Ultherapy Prime in Korea is the current Merz Aesthetics version of an imaging-guided focused ultrasound lift, used to firm a loosening jawline, the area under the chin and the neck without surgery. It heats small points at 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 mm, the deepest reaching the SMAS, while an on-screen image shows the operator where each row lands. Numbing cream sits on the skin first, then the face takes about 30 to 60 minutes. Flushing and mild swelling are usual and pass, so most visitors can fly home the next day. Lift develops over two to three months. Clinics charge by the line for each area, and this page sets clinics and their prices side by side.
Merz Aesthetics · Ultherapy PrimeClinics in Myeongdong
10 clinics for Ultherapy in Myeongdong
If you are comparing Ultherapy in Myeongdong, these 10 clinics are on this page: RE:BERRY Clinic Myeongdong, Kind Global Clinic, Summit Clinic, Beauty Z Skin Clinic Myeongdong, Karin Clinic Myeongdong, Muse Clinic Myeongdong, Lienjang Myeongdong Aesthetic Clinic, Beauty Lounge Clinic Myeongdong, Heyday Clinic Myeongdong and Renewme Skin Clinic Dongdaemun. Their published Ultherapy prices start at ₩450,000 before VAT.
11. RE:BERRY Clinic Myeongdong
★ 4.91,091 Google reviewsSkin and aesthetic clinic near Myeongdong Station, with Ultherapy and HIFU lifting on its menu
RE:BERRY Clinic Myeongdong is a skin and aesthetic clinic near Myeongdong Station. Ultherapy is one of its main treatments, alongside HIFU lifting, RF lifting and Botox.
- Ultherapy
- HIFU lifting
- RF lifting
- People looking at non-surgical lifting
- Wrinkle or jawline toxin
- Location
- Myeongdong Station (Line 4) / Euljiro-ipgu Station (Line 2)
- Languages
- English · 中文 · 日本語 · Español
- Listed price
- From ₩450,000 + VAT
22. Kind Global Clinic
★ 4.9359 Google reviewsSkin and aesthetic clinic near Euljiro-ipgu Station offering Ultherapy and HIFU lifting
Kind Global Clinic, a skin and aesthetic clinic near Euljiro-ipgu Station, lists Ultherapy among its main treatments; HIFU lifting, RF lifting and Botox are also on its menu.
- Ultherapy
- HIFU lifting
- RF lifting
- People looking at non-surgical lifting
- Wrinkle or jawline toxin
- Location
- Euljiro-ipgu Station (Line 2) Exit 6 / Myeongdong Station (Line 4) Exit 8
- Languages
- English · 日本語 · 中文 · Español
- Listed price
- From ₩450,000 + VAT
33. Summit Clinic
★ 5.0157 Google reviewsMyeongdong skin and aesthetic clinic listing RF lifting and skin boosters
At Summit Clinic in Myeongdong, the menu centres on RF lifting, skin boosters and laser toning, with Ultherapy also available.
- RF lifting
- Skin boosters
- Laser toning
- People looking at non-surgical lifting
- Hydration and skin-quality boosters
- Location
- Myeongdong
4. Beauty Z Skin Clinic Myeongdong
★ 4.8167 Google reviewsSkin and aesthetic clinic near Myeongdong, with Botox and Thermage on its menu
Beauty Z Skin Clinic Myeongdong is a skin and aesthetic clinic in Myeongdong. Its menu covers Botox, Thermage and RF lifting, and Ultherapy is also offered.
- Botox
- Thermage
- RF lifting
- Wrinkle or jawline toxin
- People looking at non-surgical lifting
- Location
- Myeongdong
5. Karin Clinic Myeongdong
★ 4.9460 Google reviewsMyeong-dong skin and aesthetic clinic listing Ultherapy and skin boosters
At Karin Clinic Myeongdong in Myeong-dong, Ultherapy sits with skin boosters among the treatments it focuses on.
