South Korea’s ONDA Ultra-Microwave Lifting Tips to Save Money | 60–80 kj is sufficient for the face, while at least 100 kj is required for the body. How to choose the right joule value to get the best results?
After saving for half a year for the medical beauty treatment fund, I finally decided to fly to Seoul to undergo the ONDA ultramicro-wave lifting procedure. Before leaving, I searched through various forums such as Dcard, PTT, and South Korea-based discussion boards. What really troubled me wasn’t finding a clinic, but deciding exactly how many joules of energy to use so as not to waste my money.
In South Korea, the prices for such treatments range from 300,000 to 800,000 Korean won, with a difference of nearly double – and the key lies in the number of joules used. If less than 60 kj are applied to the face, the results are barely noticeable; if less than 100 kj are used on the body, it’s almost as if no treatment was done at all. I have compared the prices and joule amounts provided by five Gangnam clinics and compiled this article to help you understand how to choose the most cost-effective option.
South Korea’s ONDA ultramicro-wave lifting treatment prices are completely transparent: the costs for facial and body treatments are disclosed publicly for the first time.
Let me state the conclusion first: The pricing of South Korea’s ONDA ultramicrowaves is primarily based on the number of joules delivered, rather than the number of treatment areas. For facial treatments, there is a 20-30% difference in cost between treatments delivering 60 kj and those delivering 80 kj, and the results are also significantly different.
Facial contour lifting (for Double Chin, excess flesh around the mouth, and the jawline): 60 kj costs approximately NT$7,000 to $9,000. This is the most common package offered, and the basic prices listed by various clinics generally fall within this range.
For a more noticeable tightening effect, adding an 80-kilojoule treatment costs approximately NT$9,000 to NT$13,000. Among the 5 clinics I consulted, the 80-kilojoule package usually includes an additional treatment to strengthen the jawline, making it more cost-effective than the 60-kilojoule option.
For body areas such as the abdomen, Thighs, and arms with sleeve designs, the price starts at approximately NT$14,000 to NT$18,000 for treatments with 100 kj of energy. For treatments exceeding 120 kj, the cost ranges from NT$18,000 to NT$27,000.
Many clinics offer combined packages for facial treatments and body procedures, which are 20-30% cheaper than buying them separately. If you want to undergo both treatments, it’s always most cost-effective to ask about the combined package price directly.
Why is it that only when 60-80 kilojoules of energy are applied to the face does one notice any effect? Using too little energy is simply a waste of money.
The principle of ONDA is to use 2.45GHz microwaves to penetrate the epidermis and directly heat the subcutaneous fat layer to 42-43°C. If the ONDO is not strong enough, the fat cells will not undergo apoptosis, and Collagen will not contract either.
The dean of the Dermatology department at Gangnam told me quite bluntly: “Getting 40 kj of treatment is just like applying a warm compress. You may feel tight immediately after the treatment, but three days later, it will be just the same as if you hadn’t received any treatment at all.”
60 kj is currently the minimum effective threshold for clinics in South Korea. This amount of energy is sufficient to raise the fat layer under the Double Chin to 42°C, causing the collagen fibers to contract significantly. After 2 to 4 weeks, you will begin to notice that the contours of the jawline become clearer.
The 80-kilojoule version is suitable for those with a thicker fat layer or who wish to achieve immediate results. It delivers higher energy and more intense effects, resulting in more noticeable sculpting results for the areas around the mouth and the Double Chin. The downside is that the sensation of warmth after the procedure lasts for a relatively long time, ranging from half a day to a whole day.
A quick reminder: For those with a slim face, choose the 60-kilojoule package to save money; for those with a fuller face, the 80-kilojoule package is more suitable. In my experience, don’t opt for packages with less than 60 kilojoules—it’s simply a waste of money.
A minimum of 100 kj of energy is required for it to be effective. So why does insufficient energy mean that all the effort is in vain?
The fat layer in the body is 2 to 3 times thicker than that on the face, so microwave energy below 100 kj simply cannot penetrate the deeper layers of fat. This is precisely why the joule amount required for body treatments needs to be doubled.
Let me use an analogy to explain it: Facial fat is similar to the thickness of plastic wrap, while body fat is more like a book. When 60 kilojoules of energy are applied, on the face, it can penetrate through all layers of fat; but on the body, it only encounters the superficial layers before being dissipated.
The abdomen is the most common area for body contouring treatments, and the recommended dosage is typically 100-120 kj. For areas such as the inner thighs and the “butterfly sleeves” on the arms, where the fat layer is thinner, a dosage of 90-100 kj is usually sufficient to achieve noticeable results.
High-energy packages with 120 kj or more are ideal for those who experience abdominal relaxation after childbirth or still have excess fat in certain areas after weight loss. Higher energy means that a single treatment session can destroy more fat cells, resulting in more noticeable metabolic effects afterward.
Just a reminder: Using ONDA is not about losing weight, but about shaping the body’s contours. If you are significantly overweight, it is best to first control your diet and exercise before using ONDA to define your silhouette – this way, you will see the best results.
