Device Guide
A detailed guide to HIFU devices developed and manufactured in South Korea — including Shurink (Ultraformer MPT), Doublo Gold, and how they compare to Ultherapy. Written for international patients considering treatment in Seoul.
Your Journey
A detailed guide to HIFU devices developed and manufactured in South Korea — including Shurink (Ultraformer MPT), Doublo Gold, and how they compare to Ultherapy. Written for international patients considering treatment in Seoul.
South Korea's aesthetic dermatology market is one of the largest in the world, and domestic HIFU device manufacturers have built a parallel ecosystem to the US-dominated Ultherapy market.
Classys, the maker of Ultraformer (branded Shurink), reported 2024 revenue of KRW 141.8 billion (~USD 102 million) with over 18,000 units installed globally. Hironic, maker of Doublo, has logged over 1 million clinical cases since 2011.
The Korean approach to HIFU differs from Western practice in important ways. Korean patients typically receive treatments every 3–6 months as maintenance, compared to the Western approach of a single annual session. This high-frequency model drives device design toward faster treatment, lower pain, and lower cost per session.
For international patients visiting Seoul, this means access to devices and treatment protocols that simply aren't available in most other countries — but it also means navigating a market with less published English-language clinical literature.
FAQ
Shurink (슈링크) is the Korean brand name for the Ultraformer MPT, manufactured by Classys. It's a 4th-generation HIFU device and the most widely used HIFU device in South Korea, with approximately 55% domestic market share and over 2,000 units installed in Korean clinics.
Yes. Korean HIFU devices are approved by MFDS (Korea's regulatory authority) and CE-marked for European markets. Park et al. (2015) specifically studied HIFU safety in Korean patients and found only mild, transient effects. The devices are the same regardless of the patient's nationality — safety depends on proper device settings and practitioner skill.
Several factors: Korean manufacturers face lower licensing costs than Ultherapy's parent company (Merz Aesthetics), Seoul's highly competitive aesthetic market drives pricing down, and the Korean HIFU model emphasizes more frequent, lower-cost sessions rather than single premium treatments. Lower price does not necessarily indicate lower quality.
Typical Korean protocols recommend 2–3 initial sessions spaced 3–6 months apart, followed by maintenance every 6–12 months. This differs from Ultherapy's typical single-session approach. The optimal number depends on your age, skin laxity, goals, and the specific device used. Your dermatologist should explain the expected timeline during consultation.
Yes. HIFU treatment can be performed on the same day as consultation in most Korean clinics. The treatment takes 20–40 minutes, and you can return to normal activities immediately. Mild swelling or redness may last a few hours. If you're combining HIFU with other treatments, discuss scheduling during your initial consultation.
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