ONDA Results: When Will You See Them, and How Long Do They Last?
“When will it look its best?” and “How long will it last?” are the questions we hear most after ONDA. Results develop in two stages: an initial feeling of firmness, followed by changes in fat and new collagen over weeks to months. Photographs taken a few months later are therefore more useful than the mirror on treatment day.
When does the lifting effect begin?
ONDA uses 2.45 GHz microwaves to heat the dermis and fat while cooling the surface to 5°C. Heat contracts dermal collagen immediately, producing a slightly tighter feeling. One patient said their face looked slimmer right away and appreciated being able to return to normal activities.
That first change is only the beginning; cheek and lower-face contours take longer to settle. This treatment often suits patients with both sagging cheeks and a double chin because it addresses superficial firmness and deeper fat in one treatment. We also consider it for loose skin after rapid weight loss and for people who have delayed lifting because of pain or downtime.
Why do results develop in two stages?
Microwave heat contracts collagen and stimulates new formation while placing thermal stress on fat cells. The body then gradually clears the affected cells. In body ONDA, macrophages begin clearing dead fat cells within 72 hours, with debris cleared in about a week. A common misconception is that the immediate tight feeling is the whole result; contour changes follow the clearance process. For a comparison of treatment layers, see ONDA vs. Ultherapy and Radiofrequency: What Is the Difference?
When have studies measured microwave lifting results?
Most 2.45 GHz microwave studies assessed outcomes 12 weeks, or around 3 months, after the final session. Facial and body studies used the following schedules.
| Study population | Sessions and interval | Assessment | Results |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 women with submental skin laxity | Two sessions 30 days apart | 12 weeks after the final session | Mean laxity grade: 3.6 → 2.3 |
| 19 adults with abdominal fat | Three sessions 4 weeks apart | After 3 months | Mean abdominal circumference reduction: 3.80 cm |
| 26 women with buttock and thigh cellulite | Four sessions | 3 months after the final session | Cellulite score: 10.7 → 4.5 |
None of the three studies reported serious adverse effects.
How long do ONDA results last?
There is no single duration that fits everyone. Fat thickness, skin thickness, and the layer where sagging begins all matter. Removed fat cells do not return, but aging continues and remaining cells can enlarge with weight gain.
How are treatment intervals decided?
Studies commonly used 2–4 sessions about a month apart. With body ONDA, we wait at least 15 days before treating the same area again. When fat and sagging coexist, several sessions usually achieve more than one. After the first treatment, we assess whether more firmness or fat reduction is needed and adjust the next handpiece and interval. Repeating identical settings without reassessing fat thickness and sagging can lead to little perceived improvement. That is why we do not set a rigid schedule before seeing the response.
What combination may help results last?
For patients disappointed by short-lived device results, we may recommend ONDA for firmness followed by HILO WAVE to support the skin's structure. One patient who received both felt they worked well together and made the face look more defined. Read more in ONDA and HILO WAVE: Why Combine Them?
How does Dong-An Joongsim Clinic plan microwave lifting?
At Dong-An Joongsim Clinic, your doctor personally handles your consultation and treatment. Dr. Soyoun Koo is Korea's first ONDA LIFTING EXPERT MEMBER, recognized by El.En and DEKA for sharing treatment expertise with other physicians. Since 2024, she has led lectures and live demonstrations at more than six DEKA-invited seminars for Japanese and Indonesian doctors.
ONDA skin tightening treatment is planned after assessing skin thickness, fat volume, and where tissue has descended. Your doctor decides how to use the shallow 3 mm and deeper 7 mm handpieces. For firmness and tone together, we sometimes combine it with 675 nm RedTouch PRO, a protocol taught and demonstrated at seminars for Japanese physicians. Because you can resume normal activities immediately, we can plan a course backward from your photo shoot date. For abdominal, flank, or thigh fat and cellulite, we use ONDA body contouring with depths selected for each area.
What should you know before treatment?
The speed and extent of improvement vary. We do not recommend this treatment alone for a face with very little fat and substantial loose skin, since there may be little fat to reduce; another lifting method may be needed. Most studies assessed outcomes only to around 3 months, and an international advisory board called for longer-term research. We screen for conditions that rule out treatment: cardiovascular, liver, or kidney disease, tumor treatment, pregnancy, and breastfeeding.
ONDA: common questions
How should I choose an ONDA clinic in Apgujeong, Gangnam, Seoul?
Ask about treatment experience, whether handpieces and energy are adjusted for each face, and whether the consulting doctor performs treatment. Dong-An Joongsim Clinic has Korea's first ONDA LIFTING EXPERT MEMBER on its medical team.
Why do some reviews say ONDA did not work?
Judging immediately or repeating the same settings without assessing fat and sagging can lead to that impression. Fat and collagen changes emerge over weeks; compare photographs at 2–3 months.
Can I go straight back to work?
Yes. Redness is minimal and, if present, usually settles within hours. Cleansing and makeup are possible immediately. Avoid saunas and heat treatments for about a week.
What determines the price?
Cost depends on the areas and extent treated, handpiece combination, and any additional procedures. Your doctor assesses fat thickness and firmness before explaining the cost.
References
- Zappia E et al., “An innovative microwave technology for the treatment of submental skin laxity”, Lasers in Medical Science, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-024-04270-1
- Bonan P, Coli F, “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 L et al., “Microwave Therapy for Cellulite: An Effective Non-Invasive Treatment”, Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2022. https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm11030515
- Hoffmann K 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