Rejuran supports skin repair from the inside, while microneedling creates controlled micro-injuries to trigger collagen. Here is how they compare on texture results and recovery for visitors to Seoul.
Rejuran Healer is a polynucleotide injection that supports repair, elasticity and calmer skin with only small bumps for one to three days. Microneedling creates tiny channels in the skin to stimulate collagen and is stronger for rough texture, pores and shallow scars, with redness for one to four days depending on depth; RF microneedling such as Potenza adds heat for deeper remodeling. Both usually need about three sessions. At Dernia Clinic Myeongdong in Seoul, Rejuran Healer starts from ₩259,000 and Potenza RF microneedling from ₩299,000, excluding 10% VAT.
Prices are in Korean won, exclude 10% VAT and are confirmed by a doctor at consultation.
Rejuran vs microneedling: how do they differ?
Both aim for smoother, healthier-looking skin, but they take opposite routes.
- Rejuran Healer adds something to the skin. It is a polynucleotide (PN) injectable from Pharma Research in Korea, made from purified salmon DNA fragments. PN is associated with supporting the skin's repair environment, so skin becomes calmer, more elastic and thicker over a series.
- Microneedling asks the skin to repair itself. Fine needles create thousands of tiny channels, which trigger a wound-healing response and new collagen. RF microneedling, such as Potenza, releases radiofrequency heat at the needle tips to remodel deeper tissue more strongly.
At Dernia, microneedling is offered as Potenza RF microneedling and as the delivery method for exosome therapy, rather than as a standalone plain microneedling service. See our Rejuran Healer and Potenza RF microneedling pages.
Which is better for skin texture?
It depends on what is causing your texture problem.
- Rough texture, enlarged pores and shallow acne scars usually respond better to microneedling, especially RF microneedling, because the controlled injury directly remodels the dermis where those irregularities sit.
- Thin, fragile, sensitive skin with fine lines often responds better to Rejuran, which improves skin quality without the injury that sensitive skin may struggle with.
- Mixed concerns are common, and many doctors in Seoul combine them, for example Potenza to remodel texture and Rejuran to support recovery and quality.
See rough skin texture and acne scars for more options.
Side-by-side comparison
| Factor | Rejuran Healer | Potenza RF microneedling |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Injected PN supports repair | Needles plus RF heat trigger remodeling |
| Best for | Sensitive, thin, tired skin; elasticity | Acne scars, pores, rough texture, active acne |
| Typical plan | 3 sessions, 2–4 weeks apart | About 3 sessions, 4–6 weeks apart |
| Session time | 30–45 minutes including numbing | 40–60 minutes including numbing |
| Downtime | Small bumps for 1–3 days | Redness for 2–4 days |
| When you see it | Gradually, often after session 2 | Gradually over weeks as collagen builds |
Typical ranges, not guarantees. Your doctor tailors depth and intensity to your skin.
Recovery compared: what does each feel like afterward?
Recovery is often the deciding factor for visitors with a fixed itinerary.
- After Rejuran: small raised bumps at each injection point, mild redness and occasional bruising. Bumps usually flatten within one to three days, and makeup is often possible the next day.
- After light microneedling (for example with exosomes): redness similar to a mild sunburn for one to two days.
- After Potenza RF microneedling: redness and mild swelling for two to four days, sometimes with tiny grid marks. Skin may feel dry and tight while it heals.
With both, avoid saunas, jjimjilbang, intense exercise, alcohol and active skincare such as retinoids or acids for a few days. Daily sunscreen is essential, especially after microneedling.
Can you combine Rejuran and microneedling?
Yes, and this is one of the most common pairings in Korean skin clinics. The logic is simple: microneedling, especially RF microneedling, creates a strong collagen-building stimulus, while Rejuran is associated with supporting repair and calming the skin. Used together, they can address both the structure of the skin and its overall quality.
There are two common ways to combine them:
- Same session. Some doctors perform RF microneedling first, then apply or inject a booster afterward. Dernia's Potenza with booster option is one example of delivering a booster through the fresh microchannels.
- Staged sessions. Others alternate the treatments over several weeks, for example Potenza in one visit and Rejuran two to four weeks later, which spreads the downtime and lets the skin settle between sessions.
Which approach makes sense depends on how sensitive your skin is, how deep your texture concerns go and how long you are in Seoul. Combining treatments on the same day usually means a little more redness, so it is best scheduled early in a trip. Our guide to combining treatments in one visit explains common sequences and how doctors decide the order.
