Quick answer: In Korean clinics, "InMode lifting" usually means a combination of two radiofrequency handpieces: Mini FX, which targets small pockets of facial fat such as the double chin and jowls, and Forma, which heats the skin to tighten and smooth it. Each session takes about 20 to 40 minutes with little downtime, and most people book a short course of sessions spaced one to two weeks apart for the best contouring results.
How InMode works
Mini FX: fat reduction and contouring
Mini FX uses radiofrequency combined with high-voltage pulses to disrupt fat cells in small, targeted areas. The body clears the affected cells gradually over the following weeks, which can refine the jawline and reduce under-chin fullness.
Forma: tightening and skin quality
Forma delivers controlled, comfortable heat to the dermis with continuous temperature monitoring. This contracts collagen and stimulates new collagen, giving firmer, smoother skin. It feels like a warm massage and is often added at the end of an FX session.
Best areas for InMode
- Double chin and submental fullness.
- Jowls and the lower face.
- Cheek fullness near the nasolabial folds.
- Mild laxity across the full face and neck (with Forma).
Who is a good candidate?
InMode suits people with localised facial fat and mild to moderate skin laxity who want a slimmer, more defined lower face without surgery. It is less suitable for very thin faces, where fat reduction could make the face look hollow, or for significant sagging that needs surgical lifting.
InMode vs HIFU lifting
- Main goal: InMode FX reduces fat and contours; HIFU such as Ulthera or Shurink lifts by tightening deeper support layers.
- Sessions: InMode is usually a course of several sessions; HIFU is often a single session with periodic maintenance.
- Combination: many patients pair InMode for contouring with HIFU or Thermage for lifting.
What to expect
- Consultation: the doctor checks fat thickness and skin laxity and marks the areas.
- FX treatment: short, strong pulses with a brief snapping sensation in each spot.
- Forma treatment: a gliding warm handpiece for tightening.
- After: redness and mild swelling that usually settle within a day.
Results and number of sessions
Skin may feel tighter immediately after Forma, while fat reduction from FX appears gradually over 4 to 12 weeks. Clinics commonly suggest 3 to 5 sessions spaced 1 to 2 weeks apart, followed by maintenance. Results depend on your anatomy, lifestyle and weight stability.
Side effects
- Redness, warmth and mild swelling.
- Tenderness or small bruises in the FX area.
- Temporary firmness or numbness under the chin.
- Rarely, superficial burns if settings are not appropriate, which is why treatment by trained staff matters.
Planning InMode on a trip to Busan
Because results build over several sessions, InMode is best suited to longer stays or Korea residents. Short-stay travellers can still benefit from a single session, especially combined with a lifting device, and continue maintenance at home.
Cost in Busan
InMode (Forma and Mini FX) typically costs about ₩100,000 to ₩400,000 per session in Busan in 2026, with courses of three to five sessions.
Planning InMode during a trip to Busan
Mild swelling may last a day. Three to five sessions are common. Most international visitors stay in Seomyeon, the city's largest clinic district and a central subway hub, or in Haeundae and Centum City near the beach. Seomyeon is about 35 minutes from Gimhae International Airport by light rail and subway and about 12 minutes from Busan Station (KTX) on Line 1, while Haeundae is about 30 to 40 minutes further east on Line 2. Book your consultation before you arrive, share your travel dates with the clinic, and leave at least one buffer day before your flight in case you want a follow-up check.
Questions to ask at your consultation
- Does the price include FX and Forma?
- How many sessions?
- Is a package available?
- Is the clinic registered with HIRA, and who will perform the treatment?
- Does the written quote include VAT, numbing cream and any follow-up visit?
- How can I contact the clinic with questions after I return home?
How to choose a clinic for InMode in Busan
Busan has roughly 1,000 registered clinics across dermatology, plastic surgery and other specialties, so it is worth comparing a few before you book. Start by checking that the clinic is listed with Korea's Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA), then look at the doctor's specialty and experience with InMode. In Korea, a clinic name that includes "Dermatology" (피부과) or "Plastic Surgery" (성형외과) indicates the director is a board-certified specialist in that field. During consultation, a good clinic will explain realistic results, side effects and alternatives, give you a written quote, and never pressure you into same-day packages. Read recent patient reviews with a critical eye, and favour clinics that provide English aftercare instructions and a clear way to contact them after you leave Korea.
Frequently asked questions
Is InMode painful?
FX causes brief, sharp sensations; Forma feels warm and relaxing. Most people tolerate both without anaesthesia, though numbing cream can be used.
Can InMode replace liposuction?
No. It is designed for small, localised areas and modest changes. Larger fat volumes are better treated surgically.
When can I return to normal activities?
Immediately for most people. Avoid saunas and intense exercise for a day if you have redness or swelling.
This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Figures and prices are indicative and may change; always confirm details with a licensed physician and request a written quote before any procedure.
