Thermage FLX vs Older Thermage What the Upgrade Actually Changes
Thermage FLX is the fourth-generation monopolar radiofrequency (RF) platform that replaced the discontinued CPT model, warming a broad layer of dermis so collagen rebuilds where laxity shows, now with a wider tip and per-pulse calibration, just steps from Gangnam Station in Seoul.
Thermage FLX
Thermage FLX
Thermage FLX vs Older Thermage
Thermage FLX is the fourth-generation monopolar radiofrequency (RF) platform that replaced the discontinued CPT model, warming a broad layer of dermis so collagen rebuilds where laxity shows, now with a wider tip and per-pulse calibration, just steps from Gangnam Station in Seoul.
Across RE:BERRY Clinics
100,000+ Treatments
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From Gangnam Station Exit 10
2-Min Walk
What is the difference between Thermage FLX and older Thermage?
Thermage FLX is the fourth-generation platform; the CPT model it replaced belonged to the third generation and stopped being distributed years ago. Both run monopolar radiofrequency at 6.78 MHz into the same dermal depth, so the energy science did not change. What changed is the delivery. FLX carries a 4.0cm² Total Tip against CPT's 2cm² tip, which covers the face in fewer passes and trims a 600-shot session to roughly 45-60 minutes where the older machine needed 60-90. FLX adds AccuREP, which measures skin impedance many times per second and re-tunes each pulse, while CPT delivered a fixed setting. And FLX vibrates the handpiece to blunt the sensation of each pulse, a feature CPT never had. The upshot: comparable tightening results, a noticeably shorter and more comfortable session.
Effects & Progress
Effects & Progress
The 4.0cm Total Tip warms a broad dermal volume with each pulse, so tightening develops evenly across the face in fewer passes than the older half-size tip required.
Mild warmth or light pinkness may sit in the treated zones and usually settles within a few hours. Makeup and daily life, including travel, are fine the same day.
Early firmness from collagen contraction settles in. The skin often feels denser and smoother to the touch before the visible tightening reaches its peak.
The main tightening phase, as new collagen builds through the warmed dermal layer and the cheeks, jawline, and eye area look progressively firmer. Response speed varies by individual.
Maintenance period. Results from a single session generally hold 12 to 24 months, comparable to the older generation; RE:BERRY guides the repeat interval that suits your skin.
Treatment Process
Thermage FLX vs Older Thermage — 4 Steps of a Current-Generation Session
※ Illustrative images are AI-generated to help explain the treatment process.Effects & Progress
Effects & Progress
Skin laxity spreads across the cheeks, jawline, and under-chin as the dermis loses density, so even coverage matters. The FLX Total Tip is roughly double the area of the older CPT tip, which means each pulse warms more skin and a full-face treatment is completed in fewer passes. The tightening stimulus reaches the whole treated area evenly in one session rather than acting at isolated points, and the wider tip is a large part of why the current session runs shorter than the older machine ever did.
The heat works in two phases that are properties of the radiofrequency itself, not of any one generation. Existing collagen contracts first, felt as early firmness in the weeks after treatment, then the skin builds new collagen and elastin through the warmed layer, so visible tightening deepens over 2 to 6 months. The change comes from your own tissue with nothing implanted. Because FLX and the older generation share this mechanism, longevity is comparable, which is why the meaningful upgrade sits in delivery rather than in the result.
Every face conducts energy a little differently, so AccuREP reads skin impedance many times a second and re-tunes the output before each pulse instead of running one fixed setting the way the older machine did. Integrated cooling protects the surface while the heat works below, and vibration built into the handpiece blunts the sensation of each pulse, an ergonomic addition the older platform never carried. The physician layers zone-by-zone intensity adjustments on top, guided by your feedback throughout.
