InMode in Suwon: when do you start to notice results, and how many sessions are recommended?
If your facial contour looks blurred because of cheek fat and a double chin, it helps to first understand what changes and when after InMode. InMode is a radiofrequency lifting device that combines the FX mode, which heats the subcutaneous fat layer with radiofrequency energy and uses momentary high-voltage pulses to encourage a reduction in fat cells, with the FORMA mode, which heats the dermis to stimulate collagen regeneration.
FORMA first gives a feeling of firmer skin right after treatment, while the changes in cheek fat and double chin that FX addresses appear gradually over several weeks after the swelling goes down. Both changes take time and build up over several sessions rather than one, and the plan is based on a minimum of 3 to 5 sessions at 2 to 3 week intervals. At the Suwon clinic, during consultation we first look at the thickness of the fat layer and skin firmness, then decide the ratio and area for FX and FORMA.
In this article, we go through which layers FX and FORMA work on, when results appear and why some people feel there is no effect, the number of sessions and the process, recovery and care, and side effects in order.
InMode key points
- FX sends high-voltage pulses to the fat layer to encourage a reduction in fat cells, and FORMA heats the dermis to stimulate collagen regeneration.
- The firm feeling from FORMA comes right after, while contour changes from FX become visible a few weeks after the swelling goes down.
- Results and how long they last vary from person to person, so the plan is based on a minimum of 3 to 5 sessions at 2 to 3 week intervals.
- Bruising and swelling after treatment settle over several days, and heavy drinking and saunas are avoided for about 7 days.
Where do InMode FX and FORMA each work?
With FORMA, the handpiece is gently glided over the skin to deliver radiofrequency heat evenly to the dermis. Energy is adjusted while monitoring the skin surface temperature, so steady heat stays in the dermis, and this heat triggers the response that produces new collagen and elastin.
FX gently suctions the skin, heats the fat layer with radiofrequency, and then sends very short high-voltage pulses to stimulate the fat cells. The stimulated fat cells go through a process of being cleared by the body over several weeks, so FX is used for areas where thick fat has built up and blurred the contour, such as cheek fat, a double chin, and the sides of the mouth.
When both modes are done on the same day, the fat layer is addressed first, followed by the dermis. Because two layers are addressed at once, a little more swelling and bruising may remain after each session, and the interval to the next session is decided by how quickly these reactions settle.
When do InMode results appear, and why do they feel different?
The two modes work on different layers and produce change in different ways, so they are easier to understand when looked at by period.
| Category | FORMA | FX |
|---|---|---|
| Layer targeted | Dermis | Subcutaneous fat layer |
| Right after treatment | Heated collagen contracts, giving a firm feeling | Swelling may actually make the area look heavier |
| When to check for changes | Several weeks to several months as new collagen builds up | A few weeks later, as swelling goes down and fat cells decrease |
| Main concerns addressed | Thinner skin and loss of firmness | Cheek fat, double chin, and a less defined jawline |
When people feel there is no effect, it is usually because the cause and the timing did not match. If the sagging is caused not by fat but by laxity of the fascia layer, addressing only the fat layer produces little change in contour, and treating the fat layer strongly on a face with little fat can make the cheeks look hollow. Changes are also masked if you judge within 2 weeks after a single session or gain weight during the treatment period.
How many InMode sessions are needed, and how is it performed?
Criteria for dividing modes and areas
This is decided by how thick the fat layer is when pinched, whether the skin is thin and sagging, and whether your schedule can accommodate a few days of visible swelling and bruising. Areas where fat is the cause are planned mainly with FX, and areas with little fat but thinner skin mainly with FORMA; if both are present, they are done back to back on the same day. Areas are divided into FX double chin and jawline, FX full face, FORMA full face, and FX plus FORMA full face, each with 1-session and 3-session options.
