Ultherapy in Korea is a non-surgical lift that uses focused ultrasound from a Merz Aesthetics device to heat small points at 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 mm, the deepest reaching the SMAS layer that surgeons tighten in a facelift. A full-face session usually takes 30 to 60 minutes after numbing cream has worked for a while. Most people go back to sightseeing the same day with mild redness or swelling, and flying home a day later is common. Firming builds slowly over two to three months as new collagen forms. Clinics quote it by the number of lines fired per area, and this page compares clinics and their listed prices.
Merz Aesthetics · Ultherapy PrimeIs it for you?
Who Ultherapy in Gangnam suits, and who should wait
The treatment fits adults with early to moderate sagging: a softening jawline, cheeks that sit a little lower than before, loose skin under the chin or a heavy brow. Skin needs some thickness and elasticity left for the heat to work with, which is why people in their late thirties to early sixties are the usual patients.
It will not replace surgery when skin hangs in folds, and it does not erase deep static wrinkles, pigment spots or lost volume. Very thin faces can look slightly more hollow if fat pads are heated too much, so the doctor should map depths to your anatomy.
Usually a good fit
- Mild to moderate jawline or jowl laxity
- Loose skin under the chin or on the neck
- Drooping brow or crepey skin around the eyes
- Travelers needing a lift with little downtime
May be better to wait
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Open wounds, active acne or infection on the area
- Metal implants, fillers or threads in the treatment zone
- Heavy folds of skin that need surgical removal
Clinics in Gangnam
10 clinics for Ultherapy in Gangnam
Every clinic below lists Ultherapy among its treatments. Message a clinic directly.
1RE:BERRY Clinic Gangnam
2
3
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5Leaders Dermatology Clinic Samseong Central
6Tones Clinic Gangnam
7
8Lifton Dermatology Clinic
9
10Jiwoo Clinic
How it works
How a Ultherapy session runs
Ultherapy is a microfocused ultrasound device. A handpiece called a transducer sends ultrasound energy to a fixed depth, where it creates tiny thermal coagulation points while leaving the surface untouched. Three standard transducers target 4.5 mm for the SMAS, 3.0 mm for the deep dermis and 1.5 mm for finer texture. A live ultrasound image on the screen lets the operator see the layers before each pass, so energy lands where it is meant to rather than on bone.
The research base is broad. A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis by Amiri and colleagues in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal pooled 42 studies and found that investigators rated 89% of patients as showing some global aesthetic improvement, while patients reported a mean pain score of 4.85 out of 10, which the authors described as moderate. A 2023 meta-analysis by Ling and Zhao in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reported overall response rates of 77% at 90 days and 69% at 180 days.
In Seoul clinics the dose is counted in lines, meaning single passes of the transducer. The face is mapped into zones, each zone gets a set number of lines at each depth, and the total line count sets the price unit. Ultherapy Prime is the newer platform from the same maker with a refined imaging screen; the energy type and depths are the same.
Assessment and mapping
The doctor checks skin thickness, laxity and fat distribution, then marks zones on the face with a white pencil. This takes about 10 to 15 minutes and is when line counts per area should be written down for you.
Numbing
A topical anesthetic cream is applied and left for roughly 30 to 40 minutes. Some clinics add oral pain relief or cooling for sensitive areas such as the jawline and above the bone.
Imaging and treatment
Gel is applied, the transducer is placed flat, and the screen confirms the layer. Each line delivers a row of heat points with a short prickling or deep aching sensation. A full face takes about 30 to 60 minutes depending on the line count.
Cooling and aftercare
The gel is wiped off, a soothing mask or cool pack may be used for 10 minutes, and you receive written aftercare. Makeup can usually go back on the same day.
Ultherapy compared with other options
| Feature | Ultherapy | Shurink Universe | Thermage FLX |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | Focused ultrasound (HIFU) | Focused ultrasound (HIFU) | Monopolar radiofrequency |
| Depth | Fixed points at 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 mm | Cartridges from 1.5 to 4.5 mm | Broad heating around 3 mm in the dermis |
| Main effect | Lifting of the SMAS and deep dermis | Lifting with a focus on contour | Overall skin tightening and texture |
| Imaging | Live ultrasound view of the layers | No layer imaging screen | No layer imaging screen |
| Sensation | Deep aching along bone | Milder prickling on most settings | Brief heat pulses with cooling |
At a glance
Ultherapy facts
| Device and maker | Ultherapy or Ultherapy Prime, Merz Aesthetics |
|---|---|
| Energy type | Microfocused ultrasound (HIFU) with visualization |
| Depths | 1.5 mm, 3.0 mm and 4.5 mm (SMAS) |
| Dose unit | Lines per area, totaled for the session |
| Numbing | Topical cream for about 30 to 40 minutes |
| Session length | About 30 to 60 minutes for a full face |
| Downtime | Usually none; mild redness or swelling |
| Usual sessions | One session, repeated after about a year if wanted |
| Results show | Gradually over 2 to 3 months |
Prices
Ultherapy cost in Gangnam
Prices below come from the listed clinics' own price lists, before VAT. 10% VAT is added at payment.
Ultherapy · 100 shots
Range across 2 listed clinics · approx. $291–$327₩400,000–₩450,000 + VATCompare clinicsUltherapy · 300 shots
Range across 3 listed clinics · approx. $720–$945₩990,000–₩1,300,000 + VATCompare clinicsUltherapy · 400 shots
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $960₩1,320,000 + VATCompare clinicsUltherapy · 500 shots
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $1,200₩1,650,000 + VATCompare clinicsUltherapy · 600 shots
Range across 3 listed clinics · approx. $1,440–$1,818₩1,980,000–₩2,500,000 + VATCompare clinicsRecovery
What the days after look like
Skin looks pink and may feel warm or tight. Normal activities, gentle cleansing and light makeup are fine.
