Lituo hand injection syringe, what is the difference between a hand injection syringe and a cannula?

Re2O hand injection is a skin booster series procedure that improves skin quality itself by injecting extracellular matrix (ECM) extracted from human-derived decellularized dermis into the skin. Here, 'hand injection' is not a special drug name, but refers to an injection method in which a doctor directly controls the depth and volume while holding the syringe in hand. In other words, you can understand it as a combined expression of 'the ingredient called Re2O' and 'the manual injection method'.

In this post, we will focus on the difference between hand injections and cannulas, which are the most frequently asked questions.

💧 What kind of product is Re2O (Elravie Re2O)?

Re2O, officially named **Elravie Re2O**, is a freeze-dried powder product made of extracellular matrix (ECM) and collagen remaining after removing cell components that can cause immune rejection from donated human dermal tissue.

The extracellular matrix is a component that acts as a scaffold to support the skin structure, just like collagen and elastin. To put it simply, you can think of it as a material that lays down a 'frame' for the skin to become firm. Since the raw material itself is human-derived decellularized dermis, it is designed to reduce the possibility of foreign body reactions by removing cell components.

Based on the clinical data presented by the manufacturer, improvement rates like this are mentioned.

However, this figure varies depending on the conditions and parts, and the effect is not permanent. Since it is a powder formulation, the process of properly diluting it before the procedure is important, and keep in mind that if the dilution is insufficient, the risk of clumping increases.

📌 Key Summary: Re2O is a freeze-dried powder-type skin booster containing ECM and collagen from human-derived decellularized dermis, aiming to improve skin quality.

✋ What exactly does the term 'hand injection' mean?

Hand injection literally means an injection technique in which a doctor holds a syringe in hand and directly pricks and injects the needle. It doesn't mean a 'hand' injection because it is performed on the back of the hand, but rather that it is administered directly by hand. Quite a few people get confused about this part.

The advantage of hand injection lies in its precision. The injection depth, dose administered at one time, and interval between injection points can be finely adjusted on the spot. It is particularly advantageous when delicately targeting shallow dermal layers, such as pores or fine wrinkles.

Instead, it relies heavily on the skill of the practitioner. Bruising or swelling may occur in the process of pricking the needle multiple times, and the results vary depending on how stably the hand holds the layer. In the end, hand injection can be summarized as a precise but highly technique-dependent method.

📌 Key Summary: Hand injection is a method in which a doctor directly injects with a syringe, which can precisely handle shallow layers, but is highly dependent on skill.

⚖️ Hand Injection vs. Cannula, what is the difference?

Even with the same ingredients, pain, bruising, and suitable areas differ depending on how they are injected. Two representative methods are **hand injection (direct needle injection)** and cannula.

A cannula is an injection tool in the form of a blunt-ended tube. Instead of pricking multiple times with a sharp needle, a tube is inserted through a single small entry point and then glides under the skin to spread the drug. Because the tip is rounded, there is a possibility that it will push past blood vessels as it passes, so it is preferred when treating a wide area at once, relatively reducing pain and bruising.

It is difficult to say which side is 'unconditionally better'. If you need to precisely refine a narrow area, hand injection is suitable, while if you want to uniformly fill a wide area while reducing the burden of bruising and pain, a cannula is a good fit. In reality, it is often determined by looking at the skin condition and the target area and combining them.

📌 Key Summary: Hand injection has its strength in precision, while cannula has its strengths in wide areas, low pain, and less bruising burden, so the choice depends on the goal.

🕒 How does the procedure proceed, and how long does it last?

The general flow is as follows. It takes about 20 to 30 minutes after applying anesthetic cream (or sleep anesthesia if necessary). Since the formulation is powder, a dilution process before the procedure is included.

The recommended interval is usually every 3 to 4 weeks, and in many cases, repeated treatments of 3 times or more are recommended initially. Rather than ending in one session, you can think of it as a concept of building up the texture.

The maintenance period is generally described as about 3 to 6 months based on skin booster-type procedures. There are large individual differences, and it varies depending on management, so think of it as a reference value. The key point is that the effect is not permanent and maintenance is required.

Taking the back of the hand as an example, the Merz Hand Grading Scale is used as an international scale to gauge the degree of aging. It divides from grade 0 with no volume loss to grade 4 where bones, tendons, and blood vessels are prominent, and the skin booster-type approach usually targets improvement to the level of grade 0 to 1. This means that its purpose is different from procedures that significantly fill the volume itself.

📌 Key Summary: 20-30 minute procedure, recommended 3 or more times at 3-4 week intervals, maintenance 3-6 months. This procedure presupposes repeated management.

⚠️ What are the side effects and warning signs?

Commonly mentioned reactions are **bruising, swelling, and nodules (clumping)**. Most of them subside over time, but a few things need to be pointed out.

Nodules can form in the shape of a palpable lump when the powder is not sufficiently diluted or when an excessive amount is shallowly injected into thin skin. Therefore, the dilution concentration and the hand's sense of handling the injection layer are important.

Although rare, the thing to guard against most is vascular occlusion. If the following signs appear, you must seek medical attention without delay.

