When You Want to Address Wrinkles and Elasticity at the Same Time in Seocho-gu

서초구 피부과 주름과 탄력을 한번에 잡고 싶을 때

Hello, this is the Gangnam branch of Ijiham Dermatology.

Today, I’d like to talk about a concern we often see in the clinic. Have you ever washed your face in the morning, looked in the mirror, and suddenly thought, “When did this happen?” The nasolabial folds seem deeper than before, the cheeks seem to have sagged downward, and the time when your skin felt firm and resilient seems far away. I have heard that feeling of quiet heaviness from many patients in the clinic.

I’m writing this with the hope that it will be useful for those who are particularly concerned about wrinkles and sagging, and for those who have heard the name Thermage FLX but are not yet sure exactly what the procedure is. Through the story of one patient I personally met, I’ll explain step by step what Thermage FLX is and what role it plays in skin elasticity and wrinkle care.

Not long ago, a patient in her mid-40s came to see me for the first time. She said she had come to Ijiham Dermatology. Even though she had made an appointment, I could feel a slight tension when she opened the clinic room door. I still remember what she said cautiously as soon as she sat down: “Doctor, I feel like I’ve been looking so much older so suddenly lately. My cheeks have sagged and my nasolabial folds have deepened... people around me keep telling me I look tired.”

Hearing that, I wondered how long and how quietly she had been carrying this concern by herself. A decline in skin elasticity does not actually happen all at once. Collagen production begins to gradually decrease in the mid-20s, and by the 40s, the rate becomes noticeably faster. It is even more pronounced during periods when hormonal changes overlap, such as menopause.

I carefully examined the patient’s skin condition while talking with her. Skin thickness and elasticity, the degree of sagging, and the overall contours. I also asked about her lifestyle and skin care history. Ijiham Dermatology is not simply a place that suggests procedure menus; it is a place that provides diagnosis and solutions tailored to each person’s skin. What I explained to the patient that day was Thermage FLX.

What is Thermage FLX?

Thermage FLX is a lifting procedure that uses radiofrequency energy. The name may sound unfamiliar, but the principle is quite intuitive. It delivers heat energy deep into the skin to contract collagen while also stimulating the production of new collagen. Simply put, it is like gently ironing an old sweater so that it regains its firmness, using heat to stimulate the skin tissue and help the skin restore its elasticity.

Thermage CPT has been used for a long time, and Thermage FLX is its upgraded version. Ijiham Dermatology currently uses Thermage FLX. Both devices share the same core mechanism, but FLX has improved energy delivery efficiency and procedural convenience. Radiofrequency energy reaches the dermal layer of the skin and generates heat, which contracts collagen fibers and allows elasticity to be felt immediately. Then, over the following weeks, new collagen is gradually formed, and the skin becomes denser and firmer.

In particular, FLX in Thermage FLX stands for “Flex,” meaning a version with improved procedural convenience and energy delivery efficiency compared to the previous generation. Because the key is delivering energy evenly across the skin, both the skill of the medical staff and the performance of the device affect the result. Since Thermage procedures change the internal structure rather than the skin surface, effects usually begin to appear in earnest 4 to 12 weeks after the procedure rather than immediately, and many patients experience the best results after 2 to 3 months.

What concerns can Thermage FLX help with?

Thermage FLX is particularly effective for overall loss of skin elasticity and sagging, wrinkles around the eyes, forehead, and cheeks, early nasolabial folds, and when overall skin tightening is desired. If ultrasound lifting methods (Doublo Gold, Vero, Shurink) deliver energy to the deeper skin layer (the SMAS layer) to create a stronger lifting effect, radiofrequency-based Thermage delivers heat energy broadly and evenly throughout the dermis, focusing on skin tightening and collagen regeneration. The two methods are more complementary than interchangeable.

The sensation during a Thermage procedure is warmth and a slight stinging feeling. Most patients say it is at a tolerable level, and if necessary, a numbing cream is applied before the procedure. After the procedure, mild temporary swelling or redness may occur, but it usually subsides within 1 to 3 days, and it generally does not significantly interfere with daily life. You can wash your face and apply light makeup starting the same day.

The duration of the effect varies depending on individual skin condition, age, and lifestyle, but it is generally about 6 months to 1 year, and maintenance every 6 months to 1 year is recommended to preserve the effect. Rather than expecting dramatic changes from a single procedure, Thermage tends to produce better results when approached as part of ongoing care.

Post-procedure care before and after Thermage FLX: please remember these points

As with any skin procedure, care before and after treatment is just as important as the procedure itself. For one week after Thermage, it is best to avoid activities that rapidly raise skin temperature, such as saunas, jjimjilbangs, or strenuous exercise. This is because the skin is temporarily in a sensitive state. Sun protection cannot be emphasized enough. If ultraviolet rays directly hit skin that is undergoing collagen regeneration, they can interfere with the regeneration process and may also lead to pigmentation. It is necessary to make a habit of applying a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 50+ carefully every day.

Hydration and moisturizing care are also essential. Even if collagen regeneration has been stimulated by the procedure, the effect can be reduced if the skin lacks sufficient moisture. Drinking enough water, using moisturizers containing hyaluronic acid, and using a gentle cleanser can help. Regular sleep and not smoking also directly affect the skin’s ability to regenerate.

There are also precautions before the procedure. If you are pregnant, have a heart-related condition, or have metal foreign bodies in your body, the procedure may be limited. If you are taking any medication, you must inform us in advance. If there is any skin trouble or inflammation, it is advisable to adjust the timing of the procedure.

A relationship you can trust for a long time, rather than a single procedure, is what changes the skin.

In this work, I always keep one thing in mind. Every skin is different. Even if two people come in with the same age and the same concerns, the thickness and elasticity of their skin, the pattern of sagging, and their lifestyle are all different. That is why I place the greatest importance on providing solutions that fit each patient’s skin based on proven procedures and honest medical care.

Thermage FLX is not a procedure that creates an intense transformation all at once. It stimulates the skin’s own regenerative ability, and that process unfolds naturally over several weeks. That is why the results are not excessive; they are natural. It is the kind of change that makes people around you say, “You seem to look better lately.” That is exactly what Ijiham Dermatology aims for.

With the hope of becoming the first name you think of when skin concerns arise, we will continue to provide honest and sincere care.

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