Personalized plastic surgery, laser & anti-aging care in Haeundae, Busan
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XERF
XERF monopolar RF skin tightening in Busan, Korea — two frequencies, three treatment depths, minimal downtime, performed by Dr. Kim Ki-tae at TAE Plastic.
XERF Skin Tightening in Busan, Korea
Medically reviewed by Dr. Kim Ki-tae, MD — Board-Certified Specialist in Plastic Surgery, Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons; Director and founder, TAE Plastic Surgery Clinic TAE Plastic Surgery Clinic, Haeundae-gu, Busan
XERF in Busan is a non-invasive monopolar radiofrequency treatment for facial aging, skin laxity and facial contour. It uses two RF frequencies to deliver thermal energy at different tissue depths, and it is done without incisions and with generally minimal downtime. TAE Plastic Surgery Clinic in Haeundae-gu offers it as one of several lifting routes, and this page is about what the device actually is.
What Is XERF?
XERF is a non-invasive monopolar RF skin-tightening treatment designed for facial aging, skin laxity and improvement of facial contours.
It uses two RF frequencies, 6.78 MHz and 2.0 MHz, to deliver thermal energy at different tissue depths.
It is a contact treatment: the handpiece is applied to the skin rather than needles being inserted.
Cooling protects the skin surface during treatment and improves comfort.
Clinical research has investigated its effects on facial laxity, wrinkles, eyebrow and upper-eyelid position, and lower-face and neck tightening.
Patients in clinical protocols were able to leave after treatment.
The appeal for patients traveling from abroad is the downtime profile rather than the size of the change. Dr. Kim Ki-tae's published comment on this class of device puts it plainly: "Lifting lasers that cause no pain, need no anaesthesia and let you return to daily life immediately after treatment are becoming popular."
The potential benefits stated for the treatment are improvement in skin laxity, facial firmness, fine lines and facial contour. Research has also examined eyebrow and upper-eyelid elevation, and lower-face and neck tightening. XERF fits an established market for non-surgical facial lifting: it appeals to patients who want improvement in laxity, fine lines and facial definition without surgery or prolonged downtime.
The clinic's stated approach is to assess skin condition and the underlying tissue structure together, because the two determine what any single treatment can realistically achieve. TAE Plastic Surgery Clinic describes itself as a complex aesthetic surgery space, in which surgery is connected to non-surgical treatment and to advanced lasers, and stem cell and anti-ageing care are practised alongside them rather than kept apart.
Who Performs XERF at TAE Plastic Surgery Clinic
**Dr. Kim Ki-tae
**Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon
XERF is performed by Dr. Kim Ki-tae, the clinic's founder and sole doctor and the listed performing doctor for the parent Facial Lifting & Anti-Aging specialty.
Dr. Kim Ki-tae holds the Board-Certified Specialist designation in Plastic Surgery issued by the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons. He graduated from Inje University College of Medicine and trained as a Clinical Fellow in the Department of Plastic Surgery at Pusan National University from March 2003 to February 2004. He founded TAE Plastic Surgery Clinic in 2005 and has practised there ever since.
He chairs the Academic Committee of the Laser Plastic Surgery Research Group at the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons, sits on that society's Academic Committee, serves on the Legislation Committee of the Korean Association of Plastic Surgeons, and is General Affairs Director of the Busan Medical Association. He is a full member of the American Society for Laser Medicine and Surgery, an international member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, and a full member of the International Confederation for Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery.
TAE Plastic Surgery Clinic is a single-doctor clinic, so the surgeon who assesses you is the surgeon who treats you. His profile is on the doctor page, and XERF is listed among the clinic's Facial Lifting & Anti-Aging options.
