HIFU lifting in Korea ranges from affordable, repeatable sessions to premium once-a-year treatments. This guide explains the price gap and helps you decide which option suits your face, budget and travel plans.
HIFU (high-intensity focused ultrasound) lifting in Korea comes in budget and premium tiers. At Dernia Clinic Myeongdong in Seoul, the budget option, Shurink Universe, costs ₩149,000 for 300 shots and ₩259,000 for a 600-shot full face, with results lasting about three to six months. The premium option, Ulthera Prime, costs ₩390,000 for 100 lines and ₩1,390,000 for a 400-line full face, with results often lasting about a year. Prices are in KRW and exclude 10% VAT.
Prices are in Korean won, exclude 10% VAT and are confirmed by a doctor at consultation.
How much does HIFU lifting cost in Korea?
HIFU prices in Seoul vary widely because different devices are priced in different units and last for different lengths of time. At Dernia Clinic Myeongdong, a budget full-face HIFU session with Shurink Universe costs ₩259,000, while a premium full-face Ulthera Prime session costs ₩1,390,000. Both prices are in Korean won and exclude 10% VAT.
| Device | Plan | Typical coverage | Price (KRW) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shurink Universe | 300 shots | Jawline or under the chin | ₩149,000 |
| Shurink Universe | 600 shots | Full face | ₩259,000 |
| Shurink Universe | 1,200 shots | Full face, under the chin and neck | ₩449,000 |
| Ulthera Prime | 100 lines | Brows or under the chin | ₩390,000 |
| Ulthera Prime | 400 lines | Full face | ₩1,390,000 |
| Ulthera Prime | 600 lines | Full face, under the chin and neck | ₩1,990,000 |
Prices exclude 10% VAT and are confirmed at consultation. See Shurink Universe prices and Ulthera Prime prices.
What is HIFU and how does it lift?
HIFU stands for high-intensity focused ultrasound. A handpiece focuses ultrasound energy into tiny points beneath the skin, creating small zones of heat at set depths without damaging the surface. The deepest settings reach the SMAS, the fibrous layer that supports facial tissue. The heat tightens tissue on the day and triggers collagen remodeling over the following weeks and months.
All HIFU devices share this basic principle, but they differ in imaging, precision, transducer design and the depth and density of energy they deliver. Those differences are a large part of the price gap. Consumables matter too: transducers and cartridges wear out after a set number of lines or shots and must be replaced. For an overview of every lifting type, read Korean lifting treatments explained.
Budget HIFU: Shurink Universe
Shurink Universe is a Korean HIFU device made by Classys. It is priced by shots and is one of the most affordable lifting treatments in Seoul.
- Strengths: low cost per session, quick treatment, no downtime, easy to repeat.
- Results: usually last about three to six months.
- Typical pattern: repeated two or three times a year for maintenance.
Shurink suits people who want a gentle lift and visit Seoul often, people in their late 20s and 30s focused on prevention, and anyone who prefers smaller, regular treatments. Learn more on the Shurink Universe treatment page.
Premium HIFU: Ulthera Prime
Ulthera Prime is the latest version of Ultherapy, made by Merz. It is priced by lines and is the premium tier of ultrasound lifting.
- Strengths: real-time ultrasound imaging, so the doctor can see the layers before delivering energy; precise depth placement.
- Results: develop over two to three months and often last about a year or longer.
- Typical pattern: one session about once a year.
Ulthera suits people with more noticeable laxity, people who want one stronger session per trip, and visitors who come to Seoul only once a year. Learn more on the Ulthera Prime treatment page.
Budget vs premium HIFU: side-by-side
| Shurink Universe | Ulthera Prime | |
|---|---|---|
| Priced by | Shots | Lines |
| Full-face price at Dernia | ₩259,000 (600 shots) | ₩1,390,000 (400 lines) |
| Real-time imaging | Not a standard feature | Yes |
| Results typically last | About 3–6 months | About 12 months or longer |
| Usual frequency | 2–3 times a year | About once a year |
| Discomfort | Mild to moderate | Moderate; numbing used |
For a deeper comparison, see Ulthera Prime vs Shurink Universe.
Which HIFU option gives better value?
