Sofwave vs Ultherapy: what does each cost in Korea?
In Korea, Sofwave and Ulthera are both quoted per 100 shots — a rare like-for-like setup in lifting prices. Sofwave lists at a flat ₩990,000 (~$720) per 100 shots at 2026 standard self-pay rates, while an Ulthera 100-shot block runs ₩418,000–660,000 (~$304–480). The catch is that the two machines use their shots differently: a full-face Ulthera plan usually stacks several 100-shot blocks, so the finished totals sit closer together than the per-block gap suggests. VAT is included in every figure, foreign patients pay the same standard rate as Korean patients, and Book Korea Medical adds no markup.
Sofwave vs Ultherapy prices in Korea
Both devices appear on Korean rate cards as 100-shot blocks, so the table below really is unit-for-unit. Standard self-pay figures, VAT included, compiled from rate cards published in July 2026.
| Procedure | Unit | Range (KRW) | Approx. (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sofwave (synchronous parallel-beam ultrasound) | per 100 shots | ₩990,000 | ~$720 |
| Ulthera (micro-focused ultrasound / HIFU) | per 100 shots | ₩418,000 – ₩660,000 | ~$304 – $480 |
Standard self-pay rates, VAT included. USD is approximate at ~₩1,375 = $1 (September 2026). Your written quote is the binding figure.
Compiled from participating-clinic rate cards (incl. RE:BERRY, Kind Global), 2026. KRW is the binding figure.
Why the per-block prices sit so far apart
On paper the arithmetic looks lopsided: 100 Sofwave shots work out to 9,900 won per shot, while 100 Ulthera shots land at roughly 4,180–6,600 won per shot. But a shot is not a standard unit across machines. Sofwave fires parallel ultrasound beams into the mid-dermis at a fixed shallow depth, and clinics commonly plan a full-face visit around a single 100-shot block. Ulthera focuses ultrasound point by point at several depths, and a full-face plan routinely calls for 300 shots — three of the blocks priced above.
That changes the finished totals. Three Ulthera blocks mean budgeting three times the ₩418,000–660,000 figure for a full face, which brings the two treatment totals far closer than the per-block sticker implies — and in parts of the range they overlap. The flat Sofwave list price also behaves differently from Ulthera's band: Sofwave is a newer arrival with fewer installed machines, so its figure moves less between districts, while Ulthera pricing spreads with clinic tier and shot policy.
The practical rule: never compare the two on a per-shot or per-block basis. Ask each clinic for the total shot count your face actually needs on that machine, then compare the two written plan totals.
How to decide — without a winner declared
Price alone does not settle this pair, because the devices aim at different layers. Sofwave's fixed shallow depth is generally discussed for skin-level firmness and fine laxity, while Ulthera's multiple focal depths let clinics work deeper planes as well — which of those matches your face is a clinical judgment, not a price question. Downtime expectations and maintenance cadence also differ by individual, so treat any blanket claim with caution.
The sensible sequence is to send photos through a free consultation and let a KHIDI-registered clinic say which device — or neither, or both over time — fits your laxity pattern. Ask for each option as an itemized written quote with the total shot count stated. That written figure is the binding one, and Book Korea Medical adds no markup on it.
VAT is included — and there is no refund in 2026
Every price above is VAT-inclusive: Korea's 10% value-added tax is already built into the standard self-pay rate.
The foreign-patient VAT refund on cosmetic and aesthetic procedures (Special Tax Treatment Control Act, Articles 107-3 and 107-4) expired on 31 December 2025 and was not extended for 2026. As of 2026 there is nothing to reclaim afterward on a procedure like this — the price you see is your effective, out-of-pocket cost. Be cautious of older listings that still promise a clinic VAT refund for cosmetic treatment.
FAQ
How much does Sofwave cost in Korea?
Sofwave is listed at a flat ₩990,000 (~$720) per 100 shots at 2026 standard self-pay rates, VAT included. Many full-face visits are planned around one 100-shot block, but your clinic confirms the exact count for your laxity pattern. Foreign patients pay the same standard rate as Korean patients, with no markup added by us.
How much is Ulthera per 100 shots in Korea?
An Ulthera 100-shot block runs ₩418,000–660,000 (~$304–480) at standard self-pay rates, VAT included. A full-face plan commonly uses 300 shots, so budget roughly three times the block figure for a complete treatment. Where a quote sits inside the band depends mostly on the clinic's district and shot policy.
Is Sofwave or Ultherapy cheaper for a full face in Korea?
It depends on the shot plan, not the sticker. One Sofwave block at ₩990,000 versus three Ulthera blocks at ₩418,000–660,000 each means the finished totals can land on either side of each other. The only honest comparison is two itemized written quotes for your face, each stating its total shot count.
Do these prices include VAT, and is there a refund in 2026?
Yes — the 10% VAT is already inside every figure above. The foreign-patient VAT refund on cosmetic procedures expired on 31 December 2025 and does not apply in 2026, so there is nothing to reclaim afterward. The written quote you accept at the clinic is your effective, final cost.
How do I get exact Sofwave and Ulthera quotes to compare?
Send your photos and goal through a free consultation, and a KHIDI-registered clinic assesses which device suits your laxity, then issues an itemized written quote per option — total shot count included. Those written figures, not the ranges here, are binding, and Book Korea Medical adds no markup on either.
Ready to get matched?
Free multilingual consultation and a transparent quote from a KHIDI-registered clinic — as soon as possible, at no cost to you.
Start a free consultation →