Thermage FLX
써마지 · also: 써마지 FLX
Monopolar RF that tightens the whole treatment area and softens fine lines — often paired with Ulthera (RF for skin quality, ultrasound for lift).
A short questionnaire and dose mapping — usually done the same day, right before treatment.
How it works
A single large RF tip heats the dermis uniformly to contract existing collagen and stimulate new growth. Great for overall firmness and texture rather than deep lifting.
Monopolar radiofrequency · acts at 1–3 mm · deepest layer: Dermis
Where collagen and elastin live. Almost every 'skin quality' treatment is aimed here.
Depths are indicative and vary by device, cartridge, body area and individual.
Monopolar radiofrequency
Radio waves warm a broad volume of the dermis at once while the surface is actively cooled, so collagen contracts and regrows.
People choose this for
Products & devices used
Not all "Thermage FLX" is the same — the specific brand or machine changes the price and the feel. Common options in Korea:
The premium monopolar RF device — heats the whole treatment area to tighten skin and soften fine lines.
A Korean monopolar RF positioned as the affordable alternative to Thermage.
A newer monopolar RF with water-cooling and vibration for comfort.
What it does
- ✓Overall tightening
- ✓Smoother texture
- ✓Fine-line softening
Good for you if
- •Skin firmness
- •Under-eye crepiness
- •Pairs with Ulthera
Aftercare
- ✓Mild redness and swelling for a few hours to a day.
- ✓Normal activity and makeup right away.
- ✓No saunas or hot yoga for 24 hours.
- ✓Daily sunscreen; the collagen response runs for months.
Not suitable if
- !Pacemaker, defibrillator or implanted electronic device.
- !Pregnancy.
- !Metal implants in the treatment area.
- !Active skin infection or open wounds in the zone.
FAQ
Thermage or Ulthera?
They do different jobs and are often combined. Ulthera lifts from the deep SMAS layer; Thermage tightens and thickens the skin envelope itself. If your issue is sagging, Ulthera. If it's loose, thinning, crepey skin, Thermage. Both is a common — and expensive — plan.
Why is it so expensive?
The single-use tip is a real cost, and it's shot-count-limited by the manufacturer, so a clinic cannot stretch one tip across patients. That's also why 'unlimited shots' offers should be treated with suspicion.
How long does the result last?
Generally 12–24 months from one full session, which is longer than most tightening devices — part of why the higher price can work out reasonable per month.
Price range by care tier
Market ranges for reference — actual quotes depend on the clinic, doctor and area.
Before you compare quotes: what this price is actually per
- Ultrasound lifting is sold in shots (lines of energy). 100 shots treats a small area; a full face is usually 300–600. Compare price ÷ shots, never the headline.
Per shot, and the tip is a genuine consumable — Thermage tips are single-use and shot-count-limited, which is why the price scales almost linearly. One Seoul list ran ₩1.5M for 300 shots and ₩3M for 600, with a 225-shot eye tip at ₩1.2M. 600 shots is the usual full-face figure, so treat 300-shot pricing as a partial treatment.
Won prices quoted above are from a dated reference price list for one Seoul clinic chain (2026-07-24), used to show the shape of pricing — not a national average, and not a quote. Prices include 10% VAT: the foreign-patient cosmetic VAT refund ended on 31 December 2025.
How it compares
Thermage FLX beside the other Lifting & Tightening options travellers usually weigh against it.
| Comparison factor | Thermage FLX써마지 | Ulthera울쎄라 | Shurink Universe슈링크 유니버스 | Thread Lift실리프팅 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best at | Radiofrequency skin tightening | The gold-standard ultrasound lift | The value-tier lifting favorite | Instant lift with dissolvable threads |
| Depth reached | Dermis · 1–3 mm | SMAS · 1.5–4.5 mm | SMAS · 1.5–4.5 mm | SMAS · 3–7 mm |
| How it works | Monopolar radiofrequency | Focused ultrasound | Focused ultrasound | Thread |
| Downtime | 0–1 days | 0–1 days | 0–1 days | 3–7 days |
| Pain | gentlest | |||
| Visits for full result | 1 visit | 1 visit | 1–3 visits | 1 visit |
| Results last | 12–24 months | 12–18 months | 6–12 months | 12–18 months (PDO) · 24–36 months (PLLA/PCL) |
| Trip fit | Any trip — one visit, no recovery days | Any trip — one visit, no recovery days | Any trip — one visit, no recovery days | One visit, plus recovery days to plan around |
| Priced per | per shot | per shot | per shot | per thread |
| From | ₩700k–1.3M | ₩600k–1.2M | ₩150k–400k | ₩300k–700k |
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