Thermage FLX (Solta Medical) is a monopolar radiofrequency device that heats the deep dermis through a cooled tip, aimed at firming skin that has started to loosen. For Thermage in Seoul, ENTER Plastic Surgery offers face sessions of 300, 600 or 900 shots and Eye Thermage at 225 or 450 shots. A session runs 45–90 minutes under numbing cream, and flying home the same day is possible.
Is it for you?
Who considers Thermage FLX in Seoul
Radiofrequency heat works on collagen inside the skin itself. That makes Thermage FLX a match for a particular stage of aging: the skin has thinned and lost some spring, the jaw edge and cheeks look softer, and fine creasing has appeared around the eyes, yet there is no heavy fold of tissue hanging over the jawline. People in that position want a change they can live with during a short trip, with makeup back on soon and no incision.
The limits come from the same mechanism. Heat in the dermis does not reposition fat or lift a deep muscle layer, so marked jowls, a heavy neck or deep folds call for a different plan. A firmer skin texture is the goal; a reshaped face is not what this device is designed to deliver.
Usually a good fit
- Early skin laxity along the cheeks and jawline
- Crepey, thin skin on the upper or lower eyelids
- Fine lines that make the skin look tired
- Wanting no incision and no needle
- A short stay, with a flight home soon after
We may suggest waiting
- Heavy jowls or a hanging neck that needs surgery
- A pacemaker or other implanted electronic device
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding
- Active infection, open wounds or a flare of skin disease in the area
- Expecting a result that matches a facelift
How it works
How Thermage FLX heats the dermis
Monopolar radiofrequency passes an electrical current from the treatment tip into the skin and back to a return pad placed on the body. Tissue resistance turns that current into heat, which collects in the deep dermis and the fibrous strands beneath it. Collagen fibers contract when heated, and over the following months the skin lays down new collagen as part of its healing response. A cooling spray and vibration from the tip protect the surface and make each pulse easier to tolerate.
ENTER Plastic Surgery plans lifting by tissue layer. Thermage FLX belongs to the dermal layer, while Ultherapy focuses ultrasound at deeper levels that include the SMAS, the fibrous sheet over the facial muscles. The difference explains why the two can sit in one plan: one is aimed at skin quality and the other at deeper support.
Eye Thermage around the eyelids
Eye Thermage uses a small tip on the thin skin of the upper and lower eyelids. Protective shields are placed over the eyes before the tip touches the lids, and the shot count is lower than for the face: 225 or 450 shots on the clinic menu.
What the studies can and cannot show
Trials on this technology used earlier generations of the device, so their numbers cannot be read as Thermage FLX results. In a split-face randomized trial, monopolar radiofrequency and microfocused ultrasound both improved laxity of the face and upper neck, with no difference between them in effect or satisfaction (Alhaddad, 2019). A neck trial found no significant difference in laxity improvement either, while the ultrasound side was more painful during treatment (Jones, 2017). A survey of 5,700 treatments supported a lower-energy, multiple-pass approach guided by how the heat feels to the patient (Dover, 2007).
Skin and area check
At consultationThe clinic looks at skin thickness and the degree of laxity, then decides on face, eyes or both and the shot count that fits the area.
Numbing cream and grid
Numbing cream is applied, a temporary grid is marked on the skin to spread the pulses evenly, and a return pad is placed on the body.
Pulses in passes
45–90 minutesThe cooled tip is pressed square by square, in several passes. You are asked how the heat feels, and the energy is adjusted to that feedback.
Settle and travel
Same dayThe grid is wiped off and the skin is checked for any hot spots. Redness and warmth are expected, and you can travel home the same day.
Thermage FLX next to Eye Thermage and Ultherapy at ENTER Plastic Surgery
| Point of comparison | Thermage FLX (face) | Eye Thermage | Ultherapy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | Monopolar radiofrequency | Monopolar radiofrequency | Microfocused ultrasound |
| Layer aimed at | Deep dermis | Thin eyelid skin | Deeper layers incl. SMAS |
| Shot options | 300, 600 or 900 | 225 or 450 | 100, 300 or 600 |
| Numbing | Numbing cream | Numbing cream, eye shields | Numbing cream |
| Clinic guidance on aftercare | Redness, warmth for about 1 week | Redness, warmth for about 1 week | Deep soreness 1–2 weeks |
| Clinic guidance on repeat | Every 12 months | Every 12 months | Every 12–18 months |
Aftercare and repeat intervals are the clinic's own guidance; individual results vary.