XERF Options and Types Available
XERF is a single device, but it is not delivered in a single way. The clinic's description of the system sets out the variables that change between patients.
| Variable | What the clinic states |
|---|---|
| Frequencies | A monopolar RF device from Cynosure Lutronic combining 6.78 MHz and 2 MHz |
| Depth | Three-stage shallow, middle and deep depth control |
| Energy delivery | Wave Fit Pulse, which alternates energy and cooling |
| Comfort | ICD gas cooling, for treatment without anaesthesia |
| Handpiece | The XERF EFECTOR handpiece applies a patented spider pattern with real-time surface temperature monitoring |
| Coverage | The EFECTOR 60 covers a wider area per shot |
Set against the alternatives, the clinic draws these distinctions:
Compared with conventional monopolar RF, XERF uses two frequencies rather than a single one.
Compared with HIFU, it uses RF rather than focused ultrasound, with different tissue-depth and heating characteristics.
Compared with fractional RF, which generally uses microneedles or electrodes to deliver energy into the skin, XERF is a non-invasive contact treatment.
Compared with a facelift, which physically repositions and removes tissue, XERF is a non-surgical tightening option and is not a substitute for surgery where laxity is substantial.
Who Is a Good Candidate for XERF?
You may be a candidate if
You are an adult with mild-to-moderate facial skin laxity.
You have fine lines or early aging changes.
You have lost facial definition.
You are concerned about reduced firmness or a change in the facial contour.
You want a non-invasive treatment.
You should be assessed before treatment, or may need to avoid it, if
You have an implanted electronic device such as a pacemaker or defibrillator.
You have an active infection or inflammatory skin disease in the treatment area.
You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
You have an active malignancy in the treatment area.
You have uncontrolled systemic disease.
Anyone with a relevant medical condition, an active skin problem or another factor affecting safe RF treatment should be assessed by a doctor first.
What to Expect: Procedure, Recovery, and Results Timeline
The clinician evaluates skin laxity, facial anatomy, treatment goals, skin condition and medical history, then selects the treatment areas and the energy and depth settings. The treatment itself follows a set sequence:
Cleanse the treatment area.
Apply a thin layer of ultrasound gel.
Place the XERF handpiece against the skin.
Deliver RF energy using the appropriate depth and energy settings.
Cooling protects the skin surface and improves comfort.
Treat the planned facial and neck areas.
Remove the gel; patients can generally resume normal activities.
XERF is a non-surgical RF treatment and generally does not require surgical anesthesia, with the exact approach confirmed at consultation. The device is designed with cooling technology to make RF treatment more comfortable. Treatment time varies with the area treated and the settings used.
Preparation is light. Arrive with the treatment area clean, and tell the clinician about implanted electronic devices, metal implants, pregnancy or breastfeeding, active skin conditions, recent procedures, medications and relevant medical conditions. Disclose any recent cosmetic or energy-based treatment. Aftercare is usually minimal: follow the clinic's instructions, avoid unnecessary irritation of the treated skin, use appropriate sun protection, and temporarily avoid anything that would excessively heat the treated area if you are advised to.
| Stage | What to expect |
|---|---|
| Immediately after | Temporary redness, swelling, warmth, tenderness or discomfort can occur |
| Same day | Downtime is generally minimal, and redness typically settles within a few hours to a day |
| Weeks | Improvement can develop progressively as thermal tissue effects and collagen remodeling occur |
| One and three months | XERF studies have evaluated outcomes at these two points |
| Course | A current registered clinical protocol used two treatment sessions about four weeks apart, and allowed up to three |
| Travel | Because downtime is minimal, this can often be completed in as little as a single day in Korea, with the schedule confirmed at consultation |
A recent retrospective study reported improvements in wrinkle severity, skin evenness, pore size, and eyebrow and upper-eyelid position. That is a research finding rather than a promise about your own result, and the clinic does not state an exact time at which visible results appear.
The clinic has not published a price or a price range for this procedure, so none is stated here, and cost is confirmed at consultation.
Safety, Precision, and Clinic Standards
TAE Plastic Surgery Clinic is a Registered Medical Institution for Attracting Foreign Patients, certified by the Ministry of Health and Welfare under the Medical Overseas Expansion and Foreign Patients Attraction Act. TAE Plastic Surgery Clinic publishes neither case volumes nor complication rates for this procedure, and this page claims neither. The clinic has not published an approved-claims list for this procedure and this market, so this page states no efficacy or outcome claim beyond what the clinic itself documents.
