Key summary Shrink is a non-surgical lifting treatment that uses ultrasound thermal energy to tighten sagging areas like the jawline or cheeks. Its effect can be visible immediately after the procedure, and in a periorbital (under-eye) study, improvement remained even about 3 months later. A 300 shot is not a fixed quantity that produces the same effect for everyone — how it is distributed across the jawline, cheeks, and under-eye area matters. Compared with Ulthera, the biggest difference is that Shrink lacks the function of viewing the skin layers in real time during the procedure.
01When does Shrink's effect appear, and how long does it last?
The effect can appear immediately after the procedure. In a facial study, changes were measured in 3D photographs taken right after the procedure, and in a periorbital study, improvement remained even 12 weeks later. Because the facial study only took photographs immediately after the procedure, it does not show how long the effect lasts across the whole face. Based on current Shrink papers, the duration that can be stated is up to 3 months for the under-eye area.
| Check point | Change observed in the study | What can be known |
|---|---|---|
| Immediately after the procedure | A change of 1.25–3.55mm was measured in the forehead, cheeks, jawline, and neck | An immediate change may appear on the face |
| 12 weeks after the procedure | Eyelid length decreased by an average of about 1mm | Improvement remained in the under-eye area even 3 months later |
| 6 months to 1 year | No Shrink follow-up data available | Cannot confirm that the effect lasts through this period |
02How much actually changed in the face and under-eye area?
In the facial study, the distance of movement by area was measured using 3D photographs taken immediately after the procedure.
| Area measured | Change measured immediately after the procedure |
|---|---|
| Forehead | 1.25mm |
| Under-eye area | 2.26mm |
| Cheekbone area | 2.47mm |
| Back of the cheek | 3.38mm |
| Below the jawline | 2.91mm |
| Mandibular line | 3.11mm |
| Neck | 3.55mm |
The 1–4mm figures in the table are not a reduction in facial size but rather the lifting change measured in 3D photographs immediately after the procedure. In the under-eye area, eyelid length decreased by an average of about 1mm 12 weeks later, and roughly 3 out of every 4 participants were judged to have improved. Neither study had a control group, and the number of people analyzed was small — 50 for the face and 34 for the under-eye area — so they do not show long-term duration.
03How does Shrink work beneath the skin?
Shrink focuses ultrasound energy on a single point beneath the skin to create a small thermal spot. The heat-stimulated tissue contracts, and collagen production continues during the recovery process. It is often called a "lifting laser," but the energy actually used is not a laser — it is ultrasound.
Changing the cartridge also changes the depth the ultrasound reaches. This is why the same cartridge is not used on the cheeks, jawline, and under-eye area.
04Is 300 Shrink shots enough for the entire face?
A "shot" is the unit that counts how many times the device delivers ultrasound energy. 300 shots is an amount that can be used when treating focused on certain areas like the jawline or cheeks, but it is not a fixed number guaranteed to be sufficient for everyone's entire face. Distributing the shots across the whole face reduces the amount applied to any one area, while concentrating on the jawline means the same 300 shots are allocated more densely to a narrower area.
| What to check in the treatment plan | What the 300 shots mean |
|---|---|
| Distributed across the whole face | Divided among the forehead, cheeks, jawline, under-eye area, etc., so the shot count per area decreases |
| Focused on the jawline or cheeks | Even the same 300 shots are allocated more densely to a narrower area |
| Using cartridges of various depths | The layer the ultrasound reaches differs depending on skin thickness and the target area |
| Excluding areas of concern for volume loss | Areas where shots will not be applied must also be determined to avoid unnecessary treatment of those areas |
If the estimate only states "300 shots," it is hard to know the actual treatment scope. Only when the allocation by area and cartridge depth are stated together, like "so many shots for the jawline, so many for the cheeks," can the same 300 shots be meaningfully compared between clinics. The individual allocation is determined after examining face size, sagging areas, and areas to avoid.
