What Is HILO WAVE? A Thorough Explanation of Its Effects, Features, and Treatment Process

HILO WAVE is a next-generation biostimulator that uses a “Dual-HA” structure combining high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid and low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid. Developed by Korea’s Higher, it was created with the concept “Inject the New Wave,” with the aim of becoming a new standard in aesthetic medicine.
Unlike conventional hyaluronic acid injections, skin boosters, and polymer-based biostimulators such as PLLA and CaHA, its greatest feature is that it can provide immediate moisturizing effects and medium- to long-term skin remodeling (Bio-remodeling) at the same time. This product is not approved in Japan, but it is imported under the responsibility of a physician and provided after its safety has been confirmed.
HILO WAVE’s greatest feature is that its customized injection method, tailored to each individual, can provide a variety of effects at the same time, including the following.

Unlike conventional hyaluronic acid injections, skin boosters, and polymer-based biostimulators, HILO WAVE can provide immediate moisturizing effects and medium- to long-term skin remodeling (Bio-remodeling) at the same time. As an innovative product that combines the three roles of a filler, skin booster, and biostimulator in one, it is being introduced by an increasing number of clinics.

HILO WAVE is designed to minimize the risk of side effects such as “lumps,” “nodules,” and “allergic reactions,” which have been concerns with conventional biostimulators.
Conventional polymer products such as PLLA, CaHA, and PCL can be highly effective, but carry a risk of induration or nodules. If a problem occurs, they also have the issue of being impossible to “dissolve.” Because HILO WAVE is hyaluronic-acid-based, it can be dissolved with hyaluronidase (a degradative enzyme) if necessary. The low risk of making correction difficult is a significant advantage for people seeking treatment with reassurance.
In addition, the amount of cross-linking agent (BDDE) contained in the product is reduced to an absolute minimum, lowering the risk of inflammation and hypersensitivity reactions. It is a product suitable for those who want to achieve significant effects while prioritizing safety.

HILO WAVE treatment is said to offer the following effects.

Each of these is explained in detail below.

HILO WAVE has attracted particular attention for its approach to fine vertical lines on the neck. The skin on the neck is thinner than facial skin, and with conventional skin boosters, there have been many cases in which the effects remained limited even after multiple treatments.
HILO WAVE penetrates into the deep dermis and contains highly dispersible low-molecular-weight HA, allowing it to improve not only dryness but also skin elasticity. Another major difference from conventional products is that the smoothness of wrinkles may be noticeable immediately after treatment.
However, treatment on the neck is not intended to fill deep horizontal lines, but rather to improve fine vertical lines and overall firmness. Because the skin on the neck is thin and bruising and embossing are more likely to be noticeable, accurately targeting the subcutaneous layer is important.

HILO WAVE is also said to be effective for concerns such as age-related cheek hollowing, hollows under the eyes, and overall loss of skin volume. The midface refers to the cheekbones, under-eye area, and cheeks, and is an important element in creating a youthful facial appearance.
Because conventional hyaluronic acid fillers have a certain firmness, they may look attractive when the face is expressionless but can appear unnatural when the face moves, causing a sensation of a foreign body or unevenness. HILO WAVE has an extremely soft, highly dispersible gel structure that blends easily with the skin, allowing for a natural finish without an unnatural sensation during movement.
It may be considered suitable for those seeking natural facial contouring that allows them to look beautiful without making the treatment obvious. Expected effects include adding volume to the front of the cheeks, enhancing radiance around the cheekbones, improving nasolabial folds, and naturally lifting the front of the cheeks, cheekbones, and area below the cheekbones. It is also said to make the face appear smaller by enhancing three-dimensional definition.

