Thermage and Ulthera – How to Avoid Side Effects! With Hev Clinic in Korea
Hello,
Welcome to Hev Dermatology Clinic.
This post was written in accordance with the Medical Service Act and was created by a medical institution operated by a board-certified dermatologist at Hev Clinic, with the consent of the patient who received treatment.
It is not intended to emphasize treatment effects or personal treatment experiences, but rather to provide general information about dermatology and aesthetic procedures.
The photos used in this post meet the following conditions:
- The same individual appears in both the before and after photos.
- The dates when the photos were taken before and after treatment are specified.
- The photos were taken under the same conditions.
This post provides various medical information, including possible side effects that may occur from the procedure. In accordance with Article 56, Paragraph 2, Subparagraph 7 of the Medical Service Act, diagnoses and treatment results may vary depending on the individual, and both effects and side effects may differ from person to person.
※ This article was written directly by the director of Hev Clinic for the purpose of providing information about dermatologic and aesthetic procedures.
Cheek Hollowing After Thermage or Ulthera (Ultherapy): Why It Happens & How We Correct It
Have you ever noticed cheek hollowing or a “peanut-shaped” face after a Thermage or Ulthera (Ultherapy) treatment?
You may have read reviews saying that after a lifting/skin-tightening laser, the face looked more peanut-shaped or that cheek hollows became more obvious.
In many cases, it’s not that the device is “bad.” These are excellent treatments—but if the design (treatment map), energy, and shot count aren’t tailored to the individual, the result can look overly deflated.
When used appropriately, Thermage and Ultherapy can be highly effective for lifting and tightening. That’s why it’s especially disappointing when someone experiences avoidable hollowing.
Key point: Skin-tightening lasers should focus on unnecessary sagging tissue—not reduce volume in areas that already need support.
And when the treatment is planned well, it can be especially helpful for concerns like:
- Bulldog cheeks (lower-face heaviness)
- Jowl fat and early jowling
These are some of the most common lower-face concerns—and honestly, it’s hard to find someone who isn’t at least a little bothered by them.
With the right plan, we can smooth and contour the lower face beautifully without creating cheek hollowing.
Real Case: Restoring Cheek Volume After Thermage/Ulthera With Juvederm Voluma
Today, I’d like to share a real case from our clinic.
Case topic: Correction of cheek hollowing after Thermage/Ulthera using Juvederm Voluma.
The patient first visited us in April 2023.
Her main concern was a general lack of facial volume—a thinner look overall, with areas that appeared slightly hollow. We planned a combination approach using Juvederm Voluma along with skin-tightening laser treatments.
After three sessions across April, May, and June, her facial contours looked more balanced and refined. What was especially notable: even with no additional procedures, her results still looked well maintained by December—about 8 months later.
Before: April 10, 2023 | After: December 6, 2023
Photo & safety notice: Photos are posted with patient consent. They are original images of the same person, taken in the same location without edits. Results vary by individual, and possible side effects (including pigmentation, bruising, and swelling) should be discussed during a thorough consultation.
At first glance, you might think, “It’s not a dramatic change.”
That’s exactly the point—natural results often look subtle in a single moment. But once you start noticing volume loss, you realize how much that smooth, softly oval contour was supporting the overall facial shape.
In this patient’s case, volume that had been stable for 8 months decreased by about half in just 4 months after receiving Thermage/Ulthera at another clinic—so she came back to restore that lost support.
Before: December 6, 2023 | After: April 29, 2024
Photo & safety notice: Photos are posted with patient consent. They are original images of the same person, taken in the same location without edits. Results vary by individual, and possible side effects (including pigmentation, bruising, and swelling) should be discussed during a thorough consultation.
Do you see it more clearly now? The right side appears to have noticeably more drooping compared to the left—because the midface support was reduced, making the lower face look heavier.
Thermage, Ulthera, InMode, Onda: Great Devices—But Design Matters
Thermage, Ulthera (Ultherapy), InMode, and Onda lifting lasers can all deliver excellent results. Each treatment has clear strengths and limitations.
However, performing these procedures without carefully considering the device characteristics, the patient’s skin thickness, and the patient’s baseline facial volume can lead to unwanted outcomes—especially hollowing.
In lifting treatments, design is everything.
How to Choose a Clinic for Anti-Aging & Skin Tightening
If you’re considering Thermage/Ultherapy or any lifting procedure, we recommend choosing a clinic that:
- Is proven and reputable
- Offers multiple treatment options (not a one-size-fits-all approach)
- Has experienced practitioners who can tailor the design to your facial structure and volume
Thank you for reading.
