InMode Forma · Fx
InMode Forma and Fx are non-invasive bipolar RF modalities run as a monthly 3-5 session course with no pain and no downtime. Forma targets shallow dermal collagen — texture, elasticity, pores. Fx targets subdermal fat for jawline, double chin, and midface contouring. Neither replaces surgical facelift or liposuction.
Board-Certified
Dermatologist
AAD International Fellow
IFAAD
FDA-cleared
Where applicable
MFDS-registered
Korean MoH&W
InMode Forma bipolar RF tightening and Fx RF fat reduction in Gangnam — pain-free, no downtime, monthly course for jawline, double chin, and midface volume contouring.
Best for
Suited for
Forma 30-45 min
Fx 30-45 min
Combo same-day 60-90 min
3-5 sessions monthly
maintenance every 4-6 months after initial course
None — pain-free, no visible mark, return to normal activity immediately
End of 3-5 session course
peak dermal collagen and contouring 3-6 months after the initial course
Day 0
Mild warmth and pinkness for a few hours. No downtime; same-day return to activity.
Day 1-3
No scabbing or bruising. Makeup OK same evening. Most describe treatment as warm massage.
Sessions 2-3
Subtle firming and contouring; modest per-session change accumulates across the monthly course.
End of 3-5 course — Forma
Visible collagen support around jawline, cheeks, periorbital. Below SMAS-level lifting — honest framing is shallow collagen layering.
End of 3-5 course — Fx
Modest jawline definition, reduced submental fullness. Below surgical liposuction — non-invasive refinement, not surgical removal.
Long-term
Maintenance every 4-6 months extends results. Without maintenance, gradual fade over 6-12 months. Peak 3-6 months post-course.
Key specs
Key specs
01
Consultation maps laxity, jawline, submental fat, midface volume. Decision: Forma alone / Fx alone / Forma + Fx combo / alternative device.
02
Off-label disclosure — Forma and Fx are off-label cosmetic use of devices cleared for electrocoagulation. Disclosed at consent.
03
Pre-treatment cleansing + ultrasound gel; makeup off; baseline photos.
04
Forma: bipolar RF handpiece, slow even strokes, closed-loop thermistor at 40-43°C target.
05
Fx: deeper energy profile for subdermal fat targeting.
06
Same-day Forma + Fx combo: 60-90 min total.
07
Post-treatment cooling, emollient, SPF 50+. Monthly cadence × 3-5 sessions; maintenance every 4-6 months.
08
Cumulative session review — course paused if needed rather than chasing endpoint.
“Injectables and energy devices are performed by physicians — never delegated to non-physician staff. The clinic is led by a board-certified dermatologist.”
Day 0
Mild warmth resolves within hours. Emollient + SPF 50+. Skip sauna and exercise for the day. No downtime — resume activity.
Day 1-3
Continue emollient and SPF 50+. Makeup OK from Day 0. Avoid sauna and heat 24-48h.
Weeks 2-4
Routine skincare + daily SPF. Schedule next session monthly. Pre-session photos at each visit.
Long-term
Maintenance every 4-6 months. Between trips: SPF discipline; bring discharge packet to home dermatologist. Report any burn, blister, or persistent skin change immediately.
Forma: bipolar RF, shallow dermal, monthly course, near-zero pain. Thermage: monopolar RF, mid-dermal, single high-dose session. Ultherapy: HIFU at SMAS depth — closest non-invasive analog to surgical lifting. Complementary, not substitutes. Plan discussed at consult.
No. No safety data for stacking different-depth thermal modalities. Sequencing: 2-4 weeks Forma↔Thermage; 4-6 weeks Forma↔Ultherapy. Same-day combo is limited to Forma + Fx within the InMode platform.
No. 3-5 monthly sessions cannot be compressed into one trip. Options: 1-2 Seoul sessions + written protocol for home InMode dermatologist · multiple Seoul trips · or Thermage instead (single-session, higher per-visit dose, better fits travel).
The InMode RF System is FDA-cleared for electrocoagulation / hemostasis. Cosmetic skin tightening is off-label use of the cleared device — disclosed in writing at consent. Off-label use is common in aesthetic dermatology and supported by published studies (e.g., Boisnic histology).
Both are RF microneedling. Overlapping specs; no published superiority data. Outcomes are operator-dependent. See our Potenza page for full discussion.
No. RFAL with an incision and 5-14 day downtime, with motor nerve injury risk reported on internal probes. In Korea these are plastic-surgery scope. We refer rather than improvise.
Forma: shallow dermal for texture, elasticity, pores. Fx: deeper bipolar RF for subdermal fat (double chin / jawline / midface volume). Same-day Forma + Fx combo runs 60-90 min.
No. Fx is modest non-invasive contouring. For significant submental fat, deoxycholic acid or surgical liposuction is more honest. Fx fits mild-to-moderate cases where pain-free and downtime-free are the priority.
Different depths give a more natural and durable result. Common Korean protocol: Ultherapy or Thermage as the foundation, then periodic Forma maintenance across the months between deeper sessions.
Yes. Both are chromophore-independent, so no PIH risk like laser or IPL. Burn cases stem from too-long dwell at a site or dry skin contact over bony prominences — prevented by slow even strokes and closed-loop feedback.
Likely yes if you have noticed gradual loss. Forma monthly course extends collagen support without re-treating SMAS. Alternatives: second Thermage for refresh, or Ultherapy if laxity has progressed.
Every 4-6 months after the initial 3-5 session course. Without maintenance, fade over 6-12 months. Maintenance often best delivered by home-country dermatologist with InMode after Seoul calibration.
No. No non-invasive device replicates surgical SMAS facelift. For moderate-to-severe laxity we refer to plastic surgery rather than sell a device that cannot deliver the result.
Standard combined protocol when both indications apply (60-90 min). We do NOT stack other thermal modalities same day. Recent HA filler, implanted hardware, or pacemaker may split the session.
Retinoids and acid exfoliants paused 3-5 days before. Recent HA filler (< 2 weeks) at site defers RF. Personalized pre-treatment checklist sent after intake form.
Notice
Tell the dermatologist at consultation if any of the following apply.
For your visit
Related procedures
Notice: Individual results may vary depending on skin condition, treatment history, and recovery factors. All treatment plans are determined through individual consultation with a board-certified dermatologist. The information on this page is for reference only and does not constitute medical advice or guarantee specific outcomes.
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