Do you want firmer skin but worry that a strong lift will leave your cheeks looking hollow?
That worry is the reason XERF is on so many Korean clinic menus. It is one of the treatments I do most at Peachcell, and also one of the most misunderstood: people compare it with Ultherapy as if they did the same job.
By the end you will know what XERF does, what it costs in Seoul, what our before-and-after cases show, how it feels, and when I would tell you to choose Ultherapy instead.
I’m Dr. Ha Chang-ik, head doctor of Peachcell Clinic in Sinsa, Seoul. I graduated from Korea University College of Medicine and serve as Academic Director of the Korean Society of Filler Medicine.
Every first visit at Peachcell starts with a 3D skin scan on EVE MUSE. After that a doctor, not a counselor, consults you and plans your treatment.
XERF is one of the four treatments our clinic is known for. Most of what you read about it online is a device brochure. Here is how I actually decide who gets it.
Quick answer: XERF at Peachcell
- XERF 300 shots ₩990,000 · 600 shots ₩1,780,000. XERF 300 shots + Onda 60kJ is ₩1,190,000.
- These are winter 2026 event prices, valid until 30 November 2026. VAT (10%) is added on top.
- About 30 to 40 minutes for the face, plus about 30 minutes of numbing cream.
- Downtime is minimal: mild redness or warmth for a few hours. You can fly the next day.
- Firmness builds over 1 to 3 months. XERF suits thin skin and early sagging; for heavy jowls, Ultherapy PRIME lifts more.
What XERF is, and why Koreans call it Serf
XERF is a radiofrequency (RF) lifting device. In Korea it is often written and spoken as Serf (세르프), so you will see both names on clinic menus.
It uses two RF frequencies, which lets the doctor control how deep the heat goes, layer by layer, instead of using one fixed depth. The heat tightens existing collagen and starts new collagen and elastin over the following weeks.
The goal is denser, firmer skin that holds its shape better. Texture and dull tone often improve along with it. XERF does not pull the deep layers hard or reduce fat, and that is why it suits faces that cannot afford to lose volume.
XERF cost at Peachcell (winter 2026)
| Treatment | Price |
|---|---|
| XERF 300 shots | ₩990,000 |
| XERF 600 shots | ₩1,780,000 |
| XERF 300 shots + Onda 60kJ | ₩1,190,000 |
| Neck Wrinkle Package: XERF 300 shots (neck) + Belotero neck-line filler 1cc + Hitox skin Botox 3cc | ₩1,209,000 |
Event prices valid until 30 November 2026. VAT (10%) is separate, and your final plan is confirmed at the consultation. Korean and international patients pay the same price. See the full price list.
300 or 600 shots? 300 shots often suits a focused area or a smaller face. 600 shots covers the full face more thoroughly or adds passes along the jawline. I decide after examining your skin, not before.
XERF vs Ultherapy: they answer different problems
| XERF | Ultherapy PRIME | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | Dual-frequency radiofrequency | Focused ultrasound |
| Main target | Skin density and firmness | Deep sagging, jowls (SMAS layer) |
| Best for | Thin skin, early sagging, fear of hollowing | Heavy jowls, marionette lines |
| Feel | Warmth and short bursts of heat | Deep, sharp points |
| Downtime | A few hours of mild redness | Little; mild tenderness |
| Price at Peachcell | 300 shots ₩990,000 | 300 shots ₩880,000 |
The question I ask is simple: is your face losing support deep down, or is the skin itself getting thinner and looser? Deep support loss is Ultherapy’s job. Thin, tired skin that would look gaunt after a strong lift is where XERF earns its place. Read more in Ultherapy cost in Korea and Ulthera vs Thermage.
Who XERF suits, and who should choose something else
XERF is a good fit for:
- Thin or sensitive skin that finds strong lifting hard to tolerate
- People worried about hollowing, including a “peanut-shaped” face with dips under the cheekbones (often with Hilowave)
- Early sagging and loss of firmness rather than deep drooping
- A slightly blurred jawline and cheeks that look tired
- Crepey neck skin and neck lines
I would suggest something else for:
- A clear double chin or thick fat under the jaw: Onda handles fat better.
