ONDA lifting intervals: is more frequent better? First distinguish fat from sagging

"The fat under my chin will not go away." "How many ONDA lifting sessions do I need?" "Will having it more often give me faster results?"

These are questions I hear from people who come in about a double chin.

Let me begin by saying that more frequent treatment does not mean faster improvement. And even when two people have a double chin, the answer differs if the problem is fat in one case and sagging in the other. Without making that distinction, shortening the interval will not get you further.

In a double-chin consultation, I first examine the area by touch and compare it with the head raised and lowered. In most cases, this helps distinguish fat from sagging during the examination.

Is it sagging or fullness? Make that distinction first

A blurred jawline can result from localized fat as well as sagging skin. Some people lose weight through dieting but find their jawline unchanged. When asked, "Why has my jawline not returned even though I lost weight?", my answer is that overall body weight, localized fat beneath the chin, and skin sagging do not necessarily change together. The approach is completely different depending on whether there is sagging, fullness, or both. I use three criteria in practice. First is the thickness felt when pinching the tissue. When fat is present, the tissue beneath the chin feels thick. Second is the pattern of sagging. If there are clear signs that tissue has descended from the cheeks and nasolabial area, sagging plays a larger role. Third is skin elasticity. If the skin is slow to return after gentle pressure is released, reduced dermal elasticity may also be present. When fat is the main contributor, energy that targets the fat layer becomes an option to consider, rather than devices aimed at the dermis or fascial layer. My basic clinical principle is that sagging calls for a device suited to sagging, and fat calls for one suited to fat.

"Will ONDA make me lose weight?" Set the right expectations

The short answer is no. Hearing that ONDA treats fat leads some people to think it is a weight-loss treatment, but ONDA addresses contours in localized areas such as the face; it is not a procedure for changing body weight. Nor can a large change from a single session be guaranteed. Depending on the condition, treatment is generally planned over multiple sessions approximately 2–4 weeks apart, with the number adjusted according to the response over successive sessions. The extent and speed of change vary from person to person. I believe setting the right expectations is the first step in consultation. One more point: lifestyle management between sessions also affects results. Rapid weight changes are a major variable that can disrupt a contouring treatment plan, so I recommend keeping body weight relatively stable during the course. Conversely, when sagging itself is more of an issue than fat, we first discuss approaches targeting other layers, such as Ultherapy or Thermage, rather than ONDA alone.

How we assess this at LUNN Clinic

When someone comes in with jawline concerns, I examine the face by touch as well as by sight. Choosing a device requires distinguishing the amount and location of fat, skin elasticity, and the degree of sagging. Two jawlines that look similar in photographs often feel very different on examination. Alongside ONDA, LUNN Clinic has Ultherapy, Thermage FLX, and Sofwave, allowing us to tailor combinations to the findings. If fat is the main issue, ONDA takes the central role; if sagging is also present, we allocate different roles to other devices. I personally conduct the consultation, treatment, and follow-up, and consultations take place in a private room. We are a 1-minute walk from Exit 4 of Apgujeong Rodeo Station, making a course of repeated visits relatively convenient. ONDA can also cause temporary redness, warmth, and swelling after treatment, and both the degree and timing of results vary between individuals. I explain these points before treatment.

Before focusing on how often to have ONDA lifting, I recommend finding out whether your double chin is due to fat or sagging. Any clinic that makes this distinction for you can be a reasonable place to receive treatment.

Related article: Ultherapy and Thermage: What is the difference, and do I need both? Related treatment information: Lifting and tightening lasers