![Official] Smart Skin Clinic｜Aesthetic Dermatology Group (Jimbocho, Yokohama)](https://smartskin-clinic.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Smart-skin-clinic-ロゴ500-×-100-px.png)
GOURI injection [PCL preparation
"I wonder what GOURI injections are all about?"
"I'd like to get GOURI injections, but I'm concerned about the effects and the cost."
Do you have concerns like these?
Smart Skin Clinic, a cosmetic dermatology clinic, explains GOURI injections clearly from a professional standpoint to help resolve these concerns.
*If you would like to know the pricing and other details, you can jump there from the table of contents below.
Group Chief Director, Smart Skin Clinic Group
Ishii Kota
Career
Graduated from Juntendo University School of Medicine
Worked at Tokyo Women's Medical University Hospital and affiliated facilities
Worked at a major aesthetic clinic in Tokyo
Affiliations / Qualifications
Board-certified specialist, Japan Surgical Society
Board-certified specialist, Japanese Society of Anti-Aging Medicine
What is a GOURI injection?
GOURI is an injectable formulation containing an ingredient called PCL (polycaprolactone).
The PCL in GOURI is liquefied, making it the world's first "liquefied PCL formulation" to be developed.
Being transformed into a liquid rather than a solid.
What is PCL?
PCL is a thread used in the medical field. Technically, it is called a "biodegradable synthetic polymer," meaning it dissolves and is absorbed within the body. It is also worth noting the word "polymer," as high-molecular-weight ingredients can be expected to add volume.
Because PCL is a thread and is a foreign substance to the body, a "foreign body reaction" occurs within the body. This foreign body reaction stimulates the fibroblasts within the skin (the dermis), increasing and activating collagen and elastin to deliver a lifting effect.
This PCL is also a type of thread used in thread lifts. In thread lifts the PCL is solid, but the PCL in GOURI is liquefied.
This ingredient, PCL, has been approved by the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) and the CE (European safety standard) and has a strong safety profile.
Differences from conventional PCL formulations
PCL formulations other than GOURI have existed before.
However, conventional PCL was not liquefied but solid (particulate), so it carried the risk of vascular embolism and of forming lumps.
GOURI is the PCL formulation that resolves these risks.
GOURI's three characteristics (3S)
GOURI has the following three characteristics.
- Spreadability
- Sustainability
- Safety
These are called the 3S, an acronym for the three characteristics.
(1) Spreadability
Liquefied PCL is highly spreadable. This offers two advantages.
(1) Because it spreads over a wide area, it works evenly throughout.
(2) It requires fewer injection sites to produce a broad effect, so the treatment time is shorter.
(2) Sustainability
PCL forms aggregates within the skin (creating a three-dimensional matrix) and increases and activates collagen over the medium to long term.
Specifically,about 6 to 12 monthsThe effect is sustained continuously for
(3) Safety
PCL is a highly safe ingredient approved by the FDA and CE.
It is liquefied, so there is very little risk of vascular embolism or lump formation.
Effect
GOURI offers a variety of benefits for the skin.
- Improved skin elasticity
- Lift-up
- Tightening
- Improvement of sagging
- Hollows under the eyes
- Improvement of wrinkles at the outer corners of the eyes
- Improvement of hollow cheeks
- Improvement of fine lines
- Improvement of melasma
Among these, what is especially characteristic of GOURI isits strong effect on lifting and improving sagging.These are notable examples.
Case photos (before/after)
Recommended number/frequency of treatments
It is recommended to perform 3 to 4 sessions, spaced about one month apart. After that, maintenance about every six months to a year is recommended.
Treatment Area / Method
Treatment areas
The main treatment areas can be broadly grouped into the following three.
- Forehead
- Cheeks (around the eyes, cheeks, and mouth)
- Neck
Treatment Method
As a starting point, there are two types of injection needles used in GOURI, as follows.
- Sharp needle = pointed tip
- Blunt needle = not pointed
In the GOURI procedure, the orange points in the figure below are pierced with (1) a sharp needle to make an opening in the skin.
Next, (2) a blunt needle is passed through the opening just made. GOURI is then injected into the light-blue areas in the figure above.
(1) There is some pain when the sharp needle penetrates the skin, but (2) there is little pain when the blunt needle is moved. You may feel some discomfort or pain when the product is injected.
With the injection method shown in the figure, the recommended dose is one vial per side, for a total of two vials.
Which layer is it injected into?
Injectable formulations differ in both ingredients and purpose from one product to the next. That is why choosing the formulation best suited to each one"layer"and"amount"is very important for drawing out the effect correctly.
In the case of GOURI, the main injection sites are "from the deep dermis to the subcutaneous fat layer."
The skin is structured in layers, starting from the surface: the "epidermis," the "dermis" (comprising the superficial, middle, and deep layers), the "subcutaneous fat layer," and the "muscle layer," each of which plays a distinct role. The area extending from the deep dermis to the subcutaneous fat layer serves as the structural foundation and provides volume deep within the skin.
The area that best draws out the effects intended for GOURI's ingredients and purpose is from the deep dermis to the subcutaneous fat layer, and this is the medical rationale for our clinic injecting this formulation into that area.
Who cannot receive this treatment
Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding
Those with abnormal immune function or a history of it, and those undergoing immunosuppressive therapy
Those prone to keloid formation, hypertrophic scarring, or pigmentation disorders
Those with a bleeding tendency, or those taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin or anticoagulants such as warfarin
- Those who have excessive sunburn, eczema, dermatitis, severely inflamed acne, or scabs at the Juvelook Volume (Lenisna) injection site
Risks / Side Effects
At the needle puncture site:
Redness, swelling, pain, edema
Bruising
Temporary raised bumps
At the injection site
- Nodules
Downtime
Redness and raised bumps at the injection site may occur, but in most cases they return to normal within 48 hours.
