Laser & Lifting · Apgujeong, Seoul
HIFU Skin Tightening
High-intensity focused ultrasound lifting with Ultherapy and Densiti, chosen and mapped for your face by a dermatologist.
Laser & Lifting · Apgujeong, Seoul
HIFU Skin Tightening
High-intensity focused ultrasound lifting with Ultherapy and Densiti, chosen and mapped for your face by a dermatologist.
Quick answer
Every plan at Oaro Dermatology Clinic begins with a 1:1 skin diagnosis by a board-certified dermatologist, so the dose, device settings and session count are set for your skin rather than a template. Meet our doctors or ask about your own skin .
At a glance
| Procedure time | 30–60 minutes |
|---|---|
| Anaesthesia | Numbing cream; often not needed for Densiti |
| Downtime | None; mild tenderness for a few days |
| Sessions | 1 session (Ultherapy) or 1–3 sessions (Densiti) |
| Results last | Typically 6–18 months depending on device |
| Performed by | Board-certified dermatologist |
Overview
What is HIFU skin tightening?
HIFU stands for high-intensity focused ultrasound. A transducer focuses ultrasound energy to a precise point beneath the skin, much as a magnifying glass focuses sunlight, creating a tiny zone of heat at a set depth while the surface stays cool. Cartridges are typically calibrated to 1.5 mm, 3.0 mm and 4.5 mm, reaching the dermis, the deep dermis and the SMAS respectively. Each coagulation point causes immediate tissue contraction and a wound-healing response that produces new collagen for three to six months, resulting in gradual lifting and firming.
HIFU is widely available in Seoul under many device names, which can make comparison difficult. The main differences between systems are the precision of focusing, whether the operator can see the tissue layers on screen, the comfort of the handpiece and how the shot pattern can be customised.
How HIFU works at Oaro
Oaro Dermatology Clinic in Apgujeong, Seoul, offers two HIFU platforms. Ultherapy is the original micro-focused ultrasound with real-time imaging, performed by Dr. Chang-hyun Kim as an Ulthera Certified Treatment Provider, and is the usual choice when a single, longer-lasting lift is wanted. Densiti is a newer focused-ultrasound device with linear and dot modes that is faster and more comfortable, well suited to maintenance sessions, younger patients and areas such as the jawline and under-chin. Within the Oaro network, Shrink HIFU is also used.
The device, depth and shot count are decided at your 1:1 diagnosis, where skin thickness and fat distribution are measured; patients with thin skin, for example, may need fewer deep shots. HIFU is routinely combined with Thermage FLX for the dermis or thread lifting for immediate repositioning, and the Oaro Custom Lifting programme sets the order and spacing of each step. The laser and lifting hub summarises every option.
Why patients choose Oaro
- Diagnosis and treatment by a board-certified dermatologist, not a technician
- Genuine devices and products: Ultherapy, Thermage FLX, Helios Pico, Rejuran, Juvelook
- One treatment plan, written down, with aftercare and follow-up
- Private 1:1 rooms in Cheongdam Tower, 8 minutes from Apgujeong Rodeo Station
- English-friendly coordination and clear, itemised pricing
Treatment goals
Common goals for HIFU skin tightening
Define the jawline
Focused shots along the mandible and under the chin may lift early jowls and reduce submental fullness.
Lift the mid-face
Treating the cheek at SMAS depth can restore a gentle lift without volume.
Tighten the neck
Shots along the platysma may improve crepey skin and mild laxity.
Maintain a previous lift
Densiti sessions are often used between yearly Ultherapy treatments. Book a consultation to plan a schedule.
Your visit
What to expect
1. Consultation & diagnosis
Your dermatologist assesses laxity, skin thickness and fat pads, discusses Ultherapy versus Densiti, and marks the treatment zones. Photographs are taken.
2. Treatment
Numbing cream is applied if needed. Ultrasound gel is spread and the handpiece delivers lines of focused energy across each zone at the chosen depths; you may feel brief deep heat or tingling. Sessions take 30–60 minutes.
3. Aftercare & follow-up
No recovery is needed. Written aftercare is added to your care notebook and a review is scheduled at two to three months.
Cost guide
HIFU skin tightening cost in Seoul
HIFU is priced by device and shot count. Densiti sessions cost less per visit; Ultherapy costs more but is usually a single annual treatment.
| Option | Typical range (KRW) |
|---|---|
| Densiti, 300 shots (jawline and cheeks) | 400,000 – 900,000 |
| Densiti, 600 shots (full face) | 700,000 – 1,500,000 |
| Ultherapy, 300–600 lines | 1,500,000 – 3,800,000 |
Exact pricing is confirmed at consultation after examination.
Aftercare
Aftercare
- Mild redness fades within hours; tenderness on pressure can last a few days to two weeks.
- Avoid saunas, hot yoga and alcohol for 48 hours.
- Use sunscreen daily and keep the skin well moisturised.
- Small bruises or temporary numbness along treated lines resolve on their own.
- Attend your review at two to three months to document the lift and plan maintenance.
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Chang-hyun Kim, M.D.
Board-certified dermatologist and Representative Director of Oaro Dermatology Clinic, Cheongdam. Ulthera Certified Treatment Provider, Thermage FLX Master Certified, and full member of the Korean Dermatological Association, the Korean Society for Dermatologic Laser and the Korean Filler Society.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between HIFU and Ultherapy?
Ultherapy is a specific HIFU device with real-time ultrasound imaging and the longest clinical record; other HIFU systems like Densiti use the same principle without imaging.
How soon does HIFU work?
Some tightening is felt immediately, but the visible lift develops over two to three months.
Is HIFU painful?
Deeper cartridges can be uncomfortable for a moment; numbing cream and careful settings keep it manageable.
Can HIFU cause fat loss in the face?
Excessive or poorly placed shots can thin fat pads, which is why depth and shot count are set by a dermatologist in Apgujeong rather than a fixed package.
How often should I repeat HIFU?
Ultherapy is typically repeated every 12–18 months; Densiti every 6–12 months.
Explore related care
Often considered together
- Ultherapy — the image-guided HIFU platform at Oaro
- Sofwave — how other ultrasound lifting devices compare
- Thermage FLX — radiofrequency tightening to pair with HIFU
- Double Chin Treatment — HIFU for submental fullness
- Laser Skin Clinic — all lifting devices at Oaro
- Contact & Booking — arrange a HIFU consultation
Private 1:1 consultation
Plan your treatment with a board-certified dermatologist in Apgujeong
Tell us what you would like to change, and we will examine your skin, explain the options and give you a written plan with clear pricing. English-speaking coordinators are available for international patients.