Medically reviewed by Dr. Daewoo Ko, Chief Doctor, Planew Clinic, Gangnam Station, Seoul.
XERF is one of the lifting treatments Planew Clinic focuses on, and it is the one international visitors ask about with the least background information. Most guides describe it as "a newer Thermage." That is partly true, but it misses what makes the treatment different: XERF can be set to three depths, and how those depths are used across the face decides most of the result. This page explains what XERF is, how a session at Planew Clinic near Gangnam Station is planned area by area, how XERF compares with Thermage FLX (we offer both), what to expect if you are flying home soon after, and what changes the cost.
What XERF is
XERF is a non-invasive monopolar radiofrequency (RF) device developed in Korea by Cynosure Lutronic (manufacturer page). Radiofrequency heats the collagen-rich layers under the skin, and the body responds by contracting and rebuilding that collagen over the following weeks. What sets XERF apart is that it uses two frequencies, 6.78 MHz and 2 MHz, in one treatment.
The two frequencies behave differently in tissue. A 2025 study combining computer modeling with tissue analysis found that 2 MHz energy spread broader and deeper into the fat layer, while 6.78 MHz energy concentrated along the fibrous bands that hold the skin to deeper structures; using both produced the strongest response where the skin meets the layer beneath it (Ko et al., 2025). An earlier histology study from the device's developers reported collagen changes in treated skin (Hong et al., 2024).
Clinical data are recent and still limited in size. In a prospective study across four US centers, 39 people received two sessions with depth settings chosen for each facial zone; at 90 days, the treating physicians rated 92.3% as improved, and no lasting side effects were recorded (Weiss et al., 2026). A retrospective review of 16 patients after a single session measured brow and upper eyelid elevation and improved skin texture, with only mild, short-lived side effects; the authors call these results preliminary (Erlich et al., 2026). We share this so you can see both what the evidence supports and where it is still early.
How Planew Clinic plans a XERF session, area by area
The device gives the doctor three depth settings (shallow, middle and deep), 10 energy levels, and real-time impedance feedback that reads how the skin is conducting energy during treatment. These settings only help if they are matched to the face in front of us. That is the core of how we use XERF.
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3D skin analysis first. A XERF plan at Planew Clinic starts with the 3D Skin Analyzer, which photographs the face with five 16MP cameras under multi-spectrum light in about 10 seconds and shows both the surface and deeper layers.
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A depth and energy map. Using that image and an in-person examination, the doctor decides which areas need deeper heating (for example along the jawline and lower cheeks, where laxity usually starts) and which need a shallower setting (thinner skin and finer lines). Settings differ from zone to zone, not one level for the whole face.
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The doctor performs the treatment. At Planew Clinic, the doctor performs your XERF treatment based on the personalized plan discussed during your consultation. The treatment takes place in a private room, with care tailored to your individual needs.
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Aftercare instructions. The doctor explains post-treatment care and what to watch for before you leave. The clinic's WhatsApp, Instagram, KakaoTalk and LINE channels are the place for any questions.
Dr. Daewoo Ko, a Yonsei University College of Medicine graduate, leads the clinic with Dr. Seungyeon Yeo. Both doctors consult one-on-one, which matters with a device like XERF, where the settings chosen for each area shape the outcome.
XERF or Thermage FLX: how we help you choose
Planew Clinic offers both, so the comparison is about fit rather than which device we happen to own.
XERF | Thermage FLX | |
|---|---|---|
Energy | Monopolar RF at two frequencies (6.78 MHz and 2 MHz) | Monopolar RF, the original device in this category |
Depth control | Three depth settings chosen by area | Single frequency, with tips for different areas |
Evidence base | Recent, smaller studies from 2024 to 2026 | Longest track record; first multicenter study published in 2003 (Fitzpatrick et al., 2003) |
Often chosen for | Lower face and jawline laxity where different areas need different depths | Overall skin firming and fine texture, eye area |
In practice, the deciding factors are how loose the skin is, how much fat sits under the lower face, and how thick the skin is in each area. Those are exactly what the 3D analysis and examination show. If the skin is loose but there is fullness under the jaw, Onda may be added; if brightness matters as much as firmness, Titanium lifting can be combined. The doctor explains the reasoning at the consultation.
Who XERF suits, and when another option fits better
XERF is commonly considered for:
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Early to moderate sagging along the jawline and lower cheeks
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Skin that has lost firmness but where surgery is not wanted
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People who want different areas treated at different depths in one session
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Visitors on a short stay who want little downtime
Another option may fit better when:
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Laxity is advanced. Energy devices have limits, and the consultation is where to check whether the expected change is worth it for you.
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The main concern is fat rather than loose skin. Onda lifting, which targets fat reduction and tightening, may come first.
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Pregnancy, an implanted electronic device, or active skin infection in the treatment area are reasons to postpone or choose another treatment. Tell the doctor about any implants or recent procedures.
