ONDA + Titanium Lifting in Korea: Kathryn's Real Review, Explained by Her Doctor

I'm Dr. Hyunji Kim, director of Delphic Clinic in Sinnonhyeon, Gangnam. I trained at Korea University Medical Center, and I consult and treat every international patient myself — most of them are in Seoul for only a few days. The question Kathryn arrived with is one I hear almost every day: “Should I do ONDA or Titanium?” For her, the honest answer was both, in the same visit. Here is exactly why, what it felt like, what it costs, and who should not copy her plan.

Medically reviewed · Dr. Hyunji Kim · October 8, 2026

Why her visit started with a skin scan, not a menu

Most visitors message us with a treatment already chosen from social media. Kathryn did the opposite and let us measure first. The Mark-Vu analysis photographs the skin under different light settings and maps what a mirror hides — pigment below the surface, uneven hydration, texture and pores. It doesn't choose the treatment for you; it gives the consultation something objective to work from.

Then we sat down together. Her priority wasn't spots or tone, it was shape: she wanted her lower face and jawline to look more lifted and defined. That one sentence ruled out half of our menu. I've written up what a Seoul skin analysis actually shows if you want to see how the scan turns into a plan.

ONDA or Titanium? Why I chose both for her

These two devices are often compared as if they were rivals. In my treatment room they work on different layers of the face, which is exactly why they pair well.

1. 1

   ONDA — the deeper layer

   ONDA uses Coolwaves™ microwaves from DEKA (Italy). The skin surface stays cool while the heat acts on the deeper fat layer, so I reach for it when a face looks heavy along the jaw and lower cheeks, not just loose.

2. 2

   Titanium — the skin itself

   Titanium fires three laser wavelengths (755, 810 and 1064 nm) at once to warm the dermis. It targets firmness and skin quality, and many patients notice a brighter tone as a bonus.

3. 3

   One visit, one short recovery

   Done back to back, you get contour work and skin tightening in a single appointment with one recovery window — the practical reason this suits people who only have a few days in Seoul.

For the device-level detail, I've written separately about how ONDA tightens skin with microwaves and about titanium lifting for first-timers.

What the session actually feels like

Neither device needs anaesthetic injections. With ONDA, most people describe a deep, spreading warmth while the surface stays cool. Titanium uses a sapphire contact tip that cools the surface to around −3°C, so it feels like warm pulses rather than sharp heat. I adjust the energy area by area and check in as we go — you can tell me to stop at any point.

Afterwards you can walk out, eat and carry on with your day. A little redness or warmth for a day or two after Titanium is normal, and ONDA usually allows makeup the same day. I still prefer that it isn't booked on your final afternoon in Seoul, so there is a day for us to check on you if anything feels unusual.

What this plan costs at Delphic

We publish our prices, and international patients pay exactly what Korean patients pay — there is no foreigner price list. For a first visit, the most common version of this combination is ONDA face 40kJ plus Titanium 40kJ:

Energy levels are decided at the consultation, so your quote can differ: larger areas or higher energy cost more, and repeat sessions follow the regular menu. I've broken down what decides the titanium lifting cost in Korea, and there's a trip budget calculator for ONDA on the blog too.

What changes afterwards — and when

• Right after: skin often feels tighter and the face looks sharper. Part of that is early collagen contraction and part is mild swelling, so I ask patients not to judge on day one.
• Weeks 2–6: as the treated tissue remodels, the line along the jaw and lower cheeks tends to look cleaner.
• Around 2–3 months: collagen renewal continues — this is when a follow-up photo tells us the most.
• Maintenance: how long it lasts depends on age, skin and lifestyle. Keeping a stable weight helps the contour hold, and many patients plan a repeat after several months.

“Lifted and defined” is a fair description of how many patients feel in the first days. My job is to set the expectation for the weeks after, so nobody is disappointed by a timeline that was never realistic. Other patients' recovery photos are explained in our titanium lifting before-and-after guide.

Fitting it into a short Seoul trip

1. 1

   Before you fly

   Send a front and side photo on WhatsApp with your travel dates. I'll tell you whether this combination makes sense for you, or whether something simpler would do.

2. 2

   On the day

   Skin analysis, a 1:1 consultation with me, then treatment the same day if we both agree. English and Chinese interpreters are on site.

3. 3

   Finding us

   We're a short walk from Exit 3 of Sinnonhyeon Station in Gangnam.

4. 4

   After you leave

   Gentle skincare and daily sunscreen for a few days. Message us any time if something worries you — even after you've flown home.