01What is HA filler — and how it's different from a biostimulator
Hyaluronic acid (HA) filler is a cross-linked gel of HA — a naturally-occurring sugar molecule in skin that binds 1,000× its weight in water. Cross-linking with BDDE (1,4-butanediol diglycidyl ether) makes the HA into a stable gel that holds its shape under tissue pressure for 6–24 months.
The gel adds INSTANT volume on injection — you see the result the moment you leave the clinic.
Biostimulators (Sculptra, Profhilo, Juvelook) do the opposite: no instant volume, gradual collagen formation over 2–6 months. Different problem, different tool.
Patients who want immediate cheek volume for a wedding next month need filler. Patients who want their face to look better in six months without an obvious change need a biostimulator.
The cross-linking technology determines how the gel behaves in tissue — how firm, how cohesive, how naturally it integrates, how visible it looks under thin skin. Four cross-linking technologies dominate the market: Vycross (Juvéderm), NASHA + OBT (Restylane), CPM (Belotero), S.M.A.R.T. (Saypha).
Each has anatomical zones where it outperforms.
HA filler is the only filler material that's REVERSIBLE — hyaluronidase enzyme can dissolve it within 24–48 hours if the patient or physician decides the result needs correction. This is a major safety advantage over biostimulators and permanent fillers (which are not used at Waleerat).
02The 4 cross-linking technologies — what makes each gel behave differently
Vycross (Juvéderm). Allergan's proprietary cross-linking blends short-chain + long-chain HA molecules — produces a smoother, more cohesive gel with lower water-binding (less swelling) and longer duration than older Hylacross technology.
The Juvéderm family (Voluma, Volift, Volbella, Vollure, Ultra XC, Volux) uses Vycross at different densities for different zones. The 2024-launched Volux specifically for chin and jawline is the most-requested Juvéderm variant in 2026.
NASHA + OBT (Restylane). Galderma uses two cross-linking technologies — NASHA (firm, classic 'Restylane' formula since 1996) and XpresHAn/OBT (flexible, designed for dynamic facial zones since 2010).
NASHA holds shape under tissue pressure, ideal for deep volume restoration. OBT moves with facial expression — important for lip and nasolabial-fold treatments where stiff filler looks unnatural during smiling.
CPM (Belotero). Merz uses Cohesive Polydensified Matrix — distinctive in that cross-linking density varies throughout the gel rather than being uniform.
This produces tighter tissue integration, lower visibility under thin skin, and natural-looking softening at the gel-tissue boundary. Makes Belotero the preferred HA for fine lines, perioral wrinkles, and under-eye tear-trough correction — zones where standard HA fillers show Tyndall effect (bluish discoloration under thin skin).
S.M.A.R.T. (Saypha). Croma's cross-linking produces a balanced gel that sits between the firmness of NASHA and the cohesiveness of Vycross.
Mid-tier price with EU manufacturing pedigree (Austrian production). Best for patients who want CE-marked Austrian quality without the brand premium of the Big-3.
03Match brand to facial zone — where each technology actually outperforms
Cheek + mid-face volume restoration: Juvéderm Voluma (Vycross) or Restylane Lyft (NASHA). Both are firm, cohesive, deep-tissue fillers.
Voluma lasts 18–24 months; Lyft 12–18 months. Pick by patient preference + budget — both work.
Lip filler (volume + natural movement): Restylane Kysse (OBT) or Juvéderm Volbella (Vycross). Kysse is the OBT product engineered to move with lip motion — preferred when natural-looking smile/talk movement matters.
Volbella is the smaller-particle Juvéderm for subtle volume. Both ฿9,999–฿11,999 per cc on promo.
Under-eye tear trough: Belotero Balance (CPM). The variable-density CPM gel is the lowest-Tyndall-risk HA on market — critical for thin under-eye skin where standard fillers show bluish discoloration.
Higher-skill injection zone; we don't recommend tear-trough filler unless the patient has both anatomical candidacy AND a physician experienced with the under-eye danger zone.
Jawline + chin definition: Juvéderm Volux (Vycross 2024). The newest premium HA designed specifically for mandibular and chin projection. 18–24 month duration.
Most-requested variant for patients seeking jawline definition without surgery.
Fine perioral lines + smoker's lines: Belotero Soft or Restylane Refyne (OBT). Both are designed for thin-skin, high-movement zones.
Belotero's CPM integration is preferred for fine lines; Restylane's OBT for slightly deeper movement zones.
