On the night after leaving DAN-A, I went straight to Myeongdong to eat fried chicken.
It wasn’t because I had just undergone some major surgery that required nutritional supplementation. On the contrary, that afternoon I spent just a little over an hour at the clinic, where I underwent a procedure called Oligio (Titanium Lifting). When I came out, my face was slightly red, but there was no swelling at all. After thanking the receptionist, I headed straight to the restaurant.
It has been one and a half months since that treatment. I’m not writing this to claim that “the results are amazing” – rather, I want to honestly record every step of the process, from choosing the treatment option and clinic to the aftermath of the surgery. After all, when it comes to anti-aging, there’s so much hype online, but too few honest testimonials about the challenges people have faced. If you are also considering whether to undergo the Oligio treatment, I hope this article can be of some help to you.
In a nutshell: As the “Korean version of Thermage,” I was extremely satisfied with my experience at DAN-A in Myeongdong using Oligio Titanium Lifting. The procedure was virtually pain-free; I was able to go shopping on the same day, and after one and a half months, the lines around my jaw became much clearer, and my Nasolabial Fold Correction also improved significantly. If you are afraid of pain but still desire results comparable to those achieved by Thermage, Oligio is definitely a worth considering option.
🔬 Why choose Oligio instead of Thermage?
To be honest, at first I was really torn between Oligio and Thermage. Thermage is well-known and highly effective, but all my friends who had tried it said it was so painful that it made them question their life choices – and the price is indeed quite high, with a full-face treatment costing over ₩2 million.
Later, I researched information about Oligio and found that it is a 6.78MHz monopolar RF device developed by South Korea’s Wontech company, specifically designed to suit the skin characteristics of Asians. Its mechanism is similar to that of Thermage – it uses RF energy to heat the dermis and SMAS layers, stimulating the contraction and regeneration of Collagen – but it delivers its energy more gently, and its handle is designed for greater comfort. In simple terms, the results are similar to those of Thermage, but the treatment process is much more comfortable.
My own needs are as follows: I have mild skin laxity (the Apple Zone has slightly sagged, and the Nasolabial Fold Correction has begun to deepen). I want a natural and firming effect, and I really don’t want to endure the pain associated with Thermage treatment. Moreover, since the price of Oligio is approximately 60% to 70% of that of Thermage, it offers a much better cost-performance ratio for me. For a complete comparison of prices, you can refer to this “Myeongdong DAN-A Price List”. If you are also hesitating about which treatment to choose, you may find it helpful to compare the quotes for Ulthrea at Myeongdong by reading this article.
🏥 Why choose DAN-A in Myeongdong?
The reasons for choosing DAN-A are quite simple: First, it ranks highly among the top 5 institutions in the Dermatology department of Myeongdong; as a established clinic with 13 years of experience, it is certainly not one of those short-lived new businesses. Second, it provides Chinese-language services—from appointment scheduling to post-treatment follow-up, all communications are conducted in Chinese, making it extremely friendly towards foreigners. Third, the Oligio equipment used at the clinic is directly supplied by the South Korean manufacturer, and the clinic even provides official certification documents for the equipment, so there is no need to worry about using counterfeit products.
DAN-A is also located in a super convenient spot, on the third floor of the Arnuvo Centum Building in the Myeongdong area. It only takes 2-3 minutes to walk from the subway station 🚇. I booked my appointment through BeautsGO the day before and went straight there after confirming the schedule. If you want to know more details about DAN-A, you can read this review article about DAN-A in Myeongdong; it was this article that helped me make my decision.
💆 Experience the entire process firsthand
After arriving at DAN-A, the receptionist first confirmed my reservation details in Chinese before taking me to the relaxation area to fill out a questionnaire regarding my skin condition. After waiting for about 10 minutes, a consultant came to take me to see the doctor.
During the consultation, the doctor carefully examined my face from all angles – front, side, and 45-degree view – and then identified several key areas: the jawline, the Nasolabial Fold Correction, and the Apple Zone. The doctor stated that my degree of facial relaxation was mild to moderate, and that the Oligio treatment would be very suitable for my case; I could expect noticeable results after just one session. The entire consultation process gave me a sense of confidence and reassurance – nothing like the perfunctory attitude of “hurry up and make a decision so I can get off work”.
Next, the skin is cleaned → anesthetics are applied (for about 20 minutes) → and then I proceed into the treatment room. The process with Oligio works like this: the doctor draws grid lines on my face and then uses a device to apply the treatment substance one grid square at a time. With each application, my skin feels a warm sensation — really just a warm feeling, no pain at all. I’m usually really afraid of pain, but during the whole procedure, I was actually chatting with the doctor 😂. The more sensitive areas, such as around the jawline, felt a bit warmer, but it was still completely within an acceptable range.