Your doctor
Chief Director · Korean board-certified plastic surgeon
“Natural, yet clearly visible change.”Eyelid and facelift surgery at ENTER is planned and performed by Dr. Jang himself.
- NowChief Director, ENTER Plastic Surgery
- TrainingPlastic surgery, Kyung Hee University Medical Center
- FormerChief Director, Jang Plastic Surgery
- FormerDirector, Secret Plastic Surgery
- MemberKSPRS · KSAPS · ISAPS · ESOPRS · ASPS
At a glance
Thermage FLX session details
| Procedure time | 45–90 minutes, by tip type and area |
|---|---|
| Anesthesia | Numbing cream |
| Downtime | Redness, warmth or throbbing for about 1 week |
| Recommended sessions | 1 session, repeated at 12-month intervals |
| How long results last | 12–18 months; changes build over 2–6 months |
| Return to exercise | Generally, published studies report daily activities straight after treatment and set no exercise restriction, so exercise once redness and warmth settle |
| Earliest flight home | Same day |
Prices
Thermage FLX prices by shot count
Thermage FLX is priced by the number of shots, and each line on the list is one session. The face lines move from 300 to 900 shots, so a smaller area or a lighter plan sits at the lower end, and a full face with the jawline needs more pulses. Eye Thermage has its own two lines because the eyelid tip and shot counts differ from the face.
The amounts on these cards exclude VAT (10% VAT is added at payment). Numbing cream is part of the session, with no anesthesia line added. If you combine face and eyes, ask for both lines to appear separately in your written quote so the total is clear before you travel.
Prices exclude VAT (10% VAT is added at payment).
Recovery
Aftercare after Thermage FLX
Skin can look flushed and feel warm. Makeup and normal plans can resume, but leave out saunas, hot baths and intense workouts while the warmth lasts.
Redness, warmth and a throbbing sensation for about a week are part of normal healing. Blisters, crusts or a dent in the skin are not; contact the clinic and do not treat them yourself.
Once the skin has calmed, about a week after the session, Botox or filler can be booked if they are part of your plan.
Changes in firmness build slowly as new collagen forms, so the skin is judged at the end of this window.
The clinic suggests one session, repeated at 12-month intervals, and places the effect at about 12–18 months.
Safety
Risks and limits of Thermage FLX
Heat delivered through the skin carries risks that grow when too much energy reaches one spot, which is why the energy is matched to what you feel during each pass.
- Redness, swelling and warmth that last longer than a week.
- Blisters, crusting or a superficial burn, which can leave a temporary or lasting mark.
- Small depressions or contour changes where fat under the skin has been heated.
- Temporary numbness, tingling or tenderness over the treated area.
- Discomfort during the pulses, felt more over bony areas.
- Little or no visible change in some people, especially where laxity is advanced.
Results in published studies vary between individuals, and research in Asian skin suggests treatment settings may need to differ from those used in other populations (Kushikata, 2005).
Evidence
Research behind this page
- A Randomized, Split-Face, Evaluator-Blind Clinical Trial Comparing Monopolar Radiofrequency Versus Microfocused Ultrasound With Visualization for Lifting and Tightening of the Face and Upper NeckDermatologic Surgery · 2019 · Alhaddad M et al. · doi:10.1097/dss.0000000000001653
Split-face randomized trial: monopolar radiofrequency and microfocused ultrasound both improved laxity of the face and upper neck, with no difference in effect, satisfaction or side effects.
- A Randomized Evaluator-Blinded Trial Comparing Subsurface Monopolar Radiofrequency With Microfocused Ultrasound for Lifting and Tightening of the NeckDermatologic Surgery · 2017 · Jones I et al. · doi:10.1097/dss.0000000000001216
Evaluator-blinded neck trial: no significant difference between monopolar radiofrequency and microfocused ultrasound in laxity, satisfaction or side effects; the ultrasound side was more painful. Earlier device generation.
- Results of a Survey of 5,700 Patient Monopolar Radiofrequency Facial Skin Tightening Treatments: Assessment of a Low-Energy Multiple-Pass Technique Leading to a Clinical End Point AlgorithmDermatologic Surgery · 2007 · DOVER J et al. · doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2007.33191.x
Survey of 5,700 treatments with an earlier device: a low-energy, multiple-pass technique guided by the patient's heat feedback was a reasonable way to choose energy.
