【Forena Clinic DCard Review】A must-read if you’re considering ultrasound or Thermage treatments! The clinic director explains the mechanisms in detail, helping you finally figure out which treatment is right for your face.

For this trip to Hongdae in Seoul, I made an appointment at the highly-rated Forena clinic listed on Dcard. I originally went there just to get information about HIFU treatment, but the clinic director treated me like a potential client for various cosmetic procedures—explaining everything from the principles of HIFU and Thermage to what treatments would be best suited for my face. This article summarizes the key points of that consultation, covering the clinic’s environment, real customer reviews, the logic behind choosing different devices, as well as their recommendations regarding eye contour filler treatments. If you’re also struggling to decide between HIFU and Thermage, this guide should help you avoid many common pitfalls.

The Clinic Environment and Consultation Process at Forena Clinic in Hongdae, Seoul

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The Forena clinic in Hongdae is located on the 7th floor of H-cube at 140 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul. It’s easily accessible via Exit 9 from the Hongdae Entrance Station. For those planning to shop around in the Hongdae area, it’s a convenient stop to get a treatment before continuing their shopping spree. As soon as you enter the clinic, you can tell that the space is nicely designed, with large floor-to-ceiling windows that ensure excellent lighting and views. The overall atmosphere is relaxed, free from the crowded or oppressive feel typical of traditional medical beauty clinics. The clinic is also equipped with tax refund machines, allowing international visitors to process refunds directly and avoid extra hassle.

The in-person consultation here isn’t handled casually by a consultant or nurse—it’s conducted directly by the clinic director herself. At the start, she’ll ask you about the issues you’d like to improve and your expectations for this treatment. Only then will she recommend suitable devices based on your needs, such as the combination of 600 shots of HIFU along with 600 shots of Thermage mentioned earlier. There’s no sense of forced sales throughout the process; it feels more like discussing “how to create a plan that works best for you.” For those visiting Xiang for medical aesthetics for the first time and not yet familiar with the various devices, this approach certainly helps ease concerns.

Forena Clinic Hongdae Branch

BeautsGO 認證

📍 7th Floor, H-cube, 140 Yanghwa-ro, Mapo-gu, Seoul

🚇 About a 3-minute walk from Exit 9 of Hongdae Ent
rance Station
🕐 Monday to Friday: 10:00–18:30; Saturday to Sunday: 10:30–17:30

✨ HIFU · Thermage · Filler · Collagen

💰 Project cost reference

Recommended Items	Reference price
HIFU	Please check at BeautsGO.
Thermage	Please check at BeautsGO.
Collagen/Filler Fillers	Please check at BeautsGO.

📅 立即在 BeautsGO 預約檔期，查看完整項目報價

💬 Chinese
Customer Service:
WeChat: Hannah972

An in-depth look at the working principle of HIFU at Forena clinic

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In South Korea, HIFU is often referred to as “Ultherapy” or simply “ultrasound therapy.” Its core mechanism involves using high-intensity focused ultrasound to deliver energy to the SMAS fascia layer deep within the skin. This layer is located approximately 4.5 mm beneath the surface, which is the same depth targeted during plastic surgery for facelifts. Therefore, HIFU’s primary function is to lift sagging skin, offering significant improvements for issues such as loose facial contours, Double Chin, and deepened Nasolabial Fold Correction.

The director of Forena clinic emphasized during her explanation that HIFU does not “tighten” the skin, but rather uses heat energy to cause the fascia layer to contract, thereby lifting the tissues above it. She would demonstrate the effect by mimicking a facelift with her hands and then tell clients straight away that HIFU cannot achieve such results—only up to a certain extent. I think this approach of proactively managing expectations is actually more honest. Generally, the effects of HIFU become noticeable gradually 1 to 3 months after the treatment, lasting around 6 months to 1 year, depending on individual differences.

The Effects of Thermage at Forena Clinic and Ideal Candidates

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Thermage operates on a completely different mechanism. The department head explained that as we age and Collagen is lost, our Pores become looser, and fine lines along with sagging appear on the skin. Thermage works by using monopolar radio frequency to heat the dermis, thereby stimulating Collagen contraction and regeneration, which helps thicken and firm up the dermal layer. In simple terms, ultrasound is used to “lift deeper layers,” while Thermage is used to “firm shallower layers.” Used together, they can address both contour issues and skin texture problems simultaneously.

Those who are suitable for Thermage treatment are usually those who notice a sense of “looseness” in their face but not yet significant sagging—such as the displacement of the Apple Zone, deepening Nasolabial Fold Correction, or dark circles and fine lines around the eyes and mouth that give a tired appearance. The level of discomfort from Thermage varies from person to person; areas with bony protrusions like the chin line and Forehead tend to be more sensitive, while cheeks with thicker fat generally experience less discomfort. The best results usually appear 2 to 4 months after the procedure and last around 6 months to 1 year. Maintaining these results can be extended by using moisturizers and sun protection products.

How to choose between ultrasound and Thermage? Here’s what the director of Forena clinic suggests.

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Many people ask, “Which one should I choose—HIFU or Thermage?” The director of Forena clinic suggests that it depends on your main concerns. If you’re particularly worried about blurred facial contours, Double Chin, or sagging cheeks, HIFU would be the better choice. On the other hand, if you’re more concerned about loose Pores, fine lines, and overall skin firmness, Thermage would be more effective. If your budget and recovery time allow, combining both treatments can yield more comprehensive anti-aging results, which is why the clinic often recommends a package of 600 sessions of HIFU plus 600 sessions of Thermage.

