Ulthera vs Thermage vs InMode in Korea: Cost, Pain, and Downtime Compared
💡 Quick Summary: At a Glance
- Ulthera targets the deep SMAS fascia with ultrasound — best for significant sagging.
- Thermage targets the shallower dermis with radiofrequency — best for thinner skin with less fat.
- InMode addresses fat and reduced elasticity together, such as a double chin.
- Cost (300 shots): Ulthera ≈ ₩800,000, Thermage ≈ ₩1,150,000.
- Pain: Ulthera tends to be stronger, Thermage relatively mild, InMode's FX mode can cause bruising and pain.
🎯 Who This Guide Is For: Anyone comparing Ulthera, Thermage, and InMode for skin laxity or a double chin who wants to understand the differences in mechanism, cost, pain, and downtime before consulting a clinic.
Ulthera, Thermage, InMode... What's the Difference Between These Lifting Treatments?
If you're looking into lifting treatments for loss of elasticity or a double chin, you've likely come across the names Ulthera, Thermage, and InMode. All three are grouped under the "lifting" category, but they differ in how they work, which skin types they suit, and their cost, pain level, and recovery time. To choose the right treatment for you, it helps to first understand which layer of skin each one targets.
Why Do Effects and Pain Levels Differ? The Difference in Targeted Skin Layers
Ulthera uses ultrasound energy to generate heat in the SMAS fascia (superficial musculoaponeurotic system, a deep supportive layer of connective tissue beneath the skin), improving elasticity. Because it reaches a relatively deep layer, it's generally considered for cases of significant sagging. Thermage delivers heat to the relatively shallower dermis (the skin's deeper layer beneath the surface) using radiofrequency and electrical current, promoting collagen production and skin tightening. Both treatments share expected benefits such as improved elasticity, better jawline and double-chin contouring, reduced wrinkles around the eyes, mouth, and neck, and pore reduction.
InMode is used for concerns where fat and reduced elasticity occur together, such as a double chin or facial fullness. It consists of a radiofrequency-based Forma mode and an FX mode, which combines radiofrequency with high-voltage current alongside fat reduction — the two modes are not required to be done together. Because Ulthera, Thermage, and InMode target different skin layers and deliver energy differently, even though they all fall under the "lifting treatment" umbrella, each one suits a different skin concern and condition. Before deciding on a treatment, it's a good starting point to first assess how thick and how saggy your skin is, and whether fat or reduced elasticity is the more prominent concern.
How Ulthera Works: Ultrasound Targeting the SMAS Fascia
Ulthera uses ultrasound energy to generate heat in the SMAS fascia — the deep supportive layer of connective tissue beneath the skin — improving elasticity. Because it reaches a relatively deep layer, it's generally considered for cases of significant sagging.
How Thermage Works: Radiofrequency Targeting the Dermis
Thermage delivers heat to the relatively shallower dermis using radiofrequency and electrical current, promoting collagen production and skin tightening. Both treatments share expected benefits, including improved elasticity, better jawline and double-chin contouring, reduced wrinkles around the eyes, mouth, and neck, and pore reduction.
How InMode Works: Targeting Fat and Elasticity Simultaneously
InMode is used for concerns where fat and reduced elasticity occur together, such as a double chin or facial fullness. It consists of a radiofrequency-based Forma mode and an FX mode, which combines radiofrequency with high-voltage current alongside fat reduction — the two modes are not required to be done together.
Choosing the Right Lifting Treatment for Your Skin Type
Who Ulthera Suits
For those with thicker skin or significant sagging, Ulthera — which targets a deeper layer — tends to be recommended.
Who Thermage Suits
For those with thinner skin or less facial fat, Thermage may be considered, as it carries a relatively lower risk of cheek hollowing.
Who InMode Suits (Double Chin and Cheek Fat Concerns)
If you have concerns about a double chin or facial fullness where fat and reduced elasticity occur together, InMode can be an alternative. Some immediate change may be felt with Forma mode, but it typically takes around three weeks to see a clear effect.
Cost, Pain, and Downtime at a Glance
Cost varies depending on the number of shots used. Based on 300 shots, Ulthera costs around ₩800,000 and Thermage costs around ₩1,150,000. Pain varies by individual, but on average, Ulthera tends to feel more intense and stinging, particularly in thinner areas or areas close to bone, such as around the mouth, eyes, forehead, cheekbones, and jaw. Thermage is often reported to be relatively mild in pain compared with other lifting treatments, while pain and bruising caused by the high-voltage current in InMode's FX mode are commonly cited side effects.