HILO WAVE has a biostimulatory effect and stimulates fibroblasts at the injection site, increasing the production of collagen (Types I and III) and elastin. Even after the hyaluronic acid is absorbed by the body, the skin’s ability to regenerate itself remains, and the foundation of the skin is strengthened as treatments are repeated.
Overall improvements in skin quality may be expected, including improved radiance and elasticity, increased skin density, and improvement of inner dryness. Rather than being merely a temporary change, this can be considered a fundamental approach that improves skin quality itself.

Treatment is possible not only on the face and neck but also on the backs of the hands, where signs of age tend to appear. Like the face, the backs of the hands are constantly exposed. Blood vessels and tendons can become prominent, creating a gaunt appearance, while spots and wrinkles are also easily noticeable, making the hands look older than their actual age.
Injecting HILO WAVE restores moisture and firmness to the skin, leading to a fuller, more youthful appearance. Although the backs of the hands are thin-skinned and delicate, HILO WAVE is soft and highly dispersible, so a natural finish may be expected.
It can also be injected into the décolletage, the area extending from the neck to the chest. Fine lines and sagging tend to appear in the décolletage with age, making it another area where signs of aging are easily noticeable, much like the neck. Combining treatment with the face and neck may enhance the overall rejuvenating effect.

HILO WAVE is a product based on a new concept that does not fit completely into any of the conventional product categories. Let us take a closer look at the differences.

Skin boosters are products that directly inject moisture, nutrients, and regenerative ingredients to improve skin quality. Representative products include Skinvive, Revive, and Restylane Vital. They take only 1–2 weeks to produce effects, but regular maintenance is required.
Biostimulators, on the other hand, promote the production of collagen and elastin within the skin, encouraging the skin to produce these substances itself. Representative products include Profhilo, Sculptra, and Juvelook. Although it takes 1–3 months for effects to appear, the effects tend to last longer.
HILO WAVE combines both of these characteristics and is designed to provide immediate improvement in skin quality together with medium- to long-term skin remodeling.

Conventional hyaluronic acid products were primarily intended for “sculpting,” such as filling wrinkle depressions or adding volume to specific areas. However, because they contain a relatively high amount of cross-linking agent, injecting them into the superficial layers of the skin carried a risk of unevenness or lumps.
Because HILO WAVE minimizes the amount of cross-linking agent, the risk of unevenness is reduced even when it is injected into superficial skin layers. Although it is not identical to a filler, depending on the treatment method, dosage, and treatment area, it can produce a natural volumizing effect and may also be used like a filler.

Biostimulators using polymer products such as PLLA (poly-L-lactic acid), CaHA (calcium hydroxylapatite), and PCL (polycaprolactone) can increase the production of the patient’s own collagen. However, a major disadvantage was that the collagen could not be “dissolved.” If lumps or nodules developed, correction was difficult. Another issue was their strong dependence on inflammation, accompanied by a risk of induration and nodules.
Because HILO WAVE is hyaluronic-acid-based, it can be dissolved with hyaluronidase (a degradative enzyme). Its reversibility, allowing safe correction in the event of an issue, means that it can be considered a product with a high level of safety.

Some people may also be interested in the treatment process and recommended number of sessions. Each is explained in detail below.

When the goal is to improve skin quality, it is common to perform 2–3 initial treatments at intervals of 6–8 weeks, followed by maintenance every 3–6 months. Monthly clinic visits, as with conventional skin boosters, are not required, and many people notice effects after just one treatment.
When the goal is to improve facial volume loss, an injection interval of approximately once every 6 months is a guideline. The optimal interval varies depending on the treatment objective and the patient’s condition, so it should be decided in consultation with a doctor during the consultation.

HILO WAVE treatment is performed in the following steps.

During the consultation, you will discuss your skin condition and goals, and the treatment method, injection volume, and injection sites will be determined. Be sure to inform the doctor of any medical history or other relevant conditions. The treatment area is then cleansed and disinfected. If necessary, numbing cream is applied and left in place for 15–30 minutes, after which the product is injected according to the selected protocol.
The area is then lightly compressed to help the product blend in. After the result is checked, you will receive aftercare instructions and the treatment is complete.

