Selection Criteria for Apgujeong Ultherapy Dermatology Clinics — Gangnam Dosan-daero Custom Ultherapy Guide
Author: V&MJ DERMATOLOGY (Medical Staff)
This content has been created in compliance with relevant laws including the Medical Law.
How to Choose a Dermatology Clinic That Does Ultherapy Well in Apgujeong?
To put it bluntly, the selection criteria of 'genuine equipment availability, medical staff expertise, and custom design capability' are far more important than location name or recognition.
The Apgujeong and Gangnam Dosan-daero area has a concentration of dermatology clinics specializing in non-surgical lifting procedures, which gives you the advantage of having many options when considering Ultherapy. However, many people make hospital decisions based solely on reviews of "where is famous."
According to Medical News, Ultherapy is a medical device officially approved by both the U.S. FDA and Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. In particular, because it uses the DeepSEE real-time imaging technology that allows the practitioner to directly observe each skin layer and deliver energy, clinical data shows that even when using the same equipment, outcome differences can occur depending on the practitioner's expertise.
Therefore, when choosing a hospital, it is recommended that you absolutely check the following three items.
▪ Genuine tip authentication — Whether the clinic uses manufacturer-approved genuine tips, not regenerated tips
▪ Custom chart design — Whether personalized design based on individual skin analysis is conducted, not standardized shot count proposals
▪ Anesthesia and recovery system — Whether pain management systems including sleep anesthesia are in place
Because it is difficult to judge hospital standards based solely on location, using these three items as a pre-consultation checklist will be helpful.
What is Ultherapy and When is it Appropriate?
I've organized in the table below how Ultherapy is specifically different from other lifting procedures.
Category | Ultherapy | Thermage | Thread Lifting |
|---|---|---|---|
Mechanism of Action | HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) | Radiofrequency (RF) Heat Energy | Thread (PDO·PCL) Insertion |
Primary Penetration Depth | SMAS Fascial Layer (4.5mm) | Dermis | Subcutaneous Layer |
Key Effect | Fascial Contraction + Collagen Regeneration | Dermal Elasticity Enhancement | Immediate Lifting |
Onset of Effect | 2~6 months (Gradual) | 3~6 months | Immediately after procedure~several months |
Primary Applicable Areas | Jawline·Cheeks·Neck Wrinkles·Eyes | Cheeks·Eyes·Body | Cheeks·Nasolabial Folds·Neck |
Caution for | Very thin facial fat layer | Facial Metal Implants (applicable area) | Thread Allergy·Inflammation History |
According to Medical Times, Ultherapy uses HIFU energy to focus on forming thermal coagulation points at 65~70°C at the SMAS fascial layer (4.5mm depth) without applying heat to the skin surface. Through this, the principle is to simultaneously induce non-surgical fascial contraction and collagen regeneration. According to Medical News, it obtained FDA approval in the United States in 2009, and domestic Ministry of Food and Drug Safety approval was also made the same year.
According to related clinical data, a significant number of test subjects reported improved lifting at 90 days post-procedure, and the effect is reported to appear gradually over an average of 2~6 months post-procedure with individual variation.
However, for those with very little facial fat, there may be a risk of cheek hollowing side effects, which is also mentioned in Doctor Now content. It is recommended that you absolutely confirm your skin condition and suitability through a prior consultation.
V&MJ DERMATOLOGY's Proposed Custom Ultherapy Approach
V&MJ DERMATOLOGY on Dosan-daero in Gangnam-gu, Seoul is a dermatology clinic specialized in Ultherapy and Thermage lifting, operating both a custom chart-based personalized design and an on-site anesthesiology specialist system.
According to V&MJ DERMATOLOGY official website, Ultherapy procedures proceed with the following system.
▪ Custom chart design — Pre-procedure analysis of individual facial fat distribution, skin layer thickness, and aging patterns to individually design energy and vectors by area
▪ Anesthesiology specialist on-site — Equipped with sleep anesthesia and recovery systems, enabling comfortable procedures even for pain-sensitive individuals
▪ Genuine tip use and MERZ certification — Receives genuine product certification from Ultherapy manufacturer MERZ, with genuine tip usage exceeding 1,300 pieces as of 2025 and operating a 1-year responsibility program
▪ Area-specialized programs — AI Ultherapy·Cover Fit Ultherapy·Eye Ultherapy·Body Ultherapy·Neck Wrinkle Ultherapy and other programs available to match individual conditions
▪ Clinical experience of over 700 procedures per month (270,000 shots) — Accumulated case-by-case response capability based on repeated clinical experience
Rather than presenting standardized shot counts first, the principle is to first understand each patient's skin condition and goals before designing.
