Is it really painless after undergoing South Korea’s ONDA microwave Lifting treatment? I personally tried it at Gangnam Dermatology, and the results were even more surprising than those achieved by Thermage.

At the end of last year, I came across numerous promotions for Dermatology clinics in South Korea online. Several of them featured a treatment called ONDA microwave Lifting, claiming that “no anesthesia is needed, the procedure takes only 30 minutes, and you can go shopping right after.” At that time, I thought those were just promotional slogans. However, when I actually went to a clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, in March this year and tried the treatment, I realized it was nothing but genuine—especially for people like us who are afraid of pain and downtime. It was truly designed just for us.

What exactly is ONDA microwave Lifting? How is it different from Thermage and HIFU?

The full name of ONDA is Onda Cool Waves, and it uses Bipolar RF technology, which operates on completely different principles from Thermage’s Monopolar RF and HIFU. Simply put, the energy emitted by Onda can accomplish two things simultaneously: it can tighten and Lifting the skin, as well as dissolve local fat. This is also the main difference between Onda and Thermage – Thermage only achieves skin tightening without fat dissolution, while Onda offers both effects.

A Dermatology doctor from South Korea explained to me that the energy density of ONDA is actually 30% higher than that of traditional radiofrequency technologies. However, due to its well-designed cooling system, the energy avoids hitting the nerve endings in the epidermis, so it hardly causes any pain. When I used it, I just felt my face getting warm, as if I had applied a hot facial mask – there was absolutely no need to use any anesthetic.

Price comparison of South Korea’s ONDA microwave Lifting treatment: How much cheaper is it than Thermage?

Project	Single-price option in South Korea	Reference prices for Taiwan/Hong Kong	pain sensation	Recovery period
ONDA Microwave Lifting	₩1.2 million to 2 million (approximately NT$3,000 to 6,000)	NT$8,000-15,000	Almost painless	None
Thermage FLX	₩2.5 million to 4 million (approximately NT$6,000 to 10,000)	NT$15,000 to 25,000	Moderate pain	Swelling persists for 1 to 3 days.
HIFU (US version)	₩3 million to ₩5 million (approximately NT$7,000 to NT$12,000)	NT$18,000 to 30,000	Moderate to severe pain	Slight swelling may occur within 1 to 2 weeks.

The prices mentioned above are approximate ranges that I obtained after consulting several Dermatology clinics in Gangnam. Prices can vary depending on the clinic and the specific treatment area. Overall, however, the prices of ONDA are roughly half those of Thermage, or even lower. This is one of the reasons why ONDA has become so popular in South Korea recently. According to data from the South Korea Medical Aesthetics Association in 2025, the customer repurchase rate for ONDA is as high as 83%.

At that time, I went to a Dermatology clinic in Cheongdam, Gangnam, for a full-face treatment plus jawline surgery. The cost was 9.16 million won (approximately NT$3,800), and this price included pre-operative consultations and post-operative ice compresses. The total cost of flying to South Korea, including airfare and accommodation, was actually much cheaper than having the same procedure done in Taiwan.

Complete record of the ONDA microwave Lifting treatment on that day: It only took 40 minutes from entering the clinic to completing the treatment.

Let me first describe the process that day. I made an appointment through BeautsGO at a Dermatology clinic in Gangnam. When I arrived, the translator sister was already waiting for me (so, don’t worry about language barriers).

Step 1: 3D Skin Analysis
The nurse first took
me for a 3D skin analysis. The screen clearly displayed the areas of my Apple Zone where Collagen had been lost, the depth of my Nasolabial Fold Correction, as well as the fat accumulation along my jawline. After reviewing the report, the doctor told me that my main issue was fat-related sagging, rather than pure Collagen loss. Therefore, ONDA Thermage would be more suitable for me — this statement made me feel that this clinic was quite honest.

Step 2: Cleansing + Makeup Removal
Then, the ther
apist helped me thoroughly remove my makeup and cleanse my skin, applying a thin layer of conductive gel. The entire process was very gentle, unlike some clinics where the cleansing steps can be rather rough.

Step 3: ONDA Microwave Lifting
The procedure is performed by a
doctor in person and takes approximately 30 minutes. The device moves back and forth across the face, staying on each area for a few seconds. When I asked the doctor if it would be painful, he replied, “What do you think?” Only then did I realize that half of the treatment had already been completed – and I actually felt almost no discomfort at all. The last area treated was the Double Chin; there was a slight sense of warmth there, but it was completely within an acceptable range.

