Thermage

Ultherapy + Thermage in Seoul: Planning a Same-Day Session

For visitors who want both treatments in one trip: how long the same-day session at RESUM in Gangnam takes, how much settling time to allow, and when the combination is not recommended.

Plan a consultation

Published: 2026-10-15

Updated: 2026-10-15

At a glance

Both treatments are done on the same day, Ultherapy first and Thermage second, in about 90-120 minutes.
Swelling and tightness can be more noticeable than after a single treatment and settle within 1-2 weeks.
Dr. Jin-Young Kim first checks whether both depths need treating, and does not recommend the combination if they do not.

What is Ultherapy + Thermage?

Ultherapy + Thermage is a same-day pairing of two non-surgical lifting treatments. Ultherapy places focused ultrasound at the depth of the SMAS and fascia, about 4.5mm, where sagging begins. Thermage FLX then warms the whole dermis with monopolar radiofrequency at about 6.78MHz to work on firmness.

The two act at different depths, so they complement each other when sagging and loss of firmness are present together. Having both does not double the result, and each one is set at an adjusted intensity compared with having it alone.

How long does Ultherapy + Thermage take?

The combined session takes about 90-120 minutes in total. Numbing cream is used and IV sedation is available. You can return to daily activities the same day, but if an important event is coming up, leave about 2 weeks between the treatment and that date.

Session	About 90-120 minutes
Numbing	Numbing cream or IV sedation
Back to daily activities	Right after the session
How long it lasts	About 12 months

When is the combination not the right choice?

When only one of the two concerns stands out, a single treatment is more reasonable than the combination. The doctor assesses sagging depth and loss of dermal firmness separately, and if one clearly predominates you will be advised to have one treatment on its own.

Running both at high intensity mostly adds to the recovery burden for little extra benefit, so the plan is conservative from the start.

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Purpose & suitability

Sagging and an overall loss of firmness are both present, and one treatment has not felt like enough.

Repeat visits are difficult, so you want both done in one session.

You would rather go through one recovery period than two.

You had Ultherapy or Thermage alone in the past and want the other aspect reinforced.

Treatment process

Consultation. Sagging depth and loss of dermal firmness are looked at one by one, and the first question is whether both depths need treating at all.
Combination plan. Intensity, area and order are set for each treatment so that overlapping stimulation of the same area and depth is kept to a minimum.
Numbing and treatment. After numbing, Ultherapy is carried out first and Thermage follows, usually within 600-900 shots. The doctor adjusts the intensity while watching how you respond.
Before you leave. You receive a settling schedule that allows for the heavier recovery of two treatments, and advice on timing a repeat on a 1-2 year cycle.

Time & recovery

Swelling, redness and tightness are temporary and subside within 1-2 weeks. Expect them to be somewhat stronger than after Ultherapy or Thermage alone, because two kinds of heat act on the same area.

There is no separate downtime, but the most natural-looking stage comes after 1-2 weeks of settling. Plan photographs, meetings and events with that in mind.

The result arrives in stages. Some change from Thermage is felt right after treatment, the Ultherapy response develops over 2-6 months and the Thermage collagen response over 4-6 months.

Limitations & precautions

The combination is not performed on anyone with an implanted electrical device such as a pacemaker or cochlear implant, because the monopolar radiofrequency of Thermage is part of it.

Slight bruising or a temporary change in sensation is rare. In very rare cases temporary nerve irritation reduces movement of the facial expression muscles for a few days, and this is explained before treatment.

Recovery and results vary from person to person. Whether to combine at all is decided in a consultation with Dr. Jin-Young Kim.

Frequently asked questions

Can I have both treatments in one visit to Seoul?

Yes. Ultherapy and Thermage are performed on the same day in about 90-120 minutes, and daily activities can resume that day. Swelling and tightness take 1-2 weeks to settle, so tell us your travel dates and any event you have planned.

Is having both on the same day harder on the skin than one alone?

Recovery is somewhat heavier than with a single treatment, because ultrasound heat and radiofrequency heat build up in the same area. For that reason each treatment is set more conservatively than it would be alone, and the total stimulation is kept within a planned range.

Which is done first, Ultherapy or Thermage?

Ultherapy is generally done first and Thermage second. The SMAS layer is treated with ultrasound, then the whole dermis is heated with radiofrequency, and the plan avoids repeating stimulation at the same area and depth.

Does combining the two give twice the result?

No, combining Ultherapy and Thermage does not double the result. The benefit lies in treating two different depths in one session, and when only sagging or only loss of firmness is prominent, a single treatment may be the more reasonable choice.

How long before an important event should I have it?

Allow about 2 weeks before an important event. Swelling, redness and tightness after Ultherapy + Thermage usually settle within 1-2 weeks, and the fuller change goes on developing over the following 2-6 months.