qd onda lifting
ONDA is a non-invasive treatment that uses microwave energy (Coolwaves) to target deeper tissue for firmness and contouring. At QD Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, we assess your skin first, then decide the areas to treat. A session usually takes about 30–60 minutes with little downtime. (Results vary by individual.)
is this for me
Who it’s for
Even if none of these describes you, we will look again at the consultation.
- Mild laxity along the lower face and jawline
- Those looking for firmness and contouring on the face or body
- People who prefer a non-invasive option with minimal downtime
Whether ONDA suits your goals is confirmed during consultation.
Before you pick a treatment name, start with the cause of your concern.
start with your concern
Even a treatment with the same name takes on a different role and scope depending on your current structure, the change you want, what you have had before and the recovery time you have.
01
Where you are now, and where we start
The deep-layer fat and elasticity the microwaves reach, and the area to treat
02
The change you want, the impression you keep
Rather than how much to lift, we first decide what impression to leave, then mark out how much expression and volume to keep.
03
How it differs from similar options
We compare how deep ultrasound, radiofrequency and microwave energy reach and what each does, alongside thread lifting and surgery.
04
Health information and recovery schedule
We check medication and conditions, any implant in the area, possible pregnancy and the dates that matter, then set the timing and intensity.
the
principle
We separate the target areas for Coolwaves microwave energy according to fat distribution and skin elasticity, and design the plan so that too much volume is not lost.
ONDA uses microwave energy, called Coolwaves, delivered through a handpiece with integrated cooling. The energy targets deeper tissue to encourage firmness and contouring while the cooling protects the skin surface. Your treatment areas and settings are personalized after a skin assessment.
How it works
01
Microwave energy, called Coolwaves
ONDA emits microwave energy (Coolwaves) through a handpiece. Microwaves are absorbed by deeper, water- and fat-rich tissue, so the energy reaches below the surface rather than only warming it from the top.
02
Selective heating of fat
The Coolwaves are tuned to heat adipose (fat) tissue selectively, which is why ONDA is used for contouring as well as firmness.
03
Firmness through collagen
Heat in the deeper dermis also prompts the skin’s natural collagen renewal, supporting firmness over time.
04
Cooling and a gradual effect
Integrated cooling protects the skin surface during treatment. The body clears affected fat cells and renews collagen over the following weeks to months, so changes are gradual rather than immediate.
The same treatment, never the same plan.
the qd standard
Rather than a fashionable name or a fixed package, we weigh the structure found at examination, safety, recovery and the limits within one plan.
- 01DIAGNOSIS FIRSTCause before nameWe first separate out the tissue and the function behind your concern.
- 02LESS, PRECISEOnly as much as neededRather than an excessive change, we plan the smallest scope with a clear role.
- 03HONEST LIMITThe limits, explained tooWe explain the change you can expect, the alternatives, individual differences and the risks.
From consultation to follow-up, planned as one flow.
personal plan
ONDA is a non-invasive treatment that uses microwave energy (Coolwaves) to target deeper tissue for firmness and contouring. At QD Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, we assess your skin first, then decide the areas to treat. A session usually takes about 30–60 minutes with little downtime. (Results vary by individual.)
Layer-by-layer diagnosis
We examine whether the sagging, the lines or the volume sit closer to the dermis, the fat or the deep supporting layer.
Mapping by area
We mark what to treat, what volume to keep and what to avoid, so the settings differ even within one face.
A plan built on response
Taking in how your skin reacted, how it felt and any earlier energy treatments, we set the intensity, the area and the follow-up point.
What the procedure is like
- Consultation and skin assessment
- Cleansing and mapping of treatment areas
- Microwave (Coolwaves) delivery with cooling
- Soothing and aftercare guidance
Time: A session takes about 30–60 minutes.
Please read this before treatment
- Little to no downtime; most people return to daily activities the same day.
- Temporary redness or warmth may occur.
- Use sun protection and follow the aftercare guidance we provide.