- Non‐ablative skin tightening with radiofrequency in Asian skinLasers in Surgery and Medicine · 2005 · Kushikata N et al. · doi:10.1002/lsm.20136
Cohort in Asian facial skin with an earlier device: radiofrequency tightening gave satisfactory results, and settings may need to differ by population.
FAQ
Thermage FLX in Seoul: questions
What is the difference between Thermage and Thermage FLX?
Thermage FLX is the current generation of the Thermage monopolar radiofrequency device, and it is the version listed at ENTER Plastic Surgery. The principle is unchanged: heat in the deep dermis. The published trials used older generations, so their figures are background for the technology and are not FLX results.
What is Eye Thermage?
Eye Thermage is Thermage FLX applied with a small tip to the upper and lower eyelid skin, with protective shields placed over the eyes first. The clinic lists it at 225 or 450 shots. It is aimed at crepey, thin lid skin and does not remove eye bags or excess skin.
Can I fly home on the day of my Thermage session?
Yes. The clinic's guidance is that you can fly the same day. Expect redness and warmth on the flight, drink water, and skip in-flight sheet masks or rubbing the skin. If blisters or crusts appear after you land, send photos to the clinic before treating them yourself.
Who carries out Thermage FLX at the clinic?
Thermage FLX is given at ENTER Plastic Surgery, where Dr. Jang Jin-woo, a Korean board-certified plastic surgeon, leads the clinic. Sessions are not assigned to one named practitioner on this page; when you enquire, the clinic can tell you who will plan and give your treatment.
Is the Thermage price in Seoul shown before VAT?
Yes. Every line is excluding VAT, and 10% VAT is added when you pay. The face starts at ₩1,600,000 + VAT for 300 shots, and Eye Thermage starts at ₩1,200,000 + VAT for 225 shots. Numbing cream is included in the session.
How do I book Thermage FLX from abroad?
Send the form on this page or message us on WhatsApp with the areas you want treated and your travel dates. We will get back to you as soon as possible. English-speaking staff are available at the clinic for the visit itself.
Is a deposit needed to book a Thermage session?
Deposit and cancellation terms are set for each booking and are not published here. Ask for them in writing before you pay, together with how a changed appointment date is handled if your flights move.
Can I have Botox or filler on the same trip as Thermage?
Yes, with spacing. The clinic recommends waiting about one week after Thermage FLX, until the skin has calmed, before Botox or filler. If your stay is shorter, plan the injections for a later visit or ask whether the order can be reversed.
Does Thermage FLX actually work?
Trials on earlier device generations found that monopolar radiofrequency improved skin laxity of the face and neck, with results similar to microfocused ultrasound in head-to-head studies. Changes are gradual and vary between people, and some see little difference. It is not a substitute for a facelift.
Can I have Thermage FLX with a pacemaker or metal implant?
A pacemaker or other implanted electronic device is a reason not to have monopolar radiofrequency. Metal plates, fillers or threads in the area should be mentioned before treatment so the plan can take them into account. List all implants when you send your enquiry.
Is Thermage FLX suitable for men?
Yes, when the concern is loosening skin and not a heavy fold of tissue. Thicker skin and beard areas are taken into account when the shot count and energy are planned, so mention any shaving irritation or recent laser treatment on the face before the session.
Will my insurance cover Thermage FLX in Korea?
We cannot say whether your insurer will cover cosmetic treatment abroad, so check with your provider before booking. It is also worth asking whether your travel insurance covers complications after cosmetic treatment, sometimes called aesthetic cover in the UK and Australia.
Google reviews
Reviews on Google Maps
Great experience! Dr. is very sweet and kind. He listened to what I wanted to fix and correct. He explained everything very well. Wasn’t pushy and didn’t try to sell anything extra. This isn’t a clinic that comes out on instagram, which I…
Jennifer LyuA month agoI came to Enter Plastic Surgery on a friend’s recommendation for under-eye fat repositioning. I was pretty nervous going in, but the doctor took the time to explain what would work for my under-eyes, what the procedure involved, and what…
Michael2 months agoThe staff are incredibly friendly, and the consultation was very thorough. I was very worried since it was my first procedure, but the director explained the aftercare in detail, so I felt completely confident trusting them!!
ROOHEUI SHIN (RHS)2 months ago · Translated by Google