Choosing an ONDA Body Contouring Clinic in Apgujeong, Gangnam, Seoul
ONDA body contouring uses 2.45 GHz microwave energy to heat fat beneath the skin while cooling its surface. This nonsurgical treatment addresses abdominal and upper arm fat and cellulite. When choosing an ONDA clinic in Apgujeong, Gangnam, Seoul, Korea, look beyond the device name. Check whether all three handpieces (12 mm, 7 mm, and 3 mm) are available, and whether a doctor personally chooses the depth and energy for each area. Even with the same device, results depend on who plans and performs the treatment.
What is ONDA body contouring?
The treatment uses the ONDA device made by DEKA in Italy. Its Coolwaves technology continuously cools the skin surface to around 5°C while delivering 2.45 GHz microwave energy to heat subcutaneous fat cells. It belongs to the same device family as facial ONDA skin tightening, but body treatment also uses a Deep handpiece that reaches approximately 1.2 cm below the surface.
Can it reduce belly fat, cellulite and loose skin?
The treatment addresses three concerns: localized fat, cellulite, and loose skin. In a 2023 study, 19 participants received three treatments 4 weeks apart. At 3 months, abdominal circumference had decreased by an average of 3.8 cm . In a 2022 study of 26 women with cellulite, four treatments reduced cellulite scores from 10.7 to 4.5 at 3 months. Each concern calls for a different treatment depth, which is why there are three handpieces.
| Handpiece | Treatment depth | Main concerns |
|---|---|---|
| Deep | Approximately 12 mm, subcutaneous fat | Localized fat on the abdomen, flanks, thighs, buttocks, and upper arms |
| Shallow 7mm | Approximately 7 mm, fibrous septa | Cellulite and uneven skin texture |
| Shallow 3mm | Approximately 3 mm, dermis | Firming loose skin |
In our experience, patients are often especially pleased with results on stubborn upper arm and flank fat, because the same device can treat both the fat and the loose skin.
Who is a suitable candidate?
This treatment can suit people who have lost weight through diet and exercise but still have abdominal or upper arm fat, cellulite on the thighs or buttocks, or loose skin after weight loss. It also appeals to those who want contouring without incisions or injections. It is a contouring treatment, however, rather than a weight-loss treatment. A 2025 meta-analysis of cryolipolysis studies likewise found reduced circumference without a clear change in body weight. When weight itself is the main concern, we usually recommend addressing that first; reversing the order can lead to disappointment.
When will I see results, and how many sessions will I need?
You may first notice a tighter feeling in the skin immediately after treatment. Changes in circumference develop over weeks to months as the body clears the treated fat cells. Studies generally used 3–4 sessions at 4-week intervals. We also recommend a course of treatment: distributing energy over several sessions often produces more even contours than concentrating it in one visit. Removed fat cells do not return, but remaining cells can enlarge with weight gain, so maintaining your weight helps preserve the result.
Does it hurt, and can I resume normal activities?
The surface feels cool while the tissue underneath feels warm. We adjust the energy if an area feels too hot. No participants in the 2023 study reported severe pain or significant discomfort. Treatment takes 15–30 minutes, depending on the area, and you can return to normal activities afterward. Avoid saunas, heat treatments, and strenuous exercise for a few days, and avoid hot baths while redness remains.
How does ONDA differ from CoolSculpting?
CoolSculpting reduces fat by cooling it; ONDA uses heat. CoolSculpting suits thicker, pinchable fat, while ONDA can suit harder-to-grasp upper arm or flank fat and concerns involving cellulite or skin firmness. We sometimes combine them for a thicker abdomen with loose skin. Dr. Chang-Hwan Cho discusses this approach in his column on combining cold and heat-based fat reduction. For a closer comparison, see our guide to nonsurgical abdominal fat treatment.
What should you look for in an ONDA clinic?
Treatment planning matters as much as the device. Here are five points to discuss at your consultation.
| Criterion | What to ask | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Three handpieces | Are 12 mm, 7 mm, and 3 mm handpieces all available? | Different concerns need different depths |
| A doctor plans treatment | Who chooses the depth and energy for each area? | Fat thickness affects the result |
| Body assessment | Are fat, cellulite, and skin laxity assessed separately? | The cause determines the treatment |
| Other treatment options | Are CoolSculpting and EMSCULPT also considered? | One device does not suit every body |
| Relevant expertise | Does the doctor hold manufacturer recognition or present at medical conferences? | Sound planning comes from clinical experience |
Patients often ask us to use the highest energy setting. More energy is not necessarily better: it needs to match fat thickness and skin condition. That distinction can be easy to miss without experience.
