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Confused between Shurink and Ulthera? From the ideal number of shots and frequency to avoiding side effects like cheek hollowing! Here is a complete guide written by a clinic director to help you regain your skin's elasticity.
Hello! I'm the director of Tatoa Clinic.
The season of "high sky and plump horses" (autumn) is in full swing! Just like the horses, I feel like I'm gaining a little weight myself these days...๐
As time passes and we get older, our skin starts to sag and lose its firmness. At times like this, what do we need? Exactly, Lifting!
There are so many types of lifting procedures out there: Shurink, Ulthera, Onda, Doublo, Liftera, Thermage, Potenza, Inmode, Exilis, LinearZ, ScalpSure, Xeomin... the list goes on! Just as there are many manufacturers, the variety of machines is endless.
Today, I want to talk about the two most famous ones: Shurink (Ultraformer III) and Ulthera (Ultherapy). We'll cover how many shots you need, the recommended frequency, and side effects. Let's dive in! ๐
ย 
1. How Many Shots & How Often? ๐ค
My writing style usually starts with the conclusion, right? Here is the straightforward answer regarding the protocol.
๐ Recommended Protocol
- Shurink: For the first time, receive 300 shots once a month for 3 consecutive times. After that, maintain every 3~6 months.
- Ulthera: Receive 300 shots once every 6 months. (I recommend reducing the shot count by combining it with other treatments).
Both Shurink and Ulthera are not machines with fixed outputs. It is true that higher output energy tends to make the effects last longer. However, simply increasing the intensity isn't always the answer because pain increases proportionally. It is crucial to receive the treatment at an intensity level that is appropriate for you.
๐ก Doctor's TMI!
Here is a little technical detail. For Shurink, if the energy output is low (e.g., 0.1~0.5J), the shooting speed is fast (sounds like Beep-Beep-Beep). If the output is high (e.g., 0.8~1.0J), the shooting speed becomes slower (sounds like Beeeep... Beeeep...).
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2. Duration & Effectiveness ๐
"How long does the effect last?" This is one of the most common questions I get.
- Shurink: Maintains for about 1 to 3 months.
- Ulthera: Maintains for about 6 months to 1 year. (Effectively, the impact diminishes after 6 months).
However, this is just a general guideline. The results vary significantly depending on individual skin elasticity, the amount of cheek fat, procedure intensity, shot overlap, and the direction of the shots. Essentially, it depends on how obsessed the doctor is with the procedure.
(Just for the record, I am a person who is very obsessed with results, so I tend to care about the outcome even more than the patients themselves...๐
)
Comparison Table
| Feature | Shurink | Ulthera |
|---|
| Main Interval | 3~6 Months | 6~12 Months |
| Pain Level | Moderate | High |
| Cost | Affordable | Expensive |
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3. The Mechanism (Simple Explanation) ๐งฎ
There are many blogs explaining the detailed mechanism of Shurink and Ulthera, but they can be long and complicated. Let me explain it simply.
Do you remember using a magnifying glass to burn paper in the school playground when you were young? The principle is similar.
๐ฅ The "Grilling Meat" Analogy
The ultrasound energy gathers to create coagulation points on the fascia (SMAS layer) under the skin. Simply put, it slightly burns the fascia.
Think of grilling meat. When heat is applied to the fascia of the meat, it shrinks, right? Applying energy to our facial fascia makes it shrink as well!
โ This shrinking effect causes the skin to stick to the face, making the face shape appear slightly smaller.
Why is Ulthera every 6 months while Shurink is every 3 months? simple. Ulthera has stronger output, takes longer to perform, is more painful, and is more expensive.
ย 
4. Side Effects: Cheek Hollowing โ ๏ธ
You might have heard stories about people getting cheek hollowing (sunken cheeks) after these procedures. Yes, there are specific areas that cause cheek hollowing.
โ ๏ธ Attention!
If high energy is applied to the side cheek area (often under the cheekbone), the skin gets pressed inward, causing hollowing. Avoiding this specific "danger zone" significantly reduces the risk.
Therefore, before receiving the procedure, please tell your doctor that you are worried about cheek hollowing!
I always mention this before the procedure and proceed after designing (drawing) on the face to mark the danger zones. Thanks to this, I haven't had a single patient complain about cheek hollowing yet. hehe.
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Summary: Key Takeaways ๐
It's time to wrap up the post. Here are a few final tips for you.
- Pain: People with less cheek fat tend to feel more pain, while those with more fat feel less.
- Sensation: When treating around the jawline, nerves are close to the skin, so you might feel a sensation similar to a toothache.
- Choosing a Clinic: Although prices have dropped, check if they use genuine/new tips, if the intensity is appropriate, and if it's not too much of a "factory-style" clinic where you can't even talk to the doctor.