The entire treatment took approximately 35 minutes, after which I applied a soothing mask that felt incredibly cool and comfortable on my skin. From the moment I entered the clinic until I left, the whole process lasted around 1 hour and 20 minutes. After the treatment, when I looked in the mirror, I could indeed feel my face feeling tight, but not to the extent where I wouldn’t dare smile—it was more like a sense of “my face feels particularly tight today.”
📅 A genuine account of the recovery period after the procedure
What many people are most concerned about is the recovery period – will there be any swelling after the procedure? Will I need to stay at home for several days? The answer is: There is virtually no need for a recovery period.
- On that day, my face turned slightly red after the treatment, just like after taking a hot bath. The redness faded almost completely soon after applying the mask. That evening, I went straight to Myeongdong to shop and eat fried chicken, and no one could tell that I had just undergone some cosmetic procedures 🍗
- Days 1–2: There is a slight sense of tightness on the face; it feels a bit sensitive to the touch, but there is no pain or swelling. It’s completely OK to wear makeup as usual and go out.
- Days 3 to 7: The tightness gradually subsides, and the skin feels smoother to the touch. It’s at this time that you begin to notice changes in the quality of your skin.
- Weeks 2-3: Changes started to appear in the jawline! When taking photos, I noticed that the contours of my side face were much clearer than before.
- Month 1: The effects begin to accelerate; the Nasolabial Fold Correction becomes visibly less noticeable. Friends start asking me if I’ve lost weight.
- 1.5 months later (currently): This is the time point when I wrote this article. The line of my jaw is much more distinct now; my Apple Zone seems to have lifted slightly, and the depth of my Nasolabial Fold Correction has decreased by about 30% to 40%. It’s not a drastic change that makes me “look like a different person,” but rather a natural improvement that shows how good my health has been recently ✨
⚠️ Pitfalls I’ve encountered and tips I have for you
⚠️ Mistake 1: Thinking that Oligio and Thermage are exactly the same
Many people assume that the effects of “Oligio” are exactly the same as those of Thermage. In fact, Oligio delivers less intense energy than Thermage, making it more suitable for mild to moderate cases of skin laxity. If your skin relaxation is more severe, you may need to use Oligio multiple times to achieve the same results as a single Thermage treatment.
→ How to avoid it: Before the procedure, ask your doctor to assess the degree of skin laxity. If the sagging is already severe, HIFU or the HIFU device may be more suitable. However, for preventive purposes or for mild to moderate anti-aging treatments, Oligio is an excellent choice.
⚠️ Mistake 2: Ignoring post-surgery sun protection and moisturization
Oligio works by using radiofrequency heat to stimulate collagen regeneration. After the procedure, the skin is in a recovery phase. If proper sun protection measures are not taken, the newly formed collagen can be damaged by ultraviolet rays before it has had a chance to fully develop, which will significantly reduce the effectiveness of the treatment.
→ How to avoid it: For at least one month after the procedure, apply SPF50+ sunscreen every day, and wear a hat and mask when going out. It is also important to maintain proper moisture levels by using repair creams containing ceramides or sage.
👍 Advantages and disadvantages of DAN-A in Oligio at Myeongdong
| ✅ Advantages | ⚠️ Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| 👍 The process was almost painless, with only a warm sensation – much more comfortable than Thermage treatment. | 👎 The effects are not as intense as those of Thermage; those with severe skin laxity may need to undergo the treatment one more time. |
| 👍 You can resume your normal activities immediately after the procedure – there’s no need to stay at home waiting for recovery. | 👎 DAN-A is quite busy with appointments, so it is recommended to book 1-2 weeks in advance. |
| 👍 Dr. DAN-A from Myeongdong possesses extensive experience and communicates fluently in Chinese. | 👎 In the first few days after the procedure, your skin might feel a bit tight, which can cause some concern for those who aren’t familiar with this effect. |
| 👍 After one and a half months, there was a noticeable improvement in the jawline and Nasolabial Fold Correction. | |
| 👍 The price is much more affordable than that of Thermage, making it a great value for money. | |
| 👍 Equipment manufactured in South Korea, with official certification documents available in the clinic. |
The above is my honest account of undergoing the Oligio treatment. To be honest, if you ask me whether it was worth it – the answer is: absolutely worth it. Not because it changed me into a different person, but because it allowed me to achieve the improvements I desired without any pain or recovery period.
