Energy Devices and Treatment Depth · Cheongdam & Apgujeong, Seoul

Why depth is the first question

Every energy device works by delivering energy that turns into heat (or, for some lasers, a photomechanical effect) at a particular target. Where that happens decides what changes. Heat in the upper skin treats pigment and texture; heat in the deeper dermis firms and smooths; heat in the fat layer can reduce bulk; focused energy deeper still can tighten the supportive tissue that holds the face up.

This is why two devices with similar marketing can give very different results, and why one person's ideal device can be wrong for another. Doje Clinic chooses energy devices by depth, sagging, fat and elasticity, and explicitly avoids applying every device as a package.

Devices by depth and layer

Depths below are typical descriptions; settings and handpieces vary.

Matching the device to the problem

• Pigment or dull tone lives near the surface, so a toning laser such as Helios is the logical tool, with sessions adjusted to pigment depth and pattern.
• Pores, texture and scars sit in the dermis, which suits Potenza or, for more resurfacing, CO2 laser.
• Crepey or slightly loose skin responds to dermal heating with Thermage or Softwave.
• Heaviness from fat along the jaw or under the chin may suit ONDA, or liposuction where fat is more pronounced.
• Deeper sagging needs energy at around SMAS depth, such as Ultherapy Prime, and sometimes a thread lift when repositioning is required.

Why more devices is not automatically better

Stacking every device in one session adds heat, cost and downtime without necessarily adding lift. In a slim face, excessive heat in the fat layer may risk unwanted volume loss, and overlapping energy in thin skin can prolong redness. A focused plan that targets the layers actually responsible usually gives a cleaner result.

Combining devices by layer

Sometimes two devices are genuinely complementary because they act at different depths. Doje's Eye program, for example, lists Eye Thermage with Softwave as an option for the delicate eye area, and the Mid-Face and Jawline programs include Ultherapy Prime as an option alongside thread lifting. The combination is chosen for your tissue, not as a standard bundle. See Ultherapy vs Thermage.

How Doje decides

In a 1:1 consultation, Dr. Byun Jeik assesses where laxity sits, how much fat there is, how thick and elastic the skin is, and what you want to change. Mark-View 3D skin analysis adds objective surface data. Only then is a device, or a combination, chosen.

Cost

Device plans are quoted after a 1:1 consultation, with a written quote on request. Korean non-covered (비급여) aesthetic fees are set per plan.

Frequently asked questions

Which device reaches deepest?

Among these, Ultherapy Prime, which uses micro-focused ultrasound at several depths down to around the SMAS.

Is Thermage or Ultherapy better?

Neither is better in general. Thermage mainly heats the dermis and fibrous tissue beneath, while Ultherapy Prime reaches deeper; the right choice depends on where your laxity is.

What does ONDA target?

ONDA is a microwave-based device aimed at the subcutaneous fat layer, used for contouring heavier areas of the face and body.

Can energy devices reduce facial volume too much?

Excessive heat in the fat layer may risk unwanted volume loss in slim faces, which is why device choice and settings are individualised.

Do I need more than one device?

Often not. Many people do well with one device matched to their main problem; a second is added only when it treats a different layer.

Related at Doje Clinic

• Ultherapy Prime — micro-focused ultrasound
• Thermage FLX — radiofrequency tightening
• Softwave — dermal energy lifting
• ONDA lifting — fat-layer contouring
• Potenza — microneedle radiofrequency
• Helios dual toning — pigment and tone
• What is the SMAS? — the deepest target layer

Medical information on this page is general education, not a diagnosis. Suitability, risks and the final plan are confirmed in a 1:1 consultation with Dr. Byun Jeik. Last updated 17 October 2026.