When planning face-contouring treatments in the Greater-Seoul area, two of the most frequently compared options are Shurink (a popular domestic High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound or HIFU lifting device) and fat-dissolving facial injections (윤곽주사). Both procedures target facial volume and contouring, but they work through entirely different mechanisms. As of July 2026, aggregated public pricing data across Seoul and Gyeonggi clinics reveals a striking median price convergence, making the choice less about budget and more about skin anatomy.
Understanding the Median Costs in Greater-Seoul
According to aggregated public data across hundreds of registered clinics in the Seoul and Gyeonggi metropolitan areas:
- Shurink (HIFU): Median cost is approximately ₩149,500 (ranging from about ₩30,000 to higher tiers depending on shot counts and clinic location), drawn from 405 tracked clinics.
- Fat Dissolving Injections: Median cost is approximately ₩149,000 (ranging from about ₩15,000 to higher package rates), drawn from 571 tracked clinics.
With both treatments sitting at a median baseline of roughly 150,000 KRW, patients often weigh Shurink against fat-dissolving injections based on whether their concern is skin laxity or localized adipose tissue.
How Shurink Works
Shurink utilizes ultrasound energy to target the SMAS layer beneath the skin, causing thermal coagulation zones that prompt collagen regeneration and tissue tightening. It is generally chosen for mild sagging, jawline definition, and skin firming.
- Price Range: Starts from approximately ₩30,000, scaling up with the number of shots.
- Market Presence: Tracked across 405 Greater-Seoul clinics.
- Best Suited For: Those looking to tighten loose skin and lift mild lower-face sagging.
How Fat Dissolving Injections Work
Facial fat-dissolving injections use chemical compounds (often including phosphatidylcholine or herbal extracts depending on the clinic's formulation) injected into subcutaneous fat layers—such as the double chin or cheek fat pads—to break down fat cells, which are then naturally metabolized by the body.
- Price Range: Starts from approximately ₩15,000 per session, varying by volume and target area.
- Market Presence: Tracked across 571 Greater-Seoul clinics.
- Best Suited For: Those with localized fat deposits who want to reduce fullness in areas like the jowls or submental region.
Choosing Between the Two: Key Differences
While their median prices are nearly identical at ~150,000 KRW, they are not interchangeable:
1. Mechanism: Shurink tightens tissue via heat and stimulates collagen; fat-dissolving injections metabolize localized fat cells. 2. Target Issue: Choose Shurink for laxity and structural firmness. Choose fat-dissolving injections for unwanted volume or localized fullness. 3. Combination: Some practitioners combine both modalities in customized plans, though pricing will reflect both procedures independently.
Live per-clinic prices on GlowMap vary based on promotional events, exact dosages, and specific clinic locations across Seoul and Gyeonggi. Review live data before visiting to ensure transparent planning.