Ultherapy vs Thermage vs Shurink in Korea: how a Seoul clinic chooses between them

Three names keep coming up when you read about lifting treatments in Seoul: Ultherapy, Thermage and Shurink. This guide is for people who want to work out which is right for them before messaging a clinic, and to see how a Seoul clinic actually makes that call. LIV Plastic Surgery is a non-surgical anti-aging clinic in Gangnam, one minute from Sinsa Station and next to Garosu-gil. International patients pay from the same price list as Korean patients, and you can book directly in English without an agency.

The short answer

The three differ first in the type of energy they use and the layer of skin they work on. Ultherapy Prime uses HIFU (high-intensity focused ultrasound) to deliver energy deep into the skin's SMAS layer. Thermage FLX uses RF (radiofrequency) energy to contract collagen in the dermal layer and promote its regeneration. Shurink is also HIFU and, in the clinic's words, suits regular care at a reasonable cost.

In the way LIV describes them on its lifting pages: Ultherapy Prime for lifting sagging skin, Thermage for overall skin elasticity, and Shurink for a first lifting treatment, a quick session or regular maintenance. Ultherapy and Thermage can also be combined, which the clinic says can produce synergistic effects. None of this is a ranking: which fits you, or whether two should be combined, is decided at the consultation from your skin condition and goals.

Ultherapy, Thermage and Shurink at a glance

Time, anesthesia, recovery and results are from LIV's treatment pages; the return-visit line is from the international patients page, which does not cover Shurink, so ask when you book. On pain: with the topical anesthetic, most people tolerate Ultherapy Prime well. Thermage FLX is generally performed without anesthesia, as its vibrating tip significantly reduces discomfort, and anesthetic cream can be applied if you prefer. If you are sensitive to pain, additional pain control is available on request.

What each treatment is for

Ultherapy Prime

The HIFU treatment the clinic describes for people who want lifting without surgery, are concerned about sagging skin or loss of elasticity, prefer a natural-looking change and want no downtime. Areas treated: forehead, eye area, cheeks, jawline and neck. Anesthetic cream goes on for about 30 minutes, then the treatment takes 60–90 minutes. Results typically last 1–2 years, though this varies from person to person, and the clinic recommends it once every 1–2 years. LIV is an officially certified Ultherapy Prime provider; see the Ultherapy page and our Ultherapy price guide.

Thermage FLX

The RF option, described for people concerned about loss of elasticity or fine lines, who want a natural, gradual change and prefer a treatment without anesthesia. It treats the full face, eye area, neck and body, with a dedicated Thermage Eye tip around the eyes. Compared with earlier versions, FLX's AccuREP technology auto-tunes the energy and the treatment is 25% faster. The clinic recommends 1–2 sessions per year. LIV is a Thermage FLX partner clinic; see the Thermage page.

Shurink

Also HIFU. The clinic positions it for people having a lifting treatment for the first time, who want a quick session, lifting at a reasonable cost, or regular upkeep. Treatment takes 30–45 minutes, anesthetic cream is optional, and the areas are the forehead, eye area, cheeks, jawline and neck. It is repeated every 3–6 months and also suits maintenance care. See the Shurink page.

Prices at LIV (2026, per session)

Ultherapy Prime and Thermage FLX prices are published on the price list. Shurink prices are on its treatment page and cover the V-line, cheeks, forehead, double chin, neck wrinkles and under-eye area, priced by shot count.

The tilde means "from": the surgeon agrees the area and shot count with you at the consultation, and that is when the final figure is set.

How LIV decides between them

1. Remote consultation first. Send your concerns and a few photos by WhatsApp or the live chat on this site; the clinic suggests suitable treatments and sends a clear price estimate before you travel.
2. In-person diagnosis by the surgeon. At the clinic, the board-certified plastic surgeon diagnoses your skin and recommends a plan based on your concerns and the result you want. Every treatment is planned and performed under Dr. Sooyoung Kim, whose listed specialties include Ultherapy Prime lifting, Thermage lifting and combination lifting treatments; see our medical team.
3. One treatment, or two together. Because Ultherapy Prime is described for lifting and Thermage for overall elasticity, the clinic may propose one or both. Shurink may be proposed where a quick session, lifting at a reasonable cost or regular maintenance is the goal.
4. The frequency follows the choice. Ultherapy Prime is recommended once every 1–2 years, Thermage once every 6 months to a year, and maintenance treatments such as Shurink every 3–6 months; the exact cycle is set at the consultation.
5. You can take your time. The 1:1 consultation fee is KRW 10,000, fully deducted from the treatment cost if you go ahead the same day. You are free to decide later.

Fitting the treatment into a Seoul trip

• Same-day treatment. Most non-surgical treatments at LIV take 30 to 90 minutes and need no hospitalization, so many patients are treated on the day of their visit. Ultherapy Prime and Thermage FLX are completed in one session with no revisit; for Shurink, confirm at the consultation whether a follow-up visit is wanted.
• Booking in five steps. 1) Message the clinic on WhatsApp (+82 10-6888-2773), the live chat or the contact form. 2) Remote consultation and quote. 3) Choose a date that fits your itinerary. 4) Visit, final consultation, treatment the same day in most cases. 5) Remote aftercare through chat after you fly home, with a written aftercare guide in English. Replies come within one business day, and no deposit is needed to reserve a consultation.
• Language. Consultations are available in English; interpretation is arranged free of charge on request.
• Clinic hours. Monday to Friday 10:00–19:00, Saturday 10:00–16:00, closed Sunday (Korea time).
• Getting there. Sinsa Station (Line 3), Exit 4, a 1-minute walk. About 70–90 minutes from Incheon Airport by AREX train or limousine bus (about 60 by taxi); about 40 minutes from Gimpo Airport by taxi or subway. Address: 4F, Jaeun Building, 80 Naruteo-ro, Seocho-gu, Seoul.
• Payment. Visa, Mastercard, American Express, JCB, UnionPay and Korean won in cash; card installments are available.
• Flying home. None of the three requires a hospital stay, and non-surgical treatments like these generally place no restriction on flying, so a flight home the same day or the next day is usually not a problem. Your own timing is confirmed at the consultation.

What to tell the surgeon

These cautions are the clinic's own; raise them in your first message so the right option is proposed from the start.

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding. None of the three treatments is performed during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
• Pacemaker. Thermage FLX is not performed on people with a pacemaker.
• Metal implants. For Ultherapy Prime and Thermage FLX, a metal implant in the treatment area needs a consultation first.
• Sensitive skin. For Shurink, sensitive skin needs a consultation first.
• After the treatment. Mild swelling or redness is possible after Ultherapy Prime, temporary redness after Thermage FLX and mild redness after Shurink; depending on the area, Ultherapy can cause a temporary change in sensation. Mild swelling and redness typically settle within a few hours to 1–2 days, though this varies from person to person.

Before you decide

This comparison shows how the three differ, not which one your skin needs; that is decided at the consultation, after the remote photo review and the surgeon's in-person diagnosis. Send questions 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.