InMode FX and FORMA in Suwon: how do the two handpieces differ?
If the area under your chin feels thick when pinched or your cheeks look heavy and it bothers you, it is worth first separating whether the cause is fat or skin that has lost elasticity. InMode FX is a handpiece that acts on the subcutaneous fat layer by delivering radiofrequency and high-voltage pulses in an instant while the skin is held by suction, and FORMA is a handpiece that glides over the skin surface to build heat evenly in the dermis.
InMode FX and FORMA attach to the same InMode device but target different layers, so if fat is the cause we first consider FX, and if elasticity is the cause we first consider FORMA. At our Suwon clinic, during consultation we pinch the fat under the chin and in the cheeks directly and check skin thickness and the degree of sagging before deciding which handpiece to use on which area.
In this article, we outline in order how InMode FX works, the difference between FX and FORMA, criteria for choosing and the process, recovery and care, and side effects.
InMode FX: key points
- InMode FX is a handpiece that acts on the subcutaneous fat layer, and FORMA acts on the dermis.
- For areas where fat has accumulated, such as a double chin or buccal fat, we consider FX; for skin that has lost elasticity, such as sagging cheeks and fine lines, we consider FORMA.
- When both concerns are present, we sometimes divide the areas and use them back to back on the same day.
- Depending on skin condition and individual differences, we recommend at least 3 to 5 sessions at 2- to 3-week intervals as a guideline.
How does InMode FX work?
InMode is a device that warms the inside of the skin with radiofrequency energy. Radiofrequency uses the heat generated as tissue resists electrical current, and the depth at which heat concentrates depends on the shape of the electrode and how the energy is delivered.
InMode FX holds the skin and fat by suction, warms the subcutaneous fat layer with radiofrequency, and delivers instantaneous high-voltage pulses (HVP) to induce fat cells to shrink. You feel a brief zap the moment the pulse enters, and otherwise the main sensation is warmth.
Both the shrinking of fat cells and the formation of new collagen happen over several weeks. That is why InMode FX is basically planned as several sessions spaced apart rather than a single one.
What is the difference between InMode FX and FORMA?
| Item | InMode FX | InMode FORMA |
|---|---|---|
| Layer targeted | Subcutaneous fat layer | Dermis |
| Energy delivery | Suctions the skin and delivers radiofrequency and high-voltage pulses in an instant | Glides the handpiece to build heat evenly in the dermis |
| Concerns addressed | Areas where fat has accumulated, such as a double chin, buccal fat, and around the jawline | Skin that has lost elasticity, such as sagging cheeks and jawline, fine lines, and skin texture |
| Common appearance after treatment | Redness and small bruises where suction was applied | Heat, redness, and a tight feeling |
Using only FORMA on a face where fat is the cause leaves the fat layer unaddressed, and using FX strongly on a face with little fat can make the cheeks look hollow. That is why, even with the same device, we first decide during the examination which handpiece to use on which area.
How is InMode FX performed?
How handpieces are chosen by concern
If fat is the cause, as with a double chin that feels thick when you pinch under the chin or buccal fat that bulges beside the mouth, we use InMode FX on that area. If there is not much excess fat but the cheeks and jawline sag and the skin texture looks loose, we treat the whole face with FORMA. If there is fat in the lower face and the midface has lost elasticity, we divide it, using FX on the lower part and FORMA on the whole face, back to back.
If the cheeks are already on the hollow side, we either do not use FX or narrow its range. If a double chin is due to the jaw structure or skin sagging, reducing fat may bring only a small change, so we consider other methods as well.
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 after. Results and how long they last vary with skin condition and individual differences, so we recommend at least 3 to 5 sessions at 2- to 3-week intervals. Treatment options are InMode FX for the double chin and jawline, InMode FX full face, InMode FORMA full face, and full face with FX and FORMA combined, each available in 1-session and 3-session packages.
View InMode Treatment Information
Recovery and care after InMode FX
- You can wash your face and wear makeup right after the treatment; use a gentle cleanser.
- To reduce skin irritation, wash your face with lukewarm water for 3 days after the treatment.
- Dryness may occur, so apply moisturizer often and wear sunscreen when going out.
- For about 7 days after the treatment, avoid heavy drinking, saunas and jjimjilbang, hot baths, and strenuous exercise.
Red or purple bruises that appear where InMode FX was applied fade gradually over several days, so it is better to adjust the timing before an important event. After the course is finished, we continue at wider intervals based on changes in fat and elasticity, and it is hard to expect all concerns to be resolved at once.
InMode FX side effects and precautions
Right after the treatment, heat, a stinging sensation, swelling, redness, a burning feeling, dryness, and itching may occur, but they soon subside. Red or purple bruises may appear where InMode FX was applied, and the degree of reaction varies from person to person because skin thickness and energy settings differ.
Rarely, blisters, burns, or an uneven, bumpy surface can occur, and using FX on areas with little fat can make the cheeks look hollow. If you have a chronic condition or have had fillers or thread procedures, telling us in advance during the consultation lets us reflect it in deciding the range and intensity. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have an implanted electronic device such as a pacemaker or a metal implant, please let us know before the treatment.
If blisters form, bruises linger, or the pain gets worse day by day, please contact the clinic right away.
What should I check before InMode FX?
If these apply to you, start with an examination of fat and elasticity
- When I pinch under my chin, there is a thick fold of flesh.
- Bulging flesh beside my mouth makes my lower face look heavy.
- I do not have much excess fat, but my cheeks and jawline look like they are sagging downward.
- My cheeks are naturally thin or tend to look hollow.
If two or more apply, before choosing a handpiece, it is best to first check whether the heavy look is caused by fat or by elasticity. Whether to proceed, the method, and the scope are decided together in consultation after the medical team examines you.
In short, the key with InMode FX and FORMA is to first determine whether fat or elasticity is the cause, then choose a handpiece for each area and continue at intervals.
FAQ
Q. Can I get InMode FX and FORMA on the same day?
A. The two handpieces act on different layers, so they can be performed back to back on the same day. A typical plan uses InMode FX on areas with fat and FORMA on the whole face, and the areas and range are decided after an examination.
Q. How often should I get InMode FX?
A. Since the shrinking of fat cells and collagen regeneration build up over several weeks, we present at least 3 to 5 sessions at 2- to 3-week intervals as one course. After the course is finished, we continue at wider intervals based on skin condition.
Q. Won't InMode FX make my cheeks look hollow?
A. Using FX strongly on areas with little fat can make them look hollow. That is why we pinch the fat directly before the treatment, and for those with thin cheeks we narrow the FX range to under the chin or plan mainly with FORMA, adjusting the intensity as well.
Q. How many InMode FX sessions does it take to see a difference in a double chin?
A. Since the shrinking of fat cells builds up little by little with each session, the basic schedule is several sessions at 2- to 3-week intervals. The number needed varies by person depending on the amount of fat and jaw structure, so the medical team decides after an examination.
Q. Can I wear makeup right after InMode FX?
A. Because the treatment does not create wounds on the surface, you can wash your face and wear makeup right away. However, for 3 days after the treatment, wash with a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water, and it is best not to rub areas with redness or bruising hard.
Q. How can I find out the cost of InMode FX?
A. The cost depends on the handpiece, area, and number of sessions. We guide you after confirming in consultation whether to treat only the double chin and jawline or the whole face with FX or FORMA, and you can also check it 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.