Ultherapy in Korea: Complete HIFU Lifting Guide with Imaging 2025

Ultherapy stands as the original FDA-approved, ultrasound-based skin lifting treatment—the only non-invasive procedure with this distinction. Using micro-focused ultrasound with real-time imaging, Ultherapy delivers precise energy to the SMAS layer (the same tissue surgeons target in facelifts) while allowing practitioners to see exactly where they're treating. This combination of proven efficacy, safety profile, and precision has made Ultherapy the benchmark against which all other HIFU treatments are measured.

What is Ultherapy?

Ultherapy is a non-invasive skin lifting and tightening treatment that uses High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) technology to stimulate collagen production deep within the skin. Developed by Ulthera (now part of Merz Aesthetics), it's the only aesthetic ultrasound device with FDA clearance for lifting skin on the neck, under the chin, and on the eyebrow.

The Ultherapy Difference: Real-Time Imaging

What sets Ultherapy apart:

Built-in Ultrasound Imaging

• Same technology used in pregnancy ultrasounds
• Visualizes tissue layers in real-time
• Allows precise energy placement at optimal depth
• Ensures energy reaches SMAS layer
• Avoids nerves, bones, and other structures

This imaging capability transforms HIFU from "blind shooting" to precision targeting—you're not just hoping energy reaches the right depth; you can see it does.

Why Imaging Matters:

• Greater safety (visualize and avoid nerves)
• Better efficacy (confirm proper depth)
• Customized treatment (adapt to individual anatomy)
• Quality assurance (verify energy delivery)

How Ultherapy Works

Micro-Focused Ultrasound Technology

Energy Delivery:

• Ultrasound waves bypass surface skin
• Converge at specific focal point (1.5mm, 3.0mm, or 4.5mm depth)
• Create thermal coagulation points (65-70°C)
• Surrounding tissue remains unaffected

Think of it like using a magnifying glass to focus sunlight—energy concentrates at one precise point.

Three-Layer Treatment Approach

4.5mm Transducer (Deepest)

• Target: SMAS layer (muscular fascia)
• Effect: Structural lifting from foundation
• Area: Lower face, jawline, neck

3.0mm Transducer (Middle)

• Target: Mid-dermis
• Effect: Skin tightening, collagen stimulation
• Area: Full face, forehead

1.5mm Transducer (Superficial)

• Target: Upper dermis
• Effect: Fine line reduction, skin texture
• Area: Delicate areas (around eyes, décolletage)

The Collagen Timeline

Immediate (During Treatment)

• Thermal injury to collagen fibers
• Initial contraction (subtle)
• Foundation set for rebuilding

Weeks 1-8: Wound Healing

• Body recognizes "injury"
• Inflammatory response activated
• Fibroblasts mobilized
• Early collagen remodeling

Months 2-6: Neocollagenesis

• New collagen synthesis peaks
• Gradual lifting and tightening
• Progressive improvement
• Maximum results at 3-6 months

Months 6-12: Continued Benefits

• Collagen maturation continues
• Results maintained and may improve
• Long-lasting structural changes

Treatment Areas & Effects

Face

Full Face Lifting

• Overall skin firmness
• Subtle volumetric lift
• Natural rejuvenation

Specific Areas:

Eyebrow Lift

• Opens eye area
• Reduces hooding
• Non-surgical blepharoplasty alternative

Cheek Lift

• Lifts descended fat pads
• Restores youthful cheek position
• Improves mid-face contour

Jowls & Jawline

• Lifts sagging jowls
• Defines jawline
• Sharpens facial contours

Nasolabial Folds

• Softens smile lines
• Mid-face lift effect

Neck & Chin

Submental Area (Double Chin)

• Tightens skin under chin
• Improves chin-neck angle
• Reduces "turkey neck"

Neck Lines

• Smooths horizontal neck bands
• Tightens loose neck skin

Décolletage

Chest Wrinkles

• Improves chest skin texture
• Reduces sun damage appearance
• Tightens loose chest skin

Ultherapy Prices in Korea (2025)

Ultherapy is positioned as a premium treatment, but Korean pricing offers significant value.