Thermage FLX is planned as a single session with no injections and no recovery room, and a full-face pass runs shorter than the older generation because the wider tip needs fewer passes. Because the surface stays intact, daily life, makeup, and even a flight home are fine the same day. A dedicated 0.25cm eye tip lets FLX treat the delicate eyelid region, an area the older platform served poorly. Every tip is genuine and officially imported, and the sealed cartridge is confirmed with you before it is opened.
Treatment Process
Thermage FLX vs Older Thermage — 4 Steps of a Current-Generation Session
※ Illustrative images are AI-generated to help explain the treatment process.
Thermage FLX vs Thermage CPT — Generation by Generation
| What changed | Thermage FLX (4th gen · RE:BERRY Gangnam) | Thermage CPT (3rd gen · discontinued) |
|---|---|---|
| Generation and status | Current fourth-generation platform, in active distribution | Third-generation, discontinued and no longer officially supplied |
| Treatment tip | 4.0cm² Total Tip covers more skin per pulse | 2cm² tip, roughly half the coverage per pulse |
| Energy calibration | AccuREP re-reads skin impedance many times a second and adjusts every pulse | Fixed output; no real-time per-pulse adjustment |
| Comfort handpiece | Built-in vibration paired with surface cooling to soften each pulse | Surface cooling only, no vibration |
| 600-shot session time | About 45-60 minutes thanks to the wider tip | Closer to 60-90 minutes with the smaller tip |
| RF frequency and depth | 6.78 MHz into the dermis — unchanged from CPT | 6.78 MHz into the dermis — same energy science |
| Eye-area capability | Dedicated 0.25cm² eye tip for eyelid treatment | Limited eye-area tooling on the older platform |
| Results and longevity | Tightening builds over 2-6 months, generally holds 12-24 months | Broadly comparable duration when it was in use |
Why This Matters
It helps to separate what stayed the same from what moved. The radiofrequency itself, 6.78 MHz heating a broad dermal volume until collagen contracts and rebuilds, is identical across both generations, so longevity figures come out similar. Everything the FLX upgrade touched is delivery: how much skin each pulse covers, how precisely the energy is matched to your tissue, and how the pulse feels. Put plainly, FLX does not tighten better in principle. It reaches the same result faster and with less discomfort, adapting the energy to your skin as it goes.
Because the CPT name still floats around, it pays to confirm the Thermage generation in writing before you fly. Three details mark the older hardware: a quote that says Thermage without FLX, a 60-90 minute session on a 2cm² tip, and a protocol with no AccuREP step. At RE:BERRY Gangnam the platform is Thermage FLX, the sealed 4.0cm² Total Tip is shown before opening, and the physician who maps your laxity is the one who delivers every pulse. The generation question is answered before you ask it.
Seoul pricing is a large part of why guests weigh a Gangnam FLX session against options at home. RE:BERRY publishes its 600-shot Thermage FLX rate before booking, VAT excluded, while a genuine FLX session with a comparable tip commonly runs materially higher in North America and across Europe. Getting the current-generation platform at a published Seoul rate is the trade most travelers are making with a Gangnam FLX session.
