qd thermage flx
Thermage FLX is a non-invasive treatment that uses monopolar radiofrequency to heat the deep dermis and tighten skin while stimulating collagen. At QD Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, we assess your skin first, then decide the areas and number of shots. A full-face session usually takes about 45–90 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 skin laxity and loss of firmness
- Those who prefer a radiofrequency approach with a single session
- People who want to address skin texture and tightness together
Radiofrequency and ultrasound lifting suit different goals; the right approach is decided at 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
Loss of elasticity in the deep dermis, the area to treat and the number of shots
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
Monopolar radiofrequency delivers heat to the border between the dermis and the subcutaneous layer, with intensity and density adjusted to your skin thickness and how much fat there is.
Thermage FLX delivers monopolar radiofrequency that heats the deep layers of the skin while a vibrating tip and cooling spray help comfort and protect the surface. The heat contracts existing collagen and prompts gradual renewal over the following months. Thermage is a radiofrequency technology cleared by the US FDA for the non-invasive treatment of wrinkles and for temporary improvement in the appearance of cellulite.
How it works
01
Monopolar radiofrequency
Thermage FLX uses monopolar radiofrequency to heat a volume of the dermis broadly, rather than focusing energy on separate points, covering the area with a treatment grid.
02
A two-part collagen effect
The heat contracts existing collagen fibres and prompts the skin to form new collagen over the following months — which is why some change can appear earlier and more develops with time.
03
Surface protected, comfort added
A cooling spray protects the skin surface between pulses, while a vibrating tip helps comfort during delivery.
04
Calibrated delivery (FLX)
The FLX system helps calibrate the energy across the treatment area for even heating, with the plan set after a skin assessment.
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
Thermage FLX is a non-invasive treatment that uses monopolar radiofrequency to heat the deep dermis and tighten skin while stimulating collagen. At QD Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, we assess your skin first, then decide the areas and number of shots. A full-face session usually takes about 45–90 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 with a treatment grid
- Radiofrequency delivery with cooling and vibration
- Soothing and aftercare guidance
Time: A full-face session takes about 45–90 minutes.
Please read this before treatment
- Little to no downtime; most people return to daily activities the same day.
- Temporary redness or mild swelling may occur.
- Use sun protection and follow the aftercare guidance we provide.
Safety & considerations
Possible reactions
- Temporary redness, a flushed feeling, or mild swelling
- Tenderness in the treated areas for a short time
- Occasionally small areas of bruising
- Rarely, small blisters, surface changes or temporary numbness that typically settle
When to take extra care
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding — let us know at consultation
- Implanted electrical devices such as a pacemaker or defibrillator — radiofrequency may not be suitable; tell your doctor
- Metal implants in the treatment 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
Brief heat with each pulse, balanced by cooling and vibration; afterwards mild redness or a flushed feeling, sometimes slight swelling, that usually settles within hours. Most people return to daily activities the same day.
DAY 1-3
Settling
Any redness or mild swelling generally eases. Makeup and normal skincare can usually resume as advised.
WEEK 2-6
Early firming
Some people notice the skin feeling a little firmer or smoother. This varies from person to person.
2-6 MONTHS
Collagen renewal
As new collagen forms, a gradual tightening and firmness become more noticeable for many people. This is typically when results are assessed. (Results vary by individual.)
~6 MONTHS
Review & maintenance
Your doctor reviews the outcome and discusses timing for a further session based on your skin.
Sessions & results
Many people have a single session, with changes appearing gradually over about 2–6 months as collagen renews. Your plan is decided at consultation. (Results vary by individual.)
how it compares
How it compares
These are all non-invasive, energy-based lifting and tightening treatments — but they use different energy and reach different depths, so they suit different goals.
| Thermage FLX | Ultherapy PRIME | Sofwave | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | Monopolar radiofrequency | Focused ultrasound (imaging-guided) | Ultrasound (SUPERB) |
| Main target | Broad heating of the dermis | Up to ~4.5 mm — reaches the SMAS | Mid-dermis (~1.5 mm) |
| Often chosen for | Overall tightening and texture | Deeper lift; jawline and neck laxity | Fine lines and early laxity |
| Sensation | Warm pulses with cooling and vibration | Brief warmth at each point | Generally comfortable with cooling |
| Downtime | Little to none | Little to none | Little to none |
| Typical plan | Often a single session | 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
Neither one is better; they simply suit different goals. Thermage FLX uses radiofrequency to warm the dermis and its border with the fat layer over a wide area, so it works on overall firmness and contour, while Ultherapy PRIME focuses ultrasound on a single point to lift the deeper support layer. If your skin is thin and the loss of springiness is what bothers you, Thermage FLX is the closer fit; if the sagging is deep and clearly visible, Ultherapy PRIME is. At the consultation we look at which layer the change is coming from and decide from there.
We plan Thermage FLX as a single session to begin with. New collagen takes three to six months to build, so the change continues throughout that time, and afterwards we look at the result and discuss when to treat again. As a rule of thumb we talk about one to two years for the next session, but this differs with age and skin condition.
With every pulse a wave of heat passes through, and the surface is cooled at that same moment. People describe it as heat and coolness arriving one after the other. If it becomes hard to bear we lower the energy, so please do not put up with it and tell us instead. Pushing the energy higher than you can comfortably take is exactly what raises the risk of a burn.
We cool the surface as we work, but in rare cases blistering, burns or pigment changes can still occur. If one spot feels unusually hot or stinging during the treatment, tell us right then and there. Skin that has been tanned recently or exposed to a lot of sun carries a higher risk, and we sometimes postpone the appointment for that reason.
Please tell us what was placed, when, and exactly where. Radiofrequency heat added on top of them can change their shape or make them dissolve faster, so we either work around that spot or adjust the energy. If you have an electrical device such as a pacemaker in your body, or metal in the area to be treated, we do not carry out the treatment.
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