- Ultherapy
- Skin boosters
- People looking at non-surgical lifting
- Hydration and skin-quality boosters
- Location
- Myeong-dong
- Listed price
- From ₩500,000 + VAT
6. Muse Clinic Myeongdong
★ 4.6285 Google reviewsMyeong-dong skin and aesthetic clinic listing Ultherapy and HIFU lifting
At Muse Clinic Myeongdong in Myeong-dong, Ultherapy sits with HIFU lifting, RF lifting and Botox among the treatments it focuses on.
- Location
- Myeong-dong
7. Lienjang Myeongdong Aesthetic Clinic
★ 4.6667 Google reviewsMyeongdong-gil skin and aesthetic clinic listing Thermage and Sofwave
At Lienjang Myeongdong Aesthetic Clinic in Myeongdong-gil, the menu centres on Thermage, Sofwave and RF lifting, with Ultherapy also available.
- Location
- Myeongdong-gil
8. Beauty Lounge Clinic Myeongdong
★ 4.9534 Google reviewsToegye-ro skin and aesthetic clinic listing Botox and fillers
At Beauty Lounge Clinic Myeongdong in Toegye-ro, the menu centres on Botox, fillers and skin boosters, with Ultherapy also available.
- Location
- Toegye-ro
- Listed price
- From ₩450,000 + VAT
9. Heyday Clinic Myeongdong
★ 4.91,417 Google reviewsSkin and aesthetic clinic near Myeong-dong, with Thermage and HIFU lifting on its menu
Heyday Clinic Myeongdong is a skin and aesthetic clinic in Myeong-dong.
- Location
- Myeong-dong
10. Renewme Skin Clinic Dongdaemun
★ 4.8247 Google reviewsSkin and aesthetic clinic in Eulji-ro offering laser toning and Thermage
Renewme Skin Clinic Dongdaemun, a skin and aesthetic clinic in Eulji-ro, mainly offers laser toning, Thermage and HIFU lifting; Ultherapy is on the menu too.
- Location
- Eulji-ro
Prices
Ultherapy cost in Myeongdong
Prices below come from the listed clinics' own price lists, before VAT. 10% VAT is added at payment.
Ultherapy · 100 shots
Range across 3 listed clinics · approx. $327–$364₩450,000–₩500,000 + VATCompare clinicsUltherapy · 200 shots
Range across 2 listed clinics · approx. $655₩900,000 + VATCompare clinicsUltherapy · 300 shots
Range across 2 listed clinics · approx. $982–$1,018₩1,350,000–₩1,400,000 + VATCompare clinicsUltherapy · 400 shots
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $1,309₩1,800,000 + VATCompare clinicsUltherapy · 600 shots
Range across 2 listed clinics · approx. $1,964₩2,700,000 + VATCompare clinicsIs it for you?
Who Ultherapy in Myeongdong suits, and who should wait
The treatment suits adults with mild to moderate laxity whose skin still has some thickness and recoil: an early jowl, a softer jaw angle, loosening under the chin or creasing on the neck. It also suits people who want a gradual change and can accept that the result builds over months rather than showing at once.
It is not designed for heavy excess skin, deep folds or significant fat volume, where surgery or another treatment gives a more honest result. It does not fill hollows, erase fine surface lines or change bone structure. The 2023 review by Contini and colleagues noted weaker outcomes as laxity and body mass index increased.
Usually a good fit
- Early jowls or a softening jaw contour
- Mild loosening under the chin
- Early neck laxity with reasonable skin thickness
- Wants gradual firming without an incision
May be better to wait
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Open wounds, infection or active acne on the area
- Metal implants or devices in the treatment zone
- Marked excess skin better suited to surgery
How it works
How a Ultherapy session runs
Prime belongs to the same family as the first Ultherapy system. Both come from Merz Aesthetics and both are microfocused ultrasound with visualization: the transducer shows a cross-section of skin, fat and muscle layer on screen, and energy is released only when the target depth is lined up. The upgrade in Prime is refined imaging for more precise targeting of the SMAS, and the maker positions it as more comfortable in use. The energy class and the depth set are unchanged, so the newer label does not mean a different treatment.
