Thermage vs Ultherapy: Which Skin Tightening Treatment to Get in Seoul

Seoul Cosmetic Surgery Editorial Team

Written and maintained by the SCS coordination team — KHIDI-registered medical tourism facilitators who have arranged surgery and treatment trips for international patients from more than 20 countries since 2016. About our team

 

Thermage or Ultherapy: which is better?

Thermage tightens and Ultherapy lifts. Thermage uses radiofrequency to heat the dermis, suiting crepey skin, texture and mild laxity. Ultherapy uses focused ultrasound down to the SMAS layer, suiting jowls, brow droop and neck sag. Many Seoul clinics combine them, Ultherapy first for the deep layer, then Thermage for the surface.

Side by side

Thermage FLX Ultherapy
Energy Monopolar radiofrequency Micro-focused ultrasound (MFU)
Depth Dermis to upper fat (~2.4–4.3 mm) 1.5 / 3.0 / 4.5 mm, reaching the SMAS
Best for Crepey skin, texture, fine lines, eyelids, body Jowls, brow, jawline and neck sag
Pain Mild to moderate (cooling tip) Moderate to high, varies by depth
Results Some immediate tightening; full at 3–6 months Gradual over 2–3 months
Repeat Every 12–24 months Every 12–18 months
Downtime Minimal redness Minimal; some tenderness for days

Which one fits your face?

  • Under 40, skin looks thin or crepey, no real sag: Thermage.
  • Jowls forming, softer jawline, heavier brows: Ultherapy.
  • Both: the combination, which is what most 40+ patients in Seoul end up with.
  • Significant sagging skin at the neck or jowls: neither device will match surgery. See thread lift vs facelift.

The Korean “shot count” question nobody explains

In Seoul, both treatments are priced by shots (Thermage) or lines (Ultherapy), not by session. Two quotes for “full-face Thermage” can differ in price because one is 300 shots and one is 600. Always ask:

  1. How many shots or lines, and where are they placed?
  2. Is it a genuine, sealed tip/cartridge? Ask to see the packaging opened in front of you.
  3. Is the device the current generation (Thermage FLX, Ulthera with real-time imaging)?

Korea also has popular local HIFU devices (e.g. Shurink) that are cheaper than Ultherapy. They are a different device, not “Korean Ultherapy”. See Shurink vs Ultherapy.

How much do they cost in Seoul?

Treatment Seoul (typical 2026 range)
Thermage FLX full face, 600 shots $900–$1,400 (₩1,200,000–₩1,800,000)
Thermage FLX face + neck, 900 shots $1,500–$1,900 (₩2,000,000–₩2,500,000)
Thermage FLX eyes, 450 shots $450–$700
Ultherapy + Thermage combination $1,800–$2,800

Price ranges are from our Thermage FLX in Korea guide. Ultherapy is priced by the number of lines and the areas treated, so ask for the line count on any quote.

Planning it into a Seoul trip

Both are walk-in, walk-out. If you’re also having laser or injectables, do Ultherapy/Thermage first. They’re usually scheduled before resurfacing so the skin isn’t already inflamed. Neither stops you flying the next day.

How SCS helps

SCS is a KHIDI-registered facilitator coordinating patients from 20+ countries. We confirm shot counts, device generation and genuine tips with partner clinics before you arrive. There is no service fee to patients; a $300 expense deposit applies when you book.

FAQ

Can I get Thermage and Ultherapy on the same day?

Yes. Many Seoul clinics do both in one visit, usually Ultherapy first for the deeper layer, then Thermage.

Which hurts more, Thermage or Ultherapy?

Ultherapy is usually more uncomfortable, especially at the deeper settings and over bone. Clinics typically use numbing cream or pain relief.

How long do results last?

Thermage typically lasts 12 to 24 months and Ultherapy 12 to 18 months. Your skin keeps aging, so both are maintenance treatments.

Is Thermage or Ultherapy better for jowls?

Ultherapy, because it reaches the SMAS layer that holds up the lower face. Thermage helps with the skin surface over it.

Can I fly after Thermage or Ultherapy?

Yes. Neither has meaningful downtime, so flying the next day is normal.

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Who we are. Seoul Cosmetic Surgery is a KHIDI-registered medical tourism facilitator — registration A-2016-01-01-2642, held by East Meets West Inc. We are an agency, not a clinic. We do not perform medical procedures. We coordinate care between international patients and board-certified surgeons at partner clinics in Seoul, and we are paid by those clinics rather than by patients.

About this information. This page is general information, not medical advice. Costs, techniques, and recovery times vary by patient and by clinic. Whether any procedure is appropriate for you is a decision for a qualified surgeon during consultation.

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