Whole-face skin booster (not volume): SkinVive (Allergan's resilient HA, 2024 launch) or Profhilo (stabilised HA biostimulator). Both are dermal-level skin quality treatments, not volume fillers.
We classify these separately from contour fillers.
04Brand × technology × price — the 4-row matrix we show at consult
Juvéderm (Allergan, USA / Ireland): Vycross cross-linking · 12–24 months duration · ฿11,999 / cc promo. Best for long-duration volume + Volux for jawline (2024 launch). FDA + CE + Thai FDA + KFDA.
Restylane (Galderma, Sweden): NASHA + OBT cross-linking
10–18 months duration
฿9,999 / cc promo. Best for lips (Kysse OBT) + dynamic zones (Refyne, Defyne). FDA + CE + Thai FDA + KFDA. Oldest HA filler on market (since 1996).
Belotero (Merz, Germany / Switzerland): CPM cross-linking
8–18 months duration
฿12,000 / cc. Best for under-eye (Balance) + fine lines (Soft) + thin-skin patients. FDA + CE + Thai FDA + KFDA. Lowest Tyndall-effect risk.
Saypha (Croma, Austria): S.M.A.R.T. cross-linking
10–14 months duration
฿6,500 / cc. Best for value-tier CE-marked HA without compromising safety. CE + Thai FDA + KFDA (NOT FDA). Previously sold as 'Princess' (rebranded 2018).
What drives the price differential: brand R&D + safety-evidence + technology premium + regulatory cost. Juvéderm/Restylane/Belotero carry the FDA-cleared premium; Saypha sits at value tier with EU CE manufacturing pedigree.
All four pass Thai FDA — choice is anatomical and budget, not safety.
05Bangkok 2026 pricing — and the brand-tier ladder
Value tier (฿6,500 / cc): Saypha — Austrian-manufactured CE-marked HA. Best for first-time filler patients on budget, or patients who want CE-marked quality without paying the Big-3 brand premium.
Same Thai FDA regulatory status as Juvéderm/Restylane/Belotero.
Mid-premium tier (฿9,999–฿11,999 / cc on promo): Restylane and Juvéderm. Big-3 brands with FDA clearance + 20+ years of clinical evidence + multiple anatomical-zone variants. The most-prescribed HA fillers at Waleerat.
Premium tier (฿12,000–฿15,000 / cc): Belotero (CPM technology for under-eye + fine lines), SkinVive (Allergan resilient HA, 2024 skin-booster launch). Highest-skill injection zones; the premium reflects both technology and physician time.
What you actually get for the price: anaesthesia (topical numbing + lidocaine in the filler) + ultrasound-guided injection where required + post-procedure photos + 24-hour follow-up + 1 touch-up at week 2 if needed. We don't quote the entry price then bill anaesthesia, photos, follow-up separately.
Hidden cost discipline: always ask 'what's included in the cc price?' before committing. Some Bangkok clinics quote ฿4,999 / cc but charge anaesthesia (฿800), photos (฿500), and touch-up (฿1,500) separately — bringing the actual cost to ฿7,800+.
Our promo prices include everything.
06Filler + biostimulator + HIFU stacks — the 80/20 of combining filler with other modalities
Filler + biostimulator: the strongest combination for patients in their 40s+ who want both immediate volume AND long-term collagen rebuild. Filler first (instant gratification), biostimulator at week 4.
Filler resorbs over 12–18 months; biostimulator-stimulated collagen lasts longer. The patient gets the immediate result they wanted PLUS compound benefit at the 6-month mark.
Filler + HIFU: filler for volume + HIFU for skin quality and SMAS tightening. Different problems addressed simultaneously.
Wait 2 weeks between treatments. Doesn't matter which comes first — they don't interfere mechanically.
Filler + thread lift: thread lift first (week 1, for physical lift), then filler at week 2 (for fine-zone volume + polish). The thread lift creates the structural reposition; filler adds the remaining volume details.
This is the strongest non-surgical combination for moderate-to-heavy laxity in 50s patients.
What NOT to combine: filler immediately after HIFU same session — HIFU's heat can affect filler integration. Filler immediately after thread lift — physical pressure can displace freshly-placed filler.
Filler in the same syringe with biostimulator — would change both products' behaviour unpredictably.
Botulinum toxin + filler: routine same-session combination. Botulinum relaxes the muscle that creates dynamic wrinkles; filler fills the volume deficit.
Standard combination for forehead + frown + crows-feet (Botox) + cheek volume + lip (filler). Same physician, same visit, ฿15K–฿40K total depending on zones.
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