Can You Get Ultherapy and Thermage on the Same Day?

October 25, 2026

Ultherapy and Thermage are Korea's two best-known non-surgical lifting treatments, and visitors often ask whether they have to choose one or can have both in the same appointment. For someone with only a few days in Busan, doing both at once is appealing. This guide explains why the two are often paired, who benefits, how a combined session works and what to expect afterwards.

Quick answer: Yes, Ultherapy and Thermage FLX can be done on the same day, and it is a common pairing in Korea. Ultherapy uses imaging-guided focused ultrasound to work on the deeper SMAS layer for lift, while Thermage FLX uses radiofrequency to heat the deep dermis for firmness and texture, so they complement rather than duplicate each other. The doctor adjusts the energy of each device when they are combined. The session is longer, you may feel more tenderness for a day or two, and results build over 2–6 months, so it is best planned at the start of a trip rather than the day before an event.

Why combine them?

The two devices work at different depths and in different ways:

  • Ultherapy (and the newer Ultherapy PRIME) delivers micro-focused ultrasound under real-time imaging. It can place energy down to the SMAS, the supportive layer tightened in a surgical facelift, which is why it is chosen for sagging cheeks, jowls and brows.
  • Thermage FLX uses monopolar radiofrequency to heat the deep dermis evenly while cooling the surface. It contracts collagen fibres and triggers remodelling, which suits crepey texture and overall firmness.

Many faces have both problems: some sagging and some loss of skin quality. Treating only the deep layer can leave the skin looking slightly crepey, while treating only the skin may not address drooping. Doing both in one plan is meant to give a more complete, natural-looking result.

Who the combination suits

  • People in their late 30s to 60s with both sagging (jowls, softer jawline, heavy lower cheeks) and texture changes (fine crepey lines, looser skin)
  • Visitors who can only come to Korea once or twice a year and want to make the most of one visit
  • People who have had one device before and felt something was missing

When one device may be enough

  • If sagging is mild and texture is your main concern, Thermage FLX alone may suit you.
  • If skin quality is good but cheeks and jowls have dropped, Ultherapy alone may be enough.
  • If the face is very thin or hollow, restoring volume may matter more than tightening, and heavy energy treatment can sometimes make hollows look deeper.
  • If budget is the main concern, a lower-cost HIFU such as Shurink Universe or another RF device may be a sensible starting point.

What happens on the day

  1. Consultation. The doctor assesses sagging, skin thickness and texture, then decides the zones, depths and number of lines or shots for each device.
  2. Numbing. Numbing cream is applied for about 30 minutes.
  3. Ultherapy. The transducer shows the skin layers on screen, and energy is placed line by line. Areas near bone, such as the jawline, can feel prickly or warm.
  4. Thermage FLX. A temporary grid is marked on the skin, and the tip is applied pulse by pulse. Each pulse brings a short burst of deep heat, eased by cooling and vibration.
  5. Finish. Mild redness is common. You can usually leave and go about your day.

Each device on its own typically takes about 30–60 minutes after numbing, so a combined session is noticeably longer. Allow plenty of time and avoid booking it just before the lunch break or closing time.

Which goes first?

The order is the doctor's decision and varies between clinics. What matters more is that energy levels are adjusted for the combination, so the tissue is not overheated.

Recovery and side effects

Neither device has real downtime, and the combination usually does not change that, but you may notice more:

  • Redness or mild swelling, usually settling within hours to a day or two
  • Tenderness or a bruised feeling, especially along the jaw, which can last a few days or longer
  • Rarely, temporary numbness, small bruises, welts or nerve irritation

Aftercare

  • On the day, avoid saunas and jjimjilbang, hot baths, alcohol and strenuous exercise.
  • Use sunscreen carefully for 1–2 weeks and keep the skin well moisturised.
  • Avoid rubbing the treated area. Makeup can usually go on once redness has settled.

Who should wait or avoid it

Lifting devices are not recommended during pregnancy, over active infection or inflamed skin in the area, or with a pacemaker or certain metal implants. Tell the doctor about recent fillers, threads or other procedures.

Results and timeline

  • Right after: some people notice slight tightening.
  • Months 2–3: lift and firmness become visible as collagen renews.
  • Months 3–6: results usually reach their peak.
  • Months 6–12: the effect gradually fades with natural ageing.

Results vary from person to person, and combining devices does not guarantee a bigger change. A careful plan matters more than the number of shots.