Dong-An Joongsim Clinic in Apgujeong, Gangnam, Seoul meets all five criteria: three handpieces, treatment planned by a doctor, body assessment, alternative devices, and demonstrated expertise. We have 12 mm, 7 mm, and 3 mm handpieces. A doctor personally assesses fat, cellulite, and laxity before setting the depth and energy for each area. Other body devices, including CoolSculpting and EMSCULPT NEO, let us select a method suited to your shape. Our team includes Korea's first ONDA LIFTING EXPERT MEMBER.
Why choose Dong-An Joongsim Clinic in Apgujeong, Gangnam, Seoul?
Your doctor personally provides both your consultation and treatment, with individual attention throughout. In August 2025, El.En and DEKA recognized Dr. Soyoun Koo as Korea's first ONDA LIFTING EXPERT MEMBER for her contribution to training other doctors, drawing on her clinical experience with ONDA microwaves. At the April 2026 ASLS spring meeting, she presented on deep lifting with 2.45 GHz microwaves and combined treatment of cellulite and fat.
Dr. Chang-Hwan Cho authored Body Aesthetic Medicine, a book on body contouring, and Dr. Jinhyung Lee serves as a DEKA medical advisor. With more than 7,000 CoolSculpting treatments, the highest treatment volume in Korea, the clinic can offer alternatives when ONDA is not the right fit. We are in Apgujeong Rodeo, offer valet parking, and stay open until 9 p.m. on Fridays. See our doctor profiles for details.
What have patients said about their results?
One patient who had already lost weight but still worried about their upper arms said the contour improved more than expected and they felt less self-conscious wearing a dress. Another, concerned about the flanks bulging over their waistband, noticed less bulging despite little change in weight. A third described a modest improvement in lower abdominal and flank fat, with skin that felt firmer than before.
Patients often describe the warmth as noticeable but tolerable. Some have said they appreciated being asked throughout treatment whether the heat felt comfortable. You can read more on the ONDA body treatment page and patient reviews page for details.
What should you know before treatment?
Temporary redness and warmth may remain afterward. Avoid rubbing the treated area firmly and stay out of direct sunlight for at least two days. Treatment is not suitable during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or for people with cardiovascular or circulatory disease, liver or kidney disease, implanted neurological devices, uncontrolled diabetes, immune, infectious or blood disorders, or tumors. An international advisory board has noted that more research is needed on long-term effects and safety. You will also need to manage your weight to maintain results. Benefits and side effects vary from person to person.
Microwave body contouring: common questions
How should I choose an ONDA body clinic in Apgujeong, Gangnam, Seoul?
Check that all three handpieces (12 mm, 7 mm, and 3 mm) are available and that a doctor personally assesses your body and chooses the settings for each area. Near Apgujeong Rodeo Station, Dong-An Joongsim Clinic has Korea's first ONDA LIFTING EXPERT MEMBER on its medical team.
Will this treatment reduce my weight?
It changes circumference and contours more than weight. Reducing fat cells can improve shape without a large change on the scale.
Is it the same device used for facial ONDA?
Yes, it belongs to the same DEKA ONDA device family. Body treatment also uses a Deep handpiece that reaches approximately 1.2 cm. Facial treatment uses the 3 mm and 7 mm handpieces to address firmness and contours.
How long do results last?
Removed fat cells do not return, but remaining cells can enlarge if you gain weight. Maintaining your weight through diet and exercise helps keep your improved contours.
What affects the cost?
Cost depends on the size of the area, the handpieces used, and the number of sessions. Your doctor will assess your body and explain the plan and cost at your consultation.
References
- Bonan Paolo et al., “Results on reduction of subcutaneous adipose tissue using a novel body contouring system based on microwave technology”, Dermatologie, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00105-023-05200-y
- Bennardo Luigi et al., “Microwave Therapy for Cellulite: An Effective Non-Invasive Treatment”, Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2022. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11030515
- Hoffmann Klaus et al., “Microwave-Energy-Based Device for the Treatment of Cellulite and Localized Adiposity: Recommendations of the "Onda Coolwaves" International Advisory Board”, Bioengineering, 2024. https://doi.org/10.3390/bioengineering11121249
- Hakami Alaa et al., “Effectiveness of Cryolipolysis in Body Contouring and Fat Reduction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis”, World Journal of Plastic Surgery, 2025. https://doi.org/10.61882/wjps.14.3.16