to the second. Blood-flow problems are rare, but the early signs are severe pain and pale or bluish skin, and they should never be left to wait.
In general, wait or talk to a doctor first if any of these applies to you:
- Active acne, infection or inflammation in the area to be injected
- A recent laser or peel in the same area
- Current or recent isotretinoin use
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- An allergy to salmon or to any ingredient in the product
- Blood thinners, an autoimmune condition, or a tendency to form keloids
If a reaction appears once you are home, photograph the area every day and contact the clinic that treated you. For severe pain, fever, pus or skin that changes color, go straight to the nearest doctor with a note of the product and the injected areas. The U.S. CDC also advises medical travelers to bring copies of their medical records home.
If any condition on that list applies to you, write it and your current medications on WhatsApp, then ask whether you should wait before buying a ticket.
Methods for acne scars, and when Rejuran makes sense
The name Rejuran scar usually refers to Rejuran S, a variant marketed for scars. Our price list records Rejuran, Rejuran i for the eye area, Rejuran HB as the low-pain type, and Rejuran with Dermashine. Rejuran S is not on that list. You can check who I am and my memberships on the our doctors page before you decide.
Acne scars can also be treated in other ways, and each has its own risks:
- Rejuran: makes more sense for shallow texture and skin quality. The main risks are bumps and bruising.
- [Fraxel](treatment:fraxel): a fractional laser for scars and texture. Skin can peel, and darker skin carries a higher risk of marks after inflammation.
- Potenza / Intracel: microneedles with radiofrequency for pores and scarring. It can leave redness and needle marks for a few days.
Say you are 45, with a darker skin tone, shallow scars on both cheeks and only five days of leave. In that situation I would lean toward a plan with a lower risk of dark marks and a smaller area, and leave a gap before your flight home. If the scan shows deep depressions, we'd talk about whether this trip is the right time to start.
Reviews online: which claims are true?
These three claims come up often in reviews and on forums, and each needs a careful reading:
- You get bumps like mosquito bites. True for many people, especially on thin skin, and they usually settle within days.
- Scars vanish after one session. That doesn't match how it works. Skin that looks fuller in the first days is usually swollen.
- It comes naturally from salmon, so it must be safe. Wrong. The origin of an ingredient does not remove the risk of allergy, infection or injection problems.
What decides the cost of Rejuran for acne scars?
A price per cc alone doesn't describe the total. These things move it:
- The variant used: Rejuran, Rejuran i or Rejuran HB
- The number of cc, which follows the size of the scarred area
- The technique: manual injection or Dermashine, which has its own tip fee
- The number of sessions and their spacing, which affects how many times you come to Seoul
- Other treatment, if your scars also call for a laser
For the figure for your own case, ask on WhatsApp what it would cost for that area, with a photo. At our clinic the consultation begins with the scan, so the final plan is discussed once your skin has been seen.
Your days in Seoul and after you fly home
Don't schedule the injection for your last day. Bruising and swelling take time, and it helps to still be in Seoul if something needs a second look. The CDC also points out that flying after a medical procedure is something to discuss with the doctor treating you. Dates can be set through the booking page.
The clinic is open Monday to Thursday from 10:30 to 19:30, Friday until 20:30 and Saturday until 16:30. Lunch break is 13:00 to 14:00 except on Saturday, and we are closed on Sundays and public holidays. We are on the second floor of the Jinryeong Building, a 2-minute walk from Exit 5 of Nonhyeon Station. There is no patient parking, so come by subway or taxi. More about us is on the THE Beautiful Clinic home page.
Once you land in Jakarta or Surabaya, heat and tropical sun become the main concern. Wear sunscreen every day and avoid rubbing the injected area. If Rejuran scar side effects worry you after you're home, daily photos are more useful than memory.
One photo and your Seoul dates are enough to start on WhatsApp, and you can ask before booking anything. Add the one question about Rejuran scar side effects that nags at you most. When you come, I examine your skin and recommend the treatment that fits, including when that means a smaller plan.
The short version
- Redness, swelling, small bumps and bruising are the most common reactions and are usually temporary.
- Worsening pain, pus, fever or pale, bluish skin need a prompt medical exam.
- Infection or active acne at the site, isotretinoin, pregnancy and salmon allergy are reasons to wait or talk to a doctor first.
- Darker skin tones need extra attention to the risk of marks after inflammation.
- Cost is decided by the variant, number of cc, area size, technique and number of sessions.
Questions patients ask
How long do bumps last after Rejuran for acne scars?
For many people small bumps settle within a few days, while bruising can last about one to two weeks. A firm lump still there after several weeks should be shown to a doctor.
Can Rejuran make acne scars darker?
Inflammation after an injection can trigger dark marks, especially on darker skin. The risk does not disappear entirely, so protect the area from the sun and mention any history of dark marks at the consultation.
Can I get Rejuran while acne is active?
In general, inflamed or infected areas should not be injected yet. Calm the inflammation first, then have the scars assessed again.
Is Rejuran S available at THE Beautiful Clinic?
Rejuran S is not on our price list. What is listed is Rejuran, Rejuran i, Rejuran HB and Rejuran with Dermashine. Ask on WhatsApp if you are looking for a specific variant.
When can I fly after the injection?
No single number applies to everyone. Leave a gap between injection day and your flight, and make sure the doctor treating you knows your flight date before treatment.
How many sessions do acne scars need?
I can't give a number before seeing your skin. The depth and type of scar and the method chosen decide the plan, and some scars suit another method better.
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