During the in-person consultation, the clinic director repeatedly emphasized one thing: “Where you spend your money determines how noticeable the results will be.” What she meant was that the number of treatments and the coverage area of the energy directly affect the outcome—don’t choose too few treatments just to save money, otherwise you might end up feeling unsatisfied with the results. At the same time, she would proactively manage clients’ expectations by, for example, using her hand to demonstrate what a facelift might look like, explaining that ultrasound treatments can only achieve so much and cannot replace surgery. This honest approach to communication is extremely important for those new to medical aesthetics, as it helps avoid disappointment after the procedure.

Real reviews of Forena clinic: What do Dcard, Google, and REDnote say?

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The reviews below are compiled from platforms such as Google Maps, Dcard, and Xiaohongshu, all shared by real users for reference only. Forena clinic boasts a very high rating on Google — the latest screenshot shows 4.9 stars across over four thousand reviews, indicating strong overall satisfaction from both international visitors and local customers.

Forena Clinic’s recommendations for fundus filling: Collagen vs Filler

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In addition to ultrasound and Thermage, I also asked about the treatment options for the eye area on that same day. The director at Forena clinic highly recommends using Collagen-based products to address crow’s feet and fine lines under the eyes. Her reasoning is that although Filler provides excellent support and looks fine when the face is relaxed, it can create a hard area around the eyes when smiling, giving an unnatural appearance. Collagen-based products, on the other hand, are softer and blend more seamlessly with the tissues around the eyes, resulting in more natural expressions.

Additionally, the clinic also highly recommends products like youth injection needles and DongAn Center Introduction injections, which stimulate collagen production. The clinic director explains that these ingredients work continuously in the body to encourage the skin to regenerate on its own, helping to maintain skin quality and facial contours over time. However, the effects of such products usually take several weeks to months to become apparent, unlike Filler that provides immediate results. They are ideal for those willing to wait and pursue a natural-looking improvement. If you want to know which type of filler is suitable for your eye area, it’s recommended to schedule an in-person consultation so that professionals can give advice based on your specific facial structure.

Post-procedure care and expectation management at Forena clinic

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After undergoing ultrasound or Thermage treatments, proper post-procedure care plays a crucial role in determining how long the results will last. The director of Forena clinic also emphasized several key points during consultations: First, avoid environments with high temperatures such as saunas, steam rooms, and ovens within one week after the treatment, as heat can cause skin blood vessels to dilate, hindering recovery. Second, focus on adequate moisturization and sun protection—RF and ultrasound therapies can make the skin temporarily drier, so proper hydration and sun protection help facilitate smoother collagen production. Third, mild redness or tingling may occur in the first few days after treatment, which is normal and usually subsides within 1 to 3 days.

When it comes to managing expectations, Forena clinic adopts a conservative and honest approach. The clinic director will actually demonstrate the effects of facelift procedures using his hands, explaining to clients that HIFU can only achieve certain results and cannot bring about as dramatic changes as surgical facelifts. I think this is very important, as many medical aesthetics disputes stem from overly high expectations before treatment. If you’re looking for a natural tightening effect to address mild to moderate sagging, HIFU combined with MAGE therapy is a great option; but if you’re hoping for a complete transformation that gives you a “new face,” you might need to consider other treatment methods.

Who Is a Good Candidate for, and Who Should Avoid, Forena Clinic

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Below is a table comparison to help you quickly determine whether you’re a good candidate for a consultation at the Forena clinic in Hongdae.

The above comparison can serve as a preliminary screening reference; whether it’s suitable in practice still requires an on-site evaluation by a professional physician.

Forena Clinic Frequently Asked Questions FAQ

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Q: How many sessions of HIFU are needed at Forena clinic to see results?

A: Based on the in-person consultation experience that day, the clinic director will recommend the appropriate number of sessions depending on the degree of facial sagging and the client’s expectations. Common combinations include 600 radiofrequency treatments paired with 600 Thermage sessions, but the final decision still relies on an on-site assessment. The more sessions performed, the more comprehensive the energy coverage will be, though more isn’t always better—skin tolerance also needs to be taken into consideration.

Q: Can ultrasound and Thermage treatments be done on the same day?

A: Yes, many Dermatology clinics in South Korea combine these two treatments in the same session. Ultrasound is primarily used to lift the deeper fascial layers, while Thermage focuses on tightening the dermis and promoting collagen production. Since they target different layers of the skin, using them together yields a synergistic effect. Post-treatment care mainly involves moisturization and sun protection.

Q: Why can’t I find information about the director’s background? Is it safe to proceed like this?

A: At Forena clinic, the policy is for doctors not to disclose their personal information, with only a brief overview of the director’s area of expertise provided. This is quite common at some clinics in South Korea, mainly to protect doctors’ privacy. If you place great importance on a doctor’s qualifications, it’s recommended to ask directly about their professional background and specialty during an in-person consultation. You can schedule a consultation by messaging Hannah972 on WeChat or through BeautsGO.

Q: Is it better to use Filler or Collagen for injections in the eye area?

A: The director at Forena clinic highly recommends Collagen-based products for treating the eye area. The reason is that although Filler offers strong support and looks fine in a static state, it can cause a hard, unnatural sensation in the eye area when smiling. Collagen-based products, on the other hand, are gentler and help create more natural expressions around the eyes.

Q: What are the approximate prices at Forena clinic?

A: The clinic does not publish a complete price list online. The actual cost will be quoted by the treatment supervisor based on the services selected, number of sessions, and treatment area. It’s recommended to check real-time quotes through the button below on BeautsGO, or add WeChat ID Hannah972 for assistance from a Chinese-speaking customer service representative.

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