Seoul Pricing by Shots

Cost Per Shot Breakdown

100 shots: ₩285,000-₩440,000 ($220-$340)

Typical full face: 600 shots = ₩1,500,000-₩2,000,000 ($1,155-$1,540)

Prices as of November 2025. Exchange rate: ₩1,300 ≈ $1 USD.

Price Factors

Higher Costs:

• Gangnam/Apgujeong premium clinics
• More shots (900 vs 600)
• Experienced "celebrity" doctors
• Combining multiple transducer depths
• Latest generation equipment

Lower Costs:

• Clinics outside central Seoul
• First-time promotional pricing
• Lower shot count (300 vs 600)
• Mid-tier neighborhoods

International Comparison

Korea offers 30-50% savings compared to Western countries.

Treatment Process

Before Treatment

Consultation:

• Skin assessment with pinch test
• Imaging visualization of tissue layers
• Treatment area mapping
• Realistic expectation discussion
• Medical history review

Preparation:

• Remove all makeup and jewelry
• Cleanse face thoroughly
• Optional: Pre-treatment oral pain medication
• Topical numbing cream (limited effectiveness)

During Treatment (60-90 minutes)

Step 1: Ultrasound Gel Application

• Thick gel layer applied to face
• Allows ultrasound transmission
• Prevents air gaps

Step 2: Imaging & Mapping

• Doctor uses imaging mode to visualize layers
• Identifies optimal treatment depths
• Marks treatment lines on face
• Customizes approach to your anatomy

Step 3: Energy Delivery

The Process:

• Handpiece placed on treatment line
• Imaging shows tissue layers on screen
• Doctor positions focus at target depth
• Foot pedal activates ultrasound energy
• Each line receives multiple energy points
• Systematic coverage of entire area

What You Experience:

Visualization Phase (Comfortable)

• Cool gel sensation
• Slight pressure from handpiece
• Can see your tissue layers on screen (some clinics show patients)

Energy Delivery Phase (Uncomfortable)

• Sharp, intense heat/electric sensation
• Lasts 1-2 seconds per point
• Deep, penetrating discomfort
• Bone areas most painful (jawline, forehead)

Pain Level:

• Overall: 7-8/10 (one of the most uncomfortable aesthetic treatments)
• Jawline/Bone areas: 8-9/10
• Soft tissue areas: 6-7/10
• With pain medication: 5-7/10

Pain Descriptors:

• "Like tiny electric shocks"
• "Sharp, deep aching"
• "Intense but brief"
• "Tolerable but not pleasant"

Step 4: Post-Treatment

• Remove gel and cleanse
• Apply soothing products
• Post-care instructions
• Schedule follow-up

Immediately After

Appearance:

• Moderate redness (sunburn-like)
• Slight swelling
• Faint grid marks from handpiece
• Possible bruising (rare)

Sensation:

• Tenderness to touch
• Warm, tight feeling
• Slight soreness

Activities:

• Can return to work next day
• Makeup allowed after 6-12 hours
• Avoid strenuous exercise for 24 hours

Recovery & Downtime

Ultherapy is often described as having "no downtime," but temporary effects are common.

Days 1-3: Initial Recovery

Appearance:

• Moderate swelling (especially jawline, under chin)
• Redness fading within 24 hours
• Skin feels tight
• Possible tenderness

Management:

• Sleep elevated
• Gentle skincare
• Cold compresses if needed
• Over-the-counter pain relief if necessary

Social Downtime: 1-2 days for most

Days 4-7: Improvement

Appearance:

• Swelling 70-80% resolved
• Minimal visible effects
• Can wear makeup

Activities:

• Resume all normal activities
• Light exercise allowed

Week 2+: Full Recovery

Appearance:

• All temporary effects resolved
• Subtle early tightening may be noticeable
• Skin texture improved

No restrictions

Aftercare Instructions

✅ Do:

• Stay well-hydrated
• Use gentle, hydrating products
• Apply SPF 50+ daily
• Moisturize regularly
• Be patient for results (3-6 months!)

