ONDA and HILO WAVE: Why Combine Them?
Patients often ask why ONDA and HILO WAVE are offered together. A lifting device alone cannot fully replenish hydration and volume, while a skin booster alone cannot fully reshape cheek fullness and the jawline. Their different roles complement one another, making this a combination we often recommend.
What does each treatment do?
ONDA delivers 2.45 GHz microwave heat to the dermis and fat for firmness and contouring. Approximately 80% of energy reaches fat and 20% the dermis, making it useful for the cheeks and lower face. In a study of 10 women with submental laxity, two sessions 30 days apart reduced the mean laxity grade from 3.6 to 2.3 at 12 weeks.[1]
HILO WAVE is a biostimulator containing a complex of high- and low-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid, called Dual-HA, placed just beneath the skin. Immediate changes relate to hydration; longer-term changes involve collagen remodeling.
ONDA and HILO WAVE at a glance
They differ in their targets and how results develop.
| Category | ONDA | HILO WAVE |
|---|---|---|
| Method | 2.45 GHz microwave device | Injection of a high- and low-molecular-weight HA complex |
| Main treatment area | Dermis and fat; 3 mm and 7 mm facial handpieces | Just beneath the skin and within the dermis |
| Immediate changes | Firmness and jawline definition | Hydration and midface volume |
| Gradual changes | Fat reduction and new collagen | Collagen and elastin production |
| Anesthesia and recovery | Numbing cream; 15–30 minutes; immediate return to normal activities | Numbing cream; immediate return to normal activities |
| Repeat treatment | Your doctor decides after assessing the response | Around 3 months, the manufacturer-recommended interval |
Can a biostimulator help lifting results last?
Continued collagen renewal from the biostimulator may help sustain device results. A study of hybrid high- and low-molecular-weight HA complexes found higher fibroblast expression of type I and III collagen than either molecular weight alone, as well as increased elastin expression.[2] A review of clinical studies of these complexes reported reduced wrinkles and laxity, with improved surface hydration lasting up to 6 months.[3]
We particularly consider this combination when microwave lifting has refined cheek and jawline contours but the front of the cheeks or nasolabial area still looks hollow. Supporting skin density with HILO WAVE can help the face look defined without looking drawn.
Who is this combination particularly suited to?
It often suits people with sagging cheeks or a double chin plus dehydration and reduced firmness, or with loose skin and hollow front cheeks after rapid weight loss. This biostimulator can also suit patients hesitant about further volume injections after repeated filler and botulinum toxin treatment.
We do not inject HILO WAVE into the glabella or thin skin around the eyes, following manufacturer guidance. Allow at least 1 month after filler in the same area. ONDA is not suitable for people with cardiovascular, liver, or kidney disease, or during tumor treatment, pregnancy, or breastfeeding. For very lean faces, we reduce use of the deep handpiece and emphasize the shallow 3 mm option.
In what order are the lifting and injection treatments given?
Expert recommendations on combining HA injections with lasers and RF advise performing the energy treatment first when both are done on the same day, then injecting HA without rubbing the area afterward. Most supporting studies were small, but many reported better outcomes and satisfaction with same-day combination treatment.[4]
When cheeks are already hollow, we may restore the lateral cheeks and area beneath the cheekbones with HILO WAVE before adding lifting. We also sometimes prepare skin prone to pigmentation or redness with these injections before device treatment. Many patients return around 3 months because they want further improvement, rather than because their skin has returned to its starting point.
What have patients noticed after combining them?
One patient who received both said they seemed to work well together and their face looked more defined.
Another said HILO WAVE naturally filled an area beside the nose that had looked hollow.
We do not recommend the combination automatically. One patient said they trusted us because we did not suggest unnecessary additional treatments. Another booked HILO WAVE but was advised to try a more suitable option and later said their nasolabial-fold concern was resolved.
How does Dong-An Joongsim Clinic provide the combination?
At Dong-An Joongsim Clinic, your doctor personally handles your consultation and treatment, with individual attention throughout.
Dr. Soyoun Koo, Korea's first ONDA LIFTING EXPERT MEMBER recognized by El.En and DEKA, selects the 3 mm and 7 mm handpieces according to skin thickness and fat volume. Dr. Chang-Hwan Cho was recognized among HILO WAVE's Top Rankers for high treatment volume in the shortest period, and the clinic received a 2026 HILO WAVE USER TOP5 AWARD.
Preventing product accumulation is central to reducing nodules. We distribute small amounts evenly across multiple points. Depending on your schedule and sensitivity to pain, we choose either a cannula technique with minimal downtime or a five-point technique using a 34G, 2 mm needle and 0.2 cc per point. See treatment details on the ONDA and HILO WAVE pages, and device comparisons in ONDA vs. Ultherapy and Radiofrequency: What Is the Difference?
What should you know before the combination?
Results and duration vary with age, fat volume, skin thickness, and lifestyle. ONDA causes little redness; if it occurs, it usually settles within hours. Avoid saunas and heat treatments for about a week. The injections occasionally cause temporary redness or swelling. Avoid rubbing or irritating treated areas for about a week.
Combining lifting and hydration: common questions
How should I choose a clinic offering both in Apgujeong, Gangnam, Seoul?
Check whether the consulting doctor performs both procedures and has relevant recognition or awards. Our team includes Korea's first ONDA LIFTING EXPERT MEMBER and a doctor recognized for leading HILO WAVE treatment volume.
Can both be done on the same day?
Yes. On the same day, ONDA is performed first, followed by HILO WAVE.
When do HILO WAVE results appear?
Hydration can be felt immediately; firmness from collagen remodeling develops gradually.
How long does HILO WAVE last?
The manufacturer recommends a 3-month interval, and patients generally return around then. ONDA intervals are set after your doctor assesses changes in the face.
What determines the combined cost?
Cost depends on ONDA's treatment area and handpiece plan, plus HILO WAVE volume and injection technique. Your doctor determines the amounts needed 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
- Stellavato A et al., “Hyaluronan Hybrid Cooperative Complexes as a Novel Frontier for Cellular Bioprocesses Re-Activation”, PLoS One, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0163510
- Tintor G et al., “Hybrid Cooperative Complexes of Low- and High-Molecular-Weight Hyaluronic Acid in Aesthetic Medicine”, Pharmaceuticals, 2025. https://doi.org/10.3390/ph19010073
- Urdiales-Gálvez F et al., “Concomitant Use of Hyaluronic Acid and Laser in Facial Rejuvenation”, Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00266-019-01393-7