05What is the difference between Shrink and Shrink Universe?
| Category | Original Shrink | Shrink Universe |
|---|---|---|
| Overseas product name | ULTRAFORMER III | ULTRAFORMER MPT |
| Domestic permit number | Manufacturing permit 14-1422 | Manufacturing permit 21-831 |
| Irradiation method | Uses cartridges of a depth suited to the area | Uses point mode and fast successive-firing MP mode |
| Handpiece | Centered on the standard type | Added a smaller handpiece for treating curved areas |
06Who should compare Shurink and Ulthera?
Both devices use focused ultrasound, but they differ in how the treatment plan is set. Shurink uses cartridges at various depths and shot counts divided by treatment area, while Ulthera performs the procedure while viewing the skin layers on a real-time ultrasound screen.
| If this applies to you | Device to compare | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| You want shots divided by defined areas such as the jawline, cheeks, or under-eye area | Shurink | Cartridge depth and shot count are planned separately by area |
| The ability to check the skin layers on screen matters to you | Ulthera | The target depth is determined by viewing the ultrasound screen during the procedure |
| A noticeable change in a single session, or evidence of results lasting 6 months or more, matters to you | Compare with other lifting methods as well | The changes confirmed in Shurink studies are not large, and the duration data only extends to 3 months for the under-eye area |
If you are looking for a non-surgical lifting option because the jawline contour has become slightly less defined, or because sagging in the cheeks and under-eye area is not severe, you may want to compare Shurink's area-by-area shot allocation. If you prioritize the ability to check the skin layers on a real-time screen, Ulthera fits that condition. There is not yet a study comparing, under the same conditions, which of the two devices produces more lifting or lasts longer.
07How much pain does Shurink cause, and what side effects are there?
Pain during under-eye treatment was generally between mild and moderate, though the level felt varied from person to person. Pain when treating the entire face cannot be determined from this study alone.
After focused ultrasound procedures, redness, swelling, bruising, and tenderness on pressure may occur, and these have mostly been reported as mild to moderate. Because this finding comes from looking at several focused ultrasound devices together, the incidence rate specific to Shurink alone has not been separately confirmed.
08Common misconceptions
| Common misconceptions | What has actually been confirmed |
|---|---|
| A duration of 3 to 4 months is guaranteed for everyone | The 12-week results were confirmed only for the under-eye area, and the duration for the entire face was not measured |
| 300 shots are always enough for the entire face for everyone | The scope of the procedure varies depending on whether the shots are distributed across the whole face or concentrated on a specific area |
| Because the Universe is a newer model, its effect is unconditionally greater | The scanning method and handpieces have changed, but there is no direct comparison data proving a greater effect |
09In summary
Conclusion Shurink is more likely to be a good fit for people who are seeking non-surgical lifting because the jawline contour has become slightly less defined, or because of mild sagging in the cheeks and under-eye area. On the other hand, if the sagging is severe enough to require a clearly lifted facial contour, or if a duration of 6 months to a year is the top priority, the current Shurink research alone makes it difficult to support that expectation. Once you have decided on the procedure, comparing how many shots are used for the jawline, cheeks, and under-eye area respectively, along with the cartridge depth, is more useful for judging the actual treatment plan than comparing the total shot count of 300 shots.
10Frequently Asked Questions
When does the effect of Shurink appear?
It can appear right after the procedure. In the facial study, changes in the forehead, cheeks, jawline, and neck were measured in 3D photos taken immediately after the procedure. The point at which the effect becomes most pronounced was not separately confirmed in this study.
How long does the effect of Shurink last?
Based on the under-eye area, the duration confirmed in the study extends to 3 months. Improvement remained even after 3 months, but since no data covering the period from 6 months to a year exists, whether it is maintained beyond that point has not been confirmed.
Are 300 shots of Shurink enough for the entire face?
It can be used when focusing on certain areas such as the jawline or cheeks, but it is not a fixed amount considered sufficient for the entire face. When distributed across the whole face, the number of shots per area decreases, while if concentrated on the jawline, the same 300 shots are allocated more densely to a narrower area.
How is Shurink different from Shurink Universe?
