Before Switching from Rejuran to Rituo Skin Booster, Be Sure to Know These Differences

Are you thinking of switching from Rejuran to Rituo? If so, be sure to understand these differences first. The two products differ in the materials they contain and the regulations that apply to them. Being newer doesn't mean it's better.

This is an explanatory illustration showing skin layers. Actual treatment is performed by injection.

The materials are different from the start

Rejuran is used for injection treatments that use polynucleotide, while Rituo is used for injection treatments that use human acellular dermal matrix. Both products are called skin boosters and are mainly injected into the dermal layer. However, their raw materials are different, and so are the regulations that apply to them.

Term 01 / 02 · Polynucleotide (PN)

DNA fragments purified from salmon. This is the main component of Rejuran.

Term 02 / 02 · Human acellular dermal matrix (hADM)

A finely processed material made from the dermis of human skin donated after death, with most of the cellular components removed. This is the raw material of Rituo.

This is a simplified illustration for explanatory purposes. It differs from the actual shape, size, and distribution of the ingredients, and does not represent treatment results.

This is the key point. Simply put, Rejuran injects DNA fragments derived from salmon, while Rituo injects particles processed from donated skin into the dermis. This is a difference in materials, not a difference in effectiveness. It cannot be concluded that the injected material remains as-is in your skin. Whether there is a change, and how much, varies from person to person.

Differences side by side

This is not a comparison of which one is better. It is a table that lays out how the two products differ.

This summary is based on manufacturer instructions, laws, and press reports (as of October 2026). The items in the table do not indicate superiority in efficacy or safety.

The approved indication for Rejuran (approval no. 제허 14-825) is “temporary improvement of facial wrinkles in adults.”

There are also different things to check in advance. Since Rejuran's raw material comes from salmon, please let us know if you have a fish allergy. Since Rituo is made from donated tissue, it cannot be said that the risk of disease transmission has been completely eliminated, even after testing and processing.

Different classifications mean different management rules. Under the current system, there is no process for reviewing and approving individual products for cosmetic use of human tissue, such as Rituo. During the October 2026 National Assembly audit, the Minister of Food and Drug Safety answered that the ministry maintains its position that cosmetic use of human tissue is not appropriate. The MFDS said it will complete a policy study by the end of this year and then draw up improvement measures based on the results. Whether to reclassify it as a drug or a medical device has not yet been decided (as of October 2026). Related standards may change in the future.

Being newer doesn't mean it's better

It is true that Rituo was launched after Rejuran. However, launch timing is not a basis for determining superiority. Likewise, being launched first doesn't mean a product is better.

We have not found any study that directly compares the two products under the same conditions (as of October 2026). Published human studies on both products are small in scale, and there are even fewer for Rituo because it launched later. So at this stage, we can't say that either one is better or lasts longer.

So what should you base your choice on? What matters is choosing based on what your skin needs right now, not on when a product was launched.

Three things to distinguish in your skin first

Even for the same “fine lines,” a different treatment may be needed before a skin booster if the causes differ. That's why we distinguish three factors before choosing a product.

Check 01 / 03 · Dryness

We check whether the fine lines are caused by dryness.

Check 02 / 03 · Facial movement

We check how much facial expression movement contributes to the lines.

Check 03 / 03 · Skin thickness

We check whether the skin itself looks thinner.

Golden Diamant does not decide on a product first. We look at skin thickness, dryness, the location of fine lines, and facial movement, then determine the areas and extent of treatment needed. Depending on the results, we may recommend a different procedure first.

If you are thinking of switching products

If you have already had skin booster treatments, your records from past procedures will help during the consultation. It's a good idea to prepare the following three things in advance.

Item 01 / 03 · Timing and number of past treatments

Please tell us when and how many times you last received treatment, along with any filler, Botox, or laser treatment history.

Item 02 / 03 · Reactions after past treatments

Please tell us how long the embossing lasted, and whether you had any palpable lumps or redness that lingered.

Item 03 / 03 · Reason for switching

Please tell us what didn't meet your expectations or what was uncomfortable. We'll look together at whether switching products will resolve the issue.

The manufacturer's instructions for Rejuran state that it should not be used on areas where filler has recently been injected. We have not found published criteria for how many days to wait when switching products. This will be decided during the consultation, based on when your last treatment was and your current skin condition.