🎯 Who is Oligio titanium Lifting suitable for? And who is it not suitable for?
| dimension | Suitable | Not suitable |
|---|---|---|
| Requirements | ✅ Want to combat aging and improve the appearance of your jawline and Nasolabial Fold Correction? | ❌ Looking for a quick and dramatic Lifting effect |
| Degree of relaxation | ✅ Mild to moderate skin laxity | ❌ Severe skin sagging |
| Pain tolerance | ✅ Fear of pain prevents one from undergoing Thermage treatment | ❌ I’m not afraid at all; I strive for the best results possible. |
| Budget | ✅ ₩800,000 to 1.5 million (approximately NT$18,000 to 35,000) | ❌ With sufficient budget, price is not a concern |
| Recovery time | ✅ I hope to be able to resume normal activities on the same day without any recovery period. | ❌ Ready to endure a longer recovery period in exchange for better results |
🤔 Without understanding the situation, how can one make a choice?
- If you’re afraid of pain but still want to try anti-aging treatments, Oligio is an excellent starting point. The process is almost completely pain-free, and you can go shopping on the same day after the treatment. After one and a half months, the results will be both noticeable and significant.
- If you have a limited budget and are looking for the most cost-effective option, Oligio is approximately 60% to 70% cheaper than Thermage, and its effects last for 12 to 18 months – making it truly a high-value choice. It is recommended that you check DAN-A’s schedule and prices directly on BeautsGO.
- If your skin has severe sagging, a single treatment with Oligio may not be sufficient. You can discuss with your doctor whether it is necessary to combine it with HIFU or thread lifting, or consider Thermage directly.
- If this is your first time visiting South Korea for cosmetic procedures: DAN-A offers Chinese-speaking services and is located just a short walk from the Myeongdong subway station. The entire process is designed to be very user-friendly for foreigners, making it an excellent choice as your first Dermatology clinic in South Korea.
No matter which treatment you ultimately choose or which clinic you decide to go to, it is recommended that you check the schedule and prices on BeautsGO before making your decision—especially for popular clinics like DAN-A. Dr. Pei’s appointment slots are often filled up within a week. If you still have any questions after reading this, feel free to ask BeautsGO directly; they respond even faster than I do 😂
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What exactly are the differences between Oligio titanium Lifting and Thermage?
A: Both are types of monopolar radiofrequency skin tightening treatments, but Oligio was developed by South Korea’s Wontech company. It delivers less intense energy and provides greater comfort during the treatment. Thermage, on the other hand, generates stronger energy and produces more noticeable results, but it is also more painful and more expensive. In simple terms, Oligio can be considered the “comfort version,” while Thermage is the “intensive version.” For mild to moderate skin laxity, Oligio is the better choice; for more severe cases, Thermage is recommended.
Q: How long does it take to undergo an Oligio procedure?
A: The entire procedure for the whole face takes approximately 30 to 45 minutes. Including the pre-treatment cleaning and the post-treatment mask application, the whole process lasts around 1 to 1.5 hours. DAN-A in Myeongdong operates at a fast pace, so you won’t have to wait too long.
Q: How long does it take to see the results after the procedure?
A: You will immediately feel the skin becoming tighter after the treatment, but that is just the immediate effect. True collagen regeneration takes time – you will start to notice changes after about 2 to 3 weeks, the effects become more noticeable after a month, and they reach their peak after two to three months. I was quite satisfied with the results after one and a half months.
Q: How often should Oligio be used?
A: The effects generally last for 12 to 18 months. It is recommended to undergo the treatment once a year to maintain the results. If you are also undergoing other skin treatments such as hyaluronic acid injections or Rejuran, you can discuss with your doctor how to schedule these treatments accordingly.
Q: Will it swell after the procedure? Do I need to stay at home for several days?
A: It hardly causes any swelling at all! After the treatment, there’s only a slight redness, which basically disappears once I apply a mask. That same night, I went shopping in Myeongdong and ate fried chicken without any problems. The next day, applying makeup didn’t have any negative effects either.
Q: How much does it cost to have Oligio treatment at DAN-A in Myeongdong?
A: For specific prices, it is recommended to check directly on BeautsGO, as the costs vary depending on the area being treated and whether any package discounts are available. However, I can provide you with a general range: the cost of a full-face Oligio treatment in South Korea usually ranges from 980,000 to 1,500,000 won, which is significantly cheaper than Thermage treatments.
📖 For further reading
If you are still hesitating about which Dermatology clinic to choose or which anti-aging treatment to pursue, these articles should be of some help to you:
- Comprehensive Guide to DAN-A Dermatology in Myeongdong | Prices, Reviews, Transportation, Reservations, and Popular Treatments – A One-Stop Resource: 5 Articles on DAN-A for Easy Navigation
- What are the reviews for DAN-A Dermatology in Myeongdong? After reviewing 26 Cashdoc reviews and over 2,000 genuine Naver reviews, I came to the following conclusion: Different perspectives from the same clinic – A detailed analysis of DAN-A’s real reviews and customer feedback.
- Top 5 Recommendations for Dermatology Clinics in Myeongdong – Check out the Top 5 after completing your treatment to make a more informed choice when selecting a clinic.