Which lifting treatment in Korea? Eight options at a Seoul clinic, sorted by concern

A Seoul clinic's lifting menu can run to eight names, and most visitors arrive knowing two of them. This guide sorts the eight lifting options at LIV Plastic Surgery by the concern each one is described for on the clinic's own pages, so you can see where your question fits before you message anyone. It is a map, not a diagnosis: the doctor decides the plan at the consultation, after seeing your skin. LIV is a non-surgical anti-aging clinic in Gangnam, one minute from Sinsa Station, and international patients pay from the same price list as Korean patients.

All eight at a glance

Sorted by concern

Each line below repeats what the clinic's treatment pages say the treatment is for. Several treatments appear under more than one concern, which is why the choice is made in person.

Sagging skin and the jawline

• Ultherapy Prime is described for people concerned about sagging skin or loss of elasticity who want lifting without surgery. Areas: forehead, eye area, cheeks, jawline and neck.
• Thread lift is described for people who want immediate lifting, are concerned about sagging cheeks, want nasolabial folds and the jawline tidied, or were not satisfied with laser lifting alone.
• Shurink and Density cover the same areas as Ultherapy Prime (forehead, eye area, cheeks, jawline, neck). Shurink is positioned for a first lifting treatment or regular upkeep, Density for a combined lifting effect.

Loss of elasticity and fine lines

• Thermage FLX is described for loss of elasticity and fine lines, with a natural, gradual change. It treats the full face, eye area, neck and body, and has a dedicated tip for the eye area.
• InMode lists collagen regeneration and improvement of fine lines among its uses.

Facial fat together with laxity

• InMode is recommended by the clinic when facial fat and sagging skin are a combined concern: fat under the chin, cheek fullness, the face line, a double chin.
• ONDA is described for loss of elasticity together with localized fat, on the face (cheeks, jawline), the double chin and the body (abdomen, flanks, thighs, arms).

Longer-lasting change, and volume

• APTOS is described for people who want long-lasting lifting, a biostimulation effect, and natural-looking volume and firmness. The clinic gives a duration of up to 24 months and describes APTOS NAMICA as encapsulating 40 mg of hyaluronic acid.
• Ultherapy Prime results are described as lasting 1–2 years, varying from person to person.
• Where lost volume is the main concern, the doctor may also discuss filler rather than a lifting device.

No downtime, or no anesthesia

• All six energy devices list an immediate return to daily life. ONDA needs no anesthesia, Thermage FLX is usually done without it, and InMode can be done without it.
• Thread lift and APTOS use local anesthesia, and bruising or swelling is possible for 3–7 days.

A first treatment, or a smaller budget

• Shurink is positioned for a first lifting treatment, a quick session and lifting at a reasonable cost.
• Density is described as an entry-level RF lifting device at a reasonable cost.
• InMode has the lowest published starting price of the eight. Lower price does not mean it addresses the same concern, so compare the "for" lines above before the price column.

How soon, how long, how often

Durations vary with skin condition, age and lifestyle, and the cycle is set at the consultation. For the detail on the first, second and sixth rows, see our Ultherapy vs Thermage vs Shurink guide; for Density, ONDA and InMode, see the three-device comparison.

If you are on a short trip

• Energy devices. Most non-surgical treatments at LIV take 30 to 90 minutes with no hospitalization, and many patients are treated on the day of their visit. Ultherapy Prime and Thermage FLX are completed in one session with no revisit required. For the other devices, ask about follow-up when you book.
• Threads. A thread lift has an optional check about one week later, or a remote photo check after you fly home. Expect 3–7 days in which bruising and swelling are possible, light makeup from 24 hours after the treatment, and two weeks of avoiding strong facial expressions and massage. Plan photos and events around that.
• Combining. The clinic says a thread lift can be combined with laser lifting after 1–2 weeks, and APTOS after 2–4 weeks. On a short trip that usually means choosing one and doing the other on a later visit; the doctor confirms the order.
• Planning. Our downtime and flight guide and booking guide cover the calendar and the steps.

What the doctor needs to know

The clinic's own cautions differ by treatment, and they can change which option is offered.

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding. Lifting treatments are not recommended during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
• Pacemaker. Thermage FLX is not performed on people with a pacemaker; for ONDA, tell the clinic.
• Metal implants. A metal implant in the treatment area needs a consultation first for Ultherapy Prime and Thermage FLX; for ONDA, tell the clinic about any metal implant in the body.
• Sensitive skin or skin problems. Sensitive skin needs a consultation first for Shurink. For ONDA, mention any inflammation, infection or wound in the area.
• Threads. A pulling sensation is possible in the treated area, and infection or thread exposure is possible in rare cases.

Before you decide

Use this page to narrow the list to two or three names, then let the doctor do the rest: at LIV the board-certified plastic surgeon diagnoses your skin in person and recommends a plan based on your concerns and the result you want; see our medical team. Prices for every treatment here are on the price list or the treatment pages. Send questions and photos through the international patients page or the contact form; more answers are on the medical Q&A page.

This guide is general information, not medical advice or a diagnosis. Suitability and the final plan are decided at your in-person consultation. Prices are per session, exclude VAT, and are confirmed after consultation.