Possible side effects after treatment: Both procedures are injection treatments in which a needle enters the skin. Redness, swelling, pain, bruising, or itching may occur at the injection site, and embossing (small raised bumps at the injection spots) or pigmentation may appear. Palpable lumps (nodules), hardening, or discoloration may develop, and infection, inflammation, or hypersensitivity reactions such as allergies may occur. The expected results may also fail to appear. If the injected material blocks a blood vessel, skin necrosis and scarring can occur, and for facial fillers, blindness and stroke have also been reported. The Rejuran manufacturer's instructions also list vascular occlusion and the resulting tissue necrosis as a precaution. For Rituo, a case of suspected vascular complications has been reported in a journal, and the authors of that report believed that, unlike hyaluronic acid fillers, it would not dissolve with a degrading enzyme. Because Rituo is made from donated tissue, it cannot be said that the risk of disease transmission has been completely eliminated, even after testing and processing. The severity and duration vary from person to person, and long-term data on the frequency of side effects and on reactions that appear later are still limited. If inflammation or swelling lasts more than a week, gets worse, or you notice any unusual symptoms, please contact the clinic. If you have severe pain or changes in skin color, contact us immediately. If you cannot reach us, go to the emergency room. If you experience any vision problems, do not wait to contact us; go to the emergency room right away. This also applies if symptoms appear a few days after treatment. If you have an important event coming up, please plan with enough recovery time.

Please be sure to tell us during your consultation. Among the contraindications in the Rejuran manufacturer's instructions, the following are items patients should disclose: pregnancy or breastfeeding; autoimmune diseases; allergic conditions; sarcoid granulomatous diseases; Osler's endocarditis; hypersensitivity to ingredients (sodium polynucleotide); use of NSAIDs, anticoagulants, antiplatelet agents, or immunosuppressants; being a minor; areas where non-absorbable fillers or recent fillers have been injected; and skin damaged by inflammation or infection. Rituo's contraindications and precautions will be explained during your consultation based on the product package insert. Please also tell us about other conditions, including fish allergy (such as salmon allergy), severe allergies such as anaphylaxis, hypersensitivity to local anesthetics, keloids or hypertrophic scars, and a history of herpes. Treatment may be restricted or postponed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can I switch straight from Rejuran to Rituo?

We have not found published guidelines on how many days to wait when switching products. This will be decided during the consultation, based on the timing and reactions of your past treatments and your current skin condition.

Q. Rituo is newer, so is it better?

Being newer alone doesn't make a product better. We have also not found any study that directly compares the two products under the same conditions (as of October 2026).

Q. Which one lasts longer and hurts less?

We have not found data comparing the duration and pain of the two products under the same conditions. Duration varies with individual skin condition, and the treatment interval will be advised after your consultation with the director. The anesthesia method will also be decided during the consultation.

Q. Can I receive both treatments?

Whether it's possible depends on your skin condition. The order and timing will be decided during the consultation.

Q. Is it true that Rituo's raw material is human skin?

Yes. It is a material processed from the dermis of human skin donated after death, with most of the cellular components removed. Under the law, the packaging must in principle display the Korean words 인체조직 (human tissue), the name of the tissue bank, the manufacturing number, and the expiration date. The package insert lists the country where the tissue was collected and the donor test results. If you have questions, please ask before your treatment.

Q. I heard in the news that it could be reclassified as a medical device.

It is currently managed as human tissue. The MFDS is reviewing improvement measures, including whether it should be managed as a drug or a medical device, but no decision to change the classification has been made (as of October 2026). If the standards change, the information we provide may change as well.

What we look at first in the consultation

Before looking at products,

we look at your skin.

· Treatment history — skin boosters, fillers, Botox, lasers

· Reactions after past treatments — embossing, lumps, lingering redness

· Causes of fine lines — dryness, facial movement, thinning skin

· Skin thickness and location — thickness by area and where the fine lines are

· Health status — allergies, autoimmune diseases, current medications

· Pregnancy and breastfeeding — listed as contraindications in the Rejuran instructions

Golden Diamant's consultations and injections are personally handled by Dr. Song Sang-hoon, the head director and a board-certified plastic surgeon with more than 20 years of experience.

Golden Diamant · Dr. Song Sang-hoon, Head Director (Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon)

Consultation and booking information

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