"Isn't Shurink the same as other lifting treatments? I get them mixed up."
"Once I get it, does that firmness just keep lasting?"
These are the first things people looking into lifting ask.
Hello, I'm Director Kwon Si-jin & Yoon Ju-hyun at DA Clinic Myeongdong ^^
We're getting ready to open our doors in Myeongdong soon, and since so many people have been weighing up Shurink ahead of our opening, we wanted to put together this overview for your information first.
With so many treatments that have similar names, it's only natural to get confused.
That said, if you lump them together thinking 'if it's ultrasound lifting they're all the same' and choose, you may end up getting a treatment that doesn't actually match your concern. Shurink focuses ultrasound onto a single point, so from its very principle it's different from RF or microwave lifting. Let's look at why you need to distinguish them.
Shurink Is a Treatment That Addresses the Deep Layers With 'Ultrasound'
Let me clear up one misconception first.
Shurink is a lifting treatment that uses ultrasound energy (commonly called HIFU), so its very operating principle differs from other lifting treatments that use RF or microwaves.
Put simply, it's a method that concentrates ultrasound energy on a single point inside the skin, the way a magnifying glass gathers sunlight to a single point.
So rather than heating the surface broadly, it creates small heat points only at the targeted depth.
Even if they all look similar by name alone, you can see it as: when the type of energy differs, the way it's addressed differs too.
By What Principle Does It Change Firmness?
The way Shurink is involved in firmness is a flow that stimulates the collagen in the deep layers of the skin.
When ultrasound energy is gathered to a single point, a very small 'thermal coagulation point' forms at that spot, and this is designed to reach even the firm layer called the fascia (SMAS) deep in the skin.
This layer is at a depth we can't normally touch with our hands, and when heat stimulation is applied here, collagen contracts, followed by a process of new collagen building up.
That's why Shurink usually divides the layers and applies energy with transducers of different depths, like 1.5mm, 3.0mm, and 4.5mm.
Since the shallow and deep layers of the skin have different structures, it's a method of dividing them by the depth suited to each layer.
The Effect Appears Over Time, Not Right After the Treatment
Let me address the part people most often misunderstand here.
Shurink isn't a treatment where the face in the mirror changes dramatically the moment you get it; it's closer to a treatment where the change becomes visible slowly over the time it takes for collagen to build back up.
The collagen regeneration that begins with the heat stimulation usually proceeds slowly over 2~3 months after the treatment.
So there's no need to be too impatient if there's no big change the day after you get it. (how much and when you feel it varies by individual)
It'll be easier on your mind to see firmness as something that isn't made in a few days, but as a process that follows the flow of the skin recovering on its own.
It's Not the Case That It Keeps Lasting Once You Get It
Even after the change in firmness settles in, that state doesn't just stay frozen in place.
Even if Shurink brings about a change in collagen, the natural aging process keeps going over time.
So rather than that state being fixed by a single treatment, it's natural for it to gradually return to its original course over time.
For this reason, many people see it as a flow where you decide whether to have it again every 6 months to a year while watching your skin condition.
Rather than expecting "one and done," if you think of it as a process of managing it periodically while watching your condition, you'll feel less let down. (the degree of change and the maintenance period vary by individual)
These People Should Take an Extra Moment to Check
Shurink isn't a treatment casually recommended for every situation.
During the treatment, since heat is delivered to the deep layers, you may feel a certain amount of stimulation, and afterward temporary redness or slight swelling can appear. (how much you feel varies by individual)
If you're pregnant, or have implants or metal in the treatment area, it's best to check your condition first and then decide whether to proceed.
Also, if you have a constitution where wounds swell up greatly, like keloids, it's safer to discuss it thoroughly before the treatment and then decide.
For this kind of thing, rather than judging on your own, it's better to check your skin condition directly in the consultation room and decide.
FAQ
Q. What's the difference between Shurink and other lifting treatments?
A. The biggest difference is the type of energy used. Shurink is a method (HIFU) that gathers ultrasound to a single point to create small heat points in the deep layers of the skin, whereas some other lifting treatments deliver heat in different ways, like RF or microwaves. When the type of energy differs, the depth it reaches, the layer it addresses, and the stimulation you feel can all differ too. So it's hard to see them as the same treatment just because the names are similar, and it's more accurate to distinguish them based on what principle they operate by. That said, which method suits you better depends on your skin condition and the area of concern, so it's good to keep in mind that there are individual differences.
Q. Can I return to daily life right away after the treatment?
A. Shurink isn't a treatment that shaves or cuts the skin surface, so you tend to return to daily life relatively quickly. That said, there can be redness or light swelling right after the treatment, so on that day it's best to refrain from activities that add heat, like saunas, intense exercise, and hot baths. Also, while the skin is sensitive after the treatment, it's better to reduce UV exposure and be careful about sun protection. Since how you recover and how quickly the redness settles can differ from person to person, it's good to allow some leeway rather than a strenuous schedule.
Q. About how many sessions do I need to see an effect?
A. It varies by area and skin condition, but because Shurink is a treatment that needs time for collagen to build up, rather than judging right after a single session it's better to watch how it progresses over time. The change usually appears slowly over 2~3 months after the treatment, and since aging keeps progressing, it's common to decide whether to have it again while watching your condition after a certain period. So rather than nailing down the number of sessions at the start, it's more reasonable to adjust the interval together as you watch how things progress. Please also remember that the number of sessions and the cycle needed vary by individual.
In closing
If we sum up today's content in one line, it's this.
Shurink is a lifting treatment that stimulates the collagen in the deep layers of the skin with ultrasound; the change appears slowly over time and it isn't a treatment that ends in one go.
If you've been confused because there are so many treatments with similar names, it's fine to just remember that Shurink is a 'method that gathers ultrasound to a single point'. Just please don't forget that the degree of change and the maintenance period vary by individual.
This isn't a piece recommending a treatment, but an informational article we've put together for your reference while preparing to open.
DA Clinic Myeongdong is set to open soon. We'll share news of our opening and treatment information first on our blog and Instagram ^^
Thank you for reading this long piece. This was Director Kwon Si-jin & Yoon Ju-hyun at DA Clinic Myeongdong.
This column is an informational article meant to provide general medical information, and the effects and side effects of treatments may vary by individual. DA Clinic Myeongdong is set to open soon. (Medical Service Act Art. 56)