Korean term: 볼 꺼짐

What are hollow cheeks

Cleveland Clinic describes cheek implants as a way to improve a sunken appearance or to define flat cheeks. The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) says fat loss closer to the skin makes the cheeks look deflated, and that loss of deeper fat removes support from the fat above it.

In a CT study of 19 people scanned at least ten years apart, midface fat fell by about 12%, more in the deep layer than near the skin. Findings varied between patients.

Common causes

Fat loss and loosening ligaments. Shrinking fat compartments lead to deflation of the upper cheeks, and weaker ligaments may let tissue descend (a 2022 injection-guidance paper).
Bone change. A review calls the maxilla, the upper jawbone, the bone that undergoes the most dramatic resorption, meaning thinning away, with ageing.
Large weight loss. A systematic review of 13 studies, mostly after bariatric surgery, found the greatest fat loss in the mid-cheek. It notes a tremendous paucity of quantitative studies.

Treatments clinics in Korea list for hollow cheeks

The cards below show hyaluronic acid filler, a gel that adds volume, and Juvelook, which combines PDLLA (poly-D,L-lactic acid) with hyaluronic acid. Each card gives downtime per the sources and the lowest regular price a clinic in this directory lists, not specific to the cheek.

Filler

Injectable gel, most often hyaluronic acid (HA), used to smooth wrinkles and restore volume.

Downtime (per the sources): Swelling and bruising soon after injection; many settle within days to weeks

From ₩29,000 (≈ US$22)Art of Shine Skin Clinic · Body Filler 1cc · VAT excluded

19 clinics in this directory list a regular price

All prices and clinics

Juvelook

Injectable PDLLA (poly-D,L-lactic acid) microparticles mixed with hyaluronic acid that stimulate the skin's own collagen.

Downtime (per the sources): Bruising and swelling; firm nodules (granulomas) are the main reported concern

From ₩20,000 (≈ US$15)Beauty Park Skin Clinic Beomeo · Juvelook for a single scar · 0.2 cc · VAT excluded

15 clinics in this directory list a regular price

All prices and clinics

What the sources say about results and limits

Hyaluronic acid filler. Cleveland Clinic says cheek fillers last anywhere from six months to several years. A 2022 guidance paper advises injecting the deep fat layer for structure, with a second layer for older people with more loss. It rests on literature and expert opinion, and several authors have ties to a filler maker.
Filler risks. The FDA warns that injection into a blood vessel can cause tissue death, vision loss or stroke.
Juvelook. A Korean news article says the Volume line is for sunken areas and nasolabial folds. The one cheek report we read treated a single patient, and its authors cite short follow-up and a small sample.
Fat grafting. DermNet says it can correct sunken cheeks, but 30% to 70% of grafted fat may be reabsorbed in the first year. It lists lumps and uneven contour as risks, and planned weight loss as a reason not to graft.
Implants and surgery. Cleveland Clinic lists cheek implants for a sunken look, with several weeks to a month for swelling to settle. ASPS says volume replacement should be used in addition to surgical procedures; see our face-lift page.

Published prices

The table shows, for each clinic that lists a regular price, its lowest regular price for each treatment above; items, amounts and VAT basis differ between clinics.

