
Hello, this is the Gangnam branch of Ijiham Dermatology.
Have you been looking in the mirror lately and worrying that your facial contours have changed from before? In particular, if your cheeks seem to have sagged and your jawline feels blurry, I hope this article will be helpful.
In my practice, as I listen to many patients’ skin concerns and work with them to find solutions, I’ve come to feel that natural improvement in firmness is one of the treatments with the highest satisfaction. Today, I’d like to talk in detail about the Seocho Shurink procedure through the story of a patient I personally met.

Shurink: how does it improve firmness?
So, what is Shurink, and how does it improve skin firmness? Shurink is a lifting procedure that uses ultrasound energy. Rather than delivering energy to the skin’s surface, it sends it into the dermis and the SMAS layer beneath it, in a way that is like restarting a collagen factory that had been dormant. When ultrasound generates heat deep within the skin, the body begins producing new collagen in response to repair itself.
It is also important to choose the most suitable device based on the patient’s skin thickness, degree of sagging, and the area they want improved. After examining the patient’s skin, I determined that the Seocho Shurink procedure would be the most appropriate. The sagging in the cheeks and jawline was moderate, and the skin thickness matched the energy depth of Shurink well.
What the patient was most curious about was pain and recovery time. They cautiously asked, “Will it hurt a lot? And will it be okay to go to work the next day?” Shurink can feel different depending on a person’s pain threshold, but there may be a slight tingling sensation around the bones. Still, I reassured them that for most people it is tolerable, and that if needed, a numbing cream can be applied to minimize discomfort.

What changes can you expect after the procedure?
The biggest advantage of the Seocho Shurink procedure is how quickly you can return to daily life. There may be slight swelling or redness immediately after the procedure, but it usually subsides within 1 to 3 days. Because washing your face and applying makeup are possible from the same day, office workers often receive it over the weekend. The patient looked relieved when they heard this.
When will the effect begin to appear? You may feel some firmness even right after the procedure, but the main changes appear between 4 and 12 weeks. That is because when ultrasound energy stimulates the dermis, the body needs time to produce new collagen. It is similar to planting a seed and waiting for it to sprout and grow. So you can experience the maximum effect after 2 to 3 months, and although it varies by individual, the effect generally lasts about 6 months to 1 year.
I also explained the post-procedure care in detail. For one week after the procedure, it is best to avoid saunas, steam rooms, and excessive exercise, and you should be diligent about sun protection. Adequate hydration and moisturizing care also help maintain the results. I still remember the patient smiling and saying, “The aftercare is easier than I expected.”

How do you maintain natural firmness?
Even after improving skin firmness with the Seocho Shurink procedure, consistent care remains important. The procedure is not a cure-all. In daily life, simply making a habit of applying sunscreen carefully every day can slow skin aging. That is because ultraviolet rays are a major cause of collagen destruction. Also, enough sleep, a balanced diet, and stress management directly affect skin health.
Providing enough moisture to the skin is also important. Dry skin loses firmness and wrinkles can look deeper. It is good to apply moisturizer thoroughly in the morning and evening and to get into the habit of drinking about 1.5 to 2 liters of water a day. I also emphasized to the patient that “daily care is just as important as the procedure.”
For maintaining the results, I recommend a follow-up treatment every 6 months to 1 year. There are individual differences depending on age, skin condition, and lifestyle, but with regular care, you can maintain firmer skin for longer. In addition, if you combine it with moisturizing treatments such as skin boosters, you can see a synergistic effect. In other words, lifting improves firmness, while skin boosters care for skin hydration and texture at the same time.

Now, looking in the mirror is enjoyable
The patient came back about two months after the procedure. With a bright expression, they laughed and said, “Doctor, people around me keep asking if I lost weight. But my weight is the same, so maybe it’s because my facial line has become more defined.” They said that looking in the mirror used to be stressful because of sagging cheeks and a blurred jawline, but now they enjoy looking at it. Most of all, they were satisfied that the improvement looked natural, to the point that no one around them asked what procedure they had received.
As I listened to their story, I felt that this is exactly the moment when I find the greatest reward as a dermatologist. It is truly meaningful to be able not only to smooth wrinkles or improve firmness, but also to help restore a person’s confidence and everyday happiness.

We pursue natural results
At Ijiham Dermatology, we believe that treatment is not just about procedures, but about the process of completing your beauty. Above all, what matters most is subtle naturalness and long-term trust. Because every skin type is different, our philosophy is not to simply perform procedures, but to provide diagnosis and solutions tailored to each person’s skin.
If you are worried about skin firmness, please do not worry too much. Lifting procedures such as Seocho Shurink are a way to naturally return to your original firm-looking face without interfering too much with daily life. However, before the procedure, it is most important to receive an accurate diagnosis and choose a treatment that matches your skin condition and degree of sagging.
To become the name that comes to mind first when skin concerns arise, we will continue to protect your beauty with honest, proven procedures and the care of a specialist.

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