What the FLX Upgrade Delivers — and How the Result Builds
- A 4.0cm² Total Tip covers the face in fewer passes than the older 2cm² tip, cutting a 600-shot session to roughly 45-60 minutes
- AccuREP measures your skin impedance many times a second and re-tunes each pulse, where the earlier CPT machine ran one fixed setting
- Vibration built into the handpiece, paired with surface cooling, blunts the sensation of each pulse, where the older platform had cooling only
- The same monopolar RF energy science as before, so tightening still builds over 2-6 months and generally holds 12-24 months
- A dedicated 0.25cm² eye tip lets FLX treat the delicate eyelid region, an area the older tooling handled poorly
- The sealed, genuine 4.0cm² tip is shown before opening and the physician who maps your laxity delivers every one of the 600 pulses
| Timeline | What to Expect |
|---|---|
| The full-face pass finishes in about 45-60 minutes on FLX; mild warmth or light pinkness fades within a few hours, and makeup, flights, and dinner plans are all fine the same day | |
| Early firmness from immediate collagen contraction settles in. The skin often feels denser to the touch before the visible change peaks | |
| The main remodeling phase. New collagen builds through the heated dermal volume along the treated cheeks, jawline, and eye area. Response speed varies by individual | |
| The fullest tightening reads between months 2 and 6; a single FLX session generally holds 12-24 months, comparable to what the older generation delivered when it was in use |
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![RE:BERRY Gangnam October–December 2026 Promotion Page 10 — Body Slimming Package: [Entry] Essence Slim, an introductory Body Onda package that delivers essential synergistic benefits for body shaping and contouring: Body V-RO HIFU 1,000 Shots + Body Onda 160kJ + Body InMode FX 15 Minute + Berry Slim 100cc ₩2,990,000 · [BEST · Doctor Recommended] Signature Contour, our No. 1 satisfaction-rated combined solution, designed to enhance both body contours and skin firmness at the same time: Body V-RO HIFU 1,500 Shots + Body Onda 320kJ + Body InMode FX 30 Minute + Berry Slim 150cc ₩3,990,000 · VAT excluded](https://cdn-reberry.pages.dev/gangnam/promotion/en/gangnam-event-en-10.webp)
Published Thermage FLX Prices in Gangnam (VAT Excluded)
Your Medical Director
Dr. Yoon-Gon Ryu
- Medical Director, RE:BERRY Aesthetic Clinic Gangnam — Korean MOHW Medical License No.131644
- Manufacturer-appointed KOL invited to teach injection and energy-device technique to Korean peers
- Regular Member, Korean Academy of Aesthetic Medicine
- Co-manages every case with Dr. Yejin Oh (Korean MOHW Medical License No.144238)
- Featured in Authority Magazine (2026)
Medically reviewed by Dr. Yoon-Gon Ryu, CEO / Medical Director, RE:BERRY
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Step past the black gallery facade and the bustle of Gangnam-daero falls away. Fourteen thousand square feet of hushed corridors, marble installations, a cascading water feature and fully enclosed consultation suites — arranged so you rarely cross paths with another guest, because our appointment-first diary keeps every hour deliberately underbooked.
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The Evidence Behind Monopolar RF Tightening — Across Generations
Because Thermage FLX and the older CPT share the same 6.78 MHz monopolar radiofrequency mechanism, the science that validated the modality applies across both generations, which is the technical reason their tightening results are comparable. Histological and ultrastructural analysis of skin treated with monopolar RF documented immediate partial denaturation of collagen fibrils followed by increased collagen expression during repair, the two-phase mechanism behind the early firmness and the tightening that builds over 2-6 months. That biology is a property of the RF energy, not of any one device generation.
Zelickson BD, Kist D, Bernstein E, et al. Histological and ultrastructural evaluation of the effects of a radiofrequency-based nonablative dermal remodeling device: a pilot study. Arch Dermatol. 2004;140(2):204-209. doi:10.1001/archderm.140.2.204
The clinical case for the eye-area capability FLX carries traces to earlier monopolar RF work. A multicenter periorbital study of 86 subjects recorded objective brow elevation of at least 0.5mm in the majority of patients at 6 months after a single monopolar RF session, the outcome that underpins the dedicated eye tip. What the FLX upgrade contributes here is a better instrument for a delicate zone, so the 0.25cm² eye tip matters as tooling and not as new physics.
Fitzpatrick R, Geronemus R, Goldberg D, Kaminer M, Kilmer S, Ruiz-Esparza J. Multicenter study of noninvasive radiofrequency for periorbital tissue tightening. Lasers Surg Med. 2003;33(3):232-242. doi:10.1002/lsm.10225
The single largest determinant of comfort and result in monopolar RF turned out to be technique, not raw power, and this is where AccuREP fits. A physician survey covering 5,700 monopolar RF facial treatments found that a multiple-pass, moderate-energy protocol produced visible tightening in the large majority of cases while being markedly more comfortable than the original single-pass, high-energy approach. AccuREP automates the spirit of that finding, re-tuning energy to each pulse instead of running one aggressive setting, something the older CPT platform could not do.
