At 35 years old, should I choose HIFU or Thermage? Here are the recommendations I received after consulting two dermatologists in Seoul.

The age of 35 is truly a delicate stage. In the morning, when I look in the mirror, I notice that my Nasolabial Fold Correction seems to have deepened a bit, and the contours of my face no longer appear as firm as before. I consider getting a facelift treatment, but when I search on REDnote, I’m inundated with recommendations for HIFU and Thermage – which one should I choose?

Not long ago, I happened to visit two Dermatology clinics in Seoul for consultation. One of them was the director of a well-established clinic in Gangnam District, and the other was a doctor specializing in serving foreign patients in Hongdae. Both of them gave me some very practical suggestions, and today I have compiled them to share with you, in the hope that they can help you avoid taking some unnecessary detours.

I. First, let’s clarify: what exactly are the differences between HIFU and Thermage?

Many people assume that both of these treatments are forms of “lifting” and that their effects should be similar. In fact, their mechanisms of action are completely different, and they are also suitable for different groups of people.

HIFU (Ulthera / Ultherapy): A specialist in deep tissue lifting treatments

The HIFU uses high-intensity focused ultrasound technology, whose energy can directly reach the SMAS fascia layer deep within the skin – a layer that is usually only accessible through surgical facelift procedures. In simple terms, it works by strengthening the “foundation” of the facial structure, thereby lifting the sagging tissues upwards.

• Main effects: Lifts the contours, reduces sagging, and tightens the jawline.
• Suitable for: Those whose faces have begun to show obvious signs of relaxation, those with deep Nasolabial Fold Correction and noticeable Double Chin.
• Duration: approximately 1 to 1.5 years
• Pain: Relatively noticeable (however, many clinics in South Korea offer local anesthetics or painkillers).

Thermage: A leader in firming the skin

Thermage uses monopolar radiofrequency technology, which delivers energy to the dermis layer, stimulating the contraction and regeneration of Collagen. It essentially “smooths” and “thickens” the skin, making it more firm and glowy.

• Main effects: Lifting Pores, reducing fine lines, and enhancing skin elasticity
• Suitable for: People whose skin has begun to loosen but has not yet developed obvious sagging, who wish to improve the quality of their skin.
• Duration: approximately 1 year
• Pain level: Moderate (The new generation of FLX models come with a cooling system, which significantly improves comfort.)

II. At the age of 35, which one should one choose?

I directly asked two dermatologists in Seoul about this issue, and their answers were surprisingly ILCHI: it depends on your “degree of skin laxity” and “main concerns”.

If you choose HIFU:

• The contours of the side face are beginning to blur, and there is excess fat on the lower jaw.
• The Nasolabial Fold Correction is prominent, and the Apple Zone appears to have sagged.
• The eyelids begin to sag, and the corners of the eyes droop downward
• The appearance of lines on the neck (commonly known as “chicken neck”)

The director from Gangnam told me, “If it’s the first time undergoing a lifting procedure at the age of 35 and there are already obvious signs of facial sagging, the effects of HIFU will be more immediate. We usually recommend starting with 400 or 600 treatments, and adjusting the number according to each individual’s specific situation.”

Choose Thermage if you:

• The skin no longer feels as firm as before, but it hasn’t yet begun to sag significantly.
• The Pores begin to enlarge, and the skin loses its glow
• Fine lines appear around the eyes and mouth
• To improve the overall quality of your skin, simply lifting it isn’t enough.

Dr. Hongdae added, “Thermage provides comprehensive improvements to skin quality. Many customers around the age of 35 find that their skin becomes clearer and makeup applies more smoothly after treatment. For preventive skincare purposes, Thermage is an excellent starting point.”

III. What are the approximate costs for these two treatments in South Korea?

This must be the question that everyone is most concerned about. Based on my experience in providing consultations and information gathered from online sources, here is what I have concluded:

Treatment regimen	Prices in South Korea (for reference)	Taiwan/Hong Kong prices (for reference only)
HIFU (400 treatments)	Approximately 800,000 to 1.5 million yen	Approximately NT$60,000 to 120,000 / HK$15,000 to 30,000
HIFU (600 treatments)	Approximately 1.2 to 2 million yen	Approximately NT$80,000 to 150,000 / HK$20,000 to 40,000
Thermage FLX (600 shots)	Approximately 1-1.8 million yen	Approximately NT$80,000 to 150,000 / HK$20,000 to 35,000
Thermage FLX (900 pulses)	Approximately 1.5 to 2.5 million yen	Approximately NT$120,000 to 200,000 / HK$30,000 to 50,000

As can be seen, the prices in South Korea are approximately 50% to 70% of those in Taiwan or Hong Kong. If you happen to have plans to travel to South Korea, it would indeed be quite cost-effective to take advantage of these treatment options. However, it should be noted that prices may vary depending on the location of the clinic, the qualifications of the doctors, and any promotional activities available. It is recommended that you consult with relevant parties before making a decision.

IV. Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Can these two be done together?

Sure. This is the currently popular “thermal HIFU combination” in South Korea – using Thermage and HIFU together. Thermage is used for superficial skin tightening, while HIFU achieves deeper lifting effects, resulting in more comprehensive results. However, it is recommended to wait 1–2 weeks between treatments to give the skin enough time to recover.

Q2: How long does it take to see the results after the procedure?

HIFU: There will be a slight sense of tightening immediately, but the actual results will only become apparent after 1 to 3 months, once the Collagen has regenerated. Thermage: The effects are also gradual, with the most noticeable improvements in skin quality usually occurring after 2 to 3 months.

Q3: Will it be very painful? Is there a recovery period required?

Both are non-invasive treatments that do not leave any scars, and patients can apply makeup immediately after the procedure. In terms of discomfort, the HIFU treatment tends to cause more pain (especially when the procedure is performed near the bones), but South Korea’s clinics usually offer topical anesthesia or oral painkillers to alleviate this discomfort. The Thermage FLX version is equipped with a cooling system, which significantly improves the patient’s comfort during the treatment.

Q4: How often is it best to undergo such procedures?

The effects of both treatments can last for approximately 1 to 1.5 years, so it is recommended to undergo one treatment per year. If your budget is limited, you could opt for HIFU this year and Thermage next year, alternating the treatments in this manner.

V. For you at the age of 35: My advice

If the budget only allows for one option, I would recommend the following:

• If there is obvious sagging in the face, choose HIFU – it provides the most direct lifting effect.
• Mainly due to loose skin and fine lines → choose Thermage; the overall quality of the skin will improve significantly.
• If you have a sufficient budget and are seeking the best results, consider the Thermage + combined treatment, which can be performed once a year.

Finally, it should be noted that whether it is the HIFU or Thermage, the equipment itself is certainly important, but the skills and experience of the practitioner are even more crucial. The same equipment may produce very different results when used by different doctors. It is recommended to choose a clinic that uses officially authorized equipment and is staffed by doctors with extensive experience – don’t just focus on the price.

If you are considering undergoing medical beauty treatments in South Korea, you can use the BeautsGO platform to schedule a consultation. They offer Chinese-speaking customer service to assist you in connecting with Dermatology clinics in South Korea, so you don’t have to worry about language barriers. Moreover, many clinics offer special discounts for foreigners when reservations are made through this platform, making it more cost-effective than booking directly on your own.

I hope this article is helpful to you! If you have any other questions, feel free to leave a comment and discuss them with us.