- Deep sagging, heavy jowls or marionette lines: Ultherapy PRIME reaches the SMAS layer.
- Volume loss as the main problem: XERF firms skin but does not add volume. Hilowave or Sculptra and Radiesse do.
XERF before and after: cases from our clinic
This is the kind of face XERF is made for: slim, with thin skin. After treatment the jawline reads cleaner and the skin looks firmer and smoother, without the cheeks looking more hollow.
Here the skin needed firmness and support at the same time. XERF tightened the skin while Radiesse added structure, so the lower face looks firmer than either would manage alone. When I see thinning, sun-damaged skin like this, I plan the two together.
When you look at XERF before-and-after photos anywhere, check that the lighting and angle match, and remember that the full effect builds over 1 to 3 months.
Pain, recovery and flying home
- Pain: XERF is designed to be low in pain. With numbing cream most people feel warmth and short bursts of heat. Tell the doctor if a spot feels too strong and the energy is adjusted.
- Downtime: mild redness or warmth for a few hours.
- Same day: you can wash your face and wear makeup.
- For about a week: avoid alcohol, smoking, strong massage, saunas and jjimjilbang.
- Every day: use sunscreen.
- Flying: there is usually no visible downtime, so you can fly the next day.
- Repeat: one session; firmness builds over 1 to 3 months. Many people repeat every 6 to 12 months, on the doctor’s advice.
Blisters are uncommon. Contact the clinic if one appears.
How a visit goes at Peachcell
- Before your trip: send a front and side photo without makeup on WhatsApp. You get an honest view and an estimated price before you book flights.
- 3D skin scan: EVE MUSE measures skin condition that is hard to judge by eye.
- Doctor consultation: the doctor checks whether your face needs firmness, deep lifting, volume or a mix, and how many shots make sense. Dr. Ha consults in English, and an interpreter is available.
- Treatment: about 30 minutes of numbing cream, then 30 to 40 minutes for the face.
- After: aftercare guidance, and you can go straight back to your plans.
Peachcell is open weekdays 09:30–20:00 and Saturdays 09:30–16:00, on the 3rd floor of YK Tower, 121 Dosan-daero, a minute from Sinsa Station Exit 8. Read more on our XERF lifting page.
Before & after
Cases published by Peachcell Clinic on its website and official Instagram. Results vary by individual, and swelling, bruising or other side effects can occur. Your plan is decided after a consultation with the doctor.
Frequently asked questions
How much does XERF treatment cost in Korea?
At Peachcell, the winter 2026 event price is ₩990,000 for 300 shots and ₩1,780,000 for 600 shots, valid until 30 November 2026. VAT (10%) is separate, and the final plan is confirmed at the consultation.
Is XERF the same as Serf?
Yes. Serf is how XERF is commonly written and pronounced in Korea, so both names refer to the same dual-frequency radiofrequency device.
Is XERF better than Ultherapy?
They do different jobs. XERF firms thin, tired skin without hollowing the face. Ultherapy reaches the deeper SMAS layer and lifts more for heavy jowls. The right choice depends on where your face is losing support.
When will I see XERF results?
Firmness builds over 1 to 3 months as new collagen forms. Results vary between people.
Does XERF hurt?
It is designed to be low in pain. With numbing cream most people feel warmth and short bursts of heat, and the energy can be adjusted during treatment.
Results vary by individual. Every treatment plan is decided after an in-person consultation with the doctor.
Not sure whether XERF or Ultherapy fits your face?
Send a front and side photo on WhatsApp. A doctor will tell you whether XERF suits you, how many shots to plan and an estimated price, or whether another treatment would do more. The consultation is free.
- Free online consultation on WhatsApp
- Same price for Korean and international patients
- Minimal downtime, fly the next day
- Winter 2026 event prices until 30 November
Dr. Ha Chang-ik
Representative Director, Head Doctor
Dr. Ha Chang-ik is the Representative Director and head doctor of Peachcell Clinic. He graduated from Korea University College of Medicine and has served as a director at clinics in Seoul and Jeju, including the skin center at Cheongdam OK Plastic Surgery.