❌ Avoid for 1 Week:

• Saunas, steam rooms, hot baths
• Excessive sun exposure
• Harsh exfoliants or retinoids
• Other facial treatments
• Facial massage (first 48 hours)

Results Timeline

Weeks 1-4: Minimal Visible Change

• Swelling and redness resolved
• Skin may feel slightly firmer
• No dramatic improvement yet
• This is normal—be patient!

Months 1-2: Early Improvement

• Subtle tightening becoming apparent
• Skin texture improving
• Friends might notice you look "rested"
• Collagen production beginning

Months 3-6: Peak Results

• Maximum lifting and tightening achieved
• Significant improvement in skin laxity
• Jawline more defined
• Natural, gradual transformation
• This is the optimal time for before/after comparison

Months 6-12: Sustained Benefits

• Results maintained at peak
• Possible continued improvement
• Gradual collagen maturation
• Long-lasting structural changes

Duration

Single Treatment:

• Results last 9-18 months
• Gradual decline after 12-month mark
• Some patients report benefits lasting 2+ years

Maintenance:

• Repeat every 12-18 months for sustained results
• Single annual treatment often sufficient

Side Effects & Risks

Common (Temporary)

Swelling

• Duration: 2-7 days
• Severity: Moderate
• Most common side effect

Redness

• Duration: Few hours to 2 days
• Severity: Mild to moderate

Tenderness

• Duration: 3-14 days
• Sensitivity when touching treated areas

Tingling/Numbness

• Duration: Days to weeks
• Temporary nerve stimulation
• Resolves completely

Bruising (Uncommon)

• Duration: 5-10 days if occurs
• Rare with proper technique

Uncommon

Prolonged Swelling

• 2-3 weeks in some patients
• More common with aggressive treatment

Welts or Bumps

• Small raised areas along treatment lines
• Resolve within days
• Caused by intense focal heating

Muscle Soreness

• Like post-workout ache
• Resolves within week

Rare but Serious

Facial Fat Loss (Cheek Hollowing)

• Most concerning potential side effect
• Results from excessive energy or too-frequent treatments
• Can take 6+ months to recover
• Prevention: Conservative settings, proper intervals between treatments

Nerve Damage

• Temporary: Numbness, weakness (usually resolves 2-12 weeks)
• Permanent: Extremely rare with proper technique and imaging

Burns

• Very rare with FDA-approved devices and trained practitioners
• Imaging helps prevent by visualizing tissue

Paradoxical Sagging

• Extremely rare
• Skin appears worse after treatment
• Usually temporary, resolves with time

Risk Minimization

✅ Choose experienced, certified practitioners ✅ Verify authentic Ulthera device (check serial number) ✅ Ensure doctor uses imaging to guide treatment ✅ Start with conservative energy levels ✅ Don't exceed recommended treatment frequency ✅ Avoid if you have very little facial fat

Who Should Get Ultherapy?

Ideal Candidates

✅ Age 30-65 with mild to moderate skin laxity ✅ Realistic expectations - Natural improvement, not facelift results ✅ Good skin elasticity - Some "bounce back" remaining ✅ Adequate facial volume - Not extremely thin face ✅ Willing to wait - Results take 3-6 months ✅ Can tolerate significant discomfort - Treatment is painful ✅ Want FDA-approved treatment - Proven safety and efficacy ✅ Budget for premium procedure - Ultherapy is expensive

Best Results For

• Mild to moderate jowl formation
• Beginning eyebrow droop
• Mild double chin
• Loss of jawline definition
• Early neck laxity
• Maintenance after surgical facelift

Not Recommended For

❌ Severe sagging (surgical facelift more appropriate) ❌ Very thin face (risk of fat loss and hollow appearance) ❌ Extremely low pain tolerance (treatment is quite uncomfortable) ❌ Pregnancy or breastfeeding ❌ Active skin infections ❌ Metal implants in treatment area ❌ Open wounds or severe acne ❌ Unrealistic expectations (expecting dramatic, immediate transformation)

