Does sagging around your lower cheeks or under your chin make your face look wider and your features feel heavier? It can be frustrating when your face does not look the way you expect in the mirror or in photos. InMode and ONDA may both be treatment options for these concerns, but we first need to see whether fat or skin laxity is more prominent.
During your consultation, we examine the lower cheeks, fat under the chin, and the degree of skin laxity. InMode uses radiofrequency (RF), while ONDA delivers energy through Coolwaves microwave technology. Tell us which area bothers you most from the front and side. We will explain which option may fit your current concern and where it would be applied.
How are InMode RF and ONDA microwaves different?
The InMode portfolio includes several devices built around RF-based technology, while ONDA uses Coolwaves microwave technology. If you are considering InMode, it is important to ask which device and handpiece will actually be used.
The handpiece and treatment area affect what the treatment is intended to address. During your consultation, we will explain the exact device and handpiece, where it would be used, and the purpose of treating that area. You can then consider why that option is being suggested and what alternatives are available.
The general way a device works is not enough to determine the settings that would be used for you or to predict the result. We decide how and where to use it only after examining your skin and underlying tissue.
Why distinguish lower-cheek sagging, fat under the chin, and skin laxity?
Sagging in the lower cheeks that makes the face look heavier and fat under the chin that makes the jawline look wider require us to examine different areas first. Skin elasticity, the distribution of tissue beneath the chin, and your muscles and bone structure can all affect the appearance of your facial contour.
You do not need to diagnose the cause on your own just because your face looks wide in a mirror or photo. Tell us whether the lower cheeks or the area under the chin bothers you more and how you would like your facial contour to change. After examining your skin and tissue, we will explain whether InMode or ONDA may be considered and which area would be treated.
We will also discuss the degree of change you may realistically expect and the limitations of each option. If you want a major change to your overall face shape similar to what you might expect from surgery, please tell us that as well. We will separate what these devices may be able to address from concerns that require a different approach.
Why can’t InMode shots and ONDA joules be compared directly?
A shot count describes how many times energy is delivered, while a joule (J) is a unit of energy. These figures describe different things. The energy source, treatment-tip area, delivery method, and treatment site also need to be considered.
For that reason, placing an InMode shot count next to an ONDA energy figure does not provide a direct comparison of strength or expected effect. When discussing the numbers, ask about the following points as well.
| What to compare | What to ask during your consultation |
|---|---|
| Treatment goal | Whether the plan is addressing lower-cheek sagging, fat under the chin, or skin laxity |
| Device | The exact InMode device and the handpiece used with each device |
| Area | The areas that will and will not be treated |
| Recovery | Expected skin reactions and the recovery process |
| Reason for combining treatments | If both devices are suggested, the purpose of each and whether using only one is an option |
What previous treatments and travel plans should I mention?
Tell us the date and treatment area if you have previously had fillers, a thread lift, Botox, a fat-related procedure, RF, HIFU, or laser treatment. This information helps us understand what was done in each area before discussing your current plan. If you do not remember the treatment name, bring the receipt, treatment record, or a photo of the product card instead of guessing.
Please also mention the dates of any photo shoots, long-haul flights, exercise, sauna visits, or outdoor activities. Once the handpiece and treatment area are decided, we can explain possible reactions such as redness, swelling, or tenderness, as well as when to resume cleansing, makeup, and other activities.
Whichever option you consider, ask about the expected change, possible discomfort, and other choices. After hearing the explanation, you can decide whether the treatment fits the rest of your travel schedule.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better for sagging lower cheeks and a double chin: InMode or ONDA?
Even when the overall concern is facial contouring, the points we examine differ depending on whether lower-cheek sagging, fat under the chin, or skin laxity is more prominent. Show us the area that concerns you. After examining your skin and tissue, we will explain which option may be considered.
Do I have to receive both treatments on the same day?
No. If both devices are suggested, ask which area each one would treat and for what purpose. You can also discuss whether using only one device or choosing a different approach is possible.
What should I share if I have had fillers or a thread lift?
Tell us the treatment date and area, along with the product or type of thread if you know it. If you are unsure, do not guess. Bring the original record or a photo so we can review it.
Send YJ Central Dermatology & Plastic Surgery Clinic the area that concerns you most, the change you hope to see, your previous treatment history, and your planned visit date. We will help you understand what to compare between InMode and ONDA. Enquire on WhatsApp · Enquire on LINE
References: InMode RF technology · DEKA ONDA technical document · Questions to ask before a cosmetic treatment — American Academy of Dermatology
Minjung Choi, M.D.
Medical Director · Board-certified Dermatologist
- Medical Director, YJ Central
- Internship and dermatology residency, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital
- Author or co-author of five peer-reviewed dermatology papers