Why Is Rejuran Painful?

Quick answer: Rejuran hurts more than most skin boosters because it's injected into the dermis using a thick, high-viscosity polynucleotide (PN) solution, the same density that makes it so effective at skin repair.

At SIA Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, we offer four ways to make the treatment far more comfortable: injector-assisted delivery with Hycoox or Potenza, our clinic's own Less-Pain Rejuran formulation, Rejuran HB (a lidocaine-infused version), and Airnox inhalation comfort gas. Below, we break down exactly why Rejuran hurts and which option fits your pain tolerance.

If you've searched "is Rejuran painful" before booking a trip to Seoul, you're not alone. It's one of the most common questions we get from international patients considering skin booster treatment at our Gangnam clinic. Here's the honest answer, and how we manage it.

What Is Rejuran?

Rejuran is a Korean skin-booster treatment made from PN (polynucleotide), a highly purified DNA fragment derived from salmon. When injected into the skin, PN activates the skin's natural repair mechanisms: it helps stimulate collagen and elastin production, improve the dermal environment, and restore skin structure from within. This is why it's often called a "regenerative" treatment rather than just a filler, it doesn't add volume, it helps the skin heal and rebuild itself.

Rejuran has become one of the most in-demand skin treatments in Korea, particularly popular for improving skin texture, pore size, redness, acne scars, and overall skin elasticity, the look often described as "glass skin." It's typically delivered as a series of small injections across the treatment area, most commonly the face.

Why Does Rejuran Hurt in the First Place?

The same properties that make Rejuran so effective are also what make it hurt more than a typical skin booster:

The PN molecule is large and the solution is thick. PN has a very high molecular weight and a much higher viscosity than standard hyaluronic acid (HA) boosters. Picture pushing honey through a needle versus pushing water, the thicker, denser solution creates real resistance as it moves through the needle and into the skin, and that resistance is part of what you feel as a sharp, stinging sensation.

It's injected deep, into the dermis. This is the layer of skin packed with nerve endings and small blood vessels, which is exactly why it's so effective for skin repair, but also why it's more sensitive to needle entry than surface-level treatments.

It requires many injection points. A full-face session can involve dozens of individual micro-injections, so the discomfort adds up over the course of the treatment.

The bumps are part of how it works. The raised bumps you may see right after treatment (called "embossing") happen because the dense PN solution sits in the dermis for a couple of days before it's fully absorbed. This is expected and typically fades within 24–72 hours.

In short: Rejuran isn't painful because something is wrong, it's painful because the large PN molecule and its thick, viscous formula (the very qualities that make it work) create resistance and pressure as it's pushed into a nerve-rich layer of skin. The good news is that discomfort varies a lot depending on technique, the area treated, and how the treatment is delivered, which is where alternatives come in.

Factors That Affect How Much Rejuran Hurts

Before getting into alternatives, it helps to know what actually changes your pain level:

Treatment area : thinner-skinned areas like under-eyes, temples, and lips tend to feel more sensitive than the cheeks or forehead.
Delivery method : manual needle injection vs. machine-assisted delivery changes the sensation significantly.
Formulation : standard Rejuran Healer vs. lidocaine-containing versions like Rejuran HB.
Numbing protocol : how long and how well topical anesthetic is applied before injection.
Practitioner technique : injection speed, needle gauge, and rhythm all affect how much you feel.

At SIA Clinic, we combine several of these factors depending on your comfort level and treatment goals.

4 Ways We Reduce Rejuran Pain at SIA Clinic

1. Machine-Assisted Injection: Hycoox and Potenza

Instead of manual needle-by-needle injection, we can deliver Rejuran using precision devices:

Hycoox uses a vacuum-suction injector with fine multi-pin needles that deliver PN to a consistent, controlled depth in the dermis. The suction mechanism and thin needles reduce the sharp, unpredictable sensation of manual injection, and it also minimizes product loss so more of the formula actually reaches the skin.

Potenza combines radiofrequency (RF) microneedling with a specialized infusion tip that drives Rejuran into micro-channels created by ultra-fine needles. Because the RF energy and infusion happen through the same controlled pathway, many patients find this delivery noticeably gentler than a series of individual injections, while also adding RF-driven collagen stimulation as a bonus benefit.

Both are good options if you want a more even, machine-controlled experience rather than manual needlework.