The two are separate generations of the device with different approval numbers. The Universe added a dot mode, a fast continuous-fire MP mode, and a small handpiece for curved areas. Being a newer model does not mean its effect is unconditionally greater.
What's the difference between Shrink and Ulthera?
Shrink divides cartridge depth and shot count by treatment area, while Ulthera performs the procedure while viewing the skin layers in real time on an ultrasound screen. If you plan to distribute shots across defined areas such as the jawline or cheeks, Shrink's area-by-area planning is relevant to compare, and if the ability to check the skin layers on screen matters to you, you can compare Ulthera first. There is not yet a study that directly compares which one lifts more or lasts longer.
Is Shrink painful, and does it have side effects?
For under-eye procedures, pain was generally mild to moderate, though the degree felt varied by person. After the procedure, redness, swelling, bruising, and tenderness when pressed can occur, and most were reported as mild to moderate in severity.
11Pre-consultation checklist
- □ I confirmed whether it is the original Shrink or Shrink Universe
- □ I was given an explanation of which areas and how many shots would be used
- □ I asked how the cartridge depth was determined
- □ I confirmed the changes I can expect and the study period
- □ I was given an explanation of pain and side effects
- □ I confirmed the medical staff performing the procedure and their qualifications
12Glossary
- HIFU: A method that focuses ultrasound at a single point beneath the skin to create a heat spot.
- Shot count: The number of times ultrasound was applied. Even with the same shot count, the content of the procedure differs depending on which areas it is distributed across and how.
- Study without a comparison group: A study that only compares before and after in people who received the procedure. It is difficult to determine whether factors other than the procedure had an effect.
13Sources, date checked
| Source | What was checked | Scope checked |
|---|---|---|
| Immediate post-procedure facial study, PMID 39372881 | Among 128 people, 50 with good-quality photos were selected, and immediate post-procedure changes in the forehead, cheeks, jawline, and neck were measured. This is a single-clinic dataset, and there was no untreated comparison group | Full text, 2026-09-18 |
| Eyelid 12-week follow-up study, PMC12719753 | Compared 34 Korean women before the procedure and 12 weeks after. Eyelid length decreased by an average of about 1mm, and clinicians confirmed improvement in about 76%. There was no comparison group and no data beyond 12 weeks | Full text, 2026-09-18 |
| HIFU mechanism literature review, PMID 40184185 | Confirmed the mechanism by which ultrasound is focused beneath the skin to create heat spots and induce tissue contraction and collagen changes | Abstract only, 2026-09-18 |
| Focused ultrasound safety analysis, PMID 39540440 | Confirmed pain, redness, swelling, bruising, and tenderness reported across multiple focused-ultrasound studies. This is not an analysis of Shrink alone | Abstract only, 2026-09-22 |
| CLASSYS ULTRAFORMER MPT official product information | Confirmed the point method and MP method of Shrink Universe, and the handpiece and cartridge configuration | Manufacturer's official materials, 2026-09-22 |
| Ultherapy official product information | Confirmed the function of viewing the skin layers in real time on an ultrasound screen and delivering energy to depths of 1.5mm, 3.0mm, and 4.5mm | Manufacturer's official materials, 2026-09-22 |
| Ministry of Food and Drug Safety medical device UDI lookup | The original Shrink is registered under Manufacturing permit 14-1422, and Shrink Universe is registered under Manufacturing permit 21-831 | Official database, 2026-09-18 |
For sources marked Full text, the study methods, results, side effects, and limitations were all read. For sources where only the Abstract only was checked, they were not used as evidence for effectiveness or duration, and were used only to explain the mechanism and range of side effects. Study results are average values, so they do not mean the same outcome for every individual.
14Editorial responsibility, conflicts of interest
- Writing and editing: Korea Beauty Report editorial team
- Review scope: The editorial team prepared this content from published research and public data. It was not separately reviewed by a medical professional and does not replace individual diagnosis or treatment.
- Conflicts of interest: No contracted or advertising clinic relationship for this article
- First published: 2026-09-24, last source check: 2026-09-24