Body Ultherapy PRIMEin Gangnam, Seoul
Body Ultherapy PRIME uses focused ultrasound on areas of body skin laxity — commonly the abdomen, the upper arms, the knees or above the elbows. Because body skin is thicker and the areas larger, the doctor plans the depths and the number of lines for each zone. At QD Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, South Korea, a session usually takes about 45–60 minutes or more depending on the area, with little downtime. (Results vary by individual.)
Treatable areas
- Back of the hands
- Neck lines
- Abdomen
- Upper arms
- Thighs
Who it’s for
- Mild skin laxity on the abdomen or upper arms
- Crepey skin above the knees or elbows
- People who want to firm body skin without surgery
- Anyone who prefers little downtime for body areas
Body Ultherapy PRIME addresses skin firmness, not weight or fat volume — it is not a fat-reduction or weight-loss treatment. Whether it suits you is confirmed during consultation.
How it works
Focused ultrasound warms the dermis of the body area at depths chosen for that zone, prompting the skin’s own collagen renewal over the following months so the skin may feel firmer. PRIME’s real-time imaging helps the doctor confirm the layers on thicker body skin before delivering energy. Ultherapy PRIME is an ultrasound technology cleared by the US FDA for improving the appearance of skin laxity on the abdomen and the arms.
THE MECHANISM, STEP BY STEP
01Focused, not spread out
Instead of heating the surface broadly, the ultrasound is focused to precise points within the skin, leaving the surface largely untouched.
02Depths chosen for thicker skin
Body skin is thicker than facial skin, so the doctor selects the working depths within the dermis for each zone rather than using one fixed setting.
03Guided by real-time imaging
With PRIME, the doctor confirms the actual layers on ultrasound before delivering energy — useful on thicker, larger body areas where depth matters.
04Your own collagen responds
The controlled heat prompts the skin’s natural repair, and new collagen forms gradually over the following months. This is why body skin may feel firmer only over time.
Treatment areas
- Abdomen
- Loose or crepey skin on the tummy.
- Upper arms
- Laxity along the back of the arms.
- Above knees / elbows
- Fine crepey skin over the joints.
What the procedure is like
- 1Consultation and assessment of the body area
- 2Cleansing and mapping of the treatment zone
- 3Ultrasound delivery by depth across the area
- 4Cooling and aftercare guidance
Time: A body session takes about 45–60 minutes or more, depending on the area.
Recovery & aftercare
- Little to no downtime; most people return to daily activities the same day.
- Temporary redness, mild swelling or tenderness in the treated area may occur.
- Use sun protection on exposed areas and follow the aftercare guidance we provide.
What to expect over time
A general guide to how the days and months after treatment usually unfold. Results vary by individual.
DAY 0 Treatment day
Warmth as the ultrasound is delivered across the body area; afterwards mild redness or a flushed feeling that usually settles within hours. Most people return to daily activities the same day.
DAY 1-3 Settling
Any redness, mild swelling or tenderness in the treated area generally eases. Normal activity and skincare can usually resume as advised.
WEEK 2-6 Early firming
Some people notice the body skin feeling a little firmer. This varies from person to person.
2-3 MONTHS Collagen renewal
As new collagen forms, a gradual firmness in the treated body area becomes more noticeable for many people. This is typically when results are assessed. (Results vary by individual.)
~6 MONTHS Review
Your doctor reviews the outcome and, if appropriate, discusses whether to repeat treatment for that area based on your skin.
Sessions & results
Many people have a single session per area, with changes appearing gradually over about 2–3 months as collagen renews. Whether to repeat is decided at consultation. (Results vary by individual.)
How it compares
On the body, several energy treatments address different things — skin firmness versus fat. They are not interchangeable, and the right choice depends on your goal.
| Comparison | Ultherapy PRIME | Thermage FLX | ONDA Lifting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Energy | Focused ultrasound (imaging-guided) | Monopolar radiofrequency | Microwave (Coolwaves) |
| Main target | Skin firmness in the dermis | Skin tightening across the dermis | Selective targeting of deeper fat |
| Often chosen for | Crepey or lax body skin | Overall skin tightening | Localized fat with some laxity |
| Sensation | Brief warmth at each point | Warm heating cycles with cooling | Deep warmth over the area |
| Downtime | Little to none | Little to none | Little to none |
Neither is “better” — they work differently and suit different goals. The right choice is decided after we assess your skin.
