Hongdae Thermage Is Expensive, So You Need to Get It Done Properly: 3 Criteria for Choosing It

Hello, I’m Dr. Jo Wonjin, and I’ve been seeing patients for 10 years.

I got it because people around me recommended it,

but honestly, it was less effective than I expected,

which was disappointing.

When you see reviews like this while looking into Thermage,

you naturally end up wondering again

whether it’s really worth getting.

You hear so many good things about it, so why do opinions

split so sharply? Today,

under the topic of “Hongdae Thermage Is Expensive, So You Need to Get It Done Properly: 3 Criteria for Choosing It,”

instead of obvious advice like “check whether genuine tips are used,”

I’ll explain 3 criteria for choosing a dermatology clinic that can truly determine Thermage results.

If you read to the end, you’ll gain the judgment to know

which clinic you should choose.

Table of Contents

• Brief summary of the principle

• Criterion 1. “Shot density” is more important than the number of shots

• Criterion 2. Balancing intensity and skin response

• Criterion 3. Is there an alternative to Thermage?

Brief summary of the principle

Thermage works by delivering powerful radiofrequency energy deep into the skin (the dermis).

This energy contracts aged collagen,

and at the same time acts as a switch that encourages new collagen production.

Through this, the skin can regain firmness on its own,

fine lines can improve,

and the sagging facial line can be tightened.

The results can vary greatly depending on how this powerful energy is used.

Criterion 1

“Shot density” is more important

than the number of shots

Thermage has a set number of shots.

Even with the same 600 shots, the results can be completely different depending on how they are distributed.

Dividing them evenly across the entire face would be a waste of valuable shots,

so no Hongdae Thermage clinic would do that,

but how efficiently they are used on the key target areas is another matter.

You probably already know that Thermage works well for skin with low elasticity and a tendency to develop fine wrinkles.

To explain using these skin concerns,

the wrinkles around the eyes and mouth:

the skin around the eyes is so thin that even 1–2 passes can be enough to produce a noticeable effect.

But around the mouth, energy needs to be layered multiple times so the loosened structure can heat up sufficiently and progress to collagen remodeling.

What matters is whether density is adjusted so each key target area gets enough effect.

That is the key to maximizing results with a limited number of shots.

Criterion 2

Balancing intensity and skin response

“Doctor, please do 300 shots at the strongest setting.”

Some people sometimes ask for this.

During consultation, I first look at the patient’s skin thickness and condition,

and I have my own standard for what energy level is the “appropriate range” for that skin.

During the procedure as well, rather than simply turning up the energy, I carefully test how the skin responds while delivering heat.

Not long ago, there was a patient who said they had seen it on YouTube and wanted 300 shots at high energy.

After assessing the skin, I found it was thin and sensitive, so it would only be overstimulated and the effect would likely be reduced.

In the end, we performed 600 shots at below-average energy, and even that was quite difficult for them.

Afterward, they said, “If I had gotten 300 shots at a strong setting, it could have been a disaster.”

Many people misunderstand this.

Thermage is more effective not as one strong hit, but as “repeated layering of shots at the right energy.”

5700명 대상으로 한 단극성 고주파 피부 타이트닝 치료 결과 논문

In fact, there are research findings showing that the latter approach has higher treatment retention and satisfaction.

A Hongdae Thermage procedure is a process of finding the optimal value that your skin can tolerate.

Rather than a place that simply does whatever the patient wants,

you should look for whether they accurately advise what needs to be done based on expert judgment,

and whether they respond carefully to changes in the skin during the procedure.

Criterion 3

Is there an alternative to Thermage?

You may think bringing up alternatives suddenly in a discussion about Thermage is out of nowhere.

But many people already come in having clearly decided on the procedure they want.

However, there are really many cases where something other than the procedure they originally planned is more suitable.

A woman in her 40s who visited the clinic not long ago was worried about a sagging jawline and drooping cheeks,

and was considering Thermage because her skin was thin.

However, in cases like this, Thermage alone—which targets the dermis—has limitations in lifting effect.

On the other hand, combining it with Ulthera could be a burden on thin skin due to the stimulation.

So in this case, I recommended Serf.

(It has better energy penetration than Thermage, so it can address both the skin surface and internal tightening.)

If the dermatology clinic does not have enough lifting devices available,

then even with the same concern, you have to find an answer within a more limited set of options.

So even if you are looking for a Hongdae Thermage clinic,

it should have a wide lineup of devices and be able to recommend the procedure that best suits you.

The path to successfully choosing a clinic

Today’s key summary!

• Distribute shot density efficiently

• Adjust energy while watching skin response

• Choose a place with various lifting devices (alternatives)

If you simply remember these 3 criteria and choose a Hongdae Thermage clinic,

you can greatly reduce the chance of later regretting it because there was no effect.

This has been Dr. Jo Wonjin. Thank you.

• Related lifting posts that will definitely be helpful if you read them together -

Dr. Jo Wonjin, Chief Doctor, 1:1 Customization
We limit the number of patients we see each day so that we can focus fully on each person and deliver satisfying results.If you mention, “I came after reading the blog,” when making a reservation or visiting, we will help guide you more carefully.