Ultherapy vs Other Treatments

Ultherapy vs Shurink

Key Differences:

Ultherapy:

• Real-time imaging for precision
• FDA-approved with extensive clinical data
• 1 treatment per year
• Results last 12-18 months
• 3x more expensive
• More predictable outcomes

Shurink:

• No imaging (practitioner-dependent)
• Korean-developed, less clinical data
• 3-4 treatments per year
• Results last 3-4 months per session
• Budget-friendly
• Results vary more by practitioner skill

Efficacy Comparison:

• 1 Ultherapy session ≈ 3-4 Shurink sessions (in total effect)
• Ultherapy produces stronger, longer-lasting results per treatment
• Shurink requires more frequent maintenance

When to Choose Ultherapy:

• Want longest-lasting results per session
• Prefer FDA-approved, proven technology
• Value precision and consistency
• Can afford premium pricing
• Want annual treatment (not quarterly)

When to Choose Shurink:

• Budget is primary concern
• Don't mind more frequent treatments
• Comfortable with practitioner-dependent results
• Want less expensive entry point

Ultherapy vs Thermage

Different Technologies:

• Ultherapy: HIFU (focused ultrasound)
• Thermage: Monopolar RF (radiofrequency)

Complementary Effects:

• Ultherapy: Focal lifting at specific depths
• Thermage: Volumetric bulk heating

Many Korean clinics recommend combining both for comprehensive results—Ultherapy for precise lifting, Thermage for overall tightening.

Combining Ultherapy with Other Treatments

Ultherapy pairs well with many procedures:

Recommended Combinations

Ultherapy + Thermage

• Timing: Same day or separate sessions
• Benefit: Comprehensive facial rejuvenation
• "1+1" effect popular in Korea

Ultherapy + Filler

• Timing: Filler 2-4 weeks before or after Ultherapy
• Benefit: Lifting + volume restoration
• Complete facial enhancement

Ultherapy + Botox

• Timing: Same day or 2 weeks apart
• Benefit: Dynamic wrinkles (Botox) + structural lifting (Ultherapy)

Ultherapy + Thread Lift

• Timing: 1-2 months apart
• Benefit: Immediate lift (threads) + long-term collagen building (Ultherapy)

Ultherapy + Skin Boosters

• Timing: Boosters 2-4 weeks after Ultherapy
• Benefit: Hydration support during collagen production phase

The "Premium Package"

Korean clinics often offer comprehensive anti-aging programs:

1. Ultherapy - Structural foundation and collagen
2. Filler - Volume restoration where needed
3. Botox - Dynamic wrinkle prevention
4. Skin Boosters - Hydration and texture

Complete rejuvenation addressing all aging aspects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is Ultherapy really worth 3x the cost of Shurink? A: Depends on your priorities. Ultherapy offers imaging precision, FDA approval, longer-lasting results per session (12-18 months vs 3-4 months), and more consistent outcomes. You need 1 Ultherapy annually vs 3-4 Shurink treatments. Cost-per-month may be similar when accounting for frequency. Choose Ultherapy for proven technology and convenience; choose Shurink for budget constraints.

Q: How painful is Ultherapy really? A: Very honest answer: It's one of the most uncomfortable aesthetic treatments (7-8/10). The sensation is sharp, deep, and intense during each energy pulse. However, each pulse lasts only 1-2 seconds, and the total discomfort time is relatively brief (minutes, not hours). Most patients find it tolerable but not pleasant. Pain medication helps moderately.

Q: When will I see results? A: This is a patience game. Subtle changes at 4-8 weeks, noticeable improvement at 2-3 months, peak results at 3-6 months. If you need immediate results for an event next month, choose filler or thread lift instead.

Q: Can Ultherapy replace a facelift? A: No. Ultherapy provides moderate improvement for mild to moderate laxity—think 30-40% of surgical results. It's excellent for prevention, maintenance, and early intervention, but cannot achieve what surgery can for severe sagging.