Initial treatment generally consists of 2–3 sessions at intervals of 6–8 weeks, followed by maintenance every 3–6 months. A single PDIT treatment takes approximately 15–30 minutes. Monthly visits, as with conventional skin boosters, are not required, and many people notice effects after one treatment.
The duration of a single treatment varies depending on the treatment area and injection volume. With PDIT, the number of injection points is small, so treatment is completed in a relatively short time. Even with cannulation, the treatment time is shorter than that of conventional skin boosters.

For a full face, 4cc is the standard amount, but the treatment volume can be adjusted from 2–6cc at the doctor’s discretion according to the treatment range and the patient’s wishes. For neck treatment, 2cc per session is recommended.
The doctor makes the final decision regarding the injection volume during the consultation. Please remember that this cannot be decided solely by the patient.

For some people, pain and downtime are major concerns before undergoing aesthetic medical treatment. This section explains pain during treatment and downtime afterward.

When HILO WAVE is administered using PDIT, the number of injection points is reduced, which helps lessen pain. When a cannula is used, pain is also expected to be reduced compared with conventional manually injected skin boosters.
Treatment can be performed with numbing cream alone, but depending on the treatment method, such as cannulation, local anesthesia may also be used. Some clinics also perform an infraorbital nerve block 5–10 minutes before treatment to reduce pain and discomfort during facial procedures.
If you are sensitive to pain, please consult the clinic in advance.

The downtime associated with HILO WAVE is said to be considerably shorter than that of conventional skin boosters. Daily activities are possible immediately after treatment, making it possible to consider treatment even shortly before an important event.
Temporary bruising, swelling, or slight unevenness may occur after treatment, but these settle within a few days. Embossing that occurs during treatment will naturally disperse and become less noticeable within an average of 2 hours when lightly pressed after the procedure.
However, downtime varies from person to person. If you have important plans coming up, we recommend scheduling treatment with sufficient time to spare.

HILO WAVE is said to be suitable for people with the following concerns.

HILO WAVE may also be a suitable option for people concerned about reduced skin firmness and elasticity, as well as those who have difficulty visiting a clinic frequently. However, when the sole objective is pronounced sculpting or lifting, combination treatment with RF, Thread lift, or other volumizing products is required.

Although HILO WAVE is considered relatively safe, there are points to know before treatment and precautions to follow afterward. This section explains precautions before and after treatment, as well as side effects and risks.

People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, those with an infection or inflammation at the injection site, and those with an allergy to hyaluronic acid may not be able to undergo treatment. If you are taking blood-thinning medication, such as Warfarin or Bayer Aspirin, the risk of bruising may be increased, so consult your doctor in advance.

After treatment, take care not to massage or apply strong pressure to the injection site. Avoid Peeling treatments and scrub products for approximately 1 week, and make sure to keep the skin sufficiently moisturized after treatment.
You may wash your face and apply makeup on the same day, but using a gentle cleanser is recommended. Some clinics use regenerative tape on the injection sites after treatment. Avoid strenuous exercise for 3–4 days after treatment.
For treatment on the neck, injection points must be selected while avoiding the upper SCM, where the thyroid gland or carotid artery is located.

Possible side effects include the following.

HILO WAVE is designed to minimize the risks of side effects that have been a concern with conventional biostimulators, such as nodules, allergic reactions, and foreign-body reactions. Most of the above effects are mild and temporary, but if symptoms persist or you have any concerns, consult the clinic where you received treatment.

HILO WAVE is a next-generation biostimulator based on dual hyaluronic acid. It combines the three roles of a filler, skin booster, and biostimulator, making it possible to provide immediate moisturizing effects together with medium- to long-term skin remodeling.
If you are concerned about signs of aging on the neck or facial contours, or want to improve inner dryness or skin quality itself, consider discussing HILO WAVE with a trusted clinic.