Dover JS, Zelickson B; 14-Physician Multispecialty Consensus Panel. Results of a survey of 5,700 patient monopolar radiofrequency facial skin tightening treatments: assessment of a low-energy multiple-pass technique leading to a clinical end point algorithm. Dermatol Surg. 2007;33(8):900-907. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2007.33191.x
Evidence in Asian skin matters for a Seoul clinic treating international guests. A Japanese series applying non-ablative monopolar RF reported measurable laxity improvement sustained through 6-month follow-up with no scarring or pigmentary change, relevant because RF is chromophore-independent and does not target melanin regardless of generation. A dedicated lower-face study of the multiple-pass, low-fluence algorithm likewise confirmed progressive contour improvement through 6 months. The practical reading for a candidate comparing generations: the RF fundamentals are settled, so the meaningful FLX advantage is in how that settled energy is delivered.
Kushikata N, Negishi K, Tezuka Y, Takeuchi K, Wakamatsu S. Non-ablative skin tightening with radiofrequency in Asian skin. Lasers Surg Med. 2005;36(2):92-97. doi:10.1002/lsm.20136
Bogle MA, Ubelhoer N, Weiss RA, Mayoral F, Kaminer MS. Evaluation of the multiple pass, low fluence algorithm for radiofrequency tightening of the lower face. Lasers Surg Med. 2007;39(3):210-217. doi:10.1002/lsm.20472
Questions International Guests Ask About Thermage FLX vs Older Thermage
Is Thermage FLX genuinely different from the older Thermage, or just a rebrand?
It is a real generational change, and the new name reflects new hardware. FLX is the fourth-generation platform; the CPT model it succeeded was third-generation and was discontinued years ago. The radiofrequency energy is the same 6.78 MHz into the same dermal depth, so results are comparable, but the delivery hardware moved forward: a larger tip, per-pulse impedance calibration, and a vibrating handpiece. Those are the substance of the upgrade.
What is AccuREP, and did the older Thermage have it?
AccuREP is the FLX system's real-time calibration: it measures your skin's impedance many times per second and re-tunes the energy before each pulse, so the output adapts to every zone of your face. The older CPT machine did not have it and delivered a fixed setting. In practice AccuREP is why a modern FLX session can stay comfortable while still reaching an effective clinical endpoint, since no single zone gets overdriven.
How much bigger is the FLX tip, and why does tip size matter?
The FLX Total Tip is 4.0cm², roughly double the older 2cm² CPT tip. A larger tip covers more skin with each pulse, so a full-face 600-shot treatment needs fewer passes and finishes faster. Tip area is also the single most concrete way to tell the generations apart physically, so it is worth asking a clinic to confirm the tip size before you book.
Does the FLX vibration handpiece actually make it more comfortable?
Most guests notice the difference. FLX builds vibration into the handpiece alongside the surface cooling both generations share, and the vibration helps mask the brief deep warmth of each pulse. The older CPT platform had cooling but no vibration. Comfort still varies by individual and by the numbing plan, but the added vibration is a genuine ergonomic improvement that guests feel on the jawline and cheeks during each pass.
If the results are similar, why choose FLX over the older machine?
Because "similar results" comes with a shorter, more comfortable, better-matched session. The RF energy that drives tightening is unchanged, so longevity is broadly the same. What FLX adds is a 45-60 minute full-face pass where the older machine took 60-90, energy re-tuned to your own skin pulse by pulse, and a handpiece that is easier to sit through. There is little reason to prefer discontinued hardware when the current platform reaches the same endpoint more efficiently.
How long does a 600-shot session take on FLX compared with the old generation?
A full-face 600-shot FLX session runs about 45-60 minutes at RE:BERRY Gangnam. On the older CPT platform the same shot count typically ran closer to 60-90 minutes, largely because the smaller 2cm² tip required more passes to cover the face. The wider FLX tip is the main reason the current session is quicker.