Whatever plan you choose, results build gradually as collagen matures, so take photos in the same light before treatment and again at one and three months to judge the change fairly.
Who is a good candidate?
Rejuran is often the better fit
- Sensitive, redness-prone or reactive skin
- Thin skin with fine lines and early laxity
- You want minimal visible downtime
- You are recovering from other treatments
Microneedling is often the better fit
- Rolling or shallow boxcar acne scars
- Enlarged pores and uneven texture
- Oily, acne-prone skin (RF microneedling)
- You can accept a few days of redness
What happens on treatment day
- English consultation. A licensed doctor examines your texture, sensitivity and any scars, then recommends a plan and confirms the price.
- Numbing. Topical numbing cream for 30–40 minutes. RF microneedling always includes numbing.
- Treatment. Rejuran is injected in many small points. Potenza passes a needle tip over the skin, adjusting depth and energy by area.
- Soothing. Cooling, LED or a calming mask, sometimes with a booster delivered through the microchannels.
- Aftercare. Written English aftercare and a contact for questions.
Is it safe? Risks and side effects
Both are widely used when performed by trained medical staff. Beyond the expected redness and bumps:
- Rejuran: bruising, rare infection or allergic-type reactions. Tell the doctor about any fish or salmon allergy.
- Microneedling and RF microneedling: temporary dryness and flaking, infection if aftercare is poor, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, especially in darker skin tones or with sun exposure. RF energy settings must be adjusted to skin type.
- Not suitable now: pregnancy or breastfeeding, active infection, cold sores or eczema in the area, recent isotretinoin (for microneedling), and a tendency to keloids.
See side effects and when to contact us.
How much do Rejuran and microneedling cost in Seoul (2026)?
| Treatment at Dernia | Plan | Price (KRW) |
|---|---|---|
| Rejuran Healer | 2cc, full face | ₩259,000 |
| Rejuran Healer | 3cc, full face with extra on pores or scars | ₩359,000 |
| Potenza RF microneedling | Full face, 1 session | ₩299,000 |
| Potenza RF microneedling | Full face with booster | ₩399,000 |
| Potenza RF microneedling | 3-session course | ₩799,000 |
| Exosome therapy | Full face with microneedling | ₩190,000 |
Prices exclude 10% VAT. The tourist VAT refund on cosmetic procedures ended on January 1, 2026 — see VAT refund in 2026. See the Potenza price page for details.
Planning Rejuran or microneedling around your Seoul trip
- Book microneedling early. Do Potenza in the first half of your trip so redness fades before your flight and important photos.
- Rejuran is easier late in a trip because bumps settle quickly, but still allow a day or two.
- Avoid your arrival day to leave a buffer for delays.
- Location: Dernia is in Myeongdong, near Myeongdong Station (Line 4) and Euljiro 1-ga Station (Line 2).
- Book ahead through our consultation form with your dates.
Sightseeing after microneedling? Healing skin burns and pigments easily. Wear a hat, reapply sunscreen and avoid long midday sun. Our aftercare guide covers the first week in English.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rejuran or microneedling better for acne scars?
Microneedling, especially RF microneedling such as Potenza, is usually stronger for acne scars. Rejuran can support skin quality and recovery and is sometimes combined with it.
Which has less downtime?
Rejuran usually has less visible downtime, with small bumps for one to three days. Potenza typically causes redness for two to four days.
Does Dernia offer plain microneedling?
Dernia offers Potenza RF microneedling and microneedling as part of exosome therapy, rather than plain microneedling as a standalone service.
Can I combine Rejuran with Potenza?
Yes, they are often combined. Your doctor decides whether to do them on the same day or stage them.
How many sessions do I need?
Both are usually planned as about three sessions, two to six weeks apart depending on the treatment.
What are the prices at Dernia?
Rejuran Healer starts from ₩259,000 for 2cc and Potenza RF microneedling from ₩299,000 for the full face, excluding 10% VAT.
Improving skin texture in Seoul?
Tell us your concerns and travel dates. A doctor examines your skin in person, explains Rejuran and microneedling in English and confirms your plan and price.
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This article is for general information and does not replace a medical consultation. Results vary between individuals, and suitability, treatment plan and final price are confirmed by a licensed doctor after an in-person examination. Dernia Clinic Myeongdong does not publish patient testimonials or before-and-after claims.