When Do the Effects of InMode Appear? An Illustrated Guide to the Expected Course and Ways to Enhance Results

In conclusion, changes in skin texture and firmness may appear within a few days for some people, but more commonly develop over 2 weeks to 1 month. The contour of the face line generally changes around 1 month, while fullness caused by submental fat typically changes over 1 to 3 months. Collagen production is believed to peak around 1 month after treatment, making this the period when changes are easiest to notice.

When radiofrequency energy reaches the dermis, collagen fibers contract from heat at the treatment site. The triple-helix structure partially unwinds, causing the fibers themselves to contract. The tightened sensation immediately after treatment arises from this response.

At the same time, mild swelling and a feeling of heat remain in the treated area. This temporary swelling may create a small amount of volume, making the contour appear smoother than it actually is. On areas with thin skin, such as beside the mouth and beneath the chin, bruising may occur and remain for approximately 2 weeks in some cases. Multiple factors overlap in the way the face looks on the day of treatment and the following day, so this is not a reliable basis for judging the contour.

Once the contraction caused by heat settles, another change begins to develop. This is when fibroblasts become activated and begin producing new collagen.

Elements such as the feel of the skin, the appearance of enlarged pores, and fine crepey lines tend to change first. At this stage, the first changes you are likely to notice may be in the skin itself rather than in the contour. This is also when people may notice that their foundation applies differently or that their cheeks feel more resilient to the touch.

The treatment's effect on fat also begins to take shape at this point. Fat cells that have entered the process of apoptosis do not disappear immediately. They are gradually processed as waste products and eliminated from the body over time.

According to literature tracking tissue changes caused by radiofrequency, the first week after treatment is characterized mainly by an inflammatory response and early collagen deposition. From 1 to 3 months afterward, tissue remodeling and maturation progress.

Newly produced collagen does not have its full strength from the outset. Fibers deposited in an unorganized manner gradually align and increase in density over time. It is only after this maturation process that the skin regains its ability to provide support. The reason the figure of 3 months appears repeatedly is not the performance of the device, but the body's own pace of change.

To understand the course of changes, it helps to first understand what acts on which layer. InMode is the name of a multifunctional device developed by the Israeli company InMode. Facial treatments generally combine two handpieces with different functions. We explain each one in detail below.

Forma is a handpiece that delivers radiofrequency thermal energy evenly to the layers from the skin's surface through the dermis. At LIVELY CLINIC, we deliver the treatment while controlling the skin temperature at approximately 40〜43℃. This temperature range is considered suitable for the production of collagen and elastin.

The areas affected by Forma are as follows:

During treatment, you generally feel a gentle warmth, and there is little strong pain. Changes related to skin texture arise from the treatment's action on these superficial layers.

MiniFX works through more than simply warming fat. First, radiofrequency energy is delivered while the skin is suctioned, warming and expanding fat cells to 40〜43℃. Then, 2000-volt nanosecond pulsed waves are applied, causing irreversible changes in the cell membranes and leading the cells toward apoptosis.

Because it selectively acts on fat cells expanded by heat, one of its characteristics is that it is less likely to damage the surrounding tissue. It is mainly used on areas where fullness caused by fat is a concern, such as beneath the chin and beside the mouth. Bruising, when it occurs, is also most commonly seen in areas treated with MiniFX.

At LIVELY CLINIC, we call the treatment combining MiniFX and Forma InMode Lift. MiniFX is used first, followed by Forma while the tissue has received sufficient thermal energy. This means that the action on the fat cells continues during the Forma treatment as well.

The treatment is designed to reduce volume from within the contour by reducing fat, while simultaneously tightening the superficial layers to help prevent skin laxity. Because the roles are clearly divided, the change in contour may be easier to recognize than when either treatment is received alone. The timing of the effects cannot be reduced to a single number because treatments with different functions are taking place at the same time.

The main reason InMode's progress can be difficult to understand is that the reactions taking place inside the body do not proceed at the same speed. Three time scales—seconds, weeks, and months—each correspond to different changes. Let us take a closer look.

The first is a reaction that progresses in seconds. Once dermal collagen reaches a certain temperature, it contracts immediately, and the effects begin to appear during treatment. The reason you may feel that your face looks smaller immediately after treatment is this physical contraction.

However, fibers that have only undergone thermal denaturation largely return to their original state over time, so lasting effects cannot be expected from this alone. If you take the immediate change as the final result, you may end up disappointed a few days later. It is more appropriate to view it as an early indication.

The second is a reaction that progresses over weeks. Fat cells processed by MiniFX do not disappear immediately; they are gradually eliminated from the body as waste products over time. This elimination process is why a period of several weeks is needed.

Because the fat cells that have been reduced do not return, a lower risk of rebound is also an advantage. On the other hand, there is a time lag before the changes are reflected in numbers or appearance. If you look in the mirror the week after treatment and see little noticeable change, it does not mean that the device failed to work.

The third is a reaction that progresses over months. When heat is applied to the dermis, fibroblasts are stimulated, promoting the production of collagen and elastin. However, it takes several months for newly produced fibers to become organized and acquire the strength to support the skin.

Even after thermal contraction has ended, fat elimination and collagen maturation are still progressing. This difference in timing creates the phenomenon explained next.

A common misunderstanding about InMode concerns the plateau that occurs several days after treatment. The immediate contraction caused by heat and swelling have subsided, but fat elimination and collagen maturation have not yet become visible. As a result, there may be a period when the appearance temporarily approaches its pre-treatment level.

Many people conclude at this point that the results have returned to their original state. However, this plateau does not mean that the effects have disappeared. Collagen remodeling and the processing of fat cells are still continuing inside the body; the changes simply have not yet appeared on the surface.

The solution is straightforward: begin with the assumption that you will reserve judgment until the second week. If you set the time for evaluating the results at 1 month, you are less likely to feel anxious. Confirming the expected course during your consultation can also help you proceed without becoming uncