By Dr. Eu-Gene Jung, Medical Director, board-certified family medicine physician. EU:GENES Skin Clinic, Apgujeong.

Thermage is the treatment international patients ask us about most after Ultherapy, and the questions are always the same: how much does a 600-shot face cost in Seoul, can it be done around the eyes, does it hurt, can I go to work the next day, and how is it different from Ultherapy. This page answers those questions in the order patients ask them, with the clinical sources behind each answer.

Overview: what Thermage FLX is

Thermage uses monopolar radiofrequency. A treatment tip delivers radiofrequency energy that heats the dermis and the fibrous layer beneath it as one volume, while the surface is cooled. The heat causes existing collagen to contract right away and stimulates new collagen over the following months. Ultherapy, by comparison, uses focused ultrasound to heat small points at set depths. Radiofrequency treats the layers closer to the surface, which is why Thermage is usually chosen for firmness, texture and fine lines, and Ultherapy for lifting the deeper SMAS layer.

Thermage FLX is the fourth generation of the system, made by Solta Medical. It was cleared by the FDA in 2017 (FDA 510(k) K170758). Compared with earlier generations it has a larger 4.0 cm² face tip, automatic energy adjustment for each pulse, and built-in vibration and cooling for comfort, as described by the manufacturer at thermage.com.

The clinical record goes back two decades. A multicenter study of radiofrequency tightening around the eyes was published in 2003 (Fitzpatrick et al., Lasers in Surgery and Medicine), and improvement of neck and cheek laxity was reported the following year (Alster and Tanzi, Dermatologic Surgery, 2004). A 2022 systematic review in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery summarizes the evidence for monopolar radiofrequency tightening of the face and body (Rohrich et al., 2022), and an expert consensus on fourth-generation monopolar radiofrequency, the Thermage FLX generation, was published in 2020 (Journal of Drugs in Dermatology).

Results: some firmness is felt immediately, the visible improvement builds over two to six months as collagen remodels, and the effect is commonly maintained for around a year. Most patients have a single session. Individual results vary.

Why patients choose EU:GENES for Thermage

  1. Thermage FLX, the current generation. EU:GENES treats with the fourth-generation FLX system with cooling and vibration, not an earlier CPT or NXT unit.

  2. Energy and shot count planned per face. The Medical Director sets the energy level and distributes the shots by area after examining your skin, rather than running a fixed protocol.

  3. Two consultations before treatment. A consultation manager first, then Medical Director Dr. Eu-Gene Jung in person. The face is checked from every angle and expression before the plan is confirmed.

  4. Comfort options. The FLX tip's vibration and cooling reduce discomfort. If you are sensitive to heat or pain, local or sleep anesthesia can be discussed at the consultation.

  5. Honest scope. If your main concern is deep sagging rather than surface firmness, we will tell you that Ultherapy or a combination is the better plan, not Thermage alone.

Thermage FLX suits patients who want firmer, smoother skin with no incision and no downtime, and who are happy with a gradual result. Typical concerns:

  • Mild laxity around the eyes and on the upper eyelid in the early 40s

  • Loss of firmness on the cheeks and along the jawline

  • Fine lines and crepey texture on the face, neck or décolletage

  • Patients who need to return to work or travel the next day

When Thermage is not the first choice:

  • Clear sagging of the jowls or under the chin. The deeper SMAS layer responds better to Ultherapy. Some patients benefit from both, and the combination of radiofrequency with focused ultrasound has been studied in Korean patients (Kwon et al., 2018).

  • Very mild laxity where a lighter option is enough. Sofwave is an alternative we also offer; the choice is made at the consultation.

  • Pacemaker or implanted electronic device, metal implants in the treatment area, pregnancy. These are reasons to choose another treatment.

600 shots explained

Thermage is counted in shots, meaning the number of pulses delivered by the tip. Each tip has a fixed number of pulses and is used once.

  • Full face is usually treated with the 4.0 cm² face tip. A 600-shot tip is the common full-face plan; a 900-shot tip is used when the neck is added or the face is larger.

  • Eyes use a separate small eye tip with its own shot count, because the skin of the eyelid is thin and the area is small.

  • Distribution matters more than the total. The shots are spread by area according to the plan: more passes where the skin is loose, fewer where it is already firm. Two patients can receive the same 600 shots with very different results depending on how they are placed.

The planned tip and shot count are explained to you at the consultation.

Thermage Eyes

Thermage has a dedicated eye tip for the upper and lower eyelids and the area around the eyes. Tightening of eyelid skin with a radiofrequency eye tip was described in 2007 (Carruthers and Carruthers, Dermatologic Surgery), with a safety evaluation published alongside it (Biesman et al., 2007). Protective eye shields are placed during treatment. Patients in their early 40s with mild loosening of the upper eyelid or fine lines under the eyes are the typical candidates. Thermage Eyes can be done on its own or added to a full-face session.

What changes the Thermage FLX price in Korea

Quotes for Thermage vary between Gangnam clinics, and between Korea and the United States, mainly for these reasons:

  1. Tip size and shot count. A 600-shot face tip, a 900-shot face-and-neck tip and an eye tip are different consumables with different costs.