๐ข Maintenance Interval Checker
Treatment:
ย Shurink (Ultraformer)Ulthera (Ultherapy)ย
Check Schedule
โจ Shurink: Monthly for first 3 times, then every 3-6 months.
๐ Ulthera: Once every 6-12 months (Stronger & Pricier).
โ ๏ธ Caution: Discuss cheek hollowing risks with your doctor before starting.
๐ฉโ๐ป Pro Tip: Higher intensity isn't always better; find the right balance for your skin.
Frequently Asked Questions โ
Q: Does it hurt a lot?
A: Shurink is moderately painful, while Ulthera is known to be more painful. People with less facial fat may feel more discomfort.
Q: Can I avoid sunken cheeks?
A: Yes! Make sure your doctor avoids the high-risk zone (under the cheekbones). Always communicate your concern beforehand.
Q: When can I see the results?
A: Effects typically start appearing 2-3 weeks after the procedure and peak around 1-2 months.
That's it for today's guide on Shurink and Ulthera. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact Tatoa Clinic. Thank you for reading this long post!
For more details, you can consult with us via KakaoTalk. See you next time! ๐
ย
Hello! I'm the director of Tatoa Clinic.
The season of "high sky and plump horses" (autumn) is in full swing! Just like the horses, I feel like I'm gaining a little weight myself these days...๐
As time passes and we get older, our skin starts to sag and lose its firmness. At times like this, what do we need? Exactly, Lifting!
There are so many types of lifting procedures out there: Shurink, Ulthera, Onda, Doublo, Liftera, Thermage, Potenza, Inmode, Exilis, LinearZ, ScalpSure, Xeomin... the list goes on! Just as there are many manufacturers, the variety of machines is endless.
Today, I want to talk about the two most famous ones: Shurink (Ultraformer III) and Ulthera (Ultherapy). We'll cover how many shots you need, the recommended frequency, and side effects. Let's dive in! ๐
ย
1. How Many Shots & How Often? ๐ค
My writing style usually starts with the conclusion, right? Here is the straightforward answer regarding the protocol.
๐ Recommended Protocol
Both Shurink and Ulthera are not machines with fixed outputs. It is true that higher output energy tends to make the effects last longer. However, simply increasing the intensity isn't always the answer because pain increases proportionally. It is crucial to receive the treatment at an intensity level that is appropriate for you.
Here is a little technical detail. For Shurink, if the energy output is low (e.g., 0.1~0.5J), the shooting speed is fast (sounds like Beep-Beep-Beep). If the output is high (e.g., 0.8~1.0J), the shooting speed becomes slower (sounds like Beeeep... Beeeep...).
ย
2. Duration & Effectiveness ๐
"How long does the effect last?" This is one of the most common questions I get.
However, this is just a general guideline. The results vary significantly depending on individual skin elasticity, the amount of cheek fat, procedure intensity, shot overlap, and the direction of the shots. Essentially, it depends on how obsessed the doctor is with the procedure.
(Just for the record, I am a person who is very obsessed with results, so I tend to care about the outcome even more than the patients themselves...๐ )
Comparison Table
ย
3. The Mechanism (Simple Explanation) ๐งฎ
There are many blogs explaining the detailed mechanism of Shurink and Ulthera, but they can be long and complicated. Let me explain it simply.
Do you remember using a magnifying glass to burn paper in the school playground when you were young? The principle is similar.
๐ฅ The "Grilling Meat" Analogy
The ultrasound energy gathers to create coagulation points on the fascia (SMAS layer) under the skin. Simply put, it slightly burns the fascia.
Think of grilling meat. When heat is applied to the fascia of the meat, it shrinks, right? Applying energy to our facial fascia makes it shrink as well!
โ This shrinking effect causes the skin to stick to the face, making the face shape appear slightly smaller.
Why is Ulthera every 6 months while Shurink is every 3 months? simple. Ulthera has stronger output, takes longer to perform, is more painful, and is more expensive.
ย
4. Side Effects: Cheek Hollowing โ ๏ธ
You might have heard stories about people getting cheek hollowing (sunken cheeks) after these procedures. Yes, there are specific areas that cause cheek hollowing.
If high energy is applied to the side cheek area (often under the cheekbone), the skin gets pressed inward, causing hollowing. Avoiding this specific "danger zone" significantly reduces the risk.
Therefore, before receiving the procedure, please tell your doctor that you are worried about cheek hollowing!
I always mention this before the procedure and proceed after designing (drawing) on the face to mark the danger zones. Thanks to this, I haven't had a single patient complain about cheek hollowing yet. hehe.
ย
Summary: Key Takeaways ๐
It's time to wrap up the post. Here are a few final tips for you.
๐ข Maintenance Interval Checker
Lifting Procedure Summary
Frequently Asked Questions โ
That's it for today's guide on Shurink and Ulthera. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact Tatoa Clinic. Thank you for reading this long post!
For more details, you can consult with us via KakaoTalk. See you next time! ๐