2. SIA Clinic's Own Less-Pain Rejuran

This is our in-house recipe, developed specifically for pain-sensitive patients and first-time visitors who are nervous about the "classic" Rejuran sting. It's a proprietary mix, so we can't disclose the exact formulation but we can tell you it starts with authentic Rejuran Healer, which we open directly in front of you before treatment so you can see for yourself that it's genuine, then mix according to our own recipe. Everything else about the treatment, needle selection, injection rhythm, and general handling, stays the same as a standard Rejuran session. It's a popular choice for clients flying in from overseas who want the Rejuran results without dreading the appointment.

3. Rejuran HB (with Lidocaine)

Rejuran HB is a reformulated version of the original that includes a local anesthetic, lidocaine, built directly into the injection. It also has a smoother viscosity than the original Healer formula. This combination means less injection resistance and a numbing effect at the exact injection site making it one of the most straightforward ways to reduce pain without changing your delivery method at all. It's often the first recommendation we give to patients who specifically say they're afraid of needles.

4. Airnox, Inhalation Comfort Gas

For patients who want the biggest reduction in discomfort and anxiety, we offer Airnox, a nitrous-oxide-based comfort gas administered through a mouthpiece during treatment. You breathe it in yourself and stay fully awake and responsive, it's not sedation or general anesthesia but it produces a light, floaty, sometimes dizzy sensation that significantly dulls the sensation of each injection. The effect wears off within minutes of stopping, so there's no downtime or recovery period needed, and most patients can go straight back to their day afterward. Because Airnox affects how you feel overall (not just the injection site), it's a good fit for patients who are anxious about needles in general, not just the pain itself.

Comparing Your Options

Option	How it works	Best for
Hycoox	Suction-assisted, fine multi-pin injector	Even, controlled delivery with reduced sensation
Potenza	RF microneedling + infusion tip	Combining Rejuran with collagen-stimulating RF
Less-Pain Rejuran	SIA's adjusted in-house protocol	First-timers and pain-sensitive patients wanting standard-style injection, gentler
Rejuran HB	Lidocaine-infused, lower-viscosity formula	Numbing at the injection site without changing delivery method
Airnox	Self-administered nitrous oxide gas	Needle anxiety or wanting the lowest overall discomfort

Many patients also combine two of these, for example, Rejuran HB delivered through Hycoox, plus Airnox for extra comfort, depending on their pain tolerance and the area being treated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Does Rejuran hurt more than other skin boosters?

A: Generally, yes. Its high viscosity and deep dermal placement make it more sensitive than standard HA-based skin boosters, though the sensation is brief, typically just a few seconds per injection point.

Q: Is Rejuran HB less painful than regular Rejuran?

A: Yes. Rejuran HB contains lidocaine and has a smoother consistency than the original Healer formula, so most patients report noticeably less discomfort.

Q: What is Airnox, and is it safe?

A: Airnox delivers nitrous oxide gas that you self-administer through a mouthpiece to reduce pain and anxiety during treatment. You remain fully awake and can stop at any time. Effects wear off within minutes, and it does not require a recovery period.

Q: Can I combine multiple pain-reduction options in one session?

A: Yes, for example, Less-Pain Rejuran or Rejuran HB delivered via Hycoox or Potenza, with Airnox added for extra comfort. We'll tailor this to your pain tolerance during your consultation.

Q: Will less painful delivery methods still give the same results?

A: Yes. All the options above still deliver PN into the dermis where it needs to be for skin repair and collagen stimulation, they change how the treatment feels, not the treatment's effectiveness.

Book a Consultation at SIA Clinic, Gangnam

If Rejuran's reputation for pain has been holding you back, SIA Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul offers multiple ways to make the treatment comfortable, including our own Less-Pain Rejuran formula, Hycoox and Potenza injector-assisted delivery, Rejuran HB, and Airnox comfort gas. Tell us about your pain tolerance and skin goals during your consultation, and we'll build a treatment plan around what works for you.

📍 SIA Clinic Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea

🚇 3-minute walk from Sinnonhyeon Station (Exit 3)

💙 English-speaking consultation available

This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace professional medical advice. Individual treatment plans and results may vary. Please consult a qualified medical professional before undergoing any procedure.

Why Is Rejuran Painful? And What Are the Alternatives to Reduce the Pain?