Hongdae Lifting: A Premium Lineup Built From 21 Years of Clinical Experience

Key Points: Hongdae lifting treatments work best when the device matches the actual cause of sagging, whether that's deep tissue descent, loose skin, fat volume, or pain sensitivity. After 21 years of treating thousands of faces, Dr. Haejin Jung built a four-device lineup at 4EVER162 Dermatology Clinic designed to answer each of these concerns individually rather than using one machine for everything.

Why Doesn't One Lifting Device Work for Everyone?

Even when two people share the same complaint about a sagging jawline, the underlying cause is often completely different. Some people have a deeper layer of tissue that has descended, others have skin that has simply lost elasticity, and others are dealing with the weight of fat pulling the face downward.

Facial bone structure, fat volume, and skin thickness all vary from person to person, which means the same age and the same complaint can require very different approaches. Trying to solve every type of sagging with a single piece of equipment rarely gives a result that fits each individual face.

That's why the lifting lineup at 4EVER162 Dermatology Clinic wasn't built by simply collecting well-known devices. It was shaped over 21 years of clinical practice, with each device selected to answer a specific concern seen repeatedly in consultations.

Is Ultherapy Prime Right for a Sagging Jawline?

Ultherapy Prime is generally suited for people whose jawline and facial contour have become less defined due to sagging in the deeper tissue layer known as the SMAS (superficial musculoaponeurotic system), the thin layer that sits between the skin and muscle and helps support facial shape.

This device uses ultrasound imaging to visualize the skin layers in real time while delivering energy down to that deeper layer. Many patients worry that treating this area might make hollow cheeks or a narrow, peanut-shaped face more noticeable, which is a reasonable concern.

To address this, the treatment plan is adjusted based on facial structure. For someone with prominent cheekbones and a hollow lower cheek, energy is concentrated below the deep cheek fat rather than near the cheekbone itself. For double chin concerns, the angle is adjusted after carefully checking the jawline and under-chin area, and areas without sufficient cheek volume are generally avoided so energy reaches the SMAS layer specifically.

With this approach, patients may notice that descended tissue appears lifted and the jawline and facial contour look more defined, though results can vary by individual.

What About Loose, Thinner-Looking Skin and Fine Lines?

If the main concern is less about sagging contours and more about skin that feels thinner or less firm, along with increased fine lines around the eyes, a different layer of skin needs attention. Thermage FLX delivers radiofrequency heat energy to the dermis (the skin's middle layer) to help refine skin texture and firmness.

A common question during consultations is whether patients need both Ultherapy and Thermage, or just one. The answer depends on which concern is more dominant. If the facial contour is still relatively fine but the skin itself feels loose or thin, Thermage alone is often sufficient.

For patients dealing with both a sagging jawline and overall skin looseness, the treatment plan considers whether to combine both devices and in what order. The key distinction kept throughout is separating the task of lifting sagging areas from the task of restoring skin firmness.

With this approach, skin may appear firmer and more resilient, with a smoother texture and reduced appearance of fine lines, though individual results vary.

how lifting and skin booster treatments are personalized

Can Onda Pro Help With a Double Chin and Jowls?

Onda Pro uses microwave energy and is generally suited for patients whose jawline appears less defined due to submental fat (fat under the chin) and a double chin.

A frequent question is whether more energy lines automatically mean better results. However, the number of lines simply reflects total energy delivered, and results don't necessarily scale in proportion to that number. The distribution of energy based on facial condition matters more than the raw count.

For example, in a patient with fat under the chin but already hollow cheeks, energy is concentrated under the chin and along the lower jawline while the cheek area is preserved. For patients with significant submental fat, the handpiece and power settings are adjusted based on both fat volume and the degree of sagging.

The guiding principle is distinguishing which areas need volume reduction and which areas need volume preservation before treatment begins. This can help the under-chin area appear more contoured, making the jawline look clearer and lighter.

Which Device Fits Which Concern?

What If You're Worried About Pain During Lifting?

Many patients hesitate to start lifting treatments because they've heard it can be painful. This is a completely understandable concern, and Serp Lifting, a radiofrequency-based device for firmness and texture, is often discussed specifically with patients who are prioritizing comfort during treatment.

This option is generally suited for those trying lifting for the first time or who prefer gradual, consistent firmness maintenance over dramatic change. Since pain sensitivity varies by person and by facial area, the first step before treatment is always asking how sensitive the patient tends to be to discomfort.

For first-time patients or those more sensitive to pain, treatment doesn't start at full intensity; instead, the intensity is adjusted gradually based on how the patient responds. Areas closer to bone, such as the jawline or forehead, tend to feel more sensitive, so intensity and pacing are adjusted separately for each area.

The core principle is delivering the needed energy within a comfortable range rather than asking patients to simply endure discomfort. This may result in overall skin firmness and texture appearing more refined, and many patients who were previously hesitant due to pain end up returning for ongoing maintenance after finding the experience more manageable than expected.

💡 Pain sensitivity varies by person and by facial area, so intensity should be adjusted gradually rather than starting at full power.

What Actually Matters More Than the Equipment Itself?

Having good equipment is certainly important, but having multiple devices available simply means more options exist. The equipment itself doesn't determine which device should be used, on which area, or how much energy is appropriate.

When a clinic only has one device, every concern tends to get addressed with that single tool regardless of fit. Having a range of options means patients aren't forced into an approach that doesn't suit their face.

What makes that selection process accurate is the clinical experience built over 21 years across Gangnam, Apgujeong, and Hongdae. What that time has produced isn't just technical skill, but a clearer sense of how far to go and where to stop for a natural-looking result.

When considering Hongdae lifting treatments, it's worth looking not just at which devices a clinic offers, but also at whether the clinic can clearly explain how each device would be applied to your specific face.

• Jawline/contour sagging → deep-layer energy devices like Ultherapy

• Skin thinness and fine lines → dermis-targeting devices like Thermage

• Double chin and fat volume → microwave-based devices like Onda Pro

• Pain sensitivity or first-time patients → gentler devices like Serp Lifting

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know whether I need Ultherapy, Thermage, or Onda Pro?

It depends on where your main concern is located. Ultherapy Prime is generally suited for jawline sagging from a deeper tissue layer, Thermage FLX is suited for skin firmness and fine lines, and Onda Pro is suited for double chin or submental fat. A consultation can help identify which layer and area need attention, since results vary by individual facial structure.

Does Serp Lifting hurt less than other lifting treatments?

Serp Lifting is often chosen by patients who are concerned about discomfort, and intensity is typically adjusted gradually based on how sensitive the individual is, rather than starting at full power. However, pain perception can still vary by person and by treatment area.

Can I combine Ultherapy and Thermage in one treatment plan?

Combining the two is possible for patients dealing with both sagging and loose, thin-feeling skin, but the decision depends on which concern is more significant and how the two treatments would be sequenced. This is typically discussed and planned during an in-person consultation.

Does using more energy lines with Onda Pro produce better results?

Not necessarily. The number of energy lines reflects total energy delivered, but results don't scale proportionally with that number. How the energy is distributed across fat volume and sagging areas tends to matter more than the raw line count.

How many lifting sessions are typically needed to see a difference?

This varies significantly depending on the device used, the severity of sagging or skin laxity, and individual skin response. Rather than a fixed number, treatment plans are generally adjusted based on how the skin and contour respond over time.