Before going to Busan, two of my close friends had already undergone HIFU treatment in South Korea. One said it was so painful that she cried, while the other claimed she didn’t feel anything at all. With no idea what I would experience myself, I went to THE FIRST DERMATOLOGY CLINIC in Busan and scheduled a session with Director Seo Ji-soo. It’s been a month now, so let me honestly share my thoughts about the experience.
Why was Busan Debusoft ultimately chosen?
To be honest, at first I wanted to go to a well-known chain clinic in Gangnam – they had a good reputation and many successful cases, so the risk of encountering problems seemed lower. Later, when I looked at the information about Busan Debeost on BeautsGO, several aspects really impressed me: First, the “director personally performs all procedures” policy – Dr. Seo Ji-soo would handle everything from the pre-treatment assessment to the actual procedure herself, rather than just meeting the patient once and then leaving. Second, they charged foreigners the same price as locals, without any additional fees. Third, the price of the second-generation HIFU device (Ulthrea) started at 1.21 million won, which was clearly more affordable than in Taiwan.
What finally convinced me was the high cost-performance ratio of traveling to Busan itself – the air tickets were cheaper than those to Seoul, and accommodation costs were also lower. On top of that, it was feasible to visit Gancheon-dong to see the Little Prince and enjoy some pork soup rice during the same trip, making it actually more economical than going to Seoul specifically for medical beauty treatments.
Preoperative assessment: It’s a bit different from what I had expected.
I originally thought that a pre-operative assessment simply meant “lying naked so that the doctor could examine my skin”, but to my surprise, DeFoster in Busan used a professional skin testing device. Before starting the procedure, Dr. Xu took several photos of my face under different lighting conditions, and on the screen, we could immediately see the extent of Collagen loss and the distribution of elasticity in the deeper layers of my skin.
This step really surprised me. I had undergone two other treatments in Taiwan before, but the medical institution never took any pre-treatment measurements using instruments. Director Xu pointed at the screen and said, “Your contour lines here (referring to the lower jaw line) show the most obvious signs of relaxation, and your Apple Zone also has some mild sagging. This time, the HIFU treatment will focus mainly on these two areas.” It was only at that moment that I truly understood why the number of HIFU sessions assigned to each person varies—turns out that the areas that need treatment really differ from person to person.
Process of injection: How painful is it actually?
Let me state the conclusion first: It was more comfortable than I expected, but not completely painless. I had 600 sessions of full-face treatment, and Dr. Xu mentioned that the area where the lower jawline meets the neck would be more sensitive, suggesting that I could raise my hand if the discomfort became too intense.
At the beginning of the treatment, areas with thinner bones such as the Forehead and temples experienced mild stinging and soreness—not a sharp pain, but more of a sensation of being “pressed deep into the underlying tissues.” In contrast, soft tissue areas like the cheeks and Apple Zone felt relatively comfortable; this was probably because the heat from the HIFU reached the fascia layer, but the density of nerve endings in those areas was lower. The entire treatment took approximately 45 minutes. During the procedure, Director Xu would comment, “You’ll feel this area being tightened” or “This region is stimulating the regeneration of Collagen,” and this sense of “clearly seeing the process happening” helped to ease patients’ concerns.
Immediate postoperative results: They’re not quite what’s described online.
Many people ask, “Does HIFU show results immediately after the treatment?” To be honest, what I observed right after the procedure was mainly mild redness and swelling in the face; on the contrary, the contours seemed a bit blurred due to the edema. Those online photos showing “instantly smaller V-shaped cheeks” are, in large part, the result of photo editing or clever lighting angles.
However, around the 3rd to 4th day after the procedure, once the swelling subsided, I truly began to notice that the contours of my face were starting to “tighten” up. It wasn’t that my face suddenly became smaller; rather, when I washed my face in the morning, I felt that my skin was a bit more firm and toned than before.
