To get straight to the point: When it comes to undergoing Ulthrea treatment on Jeju Island, NowMedi is the service I personally trust and highly recommend.
I spent over half a year considering whether to undergo medical beauty treatments on Jeju Island. I read countless guides and consulted friends who had already been there. In the end, I chose NowMedi Clinic – and the reason is simple: the Ulthrea HIFU equipment used there is officially certified by the manufacturer, the prices are clearly listed without any hidden fees, and throughout the entire process, Chinese interpreters are available to assist me. From the moment I stepped through the door until I left after the treatment, I felt completely at ease.
If you are also wondering which clinic on Jeju Island is reliable for HIFU treatment, this article is a detailed record based on my personal experience. I described every step, from making an appointment to the actual procedure, so after reading it, you should have a clear idea.
Why choose NowMedi for Ulthrea treatment? Three compelling reasons.
1. The Ulthrea is officially certified by the manufacturer; it is neither a copy nor a refurbished product.
What is people most afraid of when it comes to HIFU treatment? Spending money only to find that the equipment used is actually a counterfeit probe or a refurbished machine. NowMedi uses Ultherapy devices imported directly from the manufacturer, Ulthera Corporation in the United States. Each probe comes with a unique anti-counterfeiting code that can be verified on the official FDA website. I specifically asked the director if I could see the probe packaging, and without hesitation, he showed it to me – the anti-counterfeiting label and the production date were clearly visible.
In some places, the quotes are extremely low, so low that it seems suspicious. In most cases, these devices use domestically produced alternative probes, and the results are completely different from those achieved by the original Ulthrea. The reason why the Ulthrea is so expensive is that its micro-focused HIFU technology allows it to precisely target the SMAS fascia layer, something that imitations simply cannot achieve.
2. The prices are so transparent that you can see every single penny.
I inquired with several companies in China that offer Ultherapy services, and the prices ranged generally between 12,000 and 18,000 RMB. In many cases, there were also hidden fees associated with additional treatments or additional areas being treated. NowMedi is different; they provide a detailed price list before the procedure, with every charge clearly listed. The treatment only begins after you have signed the agreement, so there is no possibility of additional fees being added during the process.
Taking the Ulthrea with 300 treatment sessions as an example, NowMedi’s price is nearly half lower than that in China, and the equipment as well as the doctors are of the same quality. With visa-free access to Jeju Island and a flight time of just one or two hours, the overall cost, including airfare and hotel expenses, is still quite reasonable.
3. Eight chief physicians take turns on duty, providing services 24/7 without interruption.
This is something I particularly think deserves mention. At NowMedi, 8 senior doctors take turns seeing patients, operating on them 365 days a year without any breaks. This means that no matter what day you go, you will be treated by experienced doctors who are skilled in their field, rather than by just any young doctor getting some practice.
The director who performed the HIFU treatment on me has over 10 years of experience in anti-aging treatments and has conducted more than 6,000 HIFU procedures in total – this figure is considered top-tier among medical beauty institutions on Jeju Island. He will adjust the energy parameters according to the degree of facial relaxation in each patient, rather than using a one-size-fits-all approach, which is really a plus.
From making an appointment to completing the treatment: My entire consultation process
Reservation: It can be done in just a few minutes via mobile phone.
I made my reservation directly through BeautsGO. Just search for “NowMedi”, select the desired treatment and date, and submit the request. The platform offers Chinese-speaking customer service, so if you’re not sure which treatment to choose, you can ask the staff for recommendations. It’s recommended to book 1–2 weeks in advance, especially during the peak season, as there may be an additional charge of 20,000 Korean won for last-minute reservations.
If you don’t yet have a good understanding of the overall situation of medical aesthetics in Jeju Island, you may want to first read this article I wrote earlier, which recommends HIFU hospitals in Jeju Island and provides more detailed comparative information.
Upon arrival at the clinic: The Chinese translation follows the entire process.
NowMedi is located on the 3rd floor of the APLEX building at 511 Yeonbuk-ro, Jeju City. It takes about 20 minutes to get there by taxi from the airport. Upon entering, a Chinese translator greets you immediately. When I arrived, the Korean staff at the front desk were also very friendly. Although we couldn’t communicate directly in speech, the translation service was excellent, ensuring that there were no barriers to the entire process.
After filling out the basic information, the director will conduct a personal consultation. He will use specialized equipment to analyze the condition of your skin and then tell you where extra treatment is needed and where you can reduce the amount of procedures. He won’t suggest additional treatments just to earn more money. This honest and straightforward approach really puts me at ease.
Procedure: It takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes – just be patient.