Treatment steps at our Suwon clinic
- Personalized Consultation
- Self-Cleansing
- Treatment
- Finishing Care
The treatment takes about 30 minutes or less, and you can return to daily life right afterward. The next session is scheduled 2 to 3 weeks later, continuing for a minimum of 3 to 5 sessions, and taking front and side photos under the same lighting and angle before the first session makes it easier to compare the jawline and cheek contour after the last session.
View InMode Treatment Information
Recovery and care after InMode
- You can wash your face and wear makeup right after treatment, using a gentle cleanser.
- To reduce irritation to the skin, wash your face with lukewarm water for 3 days after treatment.
- Dryness may occur, so apply moisturizer often and always wear sunscreen when you go out.
- For about 7 days after the treatment, avoid heavy drinking, saunas and jjimjilbang, hot baths, and strenuous exercise.
How long results last depends on weight changes, age, and lifestyle habits. If you gain a lot of weight even after completing the sessions, changes in the fat layer can be masked, so the next plan is decided in consultation while comparing with the first photos.
Side effects and precautions of InMode
Common reactions include a sensation of heat, stinging, swelling, redness, a burning feeling, dryness, and itching, and most settle down soon. Red or purple bruises may appear where FX was applied and fade gradually over several days, and the degree of reaction varies from person to person.
Rarely, small burns or blisters, a temporary feeling of numbness, or hollowing in areas with little fat may occur. The risk increases in areas where the skin and fat layer are thin or where heat is applied repeatedly to the same spot, so intensity is set separately for each area. Please tell us before treatment if you have an electrical device or metal implant in your body, such as a pacemaker, or are pregnant.
If blisters form, pain does not ease and keeps getting worse, or the skin feels like it is hardening, please contact the clinic right away.
What is checked before InMode?
In these cases, start by having your fat layer and firmness checked
- Your cheeks or the area under your chin feel thick when pinched.
- Your weight has not changed, but your jawline is less defined than before.
- Your skin feels thinner and saggier at the same time.
- You had one or two sessions before and felt unsure about the change.
If two or more apply, it is best to first check whether the sagging is due to fat or to the skin and fascia before radiofrequency lifting. Whether to treat, the method, and the area are decided together in consultation after a physician's examination.
In short, the key with InMode is to identify whether the cause lies in the fat layer or the dermis, and to check the changes while building up sessions at 2 to 3 week intervals.
FAQ
Q. When can I feel the effects of InMode?
A. FORMA first gives a feeling of firmer skin on the day of treatment, while fat changes from FX begin to show a few weeks later as the swelling goes down. Changes overlap as sessions accumulate, so the contour is compared with photos after several sessions are completed.
Q. Can I get InMode at one-week intervals?
A. The standard interval is 2 to 3 weeks. It takes time for fat cells to decrease and collagen to build up, and we also need to see whether redness and bruising from the previous session have settled, so the interval is decided after checking your skin's response in consultation.
Q. Which should I get, InMode FX or FORMA?
A. Areas with thick fat are planned mainly with FX, and areas where the skin has become thinner and saggy mainly with FORMA. If both are present, you can have them on the same day, with the fat layer addressed first followed by the dermis, and the ratio is decided after examination.
Q. What should I do if I feel InMode had no effect?
A. We check again whether the cause of the sagging is fat or laxity of the fascia layer, and also look at the number of sessions you had and any weight change during the treatment period. Depending on the cause, we decide in consultation whether to adjust the interval and intensity or add lifting that addresses other layers.
Q. How long does bruising last after InMode?
A. Red or purple bruises where FX was applied fade gradually over several days. Avoiding heavy drinking, saunas, hot baths, and intense exercise for about 7 days after treatment may help the swelling and bruising settle. If you have an important event, please let us know in advance.
Q. How can I find out the cost of InMode?
A. The cost depends on the mode, the treatment area, and the number of sessions. We confirm in consultation whether you want only the double chin and jawline or the whole face, and how many sessions to split it into, before giving you details, and items by option can also be found on the treatment information page.
This content is provided as general treatment information and is not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a medical professional to decide whether and how to proceed with a treatment.