Price comparison between South Korea and Taiwan’s ONDA services: how much can you actually save by taking a flight?
I also inquired about prices at three medical aesthetics clinics in Taiwan and five in South Korea, and the price differences were indeed so significant that it made me consider booking a flight right away.
| Area/Joules | South Korea price (₩) | South Korea (NT$) | Taiwan (NT$) | How much can be saved? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 kj for the face area | ₩300,000 to ₩400,000 | NT$7,000 to 9,000 | NT$25,000 to 30,000 | Save 65-70% |
| 80 kj for the face area | ₩400,000 to ₩50,000 | NT$9,000 to 13,000 | NT$30,000 to 38,000 | Save 60-70% |
| 100 kj for the body | ₩600,000 to 800,000 | NT$14,000 to 18,000 | NT$25,000 to 35,000 | Save 35-50% |
| Body weight: over 120 kilograms | ₩800,000 to 1,200,000 | NT$18,000 to 27,000 | NT$35,000 to 45,000 | Save 40-50% |
Round-trip air tickets cost between NT$6,000 and NT$10,000, and 3 nights of accommodation also cost approximately NT$6,000. If you get one treatment for the face and one for the body, the money saved will be enough for additional expenses such as drinks and other activities. Moreover, you can also take some time to explore Seoul during your stay, making this a perfect combination of medical beauty treatment and a vacation.
South Korean clinics often offer tax-refund services for foreigners. Remember to ask for a tax-refund form when checking out to save some extra money.
Where is the most cost-effective option? My actual experience consulting at Betterme Gangnam Dermatology in Gangnam
I visited five different clinics in Gangnam District before making my choice. In the end, I settled on Betterme Gangnam Dermatology (베러미클리닉). The reasons for my choice are quite simple: their pricing is transparent, they use the new ONDA Pro model for treatments, and they also provide Chinese-speaking customer service, so there’s no need to worry about communication issues.
The clinic is located 3 minutes away on foot from Exit 10 of Gangnam Station, on the 11th floor of a separate building. The environment is new and clean. When providing consultation, the director does not insist on expensive packages but instead recommends that 60 kj of treatment would be sufficient, based on the thickness of my fat layer. This is very practical and straightforward.
Betterme Gangnam is also a BeautsGO-certified clinic. It is extremely convenient for Taiwanese patients to make appointments, obtain quotes, and follow up after the procedures in Chinese.
Another great advantage of booking through BeautsGO is that all prices are clearly displayed and transparent, so there’s no possibility of price increases once you arrive at the location. It’s recommended to book at least 2 weeks in advance, as popular times tend to fill up quickly.
Common questions about ONDA ultramicrowaves: Is it painful? How many treatments are needed? How long does the effect last?
Does ONDA ultramicrowave treatment hurt? Almost not at all. The probe is equipped with a cooling system that keeps the skin surface at 5°C, so during the treatment, you only feel a mild warmth – which is much more comfortable than Thermage treatment. After the procedure, the skin may turn slightly red, but this effect disappears within half an hour.
How many treatments are needed to see results? Changes in the contours can be observed 2 to 4 weeks after the first treatment. For more noticeable sculpting effects, it is recommended to complete a full course of 3 treatments, with each treatment spaced 2 to 4 weeks apart. Fat metabolism takes time, so there’s no need to rush.
How long does the effect last? The fat reduction results are permanent – the damaged fat cells will not regenerate. The tightening effect lasts for approximately 6 to 12 months, after which it is recommended to undergo maintenance treatments every six months to one year.
Is there a recovery period? Not at all. You can go shopping and eat immediately after the procedure without any issues. The only thing to keep in mind is to drink at least 2000 cc of water every day for the first week after the surgery to help with fat metabolism.
Who is not suitable for this procedure? People who are pregnant, have a pacemaker installed, have metal implants in the treatment area, or suffer from severe skin diseases are not suitable. It is essential to inform your doctor of your medical history before the procedure.
📌 For further reading: More tips on saving money on medical beauty treatments in South Korea
- Which HIFU clinic in Gangnam, South Korea is recommended? With simultaneous treatment on both hands and guidance provided by ultrasound images, Dcard highly recommends these three clinics. Similar to Onda, they offer lifting treatments using HIFU; the prices and details of these clinics are listed below for your reference.
- 2026 South Korea Dermatology Institutions: A Comprehensive Guide | From Hongdae and Myeongdong to Busan – A map of dermatology clinics recommended by netizens. A must-read for those looking to avoid mistakes when choosing a clinic, featuring highly-rated institutions across South Korea.
- No need to rush to Seoul if you want to undergo cosmetic treatments in Busan! At DeFoster The First Dermatology, there are 7 specialist physicians on hand, and the facilities are so extensive that they resemble those of a department store. If Seoul is too crowded, Busan is definitely a cost-effective option for cosmetic treatments.