Each pulse leaves a row of tiny thermal points of roughly 65 to 70 degrees Celsius, which trigger collagen and elastin remodeling over the following weeks. The 4.5 mm transducer works at the SMAS, the 3.0 mm at the deep dermis, and the 1.5 mm closer to the surface. In a 2019 study in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open, Shome and colleagues treated 50 patients on the mid and lower face with 3.0 and 4.5 mm probes; blinded reviewers saw improvement in 93% at six months, and results held at one year.
In Korea the dose is set as a line count per area, so the quote and the plan should match. Body use has also been studied: a 2025 split-body trial by Loyal and colleagues in Dermatologic Surgery found parallel-beam ultrasound as effective as microfocused ultrasound with visualization on upper arm laxity, with similar pain, while the visualized treatment took longer to perform.
Assessment and device check
The face is examined, the zones are marked and a line count is set for each depth. This is the moment to see the console and transducers and confirm the plan names Prime. Allow 15 to 20 minutes.
Numbing
Numbing cream goes on the treatment zones and stays for about 30 to 40 minutes. It is wiped off fully before the transducer gel is applied.
Imaging and treatment
The operator places the transducer, reads the on-screen image to confirm the layer, and fires rows of energy. A full face usually takes 30 to 60 minutes, longer when the neck is added.
Soothing and aftercare briefing
A calming product or cool pack goes on the skin for 10 to 15 minutes. Ask for written aftercare and how to reach the clinic if something feels wrong after you return home.
Ultherapy compared with other options
| Feature | Ultherapy Prime | Parallel-beam ultrasound (Sofwave) | Monopolar RF (Thermage FLX) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | Focused ultrasound (HIFU) | Ultrasound, parallel cylindrical beams | Radiofrequency |
| Main depth | 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 mm, SMAS at 4.5 mm | Dermis at about 1.5 mm | Bulk dermal heating at about 3 mm |
| Imaging during treatment | Yes, live ultrasound image | No | No |
| Main effect | Lift along the jaw, chin and neck | Dermal tightening and texture | Overall skin tightening |
| Usual recovery | Short, with passing redness or swelling | Short, with passing redness | Short, with passing redness |
At a glance
Ultherapy facts
| Device and maker | Ultherapy Prime, Merz Aesthetics |
|---|---|
| Energy type | Focused ultrasound (HIFU) with imaging guidance |
| Depths | 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 mm transducers; SMAS at 4.5 mm |
| Dose unit | Lines per area |
| Numbing | Numbing cream for about 30 to 40 minutes |
| Session length | About 30 to 60 minutes for the face |
| Downtime | Short; passing redness, swelling or tenderness |
| Usual sessions | One, with maintenance often about a year later |
| Earliest flight home | Usually the next day |
Recovery
What the days after look like
Warmth, flushing and tenderness along the jaw are common. Normal activity is usually fine; skip alcohol and hot baths.
Mild swelling may persist, and some spots can feel sore when touched. Makeup is usually fine from the next day.
The skin looks normal. Collagen remodeling has started but the visible change is still small.
Firming becomes clearer along the jaw and under the chin. This is the usual point for comparing photos.
Change can continue to build. Results vary from person to person.
Safety
Ultherapy risks and limits
- Redness, mild swelling and tenderness, usually gone within days
- Treatment discomfort, especially over bone, even with numbing
- Rare: bruising, temporary numbness or raised lines on the skin
- Rare: small burns if energy is placed too shallow
- Limited effect on heavy laxity; it does not replace surgery
Evidence
Research behind this page
- A Single-Center, Blinded, Split-Body, Randomized Clinical Trial of High-Intensity, Parallel Ultrasound Beams Versus Microfocused Ultrasound With Visualization for the Treatment of Upper Inner Arm Skin LaxityDermatologic Surgery · 2025 · Loyal J, Hartman N, Goldman M · doi:10.1097/dss.0000000000004881
Split-body trial in 14 women showing parallel-beam ultrasound and microfocused ultrasound with visualization improved upper arm laxity similarly, with no significant pain difference and a longer treatment time for the visualized device.
- Microfocused Ultrasound with Visualization and Calcium Hydroxylapatite for Improving Skin Laxity and Cellulite AppearancePlastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open · 2017 · Casabona G, Pereira G · doi:10.1097/gox.0000000000001388
Retrospective series of 20 women treated on the buttocks and thighs with visualized microfocused ultrasound followed by diluted calcium hydroxylapatite, with improved cellulite severity scores at 90 days.