Clinic	Filler	Juvelook
Art of Shine Skin Clinic	₩29,000 (≈ US$22) VAT excluded · Body Filler 1cc	—
Beauty Park Skin Clinic Beomeo	₩90,000 (≈ US$67) VAT excluded · Filler · 아띠에르 (Korean brand) · 1 cc	₩20,000 (≈ US$15) VAT excluded · Juvelook for a single scar · 0.2 cc
Bellis Skin Clinic	₩176,000 (≈ US$131) VAT included · Shoulder filler 1 cc (Korean brand, add-on)	₩550,000 (≈ US$411) VAT included · Juvelook i 1 vial
DAMI Skin Clinic	₩200,000 (≈ US$149) VAT excluded · Korean filler (Byrizn, Rejuviel, YVOIRE) 1 cc	₩350,000 (≈ US$261) VAT excluded · Juvelook Skin 2 cc, 1 session
DayBeau Skin Clinic Myeongdong Premium	₩100,000 (≈ US$75) VAT excluded · Filler dissolving injection, high-purity liquid hyaluronidase 1cc	₩200,000 (≈ US$149) VAT excluded · Juvelook Eye 1cc
EU:GENES Skin Clinic	—	₩120,000 (≈ US$90) VAT excluded · Juvelook Skin 1 cc
JRYN Skin Clinic Nampo	₩39,000 (≈ US$29) VAT excluded · Chin filler 1 cc (Atiere)	—
JRYN Skin Clinic Seomyeon	₩39,000 (≈ US$29) VAT excluded · Chin filler 1 cc (Attierre)	—
Kleam Skin Clinic Myeongdong	₩70,000 (≈ US$52) VAT excluded · Body Filler Korean 1cc (when 200cc or more)	₩150,000 (≈ US$112) VAT excluded · Juvelook Booster/Volume 1cc
Louave Skin Clinic	₩150,000 (≈ US$112) VAT included · Filler (starting price, fee notice)	—
MIN Skin Clinic	₩290,000 (≈ US$217) VAT excluded · Mouth Corner Filler	₩100,000 (≈ US$75) VAT excluded · Juvelook Skin 1cc
Newline Plastic Surgery	₩90,000 (≈ US$67) VAT excluded · Lip corner filler, S type	₩320,000 (≈ US$239) VAT excluded · Juvelook Booster, 4cc
NewRizz Skin Clinic	₩139,000 (≈ US$104) VAT excluded · Neuramis (Korean filler) 1 cc	₩350,000 (≈ US$261) VAT excluded · Juvelook Skin 3 cc, 1 session
Oaro Skin Clinic Cheongdam	₩320,000 (≈ US$239) VAT not stated · Filler (fee notice range)	₩300,000 (≈ US$224) VAT not stated · Juvelook Volume (fee notice range)
Obliv Seoul Origin Skin Clinic	₩242,000 (≈ US$181) VAT not stated · HA filler · Korean product	₩132,000 (≈ US$99) VAT not stated · Juvelook Skin
The Walts Clinic	₩200,000 (≈ US$149) VAT excluded · Volume filler, Korean (Chaeum Premium / EPTQ) 1 cc	₩100,000 (≈ US$75) VAT excluded · Skin Juvelook 1 cc
Val:U Skin Clinic Myeongdong	₩70,000 (≈ US$52) VAT excluded · Filler dissolving (hyaluronidase) · filler done at this clinic · 1 cc	₩250,000 (≈ US$187) VAT excluded · Juvelook Skin · 2 cc
YAAN Skin Clinic	₩290,000 (≈ US$217) VAT excluded · Korean filler · 1 cc	₩290,000 (≈ US$217) VAT not stated · Juvelook Volume · 1 area
Youngjong Central Skin Clinic	₩250,000 (≈ US$187) VAT excluded · Filler · Korean brand · 1 cc (forehead, front cheeks, chin, nasolabial folds, side cheeks)	₩330,000 (≈ US$247) VAT excluded · Scar Juvelook · 1 cc
YUNO Plastic Surgery	₩150,000 (≈ US$112) VAT not stated · Filler (starting price)	—

Lowest regular price each clinic lists, with its own item and VAT basis.

Questions to ask the clinic

What do you think is behind my hollowing: fat, bone, skin or recent weight change?
Which product will you use, in which layer, and how much?
How long should it last, how many visits are planned, and would fat grafting or an implant suit me better?
How would you respond to a blocked blood vessel, and whom do I contact after I leave Korea?
Does the written quote include VAT and a touch-up?

FAQ

Why do cheeks become hollow with age?

A 2022 guidance paper says the fat compartments shrink, leading to deflation of the upper cheeks, while ligaments loosen. A review adds that the upper jawbone thins away. ASPS says deeper fat loss removes support from the fat above it.

Can weight loss cause hollow cheeks?

A systematic review reports that large weight loss, mostly after bariatric surgery, was linked to facial fat loss, greatest in the mid-cheek. The authors call quantitative evidence scarce. A doctor can say whether weight change or ageing is behind your cheeks.

How long does cheek filler last?

Cleveland Clinic says the effects of cheek fillers can last anywhere from six months to several years. The FDA says some fillers are absorbed over time, so treatment may need repeating, and duration depends on the filler and the area. Your doctor can tell you what to expect.

Is Juvelook proven for hollow cheeks?

Our sources do not show that. A Korean news article names the Volume line for sunken areas, and a single-patient report described a lifting effect on the cheeks with short follow-up. Its authors call for larger studies. Ask the clinic what evidence it relies on.

Hollow cheeks in Korea: causes, treatments and published prices