Step 4: Postoperative Ice Application
After the
procedure, the nurse applied ice to my face for 10 minutes. My face did turn slightly red, but the redness disappeared quickly. When I looked in the mirror, I felt like my face had become a bit smaller… The doctor explained that this was due to the swelling effect, and that the actual results would not be fully visible until 1–2 months later.

How long does it take to see the results after undergoing ONDA treatment? What are the actual changes after 1 month and 3 months?

Let me share my follow-up experience after the procedure (not the kind of post you’d write just the day after the treatment):

After the first week: It’s almost impossible to tell that anything has been done to my face; there is no obvious redness or swelling, so it’s completely fine for me to go to work as usual. However, occasionally I feel a bit of tightness along the jawline, and the doctor said that this is a normal reaction related to collagen regeneration.

After one month: I could already see the results! When washing my face, I felt that my jawline was much clearer than before. During a friend gathering, two people asked me if I had lost weight recently, but in fact my weight hadn’t changed at all—it was just that my contours had become more defined.

After the 3rd month: This was when I noticed the most significant results. The Nasolabial Fold Correction had faded by about Samseong, and the fatiness of my Double Chin had decreased significantly, making the contours of the lower half of my face more V-shaped. Although it wasn’t back to my 20-year-old appearance, at least I no longer needed to use special makeup techniques to conceal my jawline when applying makeup.

Who is suitable for ONDA microwave Lifting? Doctors say these 3 groups of people are the most suitable candidates.

During the in-person consultation, the doctor told me that ONDA is not a panacea, but it is particularly suitable for the following situations:

• Fat-induced sagging: A large face is usually caused by fat accumulation rather than larger bones; ONDA’s fat-dissolving effects are particularly noticeable in such cases.
• People who are sensitive to pain and do not want to use anesthetics: For those who are particularly sensitive to pain, ONDA’s virtually pain-free feature is truly a lifesaver.
• No recovery time required: For office workers or business travelers who cannot take leave and need to meet with someone on the same day

However, doctors also specifically remind that if your sagging problem is severe (for example, in cases of significant relaxation in people over 50 years old), it may still be necessary to consider options such as HIFU or surgery. ONDA is more suitable for improving mild to moderate cases of sagging.

FAQs for Common Issues with ONDA: It is recommended to read these before using it for the first time.

Q1: Is it necessary to apply an anesthetic before using ONDA?

No need! This is one of ONDA’s greatest advantages. Its cooling system ensures that the ONDO’s surface temperature remains within a comfortable range throughout the entire process, causing only a mild sense of warmth and virtually no pain at all.

Q2: How long does the effect of ONDA last?

It is generally recommended to undergo the initial treatment course three times, with each session spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart. The results obtained can last for 6 to 12 months. thereafter, maintenance treatments can be carried out every six months to one year.

Q3: How long after undergoing an ONDA procedure can one wear makeup?

It can be done on the same day! After the procedure, there is only mild redness, which subsides within a few hours. No scabbing or peeling occurs, so there is absolutely no need to “stay at home and wait for recovery”.

Q4: Should I choose ONDA or Thermage?

Simple judgment: If your problem is a “round face with sagging skin” (fat-type), choose ONDA; if your problem is “loose skin with many wrinkles” (collagen-depletion type), choose Thermage. Many Dermatology departments in South Korea now also recommend using these two treatments together for more comprehensive results.

Q5: What should foreigners do if they don’t understand the language when going to South Korea for ONDA treatment?

I made my appointment through BeautsGO; they provide Mandarin translation services and assign dedicated personnel to accompany clients throughout the entire process. From the consultation and initial examination to the completion of the treatment, there were no issues related to language barriers at all.

Sincere advice for those who want to undergo Onda treatment in South Korea

After going through this ONDA experience, I have some insights I would like to share with those who are considering doing the same:

1. Have a preliminary consultation before making a decision: Don’t assume that ONDA is the right option for you right from the start; in some cases, Thermage or HIFU may be more suitable. An honest doctor will tell you what is best for you.
2. Clinics that use original equipment: In South Korea, some small clinics use counterfeit equipment, whose effectiveness and safety cannot be guaranteed. It is recommended to choose large Dermatology clinics with a good reputation.
3. Visible results can only be achieved after at least 3 treatments: changes can already be noticed after a single treatment, but the effects of 3 treatments are cumulative and become more pronounced.
4. Postoperative care is very important: proper sun protection and adequate hydration can help maintain the results for a longer period of time.

In short, if you, like me, hate pain but don’t want to take leave from work, the Onda microwave Lifting treatment is definitely worth trying. The cost is also relatively affordable; having it done in South Korea is much more economical than in Taiwan or Hong Kong. Next time I go to South Korea, I plan to try the combined treatment using Onda and HIFU – I heard it’s even more effective.