With InMode, temporary redness, bruising, and warmth can last for around a week, skin sensitivity can last 2–3 days, and dryness or itching can last around a week; burns or blisters can rarely occur. Because this treatment works by delivering heat, moisturizing care is recommended right after the procedure rather than cold soothing. As shown, these three treatments differ clearly in cost, pain, and recovery time, so it's worth choosing based on your budget, pain tolerance, and how soon you need to return to daily life. These figures reflect general cases at clinics in Korea, and actual cost, pain, and recovery time may vary depending on the clinic and individual skin condition.
Cost Comparison by Number of Shots
Cost varies depending on the number of shots used. Based on 300 shots, Ulthera costs around ₩800,000 and Thermage costs around ₩1,150,000.
Pain Level Comparison by Treatment
Pain varies by individual, but on average, Ulthera tends to feel more intense and stinging, particularly in thinner areas or areas close to bone, such as around the mouth, eyes, forehead, cheekbones, and jaw. Thermage is often reported to be relatively mild in pain compared with other lifting treatments, while pain and bruising caused by the high-voltage current in InMode's FX mode are commonly cited side effects.
Recovery Time and Side Effect Comparison
With InMode, temporary redness, bruising, and warmth can last for around a week, skin sensitivity can last 2–3 days, and dryness or itching can last around a week; burns or blisters can rarely occur. Because this treatment works by delivering heat, moisturizing care is recommended right after the procedure rather than cold soothing.
| Category | Ulthera | Thermage | InMode |
|---|---|---|---|
| Targeted area | SMAS fascia (deep layer) | Dermis (superficial layer) | Fat + skin elasticity simultaneously |
| Cost (based on 300 shots) | Around ₩800,000 | Around ₩1,150,000 | Varies by clinic and mode |
| Pain | Somewhat strong, varies significantly by area | Relatively mild | Pain and bruising with FX mode |
| Downtime/side effects | Varies by individual | Varies by individual | Redness, bruising (1 week), sensitivity (2–3 days), dryness (1 week) |
※ The figures above reflect general cases at clinics in Korea; actual cost, pain, and recovery time may vary depending on the clinic and individual skin condition.
How to Get a Lifting Treatment Safely
What to Check During Your Consultation
Before treatment, it's a good idea to thoroughly discuss your skin thickness, degree of sagging, and the areas you want to improve with your doctor, and to specifically confirm the cost, expected pain, and recovery time based on the number of shots and mode configuration.
Criteria for Choosing a Doctor and Clinic
Even with the same procedure, results and perceived pain can vary depending on the equipment settings and the doctor's skill level, so it's important to confirm whether authentic equipment is being used and to check the doctor's experience with the procedure.
If you're curious about regenerating the skin's texture itself, beyond surface-level elasticity improvement, autologous stem cell anti-aging treatment is another option worth knowing about. And if you'd like to improve skin tone and texture alongside lifting, comparing skin booster treatments and combination strategies can also be helpful.
👉 Curious about regenerating your skin texture itself, beyond just improving elasticity? Check out Korea's autologous stem cell anti-aging treatment!
👉 Want to improve skin tone and texture together with lifting? See how skin booster treatments compare and combine with lifting!
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: Which is better for me — Ulthera or Thermage?
If your skin is thick and significantly sagging, Ulthera, which targets a deeper layer, may be more suitable. If your skin is thin and you have less facial fat, and you're concerned about cheek hollowing, Thermage may be more suitable. That said, it depends on your individual skin condition, so it's best to decide through a consultation.
Q2: Do I have to get both Forma and FX modes with InMode?
No. The two modes serve different purposes and are not required to be done together. The mode configuration can vary depending on the degree of your fat and elasticity concerns.
Q3: Which of the three treatments has the least pain?
This varies by individual, but Thermage is often reported to be relatively mild in pain, while Ulthera can cause stronger pain depending on the area treated. With InMode, pain and bruising can occur with the FX mode.
Q4: How should I care for my skin after an InMode treatment?
Because this treatment works by delivering heat, moisturizing care is recommended right after the procedure rather than cold soothing. Redness, warmth, and dryness typically subside within around a week.
Q5: What should I be sure to ask during my pre-treatment consultation?
It's a good idea to confirm whether the treatment suits your skin type, along with the expected number of shots, cost, pain level, and recovery time. It's also recommended to check whether authentic equipment is used and to ask about the doctor's experience with the procedure.