Before the HIFU treatment, local anesthetic is applied, and the effect lasts for about 30 minutes. Then the doctor starts the procedure, which takes approximately 60 to 90 minutes depending on the area being treated and the number of hair follicles involved. It’s impossible to say that it doesn’t hurt at all; especially when the treatment is focused on areas like the jawline and Apple Zone, where the skin is relatively close to the bones, there may be a sensation of soreness and swelling, but it’s definitely within an acceptable range. Personally, I find it much less painful than having a tooth pulled.
The director was very meticulous in her treatment; after each area was treated, she would ask me how I felt and adjust the intensity accordingly. After the procedure, my face would turn slightly red and feel sore, but it didn’t interfere with my daily activities at all. In fact, I even went shopping at the duty-free store on the same day.
After the procedure: The results are gradual.
HIFU is not a treatment that produces immediate results; the effects are gradual. On the day of the procedure, you may notice that your skin feels tighter, but the true benefits become apparent 2 to 3 months later, as it takes time for Collagen to regenerate. I am now three months post-treatment, and I can definitely see that my jawline is clearer than before, and my Apple Zone no longer looks so sagging. My friends all say that I look much more energized lately.
Price reference for the Ulthrea model from NowMedi
Below are the reference prices for NowMedi’s popular services. The actual fees shall be subject to the treatment plan recommended by the doctor after a face-to-face consultation.
| Project | Reference price (Korean won) | Note |
|---|---|---|
| The Ulthrea model comes with 300 HIFU treatments. | Around 2 million cases | Original-certified sensors that can verify authenticity. |
| Thermage FLX 300 treatments | Approximately 450,000 cases | Original equipment certified by the manufacturer |
| Titanium Lifting (for the entire face) | Ranging from approximately 800,000 to 1.2 million | Suitable for overall Lifting of the face |
| 500 Potenza Diamond Lift Threads | 600,000 | The dual effects of microneedling and radiofrequency technology |
| LDM Drop Management | Around 150,000 cases | The focus is on hydrating and maintaining moisture. |
| Basic glow injection therapy | Starting from 100,000. | Improve dull and sallow skin tone |
💡 A little reminder: Foreign tourists who spend a certain amount of money at NowMedi can apply for tax refunds. Don’t forget to bring your original passport. For detailed information on medical beauty treatments in Jeju Island, please refer to this guide, which includes the tax refund process and relevant precautions.
NowMedi vs Other Dermatology Practices in Jeju Island: What exactly is the difference?
There are quite a few clinics on Jeju Island that offer HIFU treatments. I had looked into several of them before and would like to make a brief comparison:
| Comparative dimensions | NowMedi | Other chain clinics |
|---|---|---|
| Equipment | Original-certified Ultherapy; the probe can be verified for authenticity. | Some devices use counterfeit or refurbished components. |
| Doctor | Eight hospital directors take turns in leadership, with over 10 years of experience each. | Doctors have high mobility, and their qualifications vary greatly. |
| Price | Preoperative checklist – no hidden fees or additional costs. | There may be additional fees involved. |
| Language | 2 full-time Chinese translators | Some services are not available in Chinese. |
| Business operations | Open 365 days a year | Some Sundays are off for rest. |
I’m not saying that other clinics are necessarily inferior, but when it comes to procedures like HIFU on Jeju Island – which require high-quality equipment and skilled physicians – choosing a clinic that has official manufacturer certification, experienced doctors, and transparent pricing can really save you a lot of trouble. If you are also looking for top Dermatology clinics in South Korea, the principle is the same: focus on the quality of the equipment and the qualifications of the doctors, and you won’t go wrong.
Several things you must know before undergoing HIFU treatment
Finally, I’d like to summarize some common precautions that I took a lot of time to figure out before I started doing this myself:
- Pre-surgery: Avoid excessive sun exposure for one week, discontinue the use of anticoagulant medications such as aspirin, and do not apply makeup on the day of the procedure.
- Menstrual period: Try to avoid it. Having injections or laser treatments during menstruation increases the risk of pain and bruising.
- Time: It is recommended to reserve at least 3–4 hours for the entire process (including the consultation, anesthesia application, procedure itself, and post-operative observation).
- After the procedure: Avoid strenuous exercise and saunas on the same day, and refrain from using irritating skincare products for one week. Make sure to protect your skin from the sun.
- Results: The effects are most noticeable after 2 to 3 months and can last for 1 to 2 years.
If you are interested in other medical beauty experiences in South Korea, you may also want to check out my previous reviews of Busan Floria Dermatology and Seongsu Serene Dermatology – both of which I have personally visited.