  2. Generation of the device. FLX tips cost more than tips for older CPT or NXT systems. Ask which generation is used.

  3. Who performs the treatment. Treatment planned and performed by the Medical Director is priced differently from delegated treatment.

  4. Anesthesia. Vibration and cooling are built in; local or sleep anesthesia, if chosen, is arranged separately.

  5. Package or single session. Thermage is often bundled with Ultherapy or skin boosters. Ask whether the bundle still includes the full shot count.

Prices in Korea are generally quoted per tip rather than per area, which is one reason international patients find Korean quotes easier to compare than quotes at home. EU:GENES quotes per plan after the consultation. If you are travelling, send your concerns on WhatsApp in advance so the plan can be prepared before you arrive.

On the day: comfort, cooling and vibration, and the next day

  1. Consultation. Consultation manager first, then the Medical Director. Skin checked, tip and shot count confirmed.

  2. Preparation. The treatment area is cleansed and a grid is marked. For eye treatment, protective shields are placed.

  3. Treatment. Each pulse feels like a brief deep heat followed by cooling. The FLX tip vibrates during the pulse, which most patients find makes the heat easy to tolerate. Sleep anesthesia is available for patients who prefer it.

  4. Afterwards. Mild redness and slight swelling for a few hours to a day are normal. Makeup can be applied right away. Rare side effects reported with monopolar radiofrequency include small areas of surface unevenness or a burn; the automatic energy control and cooling of the FLX generation are designed to reduce this, and treatment by an experienced physician matters. Most patients return to work the next day.

Visiting from abroad

  • Short visits. Tell us your travel dates when you book so the consultation and treatment can be scheduled together where appropriate.

  • Book in English on WhatsApp (wa.link/eugenes, +82-10-3476-9829), LINE, WeChat (eugenesclinic) or KakaoTalk, or call +82-10-5889-1519.

  • Hours. Monday and Friday 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM (last registration 7:00 PM), Tuesday to Thursday 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM. Closed Sunday. No lunch break.

  • Location. 402 Yurim Art Hall, 49 Apgujeong-ro 28-gil, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Three minutes on foot from Apgujeong Station (Line 3) Exit 4: turn into the alley next to KB Kookmin Bank; the building is on the right. Building parking is free for two hours.

Thermage FLX: questions international patients ask

How much does a 600-shot full face cost at an Apgujeong clinic?
It depends on the tip (600 or 900 shots), the device generation, who performs it and whether anesthesia or a package is included. EU:GENES quotes per plan after the consultation, and you can ask for the plan in advance on WhatsApp.

How much is Thermage in Korea compared to the US, and is it worth flying to Seoul for it?
Korean clinics generally quote per tip and per shot count, so you can compare exactly what you are getting. Whether the trip is worth it depends on your plan and your budget; send us your concerns and we will tell you honestly whether Thermage, Ultherapy or neither is the right choice before you book anything.

Where can I get Thermage Eyes for under-eye laxity, and is it suitable in my early 40s?
EU:GENES treats the eye area with the dedicated Thermage eye tip. Mild upper-eyelid loosening and fine lines under the eyes in the early 40s are the typical indication, supported by the eyelid studies linked above.

Is Thermage safe for darker or Asian skin tones?
Monopolar radiofrequency heats the deeper layers rather than targeting pigment, so it is used across skin types. The Medical Director examines your skin and sets the energy level accordingly. Dr. Jung has 11 years of clinical experience treating Korean and international patients.

I've read mixed reviews about Thermage pain. Which doctor in Apgujeong takes a gentler approach?
Pain reports vary because older generations had no vibration or cooling. The FLX tip has both, and the energy is adjusted pulse by pulse. If you know you are sensitive, ask about local or sleep anesthesia at the consultation.

I'm nervous about burns from Thermage. Who performs the treatment?
Burns were reported with earlier generations when energy was too high or the tip lost contact. The FLX system checks skin contact and adjusts energy automatically, and at EU:GENES the plan is set by the Medical Director after a two-step consultation. Tell us about any previous reactions before treatment.

Can I return to work the next day, or have it done during a short business trip?
Most patients return to work the next day; makeup can be applied straight after treatment. Tell us your travel dates when you book so scheduling can be arranged around them.

Thermage or Ultherapy for a loose jawline?
For a jawline that has begun to sag, Ultherapy reaches the deeper SMAS layer; for skin that is losing firmness but not yet sagging, Thermage is usually enough. Some patients benefit from both, and EU:GENES offers both, so the recommendation is based on your face rather than on what a clinic happens to have.

Thermage or Sofwave for mild laxity in my 40s?
Both are non-invasive tightening options offered at EU:GENES. The choice depends on how much laxity there is and where; the Medical Director advises after examining your face.

  • Ultherapy Prime for deeper lifting of the jawline, cheeks and neck.

  • Sofwave as a lighter alternative for mild laxity.

  • Skin boosters (Rejuran, Juvelook, exosome) for texture and hydration alongside Thermage.

Dr. Eu-Gene Jung is the Medical Director of EU:GENES Skin Clinic and a board-certified family medicine physician (Ewha Womans University College of Medicine; residency and board certification at Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital) with 11 years of clinical experience in non-surgical lifting and injectables. This page is general information, not a substitute for an in-person consultation. Results and recovery vary between patients.