Skip to homeSkip to main menuSkip to business info
Elasticity & Lifting

Thermage FLX in Korea explained: when do results show and how long do they last?

Written by Dr. Jay (Yongheon Ha) · Doctor, Repic Clinic

Quick answer: Thermage FLX uses monopolar radiofrequency to heat the dermis. Existing collagen contracts, and new collagen forms over 2 to 6 months. One session usually lasts 6 months to a year. At Repic Clinic in Gangnam, the doctor performs it personally, and 600 face shots cost KRW 2,300,000 (September 2026, VAT excluded).

How does Thermage tighten skin?

It cools the surface and heats what lies beneath. Monopolar radiofrequency generates heat deep in the skin rather than on top, while a cooling system protects the epidermis. That heat does two jobs. First, existing collagen fibres contract. That slight tight feeling right after treatment comes from here. Second, in response to the controlled heat, new collagen is produced over 2 to 6 months.

The real result comes from the second part. So judge Thermage at month three, not one week after.

Is Thermage right for me?

Only if your concern is loss of firmness. Thermage tightens; it does not lift dropped structure back into place. Roughly, it splits like this:

  • Skin is loosening, early jowls are showing, and your face looks tired: Thermage.
  • Deep sagging along the jawline and neck, and you want a visible lift: Ultherapy (HIFU), or both combined.
  • Mild loss of firmness and you want maintenance: Shurink Universe.
  • Hollow cheeks and lost volume: that is filler or collagen-booster territory.

Torn between the first two? Read Thermage or Ultherapy: which should come first?

Does Thermage hurt a lot?

Yes. At an intensity that actually does something, a deep, hot sensation surges for a moment with each pulse, and I will not tell you it is painless. Turn the output down to spare the pain and the result can drop with it.

Pain comes down when it is planned before the first shot. A sedation (sleep) option, vibration, spacing between shots, and adjusting intensity by zone. Lower over bony spots like the cheekbones and jawline, higher over the mid-cheek. A 600-shot session takes about 60 minutes.

When do Thermage results show, and how long do they last?

Usually 6 months to a year. The peak falls in between.

  • Days 0 to 7: a slight tight feeling. Collagen contraction can make the face look a little neater.
  • Months 2 to 3: new collagen starts to be noticeable. The jawline sharpens and looseness settles.
  • Months 4 to 6: the best-looking stretch.
  • Months 6 to 12: things gradually return to baseline. Most people repeat once a year.

So are 600 shots enough? It depends on how much area has loosened, and we check that by assessment before quoting. Six hundred shots cover the full face at standard density; 900 shots are for wider laxity or when treatment continues under the jaw.

What should I avoid after Thermage?

Temporary redness or mild swelling usually settles within a day or two. Recovery itself is light. A few rules still apply.

  • Avoid saunas, hot rooms and heavy drinking for one week.
  • Use sunscreen consistently. This skin is building collagen for months.
  • Tenderness when pressed, or a slightly uneven feel on the surface, can appear temporarily and usually resolves by itself. If something feels unusual and persists, contact the clinic.

You can go about your day as normal afterwards, and flying home the next day is fine. Local patients often book on a Friday evening and let the weekend absorb any redness. If you are pregnant, or have an implanted electronic device such as a pacemaker or defibrillator, treatment may not be possible or may be limited, so tell us at the consultation.

How much is Thermage FLX in Gangnam?

TreatmentShotsPrice (VAT excluded)
Thermage FLX face600KRW 2,300,000
Thermage FLX face900KRW 3,350,000
Eye Thermage FLX225KRW 990,000

Prices are from Repic Gangnam's September 2026 price list and exclude 10% VAT, which is added at payment. The same prices apply to Korean and international patients; the tax-refund scheme for cosmetic procedures is no longer available in Korea. Pricing depends on area and dose; you get an exact quote after assessment. Wherever you go, check two things: who holds the handpiece, and whether the listed price is before tax. The full list is on our price page, and why quotes differ between clinics is covered in Thermage cost in Korea: why do prices differ?

How we plan Thermage at Repic

The age on your passport tells me very little about your skin. That is why we do not sell age-bracket packages. Mark-Vu photographs the surface (pores, pigment, redness, oil, hydration), Meta-Vu records contour and volume in 3D, and the doctor examines the skin in person. Whether Thermage fits, how many shots, and whether you need the sedation option are decided from that. If the findings point elsewhere, we say so. The doctor treats you from start to finish, and we set up home care for the months while collagen builds.

Related reading

Consultations and booking: Repic Clinic, B1 & 2F, 318 Gangnam-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Yeoksam-dong, TOWER837) · +82-2-6952-0312 · English-speaking staff on site · Book online

This is general information and does not replace a medical consultation. Results vary from person to person.

Related treatments

Frequently asked questions

When do Thermage results start to show?

Right after treatment, collagen contraction gives a slight tight feeling. New collagen becomes noticeable around months 2 to 3, months 4 to 6 look best, and then the effect fades gradually. Judge the result at month three, not in the first week. That is how we review it at Repic Clinic in Gangnam.

Does Thermage hurt?

Yes. At a proper intensity, a deep hot sensation surges briefly with each pulse, and bony areas like the cheekbones and jawline are more sensitive. Repic Clinic in Gangnam manages this with a sedation (sleep) option, vibration and zone-by-zone intensity. A 600-shot session takes about 60 minutes.

How long does Thermage last?

Usually 6 months to a year, depending on shot count, age and skin condition. The effect does not vanish at once; it fades gradually. At Repic Clinic in Gangnam, we reassess your skin at around the one-year mark to decide when to repeat the treatment.

What is the difference between 600 and 900 shots of Thermage?

Shot count is the number of energy pulses, which means coverage area. Six hundred shots go over the whole face once at standard density; 900 shots suit wider laxity or treatment extending under the jaw. At Repic Clinic in Gangnam they cost KRW 2,300,000 and KRW 3,350,000 (VAT excluded).

Can I fly the day after Thermage?

Yes. It is a same-day procedure and redness usually settles within a day or two, so flying the next day is fine. Avoid saunas and alcohol for one week and use sunscreen consistently. Temporary tenderness or slight surface unevenness can occur and usually resolves on its own.

What age should you start Thermage?

There is no set age; the decision rests on skin condition. Many people start in their early 30s, when firmness begins to drop. Repic Clinic in Gangnam does not use age-based packages; whether to treat and how many shots are decided after the doctor's assessment.

Can I get Thermage and a skin booster on the same day?

Usually yes, and the order and spacing are set during the consultation. Injectable boosters like Rejuran leave small bumps for 1 to 3 days, so if you have an important event or photos coming up, leave some buffer before and after. Repic Clinic in Gangnam plans this with you.

Related columns