XERF and Hollow Cheeks: Is It Right for You?

If your cheeks look hollow and your skin is also losing firmness, XERF may be worth considering for the loose skin. If your main goal is fuller cheeks, start with an assessment of volume loss. These goals call for different treatment plans, even when they affect the same part of your face.

You might want a firmer jawline while keeping the fullness you already have in your cheeks. That is a useful starting point for your consultation: where you want more definition, and where you want to preserve your current shape.

Is XERF a good fit for your concern?

XERF is a skin-tightening option. The first step is to identify whether the change bothering you is mostly loose skin, a loss of fullness, or both.

A naturally slim face can still have loose skin. Tell the doctor which change matters most to you instead of choosing a treatment based only on your face shape. Our XERF FAQ explains the distinction between skin laxity and volume loss in more detail.

How does XERF improve skin firmness?

XERF uses two RF frequencies—6.78 MHz and 2 MHz—with three depth settings. RF, or radiofrequency, energy heats tissue to support collagen remodeling. The device also uses tissue-impedance feedback, which measures resistance to electrical current, and cooling to help manage energy delivery and surface temperature.

For someone worried about hollow cheeks, the relevant feature is the ability to adjust the treatment to the area. Ask how the proposed depth and energy settings fit the skin and tissue in each area being treated.

A 39-person clinical study reported short-term improvement in facial laxity after two treatments, with assessments at 30 and 90 days. The manufacturer supported the study. These findings address short-term tightening, leaving long-term changes in facial volume an open research question.

Does XERF cause facial fat loss?

The studies reviewed here do not establish whether XERF causes unwanted facial fat loss in people or how common it might be. They do provide an early finding relevant to that concern: a study in pig skin found no evidence of fat-cell apoptosis—a form of cell death—under the tested conditions, despite thermal effects in fat-containing tissue. Some authors were affiliated with the manufacturer.

This is animal evidence, so it cannot tell us how a person's cheek volume will change over the long term. If your cheeks already look hollow, the practical priority is a plan that accounts for those areas before deciding where to deliver tightening treatment.

If you notice a new hollow or uneven contour after treatment, contact the treating clinic for an assessment. Describe the location and when you first noticed it; before-and-after photos can help if you have them.

What should your treatment plan cover?

Bring two goals to the consultation: what you want to improve and what you want to keep. For example, “I'd like my lower face to feel firmer, but I want to keep my cheek fullness” gives the doctor a clear starting point.

Ask these three questions:

• Which areas would you treat, and how would you account for the hollows I already have?

• How do the proposed treatment depth, energy settings, and coverage fit each area?

• How do my previous fillers, RF treatments, or ultrasound treatments affect the plan?

Share the treatment names, areas, and dates if you know them. The aim is to agree on a plan for your face before choosing a package. If you're still comparing devices, our XERF vs. Thermage guide covers the broader comparison.

Planning XERF in Seoul

Allow for temporary redness, warmth, swelling, or tightness when planning your visit. Our XERF aftercare guidance recommends moisturizer and sunscreen, gentle cleansing, and avoiding rubbing or massaging the treated area. For about a week, avoid saunas, hot baths, alcohol, and strenuous exercise.

Tell us your travel dates and any plans involving heat or strenuous activity so you can plan around the aftercare instructions. Before leaving Seoul, confirm how to contact the clinic if you have a concern after returning home. Seek prompt medical assessment for blistering, severe or worsening pain, or other concerning changes.

Frequently asked questions

Should I choose 300 or 600 shots if I'm worried about hollow cheeks?

Choose according to the proposed treatment area and coverage. Our XERF menu includes both options. Ask the doctor to explain how the recommended shot count fits your plan, including any hollow areas. A lower count alone does not establish a lower risk of volume loss.

What if I already have cheek filler?

Share where the filler was placed, when you had it, and the product name if you know it. The doctor can then review the treatment area and timing with that history in mind. If you're considering additional filler, discuss the sequence of treatments before booking them.

Visiting GU Clinic

For a XERF consultation in Gangnam, tell us which areas look hollow, where your skin feels looser, and when you'll be in Seoul. Photos are helpful if you have them. Use the contact options on the GU Clinic website to discuss your goals and available appointments.

GU Clinic Gangnam Information

Designated by the Ministry of Health and Welfare as an Advanced Regenerative Medicine Institution

Designation No. Regeneration-1-0036

Location and Hours

• Address: 54 Seocho-daero 77-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul — W Tower, 3rd and 4th Floors

• Access: Near Sinnonhyeon Station Exit 7 and Gangnam Station

• Main line: +82-2-6241-0096

• Weekdays: 10:30 AM–9:00 PM

• Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays: 10:30 AM–7:00 PM

• Closed: Lunar New Year’s Day and Chuseok

Physicians and Consultations

• Medical team: 25 physicians, including specialists in plastic surgery, dermatology, and family medicine

• Consultation languages: Korean · English · Simplified Chinese · Traditional Chinese · Japanese

• English consultations before your visit: WhatsApp · Instagram DM

• Main treatments: Lifting (XERF, Sofwave, Ultherapy PRIME, Thermage FLX), skin boosters, Botox, fillers, and stem cell treatments

• Locations: Gangnam main location and Ilsan location

We assess your skin concerns and facial features when planning treatment. If you’re visiting from abroad, we also consider how long you’ll be in Seoul when scheduling treatment and aftercare. Your treatment plan is confirmed after an in-person consultation at our Gangnam location.

Treatment Pricing

Treatment prices are available on the GU Clinic website and treatment menu. Korean and international patients pay the same prices for the same treatments — there is no separate foreign-patient surcharge. Confirm the selected treatment, quantity, and included items before booking.

Dr. Ki-beom Park, Chief Medical Director

Care is led by Dr. Ki-beom Park, Chief Medical Director.

Education and Academic Appointment

• B.S. in Biotechnology, College of Engineering, Yonsei University

• M.D., Yonsei University College of Medicine

• Adjunct Professor, Graduate School of Integrative Medicine, CHA University

Professional Activities

• Co-founder of Gangnam Unni, a medical aesthetics information platform

• Founder and CEO of Healing Breeze, a medical service organization (MSO)

• Developer of GENABELLE, a K-derma cosmetics brand

• Developer of CELLORA of GU

Location & Directions

Medical information and advertising notice
This article is informational medical advertising created by a medical institution to share general information about treatments. Suitable options, results, recovery and possible side effects may vary depending on your health, the treatment area and other individual conditions. As this article does not replace a personal diagnosis or treatment plan, please consult a doctor to confirm the right approach and plan for you before deciding on any treatment.