Ultherapy vs Shurink in Korea: which one should you get? Price and longevity compared
Quick answer: Ultherapy and Shurink are both HIFU. Ultherapy is the original device, developed in the US, and treats the SMAS while the doctor watches a live ultrasound image. Shurink Universe is a Korean-made device used for maintenance. At Repic Clinic in Gangnam, Ultherapy starts at KRW 390,000 for 100 shots and Shurink at KRW 70,000 for 100 shots (September 2026, VAT excluded).
What is the difference between Ultherapy and Shurink?
Same principle, different device. Both focus ultrasound on single points to create thermal coagulation points in the SMAS, and over the following months collagen reorganises and pulls things tighter. They differ in three ways. Who makes the device, what the doctor can see during treatment, and the price.
| As of September 2026 | Ultherapy (Ulthera) | Shurink Universe |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Merz; the original HIFU, developed in the US | Korean-made |
| How energy is delivered | Layer checked on live ultrasound imaging while treating | Delivered at a preset depth, without imaging |
| Main use | Correcting visible sagging in one go | Maintenance every 3 to 6 months, early loss of firmness |
| Results | Develop over 2 to 3 months, last 6 months to 1 year | Gradual, repeated on a schedule |
| 600 shots (KRW, VAT excluded) | 1,890,000 | 350,000 |
Can Shurink replace Ultherapy?
If firmness is only just starting to go, yes. If the jawline has already dropped, it is difficult. The SMAS sits at different depths in different parts of the face. Because Ultherapy confirms that layer on screen before delivering energy, it can target the spots where lift actually happens; Shurink goes in evenly at its set depth. That is enough for maintenance, but too weak to expect a strong correction in one session.
The question I hear most is not which one is better. It is whether the cheaper one will do. Sometimes it will. If your cheeks have only just begun to fall and you can come in twice a year, Shurink makes sense. If instead you have an important family occasion or a photo shoot in two months and want your jawline to look different in pictures, go with Ultherapy.
Which one is right for me?
- Sagging is visible and you want it dealt with in one go: Ultherapy. We start from 300 shots for a jawline focus and 600 shots for the full face.
- Early loss of firmness, or protecting a contour you already have: Shurink Universe 400 or 600 shots every 3 to 6 months.
- Using both: Ultherapy sets the structure and Shurink holds it in between. Order and spacing are decided at assessment.
- Your concern is loose, thinning skin rather than sagging: neither is the answer. Look at Thermage FLX, which heats the dermis.
Will several Shurink sessions add up to one Ultherapy?
Usually not. HIFU lifts only when enough energy reaches the SMAS at one spot. A 100-shot session at KRW 70,000 covers one small zone. Spread that across the whole face and you warm the skin while the structure stays where it was. On paper three sessions equal one; in tissue they do not add up like that.
What I see in clinic: people spend the same money on four half-hearted sessions, see no change, and conclude that HIFU just does not work on them. Usually it was a dose problem. On a fixed budget, one properly dosed session is better, even on a less expensive device. Our three-session Shurink packages are designed to spread a year of maintenance, not to cut one treatment into thirds.
How much do Ultherapy and Shurink cost? (September 2026)
Prices are from Repic Gangnam's September 2026 price list and exclude 10% VAT, which is added at payment. The same prices apply to Korean and international patients; the tax-refund scheme for cosmetic procedures is no longer available in Korea. Pricing depends on area and dose, and you get an exact quote after assessment.
| Treatment (KRW, VAT excluded) | 1 session | 3 sessions |
|---|---|---|
| Ultherapy (Deep See) 100 / 300 / 600 shots | 390,000 / 990,000 / 1,890,000 | Per session only |
| Shurink Universe 100 shots | 70,000 | Per session only |
| Shurink Universe 400 shots | 250,000 | 650,000 |
| Shurink Universe 600 shots | 350,000 | 900,000 |
Ultherapy Prime, a higher-tier option introduced in September 2026, is priced separately, and we will tell you at assessment whether there is a reason to step up. If pain worries you, the sedation (sleep) option is available as a separate item. All prices are on our price page, and the consultation fee is fully deducted if you are treated the same day.
How we do it at Repic
We do not start from the price list. Mark-Vu photographs the skin surface, Meta-Vu records contour and volume in 3D, and the doctor examines whether your concern is dropped structure or thinning skin. Once the device is chosen, the doctor treats you personally, and the shot count is set at the minimum that works, not the maximum we could sell. Afterwards we plan home care with you. A lift is easier to keep than to create.
Related reading
Consultations and booking: Repic Clinic, B1 & 2F, 318 Gangnam-daero, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (Yeoksam-dong, TOWER837) · +82-2-6952-0312 · English-speaking staff on site · Book online
This is general information and does not replace a medical consultation. Results vary from person to person.
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Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between Ultherapy and Shurink?
- Both are HIFU that focus ultrasound on the SMAS to tighten sagging tissue. Ultherapy is Merz's original device, treating while the layer is checked on live ultrasound imaging; Shurink Universe is a Korean-made device that delivers at a preset depth without imaging. At Repic Clinic in Gangnam, Shurink is mainly used for maintenance.
Which is better, Ultherapy or Shurink?
- It depends on the goal. If sagging is visible and you want it corrected in one go, Ultherapy fits. If firmness is only starting to drop, or you want to protect a contour you already have, Shurink every 3 to 6 months is reasonable. Repic Clinic in Gangnam assesses how far things have dropped before choosing.
How much is Shurink in Korea?
- At Repic Clinic in Gangnam, Shurink Universe costs KRW 70,000 for 100 shots, KRW 250,000 for 400 shots (3 sessions KRW 650,000) and KRW 350,000 for 600 shots (3 sessions KRW 900,000). Ultherapy runs from KRW 390,000 for 100 shots to KRW 1,890,000 for 600 shots (September 2026, VAT excluded).
If I get Shurink often, can I skip Ultherapy?
- If loss of firmness is mild, yes. When the jawline has already dropped, though, splitting the budget into several weak sessions blurs the result, because each session lacks the energy to reach the SMAS properly. One well-dosed session beats several shallow ones. Repic Clinic in Gangnam will tell you which stage you are at.
Does Shurink hurt?
- Shurink is also HIFU, so each shot brings a stinging heat, and areas close to bone like the jaw and forehead feel sharper. Most people tolerate it, but pain sensitivity varies a lot. At Repic Clinic in Gangnam, a sedation (sleep) option can be added for either device as a separate item.
How often should you get Shurink?
- As a maintenance device, every 3 to 6 months is typical. The three-session packages for 400 and 600 shots are meant to be used over about a year, not crammed into a few weeks. Getting low shot counts more often does not make the lift stronger. Repic Clinic in Gangnam sets the interval with you.
Can I combine Ultherapy and Shurink?
- Yes, and it is a common choice for people who plan their skin by the year. Ultherapy sets the structure, with results building over 2 to 3 months and lasting 6 months to a year, and Shurink supports it every 3 to 6 months in between. Order and spacing are set at your Repic Clinic assessment.
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