Cost in Busan

A clinic in Seomyeon offers a premium package that combines Ultherapy 300 shots and Thermage 600 shots with full-face skin Botox and stem cells; ask on WhatsApp for the current price. For comparison, the single-device and other combination packages listed there include:

  • Ultherapy 300 shots + full-face skin Botox : from KRW 790,000
  • Ultherapy 300 shots + Oligio X or Alltite 300 shots (ultrasound plus RF): from KRW 1,090,000
  • Thermage 600 shots + full-face skin Botox : from KRW 1,890,000

Prices checked October 2026. They exclude 10% VAT, and prices can change, so confirm the current price when you book.

Planning a combined session around your trip

Book the combination early in your stay. You can usually sightsee the same afternoon, and flying is generally fine, though jaw tenderness can feel more noticeable when chewing on the plane. Because results take months, send the clinic a photo at around three months to review the outcome. Share your flight date at the consultation.

Frequently asked questions

Does doing both hurt more?

Each device has its own sensation: prickly warmth with Ultherapy and short bursts of deep heat with Thermage. Numbing cream helps. Sedation options are available at some clinics if you are anxious.

Is it safer to do them on separate days?

Same-day combination is common when the doctor adjusts the energy. Separating them is also an option if you will be in Busan for longer or prefer shorter sessions.

How often should I repeat the combination?

Many people repeat lifting treatments about once a year, but the right interval depends on your skin and results. The doctor can suggest a maintenance plan.

Considering Ultherapy and Thermage together?
Send a front and side photo and your travel dates on WhatsApp to get a combined plan and today's price in English.

This article is for general information and does not replace a medical consultation. Suitability, results, recovery and side effects vary from person to person.