- Use of Micro-focused Ultrasound for Skin Tightening of Mid and Lower FacePlastic and Reconstructive Surgery - Global Open · 2019 · Shome D, Vadera S, Ram M, Khare S, Kapoor R · doi:10.1097/gox.0000000000002498
Study of 50 patients treated with 3.0 and 4.5 mm probes, with blinded reviewers reporting mid and lower face improvement in 93% at six months, maintained at one year.
FAQ
Questions about Ultherapy in Myeongdong
Which clinics offer Ultherapy in Myeongdong?
Clinics offering Ultherapy in Myeongdong include RE:BERRY Clinic Myeongdong (Myeongdong Station), Kind Global Clinic (Euljiro-ipgu Station), Summit Clinic (Myeongdong), Beauty Z Skin Clinic Myeongdong (Myeongdong) and Karin Clinic Myeongdong (Myeong-dong). Each lists Ultherapy on its own menu; message the clinic directly to confirm the doctor, product and current price.
How do I verify that a clinic offering Ultherapy Prime in Seoul really uses the Prime unit?
Ask in writing which unit is used and have Prime named on the treatment plan next to the line count. Two generations of the brand are on Korean menus, so the brand alone is not enough. On the day, ask to see the console and transducers before numbing. A clinic using the newer unit can show it in under a minute.
Is Prime a different treatment from the original Ultherapy?
No, it is the same kind of focused ultrasound from Merz Aesthetics at the same three depths. The update is in imaging, which is meant to target the SMAS more precisely, and the maker describes it as more comfortable. Planning, recovery and risks follow the same pattern as the first system, so the published evidence still applies. Ask how the line count differs from a plan for the first system.
Does the on-screen image change anything for the patient?
It lets the operator see the skin, fat and muscle layer before each row and confirm the energy will land at the intended depth. That matters most on thin areas and over bone, where placement that is too shallow raises the risk of surface marks. You can ask the operator to explain what the screen shows during the session. A clear explanation is a reasonable sign of a careful operator.
Can the treatment be used on the body as well as the face?
Yes, arms, abdomen, buttocks and thighs have been treated in studies of the visualized system. Casabona and Pereira reported in 2017 in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Global Open that combining it with diluted calcium hydroxylapatite improved cellulite scores at 90 days. Body areas need more lines and more time, so plan an extra hour. Ask whether the clinic treats body zones before you plan around them.
How does it compare with parallel-beam ultrasound for the arms?
In the 2025 trial by Loyal and colleagues, both devices improved upper arm laxity to a similar degree in 14 women. Pain scores did not differ significantly, while the visualized treatment took longer to perform. The choice between them depends more on the area, the depth needed and the doctor's plan than on a clear winner. Ask which device the clinic has, since few offer both.
Is one session enough?
One session is the usual plan for the face, and change keeps building for several months. Many people repeat about a year later to maintain the effect. Some with more laxity are advised to combine it with other treatments rather than adding lines. Results vary from person to person, so assess at around three months before deciding. Photos taken before treatment help with that check.
What should I tell the doctor before treatment?
Share any fillers, threads, previous lifting sessions, metal implants, skin conditions and medicines with their dates. Recent filler or threads can change which depths are safe in an area. Pregnancy and active acne or infection on the zone are reasons to wait. A short written list saves time during the consultation. Mention any allergy to numbing products as well.
How soon can I fly after the session?
Most visitors fly the next day, since there is no wound to protect. Mild swelling may feel more noticeable in cabin air but settles within a few days. Scheduling the treatment early in the trip leaves time for a follow-up question at the clinic. Keep sunscreen and a hydrating product in your carry-on. Avoid saunas and very hot showers on the first evening.
What should a written Prime treatment plan list?
A useful plan names the device version, each treatment area, the depths used and the line count per depth. It should also say what is included, such as numbing and a follow-up check, and that 10% VAT is added at payment to prices shown before VAT. Having this in writing makes it easier to compare clinics and to ask questions later.