Mild swelling, tenderness along the jaw or small welts can appear and fade. A flight home is generally fine.
Any bruising or numb patches settle, and some people notice early firmness.
New collagen forms and the lift becomes visible. This is the point to judge the result.
Results often hold for about a year, after which a maintenance session can be discussed.
Safety
Ultherapy risks and limits
- Redness, swelling and tenderness are common and usually pass within hours to a few days.
- Bruising, welts or temporary numbness can occur, mostly along the jawline.
- Rare effects include nerve irritation causing brief muscle weakness, and small burns if energy is placed too shallow.
- Overtreatment of thin faces may cause a hollow look in the cheeks or temples.
- Results vary from person to person, and the treatment cannot match the change of a surgical facelift.
Evidence
Research behind this page
- Microfocused Ultrasound With Visualization (MFU-V) Effectiveness and Safety: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisAesthetic Surgery Journal · 2024 · Amiri M, Ajasllari G, Llane A, Casabona G, Pavicic T, Sevi J, et al. · doi:10.1093/asj/sjae228
Pooled 42 studies of microfocused ultrasound with visualization and found most patients improved, with moderate pain and mostly mild, short-lived side effects.
- A Systematic Review of the Clinical Efficacy of Micro-Focused Ultrasound Treatment for Skin Rejuvenation and TighteningCureus · 2021 · Khan U, Khalid N · doi:10.7759/cureus.20163
Reviewed ten studies in adults aged 35 to 65 and reported improvement of mid and lower face sagging without injury to the skin surface.
- A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Clinical Efficacy and Patients’ Satisfaction of Micro-focused Ultrasound (MFU) Treatment for Facial Rejuvenation and TighteningAesthetic Plastic Surgery · 2023 · Ling J, Zhao H · doi:10.1007/s00266-023-03384-1
Meta-analysis of 13 studies with 477 participants showing response rates that stayed high at 90 and 180 days after facial treatment.
FAQ
Questions about Ultherapy in Gangnam
How painful is Ultherapy in Seoul clinics?
Most people describe a deep ache or sharp prickle on each line, strongest over bone near the jaw and forehead. In the 2024 review by Amiri and colleagues in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal, patients rated pain at about five out of ten on average. Numbing cream, cooling and short breaks help, and you can ask for lower energy on sensitive zones. Tell the doctor early if a pass feels too strong.
How soon after Ultherapy in South Korea can I fly home?
Flying home the next day is usually fine because the skin surface is not broken. Swelling or tenderness may last a day or two but does not affect cabin pressure or travel. Book the session early in the trip if you would like time to see how the skin settles and to ask follow-up questions in person. Carry the written aftercare sheet with you.
When will I see results from Korea Ultherapy?
A slight tightening can appear right away, but the real lift develops over two to three months. Heat points trigger new collagen and elastin, which takes time to mature. In the 2023 meta-analysis by Ling and Zhao in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, response rates were still high at 180 days. Photos taken in the same light before treatment and at three months give the fairest comparison.
How long do the effects of a session last?
Results commonly hold for about a year, sometimes longer, depending on age, skin quality and lifestyle. The treatment does not stop aging, so the face continues to change over time. Sun protection, not smoking and stable weight help results last. Many people return for one maintenance session about once a year rather than a series close together. Tracking photos yearly helps decide timing.
Is Ultherapy suitable for men?
Yes, men with a softening jawline or loose skin under the chin are common patients. Male skin is often thicker, so the doctor may plan more lines at the deeper levels and adjust energy along the beard area. Shaving the day before helps the transducer sit flat. Expectations are the same as for women: a gradual, natural firming rather than a sharp change.
Who should not have Ultherapy treatment?
People who are pregnant, have open wounds or infection on the area, or have metal implants in the zone should not be treated. Very thin faces need careful depth selection to avoid hollowing. Recent filler or thread lifts in the same area may call for a waiting period. Share your full medical history, including blood thinners, so the doctor can adjust or postpone.
Can Ultherapy in Seoul, Korea be combined with other treatments?
Yes, it is often paired with skin boosters, botulinum toxin or a radiofrequency treatment, either the same day or on separate days. Combining layers can address both lift and surface texture. Ask the doctor about order and spacing, since filler is usually placed after ultrasound rather than before. A short trip can still fit two or three treatments if planned well.
How do I know a Seoul Ultherapy clinic uses a genuine device?
Ask to see the device screen and the transducer before treatment, and look for the maker's branding and the live layer image. Genuine transducers carry a counter that tracks lines used, which can be shown to you. A written plan listing lines per area makes the dose clear. Hesitation to show the equipment is a reason to ask more questions.
Is the price shown before or after tax?
Prices on this site are listed before VAT, and 10% VAT is added at payment. When comparing quotes, check whether numbing, a soothing mask or follow-up checks are part of the package. Ask for the total line count in writing so two offers can be compared on the same basis. Paying by card or cash is usually accepted, but ask in advance.
Will clinics explain the plan in English?
Many clinics that see international visitors have English-speaking staff or interpreters, and some give written aftercare in several languages. Language support varies from clinic to clinic, so confirm it before the appointment. The clinic cards on this page show what each clinic lists. A written plan with depths and line counts helps too. Keep it on your phone for the flight home.