• Severe pain immediately after the procedure

• Skin paleness or purple/lacy pattern discoloration

• Numbness in fingers

• Signs leading to blisters or skin necrosis

These symptoms are not common, but when they do appear, how quickly you respond determines the outcome. It is good to check in advance whether the place where you receive the procedure has a response system for such emergency situations. For reference, for side effects of hyaluronic acid-based fillers, a response using hyaluronidase to degrade them is used, but since Re2O belongs to a different component class, it is safe to check the response method for side effects separately before the procedure.

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have an autoimmune disease, or are taking anticoagulants, the procedure may not be recommended, so please be sure to inform us of your medications and medical history in advance.

📌 Key Summary: Bruising, swelling, and nodules are common reactions, and signs of vascular occlusion such as paleness, purple discoloration, or severe pain require immediate medical attention.

🌿 Onlif Clinic views it from this perspective

Onlif Clinic is a clinic in Gangnam that focuses on non-surgical procedures from a dermatological perspective. We aim to revive the skin's natural texture and elasticity rather than an approach that changes the shape.

Skin boosters that handle skin quality like Re2O, rather than being completed with a single procedure, have varying results in the process of reading the skin condition and elaborately designing the injection method and layer. Just as there are situations where hand injection is right and situations where a cannula is suitable. This is also why Onlif has a 'doctor specialty system' where we focus on procedures that each doctor is good at in their field.

Not excessively, without changing you, but just relieving the skin concerns that were covering you up. That is Onlif's attitude toward dealing with skin boosters.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is Re2O hand injection a facial procedure or a back-of-the-hand procedure?

Re2O is a skin booster aimed at improving skin quality, so the area is not fixed. 'Hand injection' refers to the manual injection method, not the area. It is correct to decide which area to use and for what purpose through consultation.

Which method is better, hand injection or cannula?

It depends on the situation. Hand injection is advantageous when precisely refining a narrow area, while a cannula is advantageous when uniformly filling a wide area while reducing the burden of pain and bruising. You choose or combine them according to your skin condition and goals.

Since Re2O is a human-derived ingredient, can rejection reactions occur?

Re2O is a decellularized dermis-based product from which cell components that can cause immune reactions have been removed, so it is made in a way that reduces the possibility of foreign body reactions. However, since there are individual differences, please be sure to let us know your medical history and allergy history in advance.

What should I do if nodules (clumping) form?

Nodules can occur when dilution is insufficient or when an excessive amount is injected into a shallow layer. They usually ease over time, but if the palpable lump persists, it is recommended to get a medical examination at the place where you received the procedure and discuss treatment appropriate for your condition.

How long does the effect last?

Based on skin booster-type procedures, it is generally described as about 3 to 6 months. It varies depending on individual differences and the degree of management, and repeated procedures at intervals of 3 to 4 weeks are recommended to maintain the effect.

What should I do if a serious side effect like vascular occlusion is suspected?

If severe pain, skin paleness, purple/lacy pattern discoloration, blisters, or finger numbness appear immediately after the procedure, you must seek medical attention immediately. Although it is not common, the speed of response determines the outcome, so it is safe to check the emergency response system before the procedure.

Re2O Hand Injection, things to check before choosing a hospital

Even for the same procedure, the results and recovery process vary depending on where, who, and how it is done. Asking these items directly during the consultation will help you make a decision.

• Is it a place that performs that procedure frequently? — Every hospital has different main procedures. Check if it is a place that regularly performs Re2O hand injections.

• Can you check the products and equipment used? — Ask if you can verify the product name and whether it is genuine (whether it is an import-approved product and if there is an opening verification procedure) during the consultation.

• Do they explain the composition of the cost? — Rather than just hearing the total amount, you need to hear an explanation of what product is used, how much, and in what range to make a judgment.

• Do they design by looking at the entire face? — Even for the same procedure, the injection location and amount differ depending on the face shape, skin condition, and left-right asymmetry.

• Do they explain the adverse reactions and recovery process first? — It is better to make a decision at a place that informs you of possible adverse reactions and how to cope with them, rather than a consultation that only talks about expected changes.

• Is there a way to check after the procedure? — Check if the time to check progress, how to contact if there is an anomaly, and criteria for revisiting are established.

Onlif Clinic does Re2O hand injection like this

• We divide responsibilities — With the thought that one doctor cannot handle all procedures, Onlif divides in-charge doctors by field for medical treatment.

• We check products and equipment together in the consultation — We guide you through the products used and the opening verification process during the consultation.

• Costs are guided along with the composition after diagnosis — Since the area, volume, and range differ for each person, we explain what costs how much together.

• We design by looking at the balance of the entire face — We view the face through three axes: texture, balance, and signs of youth, and make plans in a direction that tidies up the parts covering the natural impression rather than changing the shape.

• We tell you about adverse reactions and the recovery process first — Along with the changes that can be expected, we guide you through individual differences, possible adverse reactions, and coping methods before the procedure.

• We look at the progress together after the procedure — If verification is needed during the recovery period, we guide you through the revisit and contact channels.

If you are considering Re2O hand injection, it is better to first check what is possible and what is difficult in your current state. An accurate diagnosis and treatment plan can only be determined through an in-person medical examination. Check it out through a consultation at Gangnam Onlif Clinic.