Things You Must Check Before the Procedure
Before deciding on Ultherapy, it is recommended that you directly verify the items below.
▪ Items to Disclose Regarding Skin and Health Status
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Check whether facial fat layer is very thin or cheeks are hollow
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Presence or absence of other lifting procedure history (thread lifting, Thermage, etc.) within the last 1~3 months
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Whether facial metal implants (excluding dental prosthetics) have been inserted
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Disclose to medical staff any medications being taken, such as anticoagulants or blood thinners
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Confirm whether retinol-containing products need to be discontinued 2 weeks before the procedure
▪ Items to Check Before Selecting a Hospital
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Whether genuine tips are used and whether manufacturer certification materials can be requested
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Whether custom chart (individual energy and vector design) consultation is conducted
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Whether anesthesia method and recovery room operation are pre-disclosed
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Whether adverse reaction response system is disclosed after the procedure
According to related clinical data, most major side effects such as cheek hollowing and nerve damage often stem from procedure design errors or regenerated tip use, and it is known that using genuine equipment and selecting experienced medical professionals can reduce the risk of occurrence.
Not only those considering Ultherapy in the Apgujeong and Gangnam area, but also those researching nearby Cheongdam-dong Ultherapy, Sinsa-dong Ultherapy, and Gangnam Ultherapy clinics can also visit V&MJ DERMATOLOGY. If you review the above checklist in advance before consultation, more practical medical care is possible.
Apgujeong Ultherapy, Consulted Step by Step.
V&MJ DERMATOLOGY consults step by step.
For those with lifting concerns such as skin sagging, jaw relaxation, eye and neck wrinkles, we avoid the practice of first recommending standardized shot counts or packages. As mentioned in Doctor Now, energy and vector design by area must differ according to individual skin condition and aging patterns to simultaneously consider effectiveness and safety.
If you organize the following three items before consultation, more specific guidance is possible.
▪ Currently most concerning skin trouble area (jawline, cheeks, neck, eyes, etc.)
▪ Previous lifting, filler, Botox, and other procedure history
▪ Desired improvement effects and expectations regarding downtime
Based on custom design and genuine product authentication systems, we will provide consultation appropriate to your current stage.
Questions Like This, Right?
Q1. When does Ultherapy effect appear and how long does it last?
Rather than immediate changes after the procedure, many people feel the effects from 2~3 months as collagen regeneration progresses. According to clinical data, effects appear gradually over an average of 2~6 months post-procedure, and the maintenance period varies depending on individual skin condition and lifestyle habits. Since there is individual variation, it is recommended that you confirm thoroughly with your medical staff during the pre-consultation.
Q2. Is the effect better if Ultherapy shot count is higher?
Not necessarily. What is more important than shot count is energy and vector design that matches individual skin condition. If excessive shot counts are applied to someone with little facial fat, it may actually create a risk of cheek hollowing side effects. It is known that an approach using custom charts to design appropriate energy for necessary areas is a safer and more effective method.
Q3. How is Ultherapy different from Thermage? Can I receive both together?
Ultherapy is HIFU that acts to the SMAS fascial layer depth, while Thermage is radiofrequency (RF) that strengthens dermal elasticity. Because the penetration depth and mechanism differ, complementary effects can be expected when combined. However, whether to combine and the order depends on individual skin condition, so it is recommended that you absolutely decide after a prior consultation.
Q4. How can I verify whether genuine tips are being used?
The most reliable way is to request manufacturer (MERZ) genuine product authentication materials during pre-consultation or directly inquire about genuine tip usage. Genuine tips have unique serial numbers that can be verified, and selecting a hospital that openly discloses a genuine product authentication system is safe.
Q5. Is it possible to return to daily life right after Ultherapy?
In most cases, movement and light daily life resumption are possible on the day of the procedure. Swelling, redness, and temporary sensory numbness may appear within several days, but these typically recover within a short period. However, there are differences depending on individual skin condition and procedure scope, so if you have important schedules, it is recommended that you coordinate the timing with the medical staff.
⚠️ The possibility of procedure side effects may vary depending on individual skin condition.