Q: Why does Ultherapy cost so much? A: FDA approval process, extensive clinical research, proprietary imaging technology, device costs, and proven track record justify premium pricing. You're paying for safety data, precision, and reliability.

Q: How often should I get Ultherapy? A: Once every 12-18 months. Unlike Shurink (quarterly) or skin boosters (monthly), Ultherapy's long-lasting results mean annual maintenance is sufficient.

Q: Can I get Ultherapy if I have threads or filler? A: Generally yes, but timing matters. Wait 2-4 weeks after filler, 4-6 weeks after thread lift. Imaging helps doctors avoid areas with existing threads or filler.

Q: Will I look swollen after treatment? A: Moderate swelling for 2-5 days is common, especially in the jawline and under-chin area. Plan for 1-2 days of social downtime if you're concerned about appearance.

Choosing a Clinic in Korea

Essential Qualifications

Verify Authentic Equipment:

• Check device serial number with Merz (manufacturer)
• Authentic Ulthera devices required for warranty
• Counterfeit devices exist—be cautious of unusually low prices

Practitioner Experience:

• Board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon
• Extensive Ultherapy experience (hundreds of cases)
• Uses imaging throughout treatment (not just initially)
• Can show before/after portfolio

Red Flags:

• Prices significantly below market (₩800,000 for 600 shots = suspicious)
• No imaging shown during treatment
• Technician performing treatment instead of doctor
• No serial number verification offered

Seoul Clinic Options

Gangnam/Apgujeong:

• Highest concentration of experienced practitioners
• Premium pricing (₩1,800,000-₩2,500,000 for full face)
• English-speaking staff common
• Latest equipment

Other Districts:

• More affordable (₩1,300,000-₩1,800,000)
• Quality practitioners available
• Less tourist-focused
• Good value

Research Platforms

Gangnam Unni (강남언니)

• Verified patient reviews
• Real pricing transparency
• Before/after photos

Modoodoc (모두닥)

• Clinic comparisons
• Treatment information
• Patient ratings

Conclusion

Ultherapy represents the gold standard of non-invasive ultrasound lifting—the only FDA-approved treatment of its kind, backed by extensive clinical research and 15+ years of global use. Its real-time imaging technology transforms HIFU from a "blind" treatment to precision-guided therapy, ensuring energy reaches optimal depths while avoiding sensitive structures.

With Korean pricing of $1,000-$1,540 for full face (30-50% less than Western countries), 12-18 month lasting results from a single annual treatment, and proven safety and efficacy, Ultherapy offers excellent value for patients seeking premium, predictable outcomes.

Is Ultherapy worth it? For those who value FDA approval, want the most precise HIFU technology, prefer annual (vs quarterly) treatments, and can tolerate significant discomfort during the procedure—yes. The combination of imaging precision, proven results, and long duration makes it the benchmark against which all other HIFU treatments are measured.

Ready to experience the original FDA-approved ultrasound lifting? Book a consultation at a Seoul clinic to discover if Ultherapy is your path to natural, long-lasting facial rejuvenation.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer: This article provides general information about Ultherapy treatment and should not be considered medical advice. Ultherapy carries risks including nerve damage, fat loss, burns, and paradoxical sagging when improperly performed. Pain levels during treatment are significant (7-8/10) despite being non-invasive. Results vary greatly by individual factors including age, skin condition, and collagen response. Always verify authentic Ulthera equipment—counterfeit devices exist in some markets. Results require 3-6 months to fully manifest and are not comparable to surgical facelift outcomes. Consult with a board-certified dermatologist or plastic surgeon before undergoing treatment. Patients with very thin faces or minimal facial fat should be cautious due to potential fat loss complications. The information provided is based on general practices in Korea as of 2025 and may not reflect specific clinic protocols or the most current medical guidelines. Do not use this article as a substitute for professional medical consultation.

Last Updated: November 7, 2025 Reading Time: 10 minutes