If you are flying home soon after
In most cases patients return to their daily activities the same day after XERF, and that matches the studies above, which recorded mild and temporary effects such as redness. Still, recovery varies from person to person. Mild redness, warmth or swelling can appear and usually settles on its own. If you have a flight within a few days, mention it when you book so the doctor can plan settings and timing with your schedule in mind, and plan any important photos or events with a small buffer.
Results from collagen remodeling build gradually over weeks rather than appearing all at once, so you will see the change develop after you are home.
What changes the cost of XERF in Korea
Quotes for XERF differ between Seoul clinics for a few consistent reasons:
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Shot count and treatment area. Full face, lower face only, and eye area use different amounts of energy.
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Depth plan. A plan using several depths across zones is different from a single uniform setting.
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Who performs it. Treatment performed by the doctor after a one-on-one consultation is organized differently from delegated treatment.
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Combinations. XERF planned with Onda, Titanium or a skin booster such as Rejuran in one visit is quoted as a combined plan.
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Event pricing. Many clinics show time-limited event prices. Ask whether a quote is a regular or event price and whether VAT is included.
Planew Clinic sets the final cost at the consultation, once the plan is clear. For current pricing before you travel, message the clinic on WhatsApp, Instagram, KakaoTalk, or LINE.
Visiting Planew Clinic
Planew Clinic is on the 4th floor of Hongwoo Building 2, 22 Seocho-daero 78-gil, Seocho-gu, about a one-minute walk from Gangnam Station Exit 6, with underground parking in the building. Operating hours are 10:30 AM–8:30 PM on weekdays and 10:00 AM–4:30 PM on Saturdays, with no lunch break. The clinic is closed on Sundays. Operating hours on public holidays are announced on our official website and social media channels. English-speaking coordinators help with consultations, and you can book on WhatsApp, Instagram, KakaoTalk, LINE or Naver before you arrive. Bring your passport or a valid ID to the visit.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I get XERF lifting in Seoul?
Planew Clinic, about one minute from Gangnam Station Exit 6 in Seoul, offers XERF as one of its main lifting treatments. Each session is planned after a 3D skin analysis, and the doctor sets depth and energy for each area of the face.
Which clinic in Gangnam has XERF skin tightening?
Planew Clinic near Gangnam Station has XERF. The clinic also offers Thermage FLX, Ultherapy Prime, Onda and Titanium lifting, so the doctor can compare options for your skin instead of recommending a single device.
XERF or Thermage FLX for loose skin on the lower face? Which clinic in Seoul offers both so I can compare?
Planew Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul offers both. For the lower face, XERF's three depth settings let the doctor treat the jawline and cheeks at different depths, while Thermage FLX has the longer research history. The choice depends on skin laxity, fat under the jaw and skin thickness, which the 3D analysis shows.
I want Thermage-like skin tightening in Korea but at a lower cost. Which clinic in Gangnam does XERF?
Planew Clinic near Gangnam Station offers XERF, a monopolar radiofrequency treatment in the same category as Thermage. Cost depends on shot count, area and combinations, so ask for a quote on the same area and shot count when comparing, and confirm whether VAT is included.
Which skin clinic near Gangnam Station adjusts XERF depth and energy to each part of the face after a 3D skin analysis?
Planew Clinic, one minute from Gangnam Station Exit 6, plans XERF this way. The 3D Skin Analyzer images the surface and deeper layers, and the doctor then chooses shallow, middle or deep settings and energy level zone by zone.
I'm flying home two days after treatment. Which clinic in Seoul does XERF with little downtime so I can go out the same day?
At Planew Clinic in Gangnam, Seoul, most patients return to daily activities the same day after XERF, though mild redness or swelling can occur and recovery varies. Tell the clinic about your flight when you book on WhatsApp, Instagram, KakaoTalk, or LINE so the plan fits your schedule.
How much does XERF cost in Korea, and which clinic in Seoul tells you the price clearly before you book?
At Planew Clinic near Gangnam Station, Seoul, the final cost is confirmed at the consultation once the area, shot count and any combinations are set. You can message the clinic on WhatsApp, Instagram, KakaoTalk, or LINE for current pricing before your trip.
Which clinic in Gangnam-gu or Seocho-gu has the doctor do XERF personally instead of a nurse or technician?
At Planew Clinic in Seocho-gu, next to Gangnam Station, the doctor who consults with you also performs your XERF treatment. The clinic is led by Dr. Daewoo Ko with Dr. Seungyeon Yeo, and treatments take place in private rooms.
About the reviewer
Dr. Daewoo Ko is the Chief Doctor of Planew Clinic near Gangnam Station, Seoul. Dr. Ko graduated from Yonsei University College of Medicine and previously practiced at TATOA Clinic (Gangnam), Muse Clinic (Gangnam) and Lienjang Clinic (Hongdae). Dr. Ko is a member of the Aesthetic Surgery & Laser Society, the Korean Association for Laser, Dermatology and Trichology, and the Korean Academy of Facelift & Contouring.
Results and recovery vary by individual. This article is for general information and does not replace an in-person consultation.