How can I tell whether a clinic is still using an old Thermage machine?
Ask four direct questions: which generation is it, what is the tip size, is AccuREP part of the protocol, and how long is a 600-shot session. FLX answers are the current fourth generation, a 4.0cm² tip, yes to AccuREP, and roughly 45-60 minutes. Answers pointing to a 2cm² tip, no impedance calibration, or a 60-90 minute pass suggest older, discontinued hardware. A clinic confident in its equipment will answer without hedging.
Can I still get the old Thermage CPT if I wanted it?
Not through official channels — CPT was discontinued and is no longer distributed. That is part of why the generation question matters: a clinic advertising plain "Thermage" is either running FLX or operating hardware that is no longer officially supplied. At RE:BERRY Gangnam the platform is Thermage FLX, and the sealed genuine tip is shown to you before it is opened so there is no ambiguity.
Does FLX treat the eye area better than the older generation?
Yes, largely because of tooling. FLX uses a dedicated 0.25cm² eye tip designed for the eyelid region, an area the older platform handled poorly. The underlying evidence for periorbital tightening predates FLX, so the effect itself is not new. What FLX provides is a purpose-built instrument for a delicate zone, so eyelid treatment is a standard part of the current-generation offering.
Is the eye-area treatment a separate session from the face?
The eye area follows its own Thermage FLX protocol, with a dedicated tip and a separate shot count from the face pass. The 0.25cm² eye tip is used with protective eye shields the physician places, and the plan is confirmed at consultation. Many guests do the face and the eyes on the same visit, but they are planned and delivered as separate treatments.
Does the RF frequency or working depth differ between the two generations?
No. Both FLX and CPT run monopolar radiofrequency at 6.78 MHz and heat the same broad dermal volume. This is precisely why the tightening biology and longevity are comparable across generations. Every meaningful difference sits in delivery, meaning tip area, per-pulse calibration, and comfort, not in the frequency or the depth the energy reaches.
I had older-generation Thermage before — can I switch to FLX now?
There is no barrier to it, and many returning guests do. Because the energy mechanism is the same, prior CPT treatment does not complicate a later FLX session; the physician simply maps your current laxity and plans the pass afresh. Most people who have experienced both remark on the shorter time and easier sensation of the FLX session; the kind of tightening they see afterwards is the same as before.
Where is RE:BERRY, and how do I confirm you run FLX before I travel?
RE:BERRY sits in KI Tower on Gangnam-daero, a two-minute walk from Gangnam Station Exit 10, open every day and about 45-60 minutes from Incheon Airport by AREX and subway. Message the clinic on WhatsApp with your travel dates and photos; a coordinator replies in English, confirms in writing that the platform is Thermage FLX with the 4.0cm² tip, and reserves a physician slot. Staff interpreters cover 5 languages on-site.
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Every device at RE:BERRY is MFDS-certified and manufacturer-verified. We never use counterfeit or grey-market equipment.
Book Your Thermage FLX Consultation in Gangnam
Tell RE:BERRY on WhatsApp what concerns you and when you are travelling, and ask any generation question you like — a coordinator replies as soon as possible and confirms in writing that the platform is Thermage FLX with the sealed 4.0cm² tip and the published ₩1,990,000 (about $1,421) rate. The physician who maps your laxity delivers every pulse and reads your review, and nothing is scheduled until you confirm.
Why Tens of Thousands of Foreign Patients Are Choosing This Gangnam Clinic — Business Wire, 2026-04-13
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I had a really nice experience at Reberry Clinic Gangnam. I received a Hydrafacial treatment, and the whole process was very comfortable. The staff were kind and explained everything clearly, and the clinic itself felt clean and relaxing. I also loved the interior — the clinic felt very clean, elegant, and luxurious, w...
I had such an amazing experience at this clinic! The clinic itself is absolutely stunning the design is beautiful, elegant, and luxurious, and the service is truly top-notch. Everything was so well organized, and I felt very comfortable from the moment I walked in.
I had a Korean filler treatment to reduce my nasolabia...
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It was my first time in Korea, all the Doctor & team are bery helpful. Dr. Ian & cheong a lee(jenny) are really helpful.
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So happy to found the beauty clinic in Korea that very inclusive and Muslim friendly. They have a prayer space for muslim and they prepare a female doctor for me. The clinic is so comfortable with aesthetic design make me feel relaxed. The doctor and the staff are very professional and helpful so all of the procedure r...
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Science Monopolar RF tightening across Thermage generations — peer-reviewed references
Thermage FLX and the earlier CPT share one monopolar radiofrequency mechanism, so the evidence base spans both generations and favors neither. Histological proof of the mechanism came first: Zelickson (2004) documented immediate partial collagen fibril denaturation and subsequent new collagen expression. Clinical outcomes followed. A multicenter periorbital trial of 86 subjects measured objective brow elevation at 6 months (Fitzpatrick 2003), the basis for the eye-area tooling FLX refined. A 14-physician survey across 5,700 facial treatments established that a multiple-pass, moderate-energy technique produced visible tightening in the large majority of cases with markedly better comfort (Dover 2007), the clinical logic AccuREP now automates per pulse. Evidence in Asian skin showed sustained laxity improvement with no pigmentary change (Kushikata 2005), and a lower-face study confirmed the same algorithm's progressive gains (Bogle 2007). Together they explain why the RF science is generation-independent, leaving delivery, meaning tip area, calibration, and comfort, as the substance of the FLX upgrade.
- Zelickson BD, Kist D, Bernstein E, et al. Histological and ultrastructural evaluation of the effects of a radiofrequency-based nonablative dermal remodeling device: a pilot study. Arch Dermatol. 2004;140(2):204-209. doi:10.1001/archderm.140.2.204
- Fitzpatrick R, Geronemus R, Goldberg D, Kaminer M, Kilmer S, Ruiz-Esparza J. Multicenter study of noninvasive radiofrequency for periorbital tissue tightening. Lasers Surg Med. 2003;33(3):232-242. doi:10.1002/lsm.10225
- Dover JS, Zelickson B; 14-Physician Multispecialty Consensus Panel. Results of a survey of 5,700 patient monopolar radiofrequency facial skin tightening treatments: assessment of a low-energy multiple-pass technique leading to a clinical end point algorithm. Dermatol Surg. 2007;33(8):900-907. doi:10.1111/j.1524-4725.2007.33191.x
- Kushikata N, Negishi K, Tezuka Y, Takeuchi K, Wakamatsu S. Non-ablative skin tightening with radiofrequency in Asian skin. Lasers Surg Med. 2005;36(2):92-97. doi:10.1002/lsm.20136
- Bogle MA, Ubelhoer N, Weiss RA, Mayoral F, Kaminer MS. Evaluation of the multiple pass, low fluence algorithm for radiofrequency tightening of the lower face. Lasers Surg Med. 2007;39(3):210-217. doi:10.1002/lsm.20472
These references shape how Thermage FLX is run at RE:BERRY's Gangnam aesthetic clinic: laxity mapping by the treating physician before any energy is delivered; the multiple-pass, moderate-energy technique validated in the 5,700-treatment survey applied across all 600 shots, now with AccuREP re-tuning each pulse to your own skin; and standardized-lighting follow-up through the 2-6 month remodeling window under the same licensed physician. This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.
How to Find RE:BERRY Gangnam
2 minutes from Gangnam Station Exit 10. B1–B2, KI Tower — the building with the all-black entrance you can't miss.
RE:BERRY Clinic Gangnam
B1–B2, KI Tower, 69-gil 8, Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul
서울시 서초구 강남대로69길 8, 지하1·2층 (KI타워)
Also available at: Myeongdong · Incheon Airport