A month of actual results recorded
On the 7th day after the procedure: The swelling had completely subsided, and I began to notice a slight tightening of the facial contours. The depth of the Nasolabial Fold Correction had decreased by approximately 10-15%. Although this wasn’t the final result, my makeup application felt much smoother than before.
On the 14th day after the procedure: The contours began to show obvious changes, and the lines of the lower jaw became clearer than before the treatment. It was at this moment that I truly understood why HIFU is considered a treatment that “brings beauty gradually”, rather than a quick-fix option that produces stunning results immediately but fades away within a week.
30 days after the procedure: The effects of HIFU reach their peak, with the contour lines becoming approximately 30-40% clearer than before the treatment. The depth of the Nasolabial Fold Correction is reduced, and the position of the Apple Zone appears to shift slightly upward, giving the person a much more refreshed look. It was only when my close friends asked me that I truly realized the “have you lost weight recently?” effect. The duration of these results varies from person to person and depends on individual skincare habits, but it generally lasts around 6-12 months.
What about the cost-performance ratio?
12.1 million won (approximately NT$28,000 to $32,000) yields 6 to 12 months of contouring and lifting effects – in my opinion, this is much more cost-effective than buying expensive luxury face creams. In Taiwan, similar HIFU treatments usually cost around NT$35,000 to $50,000, so South Korea’s price advantage is clear. Coupled with the great travel experience in Busan, the overall value of this medical beauty treatment is indeed satisfactory.
Frequently Asked Questions
**Q: Will the area remain swollen for a long time after HIFU treatment?**
A: The first three days after the procedure are the peak period for swelling. By the fourth day, the swelling begins to subside significantly, and by the seventh day, it is almost completely gone. If your work requires you to be in public, it is recommended to schedule the procedure on Friday. You can then take a two-day weekend off and return to work on Monday without any issues.
**Q: Can I wear makeup after having an HIFU treatment?**
A: It is recommended not to wear makeup on the day of the procedure; simply apply basic moisturizer and sunscreen to your face. Starting from the second day after the surgery, you can resume wearing makeup normally. It is advisable to choose mineral-based cosmetics to minimize irritation to your sensitive skin in the post-surgical period.
**Q: How many treatments are needed to see results?**
A: A single treatment with HIFU is sufficient to achieve effective results, with the effects lasting for 6 to 12 months. There is no need for multiple repeated treatments like some injectable procedures. It is recommended to have a regular treatment once a year or once every one and a half years as part of routine maintenance.
**Q: Which is more suitable for me, HIFU or Thermage?**
A: HIFU is primarily used for contour lifting (at the deep fascia layer), while Thermage is mainly used for skin tightening (at the superficial dermis layer). If you are experiencing both issues of sagging contours and loose skin, it is recommended to alternate between the two treatments, or ask Dr. Xu during your consultation which method should be prioritized first.
**Q: Can I take a plane back to Taiwan after the surgery?**
A: Yes. It is completely safe to fly after HIFU treatment; the pressure changes during flight will not affect the results of the treatment. It is recommended to drink plenty of water on the plane and carry a moisturizing spray with you, as long-distance flights can cause the skin to become dry after the procedure.
Related recommendations
- If you want to visit Debeo Store in Busan and read this article, here’s all you need to know: reservation methods, Chinese-speaking services, and cost information explained in detail.
- Don’t blindly rush to follow those popular online stores! Who is Dr. Xu from DeFoster in Busan? The personal consultation system and his professional background provide a deeper understanding of the services offered.
- Complete price list for DeFoster in Busan: How much do Thermage/Rejuran/Potenza cost in Taiwanese dollars?
- I was also extremely hesitant before going to DeFoster Dermatology in Busan. I was afraid it would be some kind of cold, impersonal, assembly-line-style service, but actually, this aspect completely surprised me…
- Real reviews of Busan DeFoster Dermatology: A truly hidden gem, or just marketing hype?
- How much does Thermage treatment cost at the Busan DeFoster Dermatology Institute? The latest 2026 prices are fully disclosed, and no additional fees are charged to foreigners.