Ultherapy in Apgujeong, Gangnam, SeoulUltherapy PRIME · ultrasound lifting with real-time imaging · Merz Aesthetics

Ultherapy PRIME lifts sagging cheeks, jowls and jawline without surgery. As the updated Ultherapy platform, it uses real-time ultrasound imaging to show tissue structure and thickness, guiding focused ultrasound to the appropriate layer, including the SMAS. Topical anesthesia or sedation is available, and you can return to normal activities after treatment.

Certified Ultherapy provider
Ultherapy PRIME system against a clean, light background
When sagging begins in deeper tissues, we may recommend Ultherapy PRIME to reach the supporting fascial layer.
Dr. Chang-Hwan Cho Senior Vice President, Korean Aesthetic Surgery and Laser Society
Results
Gradual improvement

Collagen remodeling develops over several months

Duration
Lasts around 12 months

Comfort
A deep ache near the bone

Stronger sensations over cheekbones and jawline; sedation available

Recovery
Swelling and soreness for 1–2 days

Same-day makeup; tenderness to pressure may occur

Treatment time
30–90 minutes

Treatment areas
Forehead, cheeks, jawline and neck

See the tissue.
Choose the depth.
Treat with precision.

Ultherapy PRIME is an updated ultrasound lifting platform. DeepSEE™ real-time imaging lets your doctor view tissue beneath the surface while focused ultrasound reaches selected layers, including the SMAS. Without disrupting the surface, this ultrasound lift contracts tissue and stimulates collagen renewal.

Faster imaging and processing help your doctor identify and target the treatment layer. Updated delivery and handpiece design support shorter treatment times and improved comfort compared with the earlier platform.

#Real-time ultrasound#SMAS layer#Three treatment depths#Collagen renewal

Lifts sagging skin and redefines the jawline

Sagging and firmness

Small thermal coagulation points in the supporting fascial layer contract tissue, lifting loose cheeks and the lower face.

Nasolabial folds and marionette lines

Treating the dermis and deeper support around the mouth reduces the sagging that deepens these folds.

Jawline and facial contours

Ultrasound imaging identifies tissue beneath the jawline so energy can be delivered to the supporting layer, sharpening facial contours.

Cheek firmness

Focused ultrasound in the dermal layers stimulates collagen production for visibly firmer skin across the cheeks and cheekbones.

Fine lines and pores

Targeting the superficial dermis renews collagen closer to the surface, smoothing fine lines and refining enlarged pores.

Skin texture

Collagen and elastin continue to develop over the months after treatment, improving skin density, firmness and texture.

Non-surgical lifting, planned by your doctor
Dong-An Joongsim Clinic, a certified Ultherapy provider

Lifting results depend on how treatment is planned and performed. We take time with every patient. A doctor handles your consultation and performs your treatment personally.

  1. Planned and performed by a certified doctor

    Our clinic is a certified Ultherapy provider. A doctor with official training certification selects the depths and treatment-line counts for your face and performs the procedure.

  2. Authentic treatment verification

    You receive a certificate verifying authentic Ultherapy treatment after your procedure.

  3. All three doctors study the latest clinical approaches

    Dr. Chang-Hwan Cho, Dr. Soyoun Koo and Dr. Jinhyung Lee attended the Ultherapy PRIME AURA Grand Symposium. Dr. Soyoun Koo also took part in Merz’s AURA PRIME educational seminar for women physicians.

A firmer jawline and lower face: patient experiences

My jawline felt more lifted after a few days

It was my first Ultherapy PRIME treatment, and I didn’t find it painful. After a few days, my jawline started to feel more lifted. The staff explained everything kindly, which made the visit comfortable.

I felt a slight lift right away

My jaw area looked looser than before, so I tried Ultherapy PRIME. Some spots gave me a brief jolt even after anesthesia, but I could still chat during treatment. I felt a slight tightening immediately, and I’m still waiting to see how the final result develops.

My jawline looks clearer in photos

I chose PRIME because my lower face no longer seemed to sit neatly along my jaw. Most of it was manageable, with an occasional sharp pulse. Afterward, I had some redness and tenderness around my jaw. In photos taken later, my jawline looked more defined.

