3 InMode Fx Side Effects I See Most Often in My Clinic

InMode Fx Side Effects:

The 3 Most Common Cases I See in My Clinic

Let me get straight to the point.

The side effect you really need to watch out for with InMode Fx

isn't swelling or heat sensation — it's volume loss in the cheeks.

Let me explain why.

What Makes InMode Fx Different

From Other Radiofrequency (RF) Devices?

InMode Fx uses

bipolar Radiofrequency (RF) energy to

simultaneously target the deep Dermis

and the subcutaneous fat layer.

It's a procedure that directly disrupts fat cell walls.

Unlike Thermage and other conventional RF devices,

the energy travels a short path between two electrodes,

which allows for precise targeting at a specific depth.

That means InMode Fx goes beyond simply tightening the skin —

it's designed to reduce unwanted fat as well.

Why Do Some Patients See Great Results

While Others Experience Volume Loss?

"InMode Fx works by directly disrupting fat cell walls.

Temporary heat sensation and Swelling are normal,

but applying energy beneath the cheekbones — where the fat layer is thin —

can lead to sunken cheeks as a side effect."

— Dr. Wi Young-jin (Beautystone Clinic, Seoul)

A 46-year-old patient who visited last week came in with a concerned look,

showing me photos of indentations beneath her cheekbones

that developed after a procedure at another clinic.

In areas with a thicker fat layer — like under the chin — InMode is an excellent tool for defining the facial contour.

But areas beneath the cheekbones, where the fat layer is only 2–5mm thin, require much more caution.

When there's barely any fat to begin with,

the procedure can eliminate what little volume remains.

The side effects I observe in my clinic generally fall into three categories:

First, heat sensation, Swelling, and flushing

(normal responses that typically resolve within 3 days)

Second, petechiae or Bruising (usually fades within a week)

Third, sunken cheeks

(the slowest to recover and the most challenging side effect to address)

The first two resolve on their own with time,

but the third is an entirely different issue.

Preventing Volume Loss:

The Key Is Adjusting Output by Zone

Start by assessing your own facial structure and fat layer thickness.

I applied these same principles when consulting with a 58-year-old patient.

Her face was relatively flat overall,

so the same approach used for her daughter simply wasn't appropriate.

We created a custom "output map" —

standard settings under the chin, one level lower for the cheeks,

and completely avoiding the sub-cheekbone area.

This is how you define the facial contour

without the risk of unwanted volume loss.

If You've Read This Far,

You're Probably Wondering...

Q1. If my cheeks look sunken, will they recover on their own?

In the first 1–2 weeks post-procedure, the face can appear temporarily sunken

as the Swelling subsides.

However, if the same appearance persists after a month,

it's likely that actual fat reduction has occurred —

and at that point, natural recovery is honestly quite difficult.

In such cases, a volumizing procedure such as Filler or Sculptra may be necessary.

Q2. How many sessions are recommended,

and what is the approximate cost?

For safety, we generally recommend

3 sessions spaced 4 weeks apart.

Attempting to achieve results in a single session by pushing the output too high

is one of the most common causes of adverse side effects.

Q3. Is the procedure safe if I have implants or Filler?

In areas with implants, heat can be conducted more intensely,

so precise placement around the implant requires a skilled and experienced hand.

If you've recently had Filler or a Thread lift,

the heat may cause the material to break down —

so a minimum interval of 4–6 weeks is strongly advised.

If there's one thing to take away from today's post —

what determines your results with InMode Fx

isn't the number of shots,

but precise output calibration by zone.

In my next post,

I'll cover what to do when volume loss beneath the cheekbones has already occurred

— and which procedures can help restore it.

This has been Dr. Wi Young-jin.