Value depends on how often you can be treated. If you live in Seoul or visit several times a year, regular Shurink sessions can maintain a firm look at a modest cost per visit. If you visit once a year, a single Ulthera session that lasts about a year may be more practical, because a budget treatment would wear off long before your next trip.
Budget HIFU often suits
- Mild laxity or prevention in your late 20s and 30s
- Frequent visitors and Seoul residents
- A first lifting experience
- Top-ups between premium treatments
Premium HIFU often suits
- Moderate laxity, jowls or a softening jawline
- Once-a-year visitors
- People wanting the most precise depth control
- Anyone combining ultrasound with RF tightening
A simple yearly cost comparison
Think about cost per year rather than per session. At Dernia, even three 600-shot Shurink sessions at ₩259,000 each add up to less than one 400-line Ulthera full face at ₩1,390,000, before VAT. But those three sessions need three visits. If you can only be in Seoul once a year, the comparison changes: one Shurink session would leave you without treatment for much of the year, while one Ulthera session is designed to last roughly that long.
What happens during a HIFU treatment in Seoul?
- Consultation. A licensed doctor examines your face, discusses budget and travel plans, and recommends a device and plan with a confirmed price.
- Numbing. Numbing cream is applied, usually for longer before Ulthera than before Shurink.
- Marking. Zones are marked so energy is spread evenly and kept away from sensitive structures.
- Treatment. Gel is applied and energy is delivered in rows. You feel brief, deep heat or prickling, especially over bone.
- Soothing. Calming care settles redness. You can usually return to sightseeing straight away.
Can you combine HIFU with other treatments?
Yes. HIFU lifts from deeper layers, while radiofrequency devices such as Thermage FLX tighten the dermis. Many people pair them in one trip for lift and skin quality together. Your doctor will advise on sequence and whether a combination is needed. See HIFU vs RF lifting and the Seoul Signature Lifting package.
Is HIFU safe? Side effects and who should avoid it
HIFU is non-surgical and has no wounds, but it is a medical procedure. Common effects are redness, mild swelling and tenderness along the jaw for a few days. Less common are small bruises, welts or tingling. Rare risks include temporary nerve irritation or numbness, burns, and fat loss that can make thin faces look hollow if energy is placed too deep or too densely.
People who are pregnant, have active skin infection or open wounds in the area, or have very little facial fat should talk to the doctor first. Heavy sagging may need a surgical opinion. Read who should not get lifting treatments.
Planning HIFU around your Seoul trip
- Book ahead. Send your dates and goals through our consultation form.
- Avoid your arrival day. Schedule from day two once you are rested.
- Getting here. Dernia is in Myeongdong, near Myeongdong Station (Line 4) and Euljiro 1-ga Station (Line 2).
- VAT. Tourist VAT refunds on cosmetic procedures ended on January 1, 2026, so budget for 10% VAT on top.
Flying home? HIFU leaves no wounds, so flying the next day is usually fine. Expect some jaw tenderness for a few days. See our aftercare guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the cheapest HIFU option at Dernia?
Shurink Universe starts from ₩149,000 for 300 shots, and a 600-shot full face is ₩259,000, before 10% VAT.
Why is Ulthera more expensive than Shurink?
Ulthera Prime uses real-time imaging and precise depth control, and results usually last longer, often about a year.
Is Shurink the same as Ulthera?
No. Both are focused ultrasound devices, but they are made by different companies and differ in imaging, design and how long results last.
How often should I repeat HIFU?
Shurink is usually repeated two or three times a year. Ulthera is typically repeated about once a year.
Does HIFU have downtime?
Usually not. Mild redness, swelling or jaw tenderness can last a few days.
Can I get HIFU on a short trip to Seoul?
Yes. HIFU is a single-session treatment with no downtime, so it fits easily into a short stay.
Budget or premium HIFU in Seoul?
Tell us your goals and how often you visit Seoul. A doctor examines you in person and recommends the right device and plan, with prices, in English.
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This article is for general information and does not replace a medical consultation. Results vary between individuals, and suitability, treatment plan and final price are confirmed by a licensed doctor after an in-person examination. Dernia Clinic Myeongdong does not publish patient testimonials or before-and-after claims.