Ultherapy vs Thermage vs Sofwave: which depth your face needs

If you have searched for non-surgical lifting in Korea, you have met all three names, often on the same price list and sometimes in the same package. It is easy to assume they are three brands of the same thing. They are not, and choosing between them by price alone is how people end up disappointed.

What does each device actually do?

How much does each cost in Seoul?

Compare like with like. A 300-shot Ultherapy plan for the lower face and a 600-shot full-face Thermage session are not competing quotes. Ask each clinic for the shot count, the tip, and whether VAT is included, and since January 2026 remember there is no VAT refund for foreign patients on cosmetic treatment.

How do doctors decide which one I need?

By looking at where the laxity begins. If the jawline has softened because the deeper support has loosened, a device that reaches that layer makes more sense. If the skin itself has become thin, crepey or less springy, dermal heating is the more natural fit. Many faces have a bit of both, which is why combinations are common in Seoul.

1. 01

   Look at the jawline in profile

   Softening along the jaw often points the conversation towards Ultherapy.

2. 02

   Pinch the cheek skin

   Thin, crepey skin that wrinkles easily is more often a Thermage conversation.

3. 03

   Think about budget and trip

   Fewer shots done well can beat a bigger package done fast.

4. 04

   Let the doctor decide the mix

   Bring the concern, not the device name.

Can I combine them on one trip?

Often yes, and because none of the three leaves visible marks, they fit neatly at the end of a trip. That frees the first days for treatments that need time to settle, such as spot removal or skin boosters. Your doctor decides the order and whether combining makes sense for your face.

When is none of them the answer?

When there is excess skin. Devices tighten; they do not remove skin. If the main concern is heavy jowls or loose neck skin, a surgical consultation will give you a more honest picture than a bigger device package. Results also take time: collagen remodelling builds over roughly two to three months, so the mirror on day one is not the verdict.

“The best lifting plan starts with where your face is loosening, not with which machine is on promotion this month.”

We introduce you to doctors who explain why they recommend one depth over another, and who will tell you if a device is not the right tool.

What about cheaper HIFU like Shurink?

Korean HIFU devices such as Shurink and Linear Z use the same basic idea as Ultherapy at a much lower price per session. They are popular for maintenance and for people trying lifting for the first time. The trade-off is that devices differ in depth options, imaging and how energy is delivered, so a cheaper session is not simply the same treatment for less. Ask the doctor why they would choose one over the other for your face, and compare shot counts rather than session prices.

What should I ask at the consultation?

• Where do you think my laxity starts, and why does that point to this device?
• How many shots, on which tip, and is that the whole face or one area?
• Is VAT included in this price?
• When should I judge the result, and when would you repeat it?
• Is there anything you would not recommend for me, and why?

A doctor who answers these clearly, and who is willing to say a device is not right for you, is worth more than a bigger package at a lower price.

General information, not medical advice. Your doctor decides what suits you.