Recent Posts

October 25, 2026
Ultherapy is one of the most requested non-surgical lifting treatments in Korea, and Busan has become a popular place to have it done, especially for visitors who want to combine a treatment with a city break by the sea. This guide explains how Ultherapy works, who it suits, what it costs in Busan, and what recovery really looks like, so you can decide whether it fits your goals and your travel plans. Quick answer: Ultherapy uses focused ultrasound, guided by real-time imaging, to heat the deep supporting layer of the face (the SMAS) and trigger new collagen. A session takes about 30–60 minutes after numbing cream, there is usually no downtime, the lift builds over 2–6 months, and results typically last 6–12 months. In Busan, packages generally start from around KRW 790,000 before 10% VAT. What is Ultherapy? Ultherapy (often called Ulthera) is a micro-focused ultrasound device made by Merz Aesthetics. Like other HIFU treatments, it delivers concentrated ultrasound energy beneath the skin. What sets it apart is its built-in imaging: the practitioner can see the layers of the skin on screen and place each line of energy at the intended depth, including the SMAS, the same layer that is tightened in a surgical facelift. Each line creates tiny heated points that contract the tissue and start the body's collagen renewal process. Rather than an instant change, the skin firms and lifts gradually over the following months. Benefits of Ultherapy Reaches the deep support layer. Energy can be delivered down to the SMAS, which is why Ultherapy is used for sagging rather than surface texture alone. Imaging-guided precision. Seeing the tissue before each line helps place energy where it is needed and away from bone. No incisions and no downtime. Most people return to their day straight away. Natural, gradual change. The lift develops as collagen rebuilds, so results look like your own face, only firmer. One session a year for many people. A single treatment is usually enough for a visible change, repeated every 6–12 months. Who is a good candidate? Ultherapy tends to suit people in their 30s to 60s whose cheeks, jowls or brows have started to drop, or who have a softer jawline and some looseness under the chin. It is less helpful when the main concern is crepey texture rather than sagging (radiofrequency treatments such as Thermage FLX often suit that better), or when the face is very thin and hollow, in which case restoring volume may matter more than tightening. How much does Ultherapy cost in Busan? Ultherapy is priced by the number of lines (shots). Around 300 lines is typical for targeted areas such as the jawline and lower cheeks, while around 600 lines allows fuller coverage of the face and under the chin. In Busan, Ultherapy is often sold as a package combined with a skin booster or skin Botox. Ultherapy 300 lines + full-face skin Botox : from KRW 790,000 Ultherapy 600 lines + full-face skin Botox : from KRW 1,690,000 Prices checked October 2026. Korean clinic prices for cosmetic treatments are quoted in won and exclude 10% VAT, which is added at payment. Prices can change, so always confirm the current price when you book. When comparing quotes, check the number of lines included, whether the device is genuine Ultherapy or Ultherapy PRIME rather than a different HIFU machine, what is bundled in the package, and whether VAT is included in the figure you were given. What happens during a session Consultation. The doctor assesses sagging, fat and skin thickness, then plans the areas, depths and number of lines. Numbing. Numbing cream is applied for about 30 minutes, then the skin is cleansed and a gel is applied for the imaging probe. Treatment. The transducer shows the skin layers on screen and delivers focused ultrasound over about 30–60 minutes. Areas close to bone, such as the jawline, can feel prickly or warm. Straight back to your day. Mild redness is common and usually fades within hours. Results: what to expect and when Right after treatment: some people notice slight tightening; mild redness is normal. Months 2–3: lifting and firmness become visible as collagen renews. Months 3–6: results usually reach their peak. Months 6–12: the effect gradually fades with natural ageing; a repeat session maintains it. Results and timing vary from person to person. Even, well-planned coverage matters more for a natural result than simply using the maximum number of lines. Recovery, side effects and aftercare Ultherapy has very little downtime. The most common effects are redness or mild swelling that settles within hours to a few days, and tenderness or a bruised feeling along the jaw that can last a few days. Rarely, people experience temporary numbness, small bruises, welts or nerve irritation. Aftercare tips On the day of treatment, avoid saunas and jjimjilbang, hot baths, alcohol and strenuous exercise. Use sunscreen carefully for 1–2 weeks and avoid rubbing or scratching the treated area. Keep the skin well moisturised; makeup can usually be applied once the skin has calmed. Who should wait or avoid it Ultherapy is not recommended during pregnancy, over an active skin infection, open wound or severe acne in the area, or near metal implants or a pacemaker. Tell your doctor about any recent fillers, threads or other procedures in the area. Planning Ultherapy around a trip to Busan Because there is no real downtime, Ultherapy fits easily into a short stay. You can usually go sightseeing the same afternoon, and flying is generally fine, although jaw tenderness can feel more noticeable when chewing on the plane. Booking the treatment early in your trip gives you a few days to settle before you fly home. Share your flight date at the consultation so the plan fits your schedule. Ultherapy vs other lifting options Ultherapy : Focused ultrasound with real-time imaging. Best for: sagging cheeks, jowls and brows. Ultherapy PRIME : Newer Ultherapy platform with upgraded imaging. Best for: the same goals on the latest hardware. Thermage FLX : Monopolar radiofrequency heating the deep dermis. Best for: crepey skin and overall firmness. Shurink Universe : HIFU at set depths, without imaging. Best for: jawline and budget-friendly maintenance. In short, choose Ultherapy for an imaging-guided lift of deeper sagging, Thermage FLX when skin texture is the bigger concern, and Shurink Universe for more frequent, lower-cost upkeep between sessions. Frequently asked questions Does Ultherapy hurt? Most people describe it as warm, prickly pulses, strongest over bony areas. Numbing cream is applied beforehand to keep it comfortable. How many sessions will I need? One session is usually enough for a visible change. Many people repeat it every 6–12 months to maintain the result. Is 300 or 600 lines right for me? 300 lines generally focuses on priority areas such as the jawline and lower cheeks, while 600 lines covers the full face and under the chin more thoroughly. The right number depends on your degree of sagging and the areas you want treated. Thinking about Ultherapy in Busan? Send a front and side photo and your travel dates on WhatsApp to get a plan and today's price in English. See the Ultherapy treatment page → This article is for general information and does not replace a medical consultation. Suitability, results, recovery and side effects vary from person to person.
October 25, 2026
How Thermage FLX works, who it suits, Seomyeon package prices, what happens on the day, results, aftercare and how to fit it into a trip to Busan.
October 25, 2026
What Ultherapy PRIME changes compared with the original Ultherapy, who it suits, Busan package prices, recovery and how to decide between the two.
October 25, 2026
How ONDA microwave contouring works, who it suits, Seomyeon prices from KRW 390,000 (excl. VAT), what happens on the day and how to plan it around a trip to Busan.
October 25, 2026
What Shurink Universe HIFU does, how it compares with Ulthera, Busan prices from KRW 25,000 for a 100-shot first-visit trial (excl. VAT), results timeline and aftercare for visitors.
October 25, 2026
How Oligio (OligioX) monopolar RF tightens skin, how it compares with Thermage FLX, Busan package prices from KRW 490,000 (excl. VAT), the eye-area option and aftercare.
October 25, 2026
Alltite RF skin tightening explained: benefits, who it suits, Busan package prices from KRW 790,000 (excl. VAT), what downtime really looks like and how it pairs with Ultherapy.
October 25, 2026
A visitor's guide to non-surgical facelift options in Busan: HIFU, radiofrequency, microwave contouring and thread lifts, who each suits, Seomyeon prices and downtime.
October 25, 2026
Which Korean skin tightening treatments make sense in your 30s: light HIFU, RF, collagen boosters and skin Botox, with Seomyeon prices, timelines and how to plan a maintenance routine.
October 25, 2026
Anti-aging options in Busan for people over 40: imaging-guided HIFU, Thermage FLX, combination lifting, threads, fillers and collagen stimulators, with Seomyeon prices and planning tips.
Show More