Ulthera Prime in Korea
Focused ultrasound delivered to a set depth. The cartridge is the treatment, which is why it is manufacturer-supplied and opened in front of you.
What the treatment is
Reaches the SMAS layer without surgeryHigh-intensity focused ultrasound concentrates energy at a defined depth below the surface, producing small coagulation points without breaking the skin. The depths used include the superficial muscular aponeurotic system, the fibrous layer that a surgical facelift repositions. The response is collagen remodelling, which takes place over roughly two to three months rather than on the day.
Ulthera Prime is the current generation of that system, with finer control over depth and placement than earlier versions. The clinic also holds Ten Triple, which delivers three lines per shot, and Shurink Universe for body work.
Why the cartridge matters more than the console
Genuine tips, opened in the roomThe transducer cartridge is a consumable with a fixed number of lines, and it is where the energy is actually produced. Refilled and counterfeit cartridges are a documented problem in the Korean market, and they are difficult for a patient to detect, because the console reports what it was told rather than what was delivered.
The consequence is not only a wasted course. A cartridge delivering an unpredictable amount of energy at an unpredictable depth is the mechanism behind the burns and the fat-loss complications that occasionally reach the news here.
This clinic uses manufacturer-supplied cartridges only. The cartridge is opened in front of you and the line count is stated before treatment begins. If a quoted price elsewhere is substantially below the market, the cartridge is the first thing to ask about.
What it does not do
Not a substitute for surgeryIt addresses mild to moderate laxity. Where there is significant excess skin, the change is modest, and a patient who has been told otherwise will be disappointed regardless of how well the treatment is delivered.
It does not treat pigment, and it does not treat surface texture. Those are separate problems handled by other means, which is why a lifting course is frequently combined with something else rather than expected to do everything.
It slows an ongoing process rather than stopping it. The result is commonly quoted as lasting around a year, and that figure varies with age and starting condition.
Prices
From ₩690,000Ultherapy PRIME autumn 2026
Autumn pricing · VAT 10% not included
| Ultherapy PRIME, 200 shots | $489₩690,000 |
| Ultherapy PRIME, 300 shots | $701₩990,000 |
| Ultherapy PRIME, 600 shots | $1,381₩1,950,000 |
How to read a shot count
Lines, not sessions
200 shots covers a limited area such as the lower face or the jawline. 300 covers the full face. 600 covers face and neck, or a full-face treatment at higher density.
What you are buying is the cartridge. A quote without a stated count cannot be compared with one that has it, and an unusually low price usually means fewer lines or a refilled tip rather than a better deal.
Prices above exclude 10% VAT. A first consultation is $35 (₩50,000). This is the autumn schedule, valid 1 September to 31 October 2026; it is the same list quoted to Korean patients, with no agency commission and no international-patient surcharge. Prices after 31 October are quoted at consultation.
Frequently asked
What is Ulthera Prime?
The current generation of the Ulthera system, a high-intensity focused ultrasound device that delivers energy to set depths beneath the skin, including the SMAS layer, without breaking the surface. Prime allows finer control of depth and placement than earlier generations.
How is HIFU different from radiofrequency?
Focused ultrasound concentrates energy at a specific depth, so it can reach the SMAS layer selectively. Radiofrequency heats a volume of tissue more diffusely. They address different layers, which is why they are often used together rather than chosen between.
Why do counterfeit tips matter?
The transducer is a consumable with a fixed number of lines, and refilled or counterfeit cartridges are a known problem in this market. A refilled tip does not deliver the energy the console reports, which means either no result or an uncontrolled one. This clinic uses manufacturer-supplied cartridges only, and the cartridge is opened in front of you.
How long before I see a change?
There is often a small immediate tightening from tissue contraction, but the substantive change comes from collagen remodelling over roughly two to three months. Judging the result at two weeks underestimates it.
How long does it last?
Commonly cited as around a year, but this varies with age, skin condition and how much laxity was present to begin with. It slows an ongoing process rather than stopping it.
Is it painful?
It is felt, particularly along the jaw and over bone. Depth, energy and line count are adjustable and are set to what you tolerate rather than to a fixed protocol.
Can it replace a facelift?
No. It addresses mild to moderate laxity. Where there is significant excess skin, focused ultrasound produces a modest change and the honest answer at consultation is that it is not the right treatment.
Do I need Korean health insurance?
No. A passport is enough to register. This is a private treatment for residents as well.
Ask about lifting
Tell us what you have had done before and when you are in Seoul. We reply within one business day.