Energy-Based Procedures in Korea

Fractional CO2 Laser

프락셀 CO2 (Peuraksel CO2)

A fractional ablative laser that delivers carbon dioxide energy at 10,600 nm in a grid of microscopic columns. The fractional pattern removes damaged tissue while preserving surrounding skin, driving collagen remodeling and epidermal renewal. In Korea "프락셀" functions as a generic colloquial label for fractional lasers.

Q-Switched Laser

큐스위치 레이저 (Kyu-seuwichi reijeo)

A non-ablative pigment laser that delivers nanosecond pulses to selectively destroy melanin and tattoo ink with minimal thermal damage to surrounding tissue. The Korean low-fluence "laser toning" protocol (레이저 토닝), developed for Asian melasma management, is one of the device's defining clinical applications.

RF Microneedling

RF 마이크로니들링 (RF maikeuronitteulling)

A class of energy-based device treatments that delivers radiofrequency energy through fine-gauge needle electrodes into the dermis, creating thermal coagulation zones that drive collagen and elastin remodeling. Three of the four globally distributed devices in this category are Korean-developed.

Shurink (Ultraformer MPT)

슈링크 (Syurinkeu)

A Korean-developed high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) device for skin lifting and tightening. The current generation, Ultraformer MPT (marketed in Korea as Shurink Universe), received MFDS approval in October 2021. It is not FDA-cleared for facial lifting indications.

Thermage (Thermage FLX)

써마지 FLX (Sseomaji FLX)

The longest-running commercial RF skin-tightening platform, in clinical use since 2002. Thermage FLX is the current fourth-generation device. Korean consumers describe 써마지 alongside 울쎄라 as the two dominant pillars of non-surgical lifting.

Ultherapy

울쎄라 (Ulssera)

The original FDA-cleared microfocused ultrasound device for non-invasive lifting of the brow, neck, and submental region. Korean consumers describe 울쎄라 alongside 써마지 (Thermage) as the two dominant pillars of non-surgical lifting.