Safety & considerations
Possible reactions
- Temporary redness, a flushed feeling, or mild swelling
- Tenderness or a tingling sensation in treated areas for a short time
- Occasionally small areas of bruising
- Rarely, temporary numbness or nerve-related sensations that typically settle
When to take extra care
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding — let us know at consultation
- Active skin infection, inflammation or open lesions in the treatment area
- Implanted electrical devices, or metal implants in the area — tell your doctor
- Recent fillers, threads or other energy treatments — tell your doctor so timing can be planned
- A history of keloid or difficulty with wound healing
Body Ultherapy PRIME addresses skin firmness, not fat volume or weight, and it does not suit every degree of laxity. Whether it is right for you is confirmed during consultation. Effects and downtime vary by individual, and side effects may occur.
Your care at QD Clinic
Performed by a board-certified doctor
Your treatment is performed and medically reviewed by a board-certified doctor, not delegated unsupervised.
Depth confirmed on body skin
With PRIME, the doctor confirms the layers of thicker body skin on real-time ultrasound before delivering energy, so depths suit the area being treated.
Care in your language
Consultation in English, with 中文 and 日本語 support arranged on request — including questions before you travel.
A short walk from Gangnam Station
Central Seoul location with guidance from the airport and nearby hotels, and hours shown in KST.
Frequently asked questions
It is the same focused-ultrasound device, but body areas are larger and skin thickness varies a great deal between them, so the depths and number of lines are planned separately. On the face the focus is lifting the SMAS layer, whereas on the body the aim is the firmness of loosened skin on areas such as the abdomen and arms. As on the face, it is not a treatment for reducing fat or body weight.
No. It works on skin firmness, not on fat volume or body weight, so it is not a fat-reduction or weight-loss treatment. Focused ultrasound warms the dermis to prompt collagen renewal, which is why the change is in how firm the skin feels rather than in size. If localized fat is your main concern, we discuss other options at consultation.
Warmth or a brief, sharp sensation can be felt as the ultrasound is delivered, and it varies with the area and the depth used. On thicker body skin the doctor confirms the layers on imaging first and adjusts the energy zone by zone. Tell us if it becomes uncomfortable, and we can change the pace or plan comfort measures.
It depends on the area and the goal. Unlike the face, the body covers wide areas and skin thickness varies greatly from place to place, so it is safer to see the result of one session before deciding on more. Rather than fixing a course from the start, we review after two to three months and plan the next step then — including whether to widen the area.
You can usually go back to your normal routine the same day. Mild redness or a flushed feeling usually settles within hours, and swelling or tenderness in the treated area generally eases over one to three days. Use sun protection on exposed areas such as the arms, and tell us if you notice numbness or tingling that does not settle.
We mainly look at places where skin firmness has dropped — the inner upper arms, the abdomen, the inner thighs. The US FDA has cleared Ultherapy PRIME for improving skin laxity on the arms and the abdomen. Which areas are suitable depends on skin thickness and the state of the fat, so the scope is set at the examination.
We first check whether assessment and any necessary follow-up fit your stay. Share your arrival, departure and important event dates before booking. For this treatment, the expected course is as follows. Many people have a single session per area, with changes appearing gradually over about 2–3 months as collagen renews. Whether to repeat is decided at consultation. (Results vary by individual.) Temporary redness, mild swelling or tenderness in the treated area may occur. Use sun protection on exposed areas and follow the aftercare guidance we provide. Examination may lead to postponement or additional visits. Confirm contact arrangements after returning home and when in-person medical care may be needed. What the doctor checks first for this treatment: “Loss of elasticity in body skin and the layer to target”.
Often considered together
Treatments that are sometimes planned alongside this one, decided at consultation.
+Body ONDA Lifting
If localized fat rather than skin laxity is the main concern, ONDA uses microwave energy to target deeper fat — a different aim from skin firmness. Sequencing is decided by your doctor.
+Thermage FLX
Radiofrequency tightening heats the dermis broadly and can also be considered for body skin firmness — which approach suits you is decided at consultation.
For international patients
Consultation in English / 中文 / 日本語 · WhatsApp · WeChat · KakaoTalk · a 4-minute walk from Sinnonhyeon / Nonhyeon Station (hours in KST).
How many days should I stay?
Surgery and course-based treatments need a check-up. We tell you before you book whether that means staying longer or coming back another time.
For International Patients