Due to the nature of the treatment, subcutaneous bleeding may occur at the needle puncture site, though not always. If bruising occurs, it gradually fades over 10 to 14 days.
Progression
Results vary from person to person, so the following is a general progression for reference.
After a few days
You feel changes such as improved skin radiance.
After a few weeks
You also begin to feel some lift and other effects.
After one month
You increasingly feel effects such as lifting and improved skin elasticity.
Aftercare
For 24 hours after the treatment, avoid strenuous exercise, saunas, baths (showers are fine), and alcohol (small amounts are acceptable). We recommend reducing irritation to the skin and refraining from vigorous activity for at least about three days after the treatment.
Treatment Flow
You can easily book from your smartphone.
A smart, effortless check-in: just give your name and our clinic IT system completes reception right away.
During counseling, please feel free to share any concerns. Rest assured, there is no pushy sales.
After marking is done, we perform the injection while checking in with you as we go.
We explain in detail how to care for the treated area and what to keep in mind in daily life. From a prevention and maintenance standpoint, we also suggest suitable home care, such as oral medications and skincare products that can support improvement of your concerns.
Physician's comment
GOURI itself is not yet very well known in Japan, but it is a formulation that has become a topic of discussion at prestigious international conferences such as the AMWC.
An abbreviation for the Aesthetic & Anti-Aging Medicine World Congress.
A one-of-a-kind international medical conference series with a strong reputation for bringing together the world's top cosmetic-medicine and anti-aging specialists to share their expertise.
[Official website]https://www.amwc-japan.com/
In actual practice, we feel that, compared with other injectable formulations, GOURI offers a comprehensive approach to the concerns of people in their 40s and beyond.
Please feel free to consult us if you have concerns such as sagging or wanting to lift and firm your face.
Pricing
| 1cc | Price |
| 1 bottle | 54,800 yen |
| 2 bottles | 98,400 yen (1 vial 49,000 yen) |
| 3 bottles | 158,400 yen (1 vial 52,800 yen) |
| 4 bottles | 190,000 yen (1 vial 47,500 yen) |
| 6 threads | 269,400 yen (1 vial 44,900 yen) |
| 8 threads | 339,200 yen (1 vial 42,400 yen) |
Need for Anesthesia | High
Prices shown are all-inclusive, covering anesthesia and other fees.
This is because anesthesia is recommended for this treatment, so the standard practice is to perform it after applying anesthetic cream or administering local anesthesia.
- 10,000 yen discount for eligible monitor cases (available with a set of 4 or more)
- All prices include tax
- This is not covered by insurance; it is an elective (out-of-pocket) treatment.
Monitor Requirements
①Intended Use｜We may publish your photos on our website, Instagram, and similar media with the eye area concealed, or show them to other patients as treatment examples [please picture typical case photos].
②Procedure｜You pay the regular price at your first visit, and we refund the difference (between the regular price and the monitor price) when the monitor photos are taken (3 to 7 days after the second treatment).
For lifting purposes, injections are placed into the cheeks, and 2 bottles (2cc) per session are recommended.
If you would like a set of 3 sessions, choosing the set of 6 offers better value. If you would like a set of 4 sessions, choosing the set of 8 offers better value.
Details
| Treatment Time | About 20 to 30 minutes (not including counseling) |
| Recommended Number & Frequency of Treatments | It is recommended to perform sets of 3 to 4 sessions at intervals of about one month. - After that, maintenance is recommended about once every six months to one year. |
| Downtime | About 24 hours |
| Treatment on the day of counseling | Available |
| Makeup | Possible right after the treatment |
| Skincare | Possible right after the treatment |
| Shower | Possible from the same day |
| Pain | A slight pricking sensation when the needle is inserted. A dull, mildly pressing sensation during injection |
Legal Notices
GOURI treatment includes procedures using pharmaceuticals or medical devices that are not approved in Japan. The pharmaceuticals and devices used in the treatment are personally imported under the judgment of our physicians.
Please refer to this page for information on medications and similar items that require caution in personal importation.
Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, "Medications and Similar Items That Require Caution in Personal Importation."
Physician Who Supervised This Page
Smart Skin Clinic, Chief Medical Director / Physician
Kota Ishii
We oversee treatment policies across the entire group, tailored to the skin condition of each individual patient. The content on this page has been reviewed and approved in line with our clinic's treatment policies.
Interview with Director Kota Ishii
Kota Ishii, our Chief Medical Director, shares our clinic's approach to patient care.
Clinic List
Jimbocho Clinic
〒101-0054
3-16-1 Kanda Nishiki-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, EX Kanda Nishiki-cho Building 8F (general reception) / 7F
Hours: Mon–Fri 11:00–20:00 / Sat & Sun 10:00–19:00
Yokohama Clinic
〒221-0835
TS Plaza Building 2F, 2-23-2 Tsuruya-cho, Kanagawa-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa
Hours: 10:00–19:00
About the physician supervision of this site
This site is operated under the supervision of a Smart Skin Clinic supervising physician.
This page was produced in accordance with the Medical Advertising Guidelines Medical Advertising Guidelines revised and enforced in June 2018, under which we produce and provide this information.
- Scope of supervision: treatment descriptions, risks and side effects, price display
- Last supervision date: June 26, 2025