A More Candid Look at the Limits of Skincare Treatments from a Dermatologist at Sinnonhyeon Station

Even after visiting clinics for five years,

why does it only last for that moment?

A few days ago, I met someone in the consultation room.

As soon as they sat down, they said:

> “Doctor, I’ve been visiting dermatology clinics for five years. I’ve spent as much as I could, but it only seems to get better briefly, and then goes back to how it was.”

The frustration and disappointment in their voice came through to me just as clearly.

How frustrating it must have been.

They had visited every place they heard was good, and bravely tried newly introduced treatments, only to stand in front of the mirror and wonder, “Am I doing something wrong?” I felt that I could understand that kind of night, at least a little.

Why does it improve only for a while and then return?

In fact, this is a concern that many people come in with.

And as a dermatologist at Sinnonhyeon Station, I want to be more candid when answering this question.

The skin cannot be held in place forever with just one treatment.

The collagen in our skin is like the pillars of an old house.

As the years pass, it gradually loses strength, and then the cheeks and jawline begin to sag downward.

A treatment helps restore those pillars; it does not build a new house.

That is why the facial contours may look more defined for a while after treatment, but as time passes without continued care, the pillars gradually begin to lose strength again.

The feeling that “it only looks better for that moment” is actually also a sign that our skin is responding very honestly to the passage of time.

How can Ulthermage help, and what is its principle?

What I recommended to that person that day was an approach called “Ulthermage.”

Ultrasound-based treatments such as Doublo Gold or Shurink stimulate the deeper layers of the skin to support the foundation of elasticity, while Thermage, a radiofrequency treatment, delivers heat from the surface into the deeper layers to help loosened collagen tighten again.

If ultrasound restores the “pillars deep inside,” radiofrequency can be thought of as pulling the “entire wall surface taut.”

When these two approaches come together, they can address sagging and reduced elasticity together, which is why I often recommend this combination.

However, there are limits here, too

There is something I want to make sure to say as a dermatologist at Sinnonhyeon Station.

Ulthermage is not magic.

The effects generally appear between four and twelve weeks after treatment as collagen gradually builds up, and they continue to settle in over time.

The results also last for approximately six months to one year, after which they gradually fade again with the passage of time.

That is why I do not say, “This one treatment is all you need.”

I believe saying that would actually be more irresponsible.

The skin is a companion we care for throughout our lives.

The doctor answers your questions directly

Q1. Why combine ultrasound and radiofrequency in Ulthermage?

A. Because the two devices reach different depths and work in different ways.

Ultrasound supports elasticity in the deeper layers, while radiofrequency helps tighten a broader surface area.

They complement each other by filling in each other’s gaps, so I often recommend using them together depending on the condition of the skin.

Q2. If I only receive the treatment,

will my skin never sag again?

A. Unfortunately, that is not the case. Aging continues to progress.

However, consistently caring for your skin can help slow that process and maintain a comfortable condition for longer.

Q3. What should I look for

when choosing a dermatologist at Sinnonhyeon Station?

A. Rather than a clinic making flashy promises, I recommend looking for one that calmly explains “why this treatment is necessary” and honestly points out its limitations as well.

Q4. How should I care for my skin after treatment?

A. Avoid saunas and strenuous exercise for about one week, and consistently use sun protection and moisturizer.

Small habits at home can help preserve the results for longer.

Ultimately, it is a journey we take together

After listening to everything that day, the person said with a slightly more relaxed expression:

> “Now I think I understand why that happened. > Until now, I felt like I was constantly being chased by something.”

That expression stayed with me for a long time.

Perhaps what that person needed was not a stronger treatment or a greater expense, but a single honest statement telling them “where their skin is right now.”

As Yoo Deuk Lee, and as a dermatologist at Sinnonhyeon Station, what I hope for is natural-looking results without excess and lasting trust.

Skin does not change all at once. It is a journey we care for slowly, together.

If this article can quietly convey that today, I think that will be enough.

Thank you for reading.

I hope your skin feels comfortable today, as always.

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🏥 이지함피부과

👩‍⚕️ Medical Director 이유득

📞 02-567-5900

📍 5th Floor, Suite 502, 429 Gangnam-daero, 　　Seocho-gu, Seoul 　　(Dongil Building, Seocho-dong)

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