Comparing Sagging Cheek Treatment Options: What's the Difference Between Ultherapy, Thermage, Shurink, and InMode

When your jawline starts to look rounder and your cheeks feel like they're sagging downward, you may start looking into lifting treatments, but once you search, you may find yourself confused by the many names like Ultherapy, Thermage, Shurink, Onda, Titanium, and InMode, each with different explanations of how they work.

Most of these devices share a common mechanism: 'delivering thermal energy to the deep layers of the skin to stimulate the tissue, and in the process inducing an environment for collagen production to help care for elasticity.' However, the type of energy (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound HIFU, Radiofrequency RF, Microneedle RF, etc.), the depth it reaches, the pain and heat felt during the procedure, and the recovery period all differ by device, so 'the right choice for you' depends on your skin condition and degree of sagging.

Why does cheek sagging occur, and how do these treatments work?

Sagging cheeks are known to be a complex phenomenon caused not only by reduced elasticity of the skin itself but also by the loosening of the support structures beneath the skin (the SMAS layer and fat tissue) together. For this reason, surface-level moisturizing care alone often provides limited noticeable results, and lifting procedures that deliver stimulation to deeper layers are frequently considered.

Ultherapy and Shurink use ultrasound energy to reach the SMAS layer, while Thermage, InMode, and Oneda use radiofrequency (RF) energy to heat the dermis and subcutaneous fat layer. Titanium is classified as RF-based equipment with additional technology added. Regardless of the method, the skin may temporarily experience warmth, redness, and slight swelling immediately after the procedure. This is known to be a natural reaction occurring during the energy delivery process and typically subsides within a few days.

How recovery changes day by day after the procedure

Immediately after to day 3: This is the most sensitive period, during which the skin may feel red, tight, or slightly hot. Temporary swelling or bruising may also occur.

Day 4 to week 1: The acute reactions subside, but the skin often still feels dry and tight underneath. This is the time to switch to deep moisturizing care.

2 weeks to 1 month and beyond: While there are individual differences, skin tone and texture gradually stabilize during this period. Continuing sun protection and moisturizing care through this time is known to help with overall skin condition management.

Preparing your home care by stage

In the first 1 to 3 days after the procedure, the skin barrier is temporarily sensitive, so irritating ingredients (high-concentration acids, scrubs, etc.) should be avoided, and cleansing should be done gently with lukewarm water. During this period, it is recommended to use a low-irritation moisturizer focused on soothing and barrier care.

From day 4 onward, redness and warmth decrease, but tightness and dryness beneath the skin may remain. At this stage, switching from a light formula to moisturizing care that replenishes deep hydration can help support skin recovery.

Ultimately, post-procedure care can be understood as a two-stage flow: 'initial soothing → replenishing deep hydration afterward.' Keeping this flow in mind makes it much easier to plan home care, regardless of which products are used.

Summarized as a 2-STEP recovery routine

If you want to organize your post-lifting-procedure home care systematically, a 2-step routine tailored to timing can be helpful. This involves using a cream focused on soothing redness and warmth and barrier care for the first 1 to 3 days immediately after the procedure, and then switching to a cream focused on deep hydration and skin texture conditioning during the recovery period from day 4 onward.

ABJU Cream offers a 2-STEP solution tailored to these stage-specific needs, consisting of Ultra Cera-Rich Cream (STEP 1, for soothing and barrier care immediately after the procedure) and Hydro Re-Boosting Cream (STEP 2, for deep hydration and condition care during recovery). This can serve as a reference when planning home care after heat-energy-based lifting procedures such as Ultherapy, Thermage, Shurink, Oneda, Titanium, and InMode.

Home care makes the difference in post-procedure recovery

Lifting procedures work on different principles depending on the device, but they all share a common pattern: an initial phase when the skin becomes sensitive right after treatment, followed by a recovery phase where residual dryness remains. Aviju Cream's Ultra Cera-Rich Cream (STEP1) and Hydro Re-Boosting Cream (STEP2) are a 2-STEP home care solution designed to address these two phases.