Safety & considerations
Possible reactions
- Temporary redness, a warm feeling, or mild swelling
- Tenderness in the treated areas for a short time
- Occasionally small areas of bruising
- Rarely, temporary firmness or small lumps in fat-treated areas that typically settle
When to take extra care
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding — let us know at consultation
- Active skin infection, inflammation or open lesions in the treatment area
- Implanted electrical devices such as a pacemaker, or metal implants in the area — tell your doctor
- Recent fillers, threads or other energy treatments — tell your doctor so timing can be planned
- A history of keloid or difficulty with wound healing
what to expect
What to expect over time
A general guide to how the days and months after treatment usually unfold. Results vary by individual.
DAY 0
Treatment day
Warmth during treatment, eased by the integrated cooling; afterwards mild redness or a warm feeling that usually settles within hours. Most people return to daily activities the same day.
DAY 1-3
Settling
Any redness, warmth or tenderness in the treated areas generally eases. Normal skincare can usually resume as advised.
WEEK 2-6
Early firming
Some people notice the treated area feeling a little firmer. This varies from person to person.
2-3 MONTHS
Contour & firmness
As affected fat cells clear and collagen renews, contouring and firmness become more noticeable for many people. (Results vary by individual.)
ACROSS THE COURSE
Planned sessions
A short course is common, spaced as decided at consultation, with your doctor reviewing progress along the way.
Sessions & results
A short course of sessions is common, spaced as decided at consultation, with changes appearing gradually. Your plan is personalized. (Results vary by individual.)
how it compares
How it compares
These are all non-invasive, energy-based treatments — but they use different energy and reach different targets, so they suit different goals.
| ONDA Lifting | Ultherapy PRIME | Thermage FLX | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | Microwave (Coolwaves) with cooling | Focused ultrasound (imaging-guided) | Monopolar radiofrequency |
| Main target | Deeper tissue, including fat, plus dermis | Up to ~4.5 mm — reaches the SMAS | Broad heating of the dermis |
| Often chosen for | Firmness with contouring, face or body | Deeper lift; jawline and neck laxity | Overall tightening and texture |
| Sensation | Warmth eased by cooling | Brief warmth at each point | Warm heating cycles with cooling |
| Downtime | Little to none | Little to none | Little to none |
| Typical plan | Often a short course | Often a single session | Often a single session |
Neither is “better” — they work differently and suit different goals. The right choice is decided after we assess your skin.
Before you decide, the questions people always ask
before consultation
The energy itself is different. ONDA Lifting uses 2.45 GHz microwaves, a wavelength that is readily absorbed by fat, so the heat gathers in the fat layer. Ultrasound and RF work mainly on firmness, whereas ONDA Lifting suits areas where fat and laxity need to be addressed together. Because the goals are different, we decide at your examination which one fits you.
When heat damages fat cells, the body clears them away over time. That said, this is not a treatment that changes a great deal in one go, and the reported data likewise show the change appearing over several sessions. It cannot replace weight loss, and how much reduction you see differs a great deal depending on the area and the thickness of the fat.
On the body, people generally report noticing a difference from around the third or fourth session. Because the body needs time to break down and clear the fat, one or two sessions are not enough to judge by. The number of sessions varies with the area, the thickness of the fat and your goal, so we do not fix a package at the outset. We run a few sessions, look at how you are responding and then talk it through again.
A steady building warmth continues throughout, and if it becomes too hot to bear we turn the intensity down. Patients tell us it feels different from ultrasound, where a sharp prickling sensation repeats. If one spot feels unusually hot during the session, please tell us right away.
Redness, swelling and light bruising can occur, and they usually settle within a few days. A lingering warmth with a heavy, achy feeling may also stay for a while. Please avoid saunas, hot baths and strenuous exercise on the day, and contact us if the pain keeps getting worse.
The medical information on this page was reviewed by Hong Sahyeok, plastic surgeon and Medical Director of QD Clinic.
personal consultation
Tell us what bothers you now, the change you want, what you have had done before and any dates that matter. We will compare the possible approaches and their limits, calmly.
Consult now