The area under my chin looks less rounded

After PRIME, the area under my chin looked less rounded, and my brows seemed slightly higher. I could see a change, though it wasn’t dramatic enough for everyone else to notice immediately. There were occasional sharp sensations during treatment, and I’m keeping that experience in mind as I watch the results develop.
Dr. Soyoun Koo examining a patient's face before treatment
Dr. Soyoun Koo examining a patient's face before treatment

What lifts sagging jowls and a softer jawline?
Your doctor will assess whether it is right for you

  • You are concerned about sagging skin and less defined contours
  • Your face has lost firmness after rapid weight loss
  • Nasolabial folds or marionette lines look deeper
  • You want a more defined jawline and neck
  • You want a lift without incisions
  • Previous lifting results did not last as long as you hoped

How focused ultrasound lifts the skin
Your doctor explains how it works

How does ultrasound lift sagging skin? Four steps take treatment from imaging to collagen renewal.

Illustration of the skin and underlying tissue
  1. Ultrasound assessment

    DeepSEE™ imaging shows your tissue structure and thickness in real time.

  2. Treatment-line planning

    Your doctor uses the images to choose the depth and number of lines for each area.

  3. Thermal coagulation

    Focused heat at 60–70°C creates small coagulation points in the selected layer.

  4. Collagen renewal

    The natural repair response produces new collagen, gradually improving firmness.

Planning treatment depth:
Your doctor uses imaging to select each treatment layer

Depth is a clinical decision. Your doctor checks tissue thickness on ultrasound and selects transducers and line counts for your face. Shallower treatment addresses fine lines and pores, intermediate treatment supports firmness, and deeper SMAS treatment addresses contours.

00.12mm10mmSMAS15mm
Epidermis
Dermis
Subcutaneous fat
FasciaSMAS
Muscle
  • Fine lines and pores

    The 1.5 mm transducer targets the superficial dermis for shallow lines and the appearance of pores.

  • Firmness and structure

    The 3.0 mm transducer targets deeper dermal tissue to support firmness and skin structure.

  • Deep lifting and contours

    The 4.5 mm transducer targets the SMAS, a supporting layer relevant to facial lifting and contour definition.

  • About this diagram

    Layer thicknesses are simplified for illustration. Actual depths vary with the treatment area and skin thickness.

Our approach

Before treatment, our coordinator explains the anesthesia timing and the sensations you may experience.

Patient review: “The coordinator explained the treatment, how long the anesthetic would take, and what the discomfort might feel like.”

Lifting sagging skin, area by area
A plan for each treatment area

ForeheadAround the eyesCheeksJowlsJawlineNeck

Other non-surgical lifting options
Results, comfort and recovery at a glance

Compare skin tightening treatments side by side. The right choice varies from person to person, so your doctor will help you decide at your consultation.

Comparing skin tightening and lifting treatments
TreatmentResultsDurationComfortRecovery
UltherapyGradual improvementLasts around 12 monthsA deep ache near the boneSwelling and soreness for 1–2 days
SofwaveGradual improvementLasts around 6 monthsHeat and tinglingRedness for a few hours
ULTLINEVisible right awayLasts around 6 monthsTingling, usually tolerableRedness for a few hours
XERFVisible right awayLasts around 6 monthsTolerable stingingMinimal swelling
ThermageGradual improvementLasts around 10 monthsBrief bursts of heatRedness and swelling for a few hours

A firmer face before an important date
Treatment timed around your plans

From actors preparing for filming to patients planning a wedding or presentation, many people visit us ahead of an important date. Your doctor plans the timing and combination of treatments around your facial features and schedule.

If your event is tomorrow

This ultrasound lift needs some recovery time, so we plan it well ahead of your event. If the date is very close, we may recommend a treatment with no downtime instead.

If your event is a month away

Working back from your event date, we plan a staged program around Ultherapy PRIME. Our range of devices lets us choose a combination suited to your face.

Your treatment day, with sedation available for comfort
Treatment performed by your doctor

Your doctor handles both your consultation and treatment. A patient coordinator can help with pricing.

  1. Doctor consultation

    Your doctor assesses where the skin is sagging and discusses your goals.

  2. Skin assessment

    Your doctor uses ultrasound imaging to check tissue thickness and structure.

  3. Anesthesia

    Your doctor helps you choose between numbing cream and sedation.

  4. Ultrasound lifting treatment

    Energy is delivered at the depths and line counts planned by your doctor.

  5. Soothing and hydration

    Soothing and moisturizing care help settle redness before you leave.

Our approach

Your doctor identifies the layer where sagging begins before choosing the treatment depth. In his March 2025 D&PS column, Dr. Chang-Hwan Cho explained how jowls and marionette lines develop and the roles Ultherapy and Thermage each play.

D&PS, March 2025: “Facial Aging Process III: Aging of the Lower Face”

Preparation and aftercare

Aftercare

  1. You may wash your face and apply makeup the same day, but avoid vigorous massage.
  2. Swelling and soreness may last 1–2 days, with tenderness when pressed. Makeup can be applied on the day of treatment.
  3. Avoid hot saunas, heat treatments and strenuous exercise for 1 week.
  4. Keep your skin hydrated and moisturized, and apply sunscreen diligently.

Discomfort, sedation and side effects: answers to common questions
Answers from our doctors

How do I choose an Ultherapy clinic in Apgujeong, Gangnam, Seoul?

Ultherapy results depend on planning and technique. Check who handles your consultation and procedure, whether authentic devices and supplies are used, and whether other treatments can be combined to suit your face. Dong-An Joongsim Clinic is a certified Ultherapy provider. A doctor conducts both your consultation and treatment, with time to discuss your individual needs.

Can Ultherapy PRIME help with a lowered brow?

Brow-area laxity can be assessed during consultation. Your doctor examines the forehead and brow and uses real-time imaging to plan the treatment area and depth. Fine lines around the eyes and a lowered brow are distinct concerns and are assessed separately.

How does Ultherapy PRIME differ from the original Ultherapy?

Ultherapy PRIME is Merz Aesthetics’ updated platform. It offers faster image display and processing with more precise targeting. Updated energy delivery and handpiece design support greater comfort and shorter treatment times than the earlier system.

How does Ultherapy work?

Focused ultrasound creates small thermal coagulation points at selected depths, using temperatures around 60–70°C to initiate collagen remodeling. The surface remains intact while treatment targets tissue at 1.5, 3.0 or 4.5 mm, depending on the area. New collagen develops during the repair response. We use PRIME’s DeepSEE™ imaging to view the tissue layer as we treat.

When will I see results?

Changes may begin immediately and continue developing over several months as collagen and elastin form. Jawline and cheek contours often become clearer over time. Some patients describe a lifted feeling after a few days, but later comparison is more informative.

How long do results last, and how often should I have treatment?

Duration varies with age, tissue thickness, the degree of sagging and the number of treatment lines. Merz’s clinical material associates adequate energy delivery with greater satisfaction. Your doctor reassesses your skin with ultrasound and considers the ongoing collagen response before recommending another session.

How uncomfortable is Ultherapy? Is sedation available?

Yes, sedation is available at our clinic. The treatment can feel intense, particularly over the cheekbones and jawline, where sensations may feel deep or achy. We discuss topical anesthesia and sedation based on your needs. PRIME’s updated delivery supports improved comfort, and some patients choose topical anesthesia alone.

Can Ultherapy cause swelling or bruising?

Energy is delivered beneath the surface, so you can generally wear makeup and resume daily activities the same day. Swelling, soreness and tenderness to pressure may last 1–2 days. Bruising, if it occurs, tends to fade over the following days. Avoid hot saunas, steam rooms and strenuous exercise for one week.

What is the difference between Ultherapy and Thermage?

The energy source and target depth differ. Ultherapy focuses ultrasound into thermal points as deep as the SMAS at 4.5 mm to address sagging contours. Thermage uses radiofrequency to heat the dermis broadly while cooling the surface. Since the devices address different layers, our Ulthermage Penta System has combined them according to each face since 2016.

What determines the cost?

Cost depends on the treatment area, the line count for each transducer and the choice of topical anesthesia or sedation. Your doctor reviews ultrasound images and selects the necessary lines before explaining the cost. You receive an authentic-treatment certificate after the procedure.

How long does treatment take?

Treatment takes about 30–90 minutes, depending on the area and number of lines. Allow additional time for anesthesia.

Ultherapy PRIME system against a clean, light background
Ultherapy PRIME

Our Ultherapy PRIME equipment

Ultherapy PRIME specifications
ManufacturerMerz Aesthetics
EnergyFocused ultrasoundThermal coagulation points at 60–70°C
ImagingDeepSEE™ real-time ultrasound imaging
Transducers1.5 mm · 3.0 mm · 4.5 mmSuperficial dermis, deeper dermis and SMAS
CertificationsFDA · MFDSKorean device classification: focused ultrasound stimulation system

A lifted, firmer face, planned by your doctor

We take time with every patient. Your doctor leads the consultation and performs the treatment, with a plan based on your facial features.

Consultation