Thermage in Korea is a session with Thermage FLX, a monopolar radiofrequency device made by Solta Medical that heats the dermis evenly to firm loose skin on the face, eyelids and neck. Numbing cream goes on 30 to 60 minutes before treatment, and the session itself runs roughly 45 to 90 minutes depending on the shot count. Redness usually fades within a few hours, so most visitors can fly home the following day. Firmness develops gradually over two to six months as the skin rebuilds collagen. Clinics price Thermage by the number of shots delivered through a single-use tip, quoted before VAT. The clinic list and price table on this page let you compare options in one place.
Solta Medical · Thermage FLXIs it for you?
Who Thermage in Gangnam suits, and who should wait
Thermage suits adults with mild to moderate skin laxity who want firmer skin without surgery or a long recovery. Typical concerns are a softening jawline, crepey skin under the eyes, fine lines on the forehead and a neck that has lost some tone. People in their thirties to fifties with reasonable skin elasticity tend to respond most clearly, because the treatment works by tightening existing tissue rather than moving it.
It is a poor match for heavy sagging, deep folds or significant excess skin, where a surgical lift or a combined plan is more realistic. Thermage does not add volume, so hollow temples or flat cheeks need filler or another approach. It also will not remove pigment, broken capillaries or acne scars on its own; those respond to lasers or other energy devices.
Usually a good fit
- Early jowls or a softening jawline
- Crepey upper eyelids or fine eye lines
- Mild neck laxity with good skin quality
- Wants firmness with a usually short recovery
May be better to wait
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Active infection, eczema or open acne on the area
- Pacemaker or metal implants near the treatment zone
- Heavy sagging that needs surgery instead
Clinics in Gangnam
10 clinics for Thermage in Gangnam
Every clinic below lists Thermage among its treatments. Message a clinic directly.
1
2RE:BERRY Clinic Gangnam
3
4Snow Global Clinic
5Jiwoo Clinic
6Tones Clinic Gangnam
7Sia Clinic Gangnam
8
9
10Cleor Clinic Gangnam
How it works
How a Thermage session runs
Thermage FLX delivers monopolar radiofrequency through a capacitive tip that touches the skin. The current meets resistance in the tissue and turns into heat, warming the dermis to a depth of about 3 mm in a broad, even layer. Collagen fibers contract on the spot, and over the following months fibroblasts lay down new collagen, which is why firmness keeps improving after the visit. A cooling spray protects the surface between pulses, and the handpiece vibrates to dull the heat sensation.
Patient selection shapes the outcome. In a 2007 study in Aesthetic Surgery Journal, Sasaki and colleagues treated 25 patients and found that 19 of them responded progressively over 12 months; responders started with less tissue mobility, milder photoaging and shallower folds, while skin thickness and fat depth did not predict the result. A good consultation therefore looks at how loose the skin is, not only at age.
In Korea, clinics plan the dose as a shot count on a sealed, single-use tip, and that number sets the price. Face tips, a small eye tip and larger body tips are separate cartridges, so a face-and-eyes plan uses two tips. Clinics offering Thermage FLX in Seoul use the same device and tip system sold in other markets.
Assessment
The doctor checks laxity, skin thickness and any implants, then agrees the areas and total shots. A grid is printed or drawn on the skin to guide even coverage.
Numbing
Topical anesthetic cream stays on for 30 to 60 minutes. Eye treatment also uses a protective plastic shield placed over the eye.
Treatment
The tip is pressed square by square, usually in two or more passes, with extra passes along lines that need more lift. A face session takes roughly 45 to 90 minutes.
Soothing
The skin is cleaned and a calming cream or mask is applied for about 10 to 15 minutes. You can put on sunscreen and leave straight away.
Thermage compared with other options
| Feature | Thermage FLX | Ultherapy | Volnewmer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | Monopolar radiofrequency | Microfocused ultrasound | Monopolar radiofrequency |
| Main depth | Even dermal heating, about 3 mm | Point heating at set depths, down to the SMAS | Even dermal heating, about 3 mm |
| Main effect | Overall firmness and skin texture | Lift of deeper support layers | Firmness and texture |
| Sensation | Short bursts of deep heat | Sharp heat at deeper points | Heat, often with a cooling tip |
| Typical downtime | Redness for a few hours | Redness and tenderness for days | Redness for a few hours |
At a glance
Thermage facts
| Device | Thermage FLX by Solta Medical |
|---|---|
| Energy | Monopolar radiofrequency |
| Depth | Bulk heating of the dermis, about 3 mm |
| Dose unit | Shots on a sealed single-use tip |
| Numbing | Topical cream for 30 to 60 minutes |
| Session length | Roughly 45 to 90 minutes for the face |
| Downtime | Redness and mild swelling for hours to a day or two |
| Usual sessions | One session, often repeated about yearly |
| Earliest flight home | Usually the next day |
Prices
Thermage cost in Gangnam
Prices below come from the listed clinics' own price lists, before VAT. 10% VAT is added at payment.
Thermage · 225 shots
Range across 3 listed clinics · approx. $873–$945₩1,200,000–₩1,300,000 + VATCompare clinicsThermage · 300 shots
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $1,164₩1,600,000 + VATCompare clinicsThermage · 450 shots
Range across 5 listed clinics · approx. $1,200–$2,212₩1,650,000–₩3,042,000 + VATCompare clinicsThermage · 600 shots
Range across 6 listed clinics · approx. $1,382–$2,474₩1,900,000–₩3,402,000 + VATCompare clinicsThermage · 900 shots
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $3,127₩4,300,000 + VATCompare clinicsRecovery
What the days after look like
Skin looks pink and feels warm; some people notice an immediate slight tightening.
Mild swelling or tenderness along the jaw may linger; makeup is usually fine the next day.
Skin looks fresh and smooth; occasional tender spots or small bumps settle on their own.
Collagen remodeling brings gradual firming, with the clearest change typically around months four to six.
Safety
Thermage risks and limits
- Redness, warmth and swelling for hours to a couple of days
- Discomfort during pulses, which varies a lot between people
- Temporary tender areas, numb patches or small bumps
- Rare blisters, burns or fat loss if energy or technique is wrong
- Results vary from person to person and fade with ongoing aging
Evidence
Research behind this page
- Clinical parameters for predicting efficacy and safety with nonablative monopolar radiofrequency treatments to the forehead, face, and neckAesthetic Surgery Journal · 2007 · Sasaki G, Tucker B, Gaston M · doi:10.1016/j.asj.2007.05.007
Followed 25 patients for over a year and linked better response to lower baseline tissue mobility, milder photoaging and shallower folds.
- Efficacy and safety of a novel monopolar radiofrequency device for skin tightening: a multicenter, randomized, 6-month, assessor blind, positive parallel-controlled, non-inferiority trialLasers in Medical Science · 2026 · Wang Z, Li T, Wa Q, Liu Z, Yang B, Yan Y · doi:10.1007/s10103-026-04841-4
A randomized trial using Thermage as the control device, in which both arms showed facial wrinkle improvement at 90 days without serious adverse events.
- A Randomized, Split-Face, Evaluator-Blind Clinical Trial Comparing Monopolar Radiofrequency Versus Microfocused Ultrasound With Visualization for Lifting and Tightening of the Face and Upper NeckDermatologic Surgery · 2019 · Alhaddad M, Wu D, Bolton J, Wilson M, Jones I, Boen M · doi:10.1097/dss.0000000000001653
In 20 subjects, both monopolar radiofrequency and microfocused ultrasound reduced face and neck laxity from day 30 through six months, with no significant difference between sides.
FAQ
Questions about Thermage in Gangnam
Does Thermage hurt?
Most people feel short, deep pulses of heat that range from mildly uncomfortable to quite intense, and tolerance differs widely. Numbing cream, the vibration built into the handpiece and the cooling spray between pulses all reduce the sensation. Areas over bone, such as the jawline and forehead, often feel stronger than the cheeks. Tell the doctor during the session if a pass feels too hot, because energy can be lowered and extra passes added instead.
Is Thermage FLX in Korea the same device used abroad?
Yes, clinics use the same Thermage FLX system from Solta Medical, with the same tip types and shot-based dosing. What differs is the shot count each clinic proposes for an area and how packages are put together. Ask to see the sealed tip box before treatment and check that the shot counter starts from the full number, because each tip is single-use and the count confirms what you received.
Can I fly home the day after Thermage?
For most people, yes, flying the next day is fine because Thermage leaves no open wounds. Expect pinkness for a few hours and perhaps light swelling along the jaw or around the eyes for a day or two. Cabin air is dry, so pack a plain moisturizer and sunscreen. If you are also planning laser or injectable treatments on the same trip, schedule Thermage first and leave a day or two before flying.
When will I see results, and how long do they last?
Some people notice slight firmness straight away, but the main change builds over two to six months as new collagen forms. In a 2019 split-face trial in Dermatologic Surgery, Alhaddad and colleagues found laxity scores improved by day 30 and stayed improved at six months. Results vary from person to person, and aging continues, so many people book a repeat session roughly a year later to maintain the effect.
Can Thermage treat the eyelids?
Yes, Thermage FLX has a small eye tip designed for the upper and lower eyelid area, used with a protective shield over the eye. It targets crepey skin and mild hooding rather than heavy excess skin, which still needs eyelid surgery. Eye treatment is usually added to a face session as a separate tip, so ask whether a quote covers the face only or the face and eyes together.
Is Thermage in Seoul done by a doctor?
At aesthetic clinics in Seoul, a doctor normally assesses the skin and sets the plan, and many clinics also have the doctor perform the passes. Practice varies, so it is reasonable to ask who will hold the handpiece and whether that person adjusts energy as they go. Choosing someone who treats Thermage regularly matters because uneven technique is linked to rare problems such as burns or patchy results.
How should I prepare for Thermage?
Arrive with clean skin and no makeup on the area, and tell the doctor about pacemakers, metal implants, recent fillers or threads, and any skin conditions. Avoid strong sunburn or tanning beforehand. Stopping retinoids for a few days is often suggested. Allow time for the numbing cream, which adds up to an hour, and eat normally because the session can take a while.
Can I combine Thermage with Ultherapy or fillers?
Yes, combining is common, because Thermage firms the skin surface while Ultherapy lifts deeper layers and filler restores volume. The 2019 Dermatologic Surgery comparison found both energy types improved laxity, which is why some plans use both. Thermage is usually done before filler on the same day or with a gap of about two weeks, so the heat does not affect fresh product. The doctor should explain the order.
What aftercare does Thermage need?
Aftercare is simple: gentle cleansing, a plain moisturizer and daily sunscreen for the first week. Skip saunas, hot yoga and very hot showers for a few days while the skin is warm and sensitive. Avoid strong peels or retinoids for about a week. If you notice a blister, a hard lump or a numb patch that does not settle, contact the clinic that treated you, who can check it directly.
Are prices quoted with or without VAT?
Prices for Thermage in Korea are generally shown before VAT, and 10% VAT is added when you pay. When comparing quotes, check the shot count, the tip type and whether numbing, eye shields and soothing care are included. A lower figure with fewer shots is not the same treatment, so compare like for like and ask for the shot count in writing.