The possible short-term effects are temporary redness, swelling, warmth, tenderness or discomfort. RF treatments can carry risks such as excessive heating, burns, temporary sensory changes or uneven results, although these are not expected outcomes. Real-time surface temperature monitoring is part of the handpiece's design. The clinic's stated approach to reducing risk is individualized treatment, with XERF listed as one option among its lifting and skin treatments rather than as a default. The clinic reports approximately 240 surgical procedures and approximately 3,600 non-surgical treatments a year; these are clinic-wide totals across everything it offers, not figures for this procedure. What the clinic positions XERF for is improvement in skin firmness and facial lifting or contour concerns, and it states that results vary according to individual skin and tissue conditions.
For independent background on non-surgical cosmetic treatment and how to check who is treating you, see the NHS guidance for people considering cosmetic procedures (NHS) and the US National Library of Medicine's general reference on skin aging (MedlinePlus).
The Bottom Line
XERF is a non-invasive contact RF treatment aimed at laxity, fine lines and facial contour.
It combines 6.78 MHz and 2 MHz with three-stage depth control, and cools the skin surface as it works.
Downtime is generally minimal, and patients in clinical protocols left after treatment.
Improvement develops progressively; study outcomes were assessed at one and three months.
It is not a substitute for a facelift where laxity is substantial, and the clinic does not present it as one.
FAQ
Who is a good candidate for XERF?
People concerned about facial skin laxity, reduced firmness or a change in the facial contour. Treatment is selected according to the individual's condition rather than offered as a standard package. Anyone with a relevant medical condition or an active skin problem should be assessed by a doctor first.
Does it hurt, and will I need anesthesia?
XERF is designed with cooling technology to make RF treatment more comfortable. It is a non-surgical RF treatment and generally does not require surgical anesthesia. The exact approach is confirmed during consultation.
How is XERF different from other lifting options at the clinic?
The clinic lists XERF alongside thread lifting, NP Profound and its other skin-tightening treatments, and the right choice depends on your condition. XERF's distinguishing features are its two frequencies and its three-stage depth control. It is non-invasive, unlike the needle-delivered options.
How many sessions will I need?
A current registered clinical protocol used two sessions approximately four weeks apart, and allowed up to three. What you actually need is decided at consultation, based on your condition and the areas being treated. The clinic does not publish a fixed course length.
When will I see results?
Results develop progressively as collagen remodeling occurs, so timing varies between patients. XERF studies evaluated outcomes at one and three months after treatment. The clinic does not state an exact time for visible results.
What are the common side effects?
Temporary redness, warmth, tenderness or swelling can occur, as with energy-based treatments generally. RF treatments can also carry risks such as excessive heating, burns, temporary sensory changes or uneven results, though these are not expected outcomes. Report anything that worsens rather than settles.
Can I fly home afterward?
Recovery is generally shorter than for surgical lifting because XERF is non-surgical, and downtime is minimal. Confirm travel timing with the treating clinic, particularly if you have redness or swelling. Many patients complete this treatment within a single day in Korea.
Book a Consultation at TAE Plastic Surgery Clinic
XERF is available in Busan at TAE Plastic Surgery Clinic, and the consultation settles the treatment areas, the depth and the energy settings for your skin before anything is delivered. English-speaking assistance is available for both online and in-person consultations, and consultations are arranged through the clinic's contact page. TAE Plastic Surgery Clinic is at 4th Floor, Gunam Building, 27 Gunam-ro, Haeundae-gu, Busan, South Korea, and opens Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 18:00 and Saturday from 09:00 to 13:00, closed Sundays and public holidays.
Disclaimer
This page is for general informational purposes and does not constitute individualized medical advice. Candidacy, technique, anaesthesia and outcome can only be determined in an in-person consultation with a qualified doctor. Individual results vary.
References
NHS — Cosmetic procedures
MedlinePlus (US National Library of Medicine) — Skin Aging