Walk into a Korean dermatology clinic and the menu may look less like a list of medical treatments than a wall of product names: Rejuran, skin Botox, Oligio, Shurink, laser toning. Some are drugs or injectables, some are devices, and some are Korean shorthand rather than formal medical terms. This glossary covers five terms foreigners commonly run into.
Quick Reference
| Term | What it is | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Rejuran | Polynucleotide injectable brand | Injectable |
| Skin Botox | Superficial microdroplet botulinum toxin technique | Injectable |
| Laser toning | Usually a low-fluence, pigment-targeting laser treatment | Laser |
| Oligio | Wontech monopolar RF device | RF energy device |
| Shurink | Classys focused-ultrasound (HIFU) device | HIFU device |
Rejuran
Rejuran is a Korean brand of polynucleotide injectable. Polynucleotides used in aesthetic medicine are commonly derived from purified fish DNA sources. A systematic review in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology found promising results for skin texture, wrinkle reduction, and elasticity, but the review covered only nine studies of mostly low-to-moderate quality involving 219 patients total, with generally mild and temporary side effects. It is often grouped with “skin boosters,” a broad category of injectable treatments aimed at improving overall skin quality rather than adding volume in one specific area.
Skin Botox (Microbotox / Mesobotox)
“Skin Botox” usually refers to what is medically called microbotox or mesobotox: diluted botulinum toxin injected into the superficial skin layer rather than the muscle. A review in the Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery describes this technique as aiming to affect superficial skin and shallow muscle activity while preserving more facial movement than conventional intramuscular injections, with reported effects on sebum, pore appearance, and fine lines. Results depend on dose, dilution, depth, and treatment area, and the review notes the evidence base is still limited.
Laser Toning
Laser toning generally refers to treatment with a low-fluence, large-spot Q-switched Nd:YAG laser, most often used for pigmentation issues like melasma. Repeated low-fluence treatment has been studied in Korea, including weekly and two-week protocols. Aggressive or highly cumulative treatment has been associated with pigment complications like patchy hypopigmentation. Treatment interval and settings should be individualized by the treating physician rather than assumed from a fixed schedule.
Oligio
Oligio is a monopolar radiofrequency (RF) device made by the Korean company Wontech. RF energy produces controlled tissue heating, and the device is marketed for aesthetic skin-tightening applications around the face, jawline, and eye area. Wontech’s US regulatory clearance for this device category covers electrocoagulation and hemostasis rather than a blanket endorsement of all aesthetic marketing claims, which is worth knowing when comparing device marketing to what has actually been formally reviewed.
Shurink
Shurink is Classys’s Korean brand name for the device marketed internationally as Ultraformer III. The newer Shurink Universe (슈링크 유니버스) corresponds to Ultraformer MPT. Both are HIFU, or High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound, devices, delivering focused ultrasound energy with the goal of a non-surgical lifting effect.
HIFU and monopolar RF deliver energy differently and can target different tissue depths depending on the specific device and settings used. They should not be treated as interchangeable categories. Because Oligio (RF) and Shurink (HIFU) work through different mechanisms, a clinic recommending one over the other should be able to explain why for your specific concern.
Why This Matters for Consultations
Clinics may market these under different package names, and a single visit sometimes combines several of them. Knowing the difference between an injectable (Rejuran, skin Botox), a light-based device (laser toning), and energy-based tightening devices (Oligio, Shurink) makes it easier to ask what a specific package is actually addressing, rather than choosing based on a package name alone.
These terms also appear on clinic menus outside Seoul. For example, foreign residents researching treatment options in Suwon can use EEIK’s listing for ToYou Plastic Surgery & Dermatology as one place to compare terminology, then ask exactly which product or device is being proposed, what it is intended to address, and what alternatives exist.
If you’re also considering surgical options, our guides on eyelid surgery and choosing a facelift clinic cover that side of a consultation, and our under-eye guide explains when a non-surgical treatment like these actually fits the concern.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rejuran the same as a dermal filler? No. Dermal fillers are used primarily to add or restore volume. Rejuran is a polynucleotide injectable marketed for skin-quality improvement, with an emerging but still limited evidence base.
Does skin Botox freeze facial expression like regular Botox? The technique is designed to affect superficial skin and shallow muscle activity while preserving more movement than standard intramuscular injections, though results vary by provider.
How often can laser toning be done? There is no universal interval. Device settings, total exposure, skin type, and treatment history matter, so the schedule should be set by the treating clinician.
Are Oligio and Shurink treatments the same thing? No. Oligio uses radiofrequency energy from Wontech, and Shurink uses focused ultrasound (HIFU) from Classys. They target tissue differently, so ask a provider which is suited to your specific concern.
If you are based in Suwon or southern Gyeonggi, you can also review ToYou Plastic Surgery & Dermatology on EEIK. Use the glossary above to ask more specific questions, verify the exact treatment or device being offered, and do your own research before proceeding.
