HIFU · Korean Device · Lifting & Tightening

Shurink

How this page was made

This page was written with AI assistance and reviewed against the sources listed under References below. It is general information only, not medical advice. See our full disclaimer for how SHEA creates and reviews treatment information.

What it is

Shurink is the Korean brand name used for Classys Inc.’s Ultraformer III HIFU device. The same device is marketed internationally as Ultraformer III. It is a different product from Ulthera, marketed as Ultherapy, although both belong to the broader focused-ultrasound category.

Ultraformer III received MFDS approval in Korea in 2014. Korean regulatory information for the device includes an intended use involving eyebrow lifting. Regulatory status and approved uses can differ between countries.

Evidence from one focused-ultrasound device should not automatically be applied to another. See the Ultherapy & HIFU page for more context on the broader treatment category.

Why people consider it

They are considering a non-surgical treatment for mild skin laxity or changes in facial contour
They are comparing different HIFU devices offered by Korean clinics and want to understand what “Shurink” specifically refers to

What the experience is like

Ultraformer III delivers focused ultrasound through treatment cartridges designed for different tissue depths. The treatment plan, areas treated, and number of ultrasound lines can vary.

Published research evaluating Ultraformer III has reported changes over the weeks following treatment rather than establishing an immediate or guaranteed lifting result. The clinical evidence specific to this device remains relatively limited.

Limitations & considerations

Published clinical evidence specific to Ultraformer III is more limited than the evidence available for some other focused-ultrasound systems
Results from studies of Ultherapy or other HIFU devices should not automatically be assumed to apply to Shurink/Ultraformer III
Results can vary according to treatment area, device settings, treatment protocol, and individual response
Safety instructions and contraindications should be checked for the specific device being used
More advanced skin laxity may not be adequately addressed by a non-surgical ultrasound treatment
No specific degree of lifting or tightening can be guaranteed

Evidence note

A prospective study of 32 Korean participants evaluated Ultraformer III treatment of the cheeks, lower abdomen, and thigh. Skin elasticity measured with a Cutometer improved at 12 weeks, and aesthetic improvement was also assessed by investigators and participants. No serious adverse effects were reported. One of the author affiliations listed in the paper is Classys Inc., the manufacturer of Ultraformer III, while the paper reports no declared conflict of interest. That inconsistency is worth considering when interpreting the study.

A separate 2021 review and expert consensus paper comparing skin-tightening technologies described a larger published evidence base for microfocused ultrasound with visualization (Ultherapy) and noted limitations in the published evidence available for other focused-ultrasound systems. The paper was funded by Merz Asia Pacific, the company associated with Ultherapy, and authors disclosed relationships with Merz. Its comparisons should therefore be interpreted with that funding context in mind rather than treated as an independent ranking of devices.

References

Peer-reviewed literature and Korean regulatory information.

1. Ko EJ, Hong JY, Kwon TR, et al. Efficacy and safety of non-invasive body tightening with high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU). Skin Research and Technology, 2017;23(4):558–562.

Peer-reviewed · Prospective study (n=32) · Classys author affiliation · COI reported as none declared

2. Park JY, Lin F, Suwanchinda A, et al. Customized Treatment Using Microfocused Ultrasound with Visualization for Optimized Patient Outcomes: A Review of Skin-tightening Energy Technologies and a Pan-Asian Adaptation of the Expert Panel’s Gold Standard Consensus. Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology, 2021;14(5):E70–E79.

Peer-reviewed · Nonsystematic review / expert consensus · Merz-funded · Author COI disclosed

3. Korea Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). Ultraformer III — Classys medical device information; intended use includes eyebrow lifting. MFDS approval recorded in 2014.

Korean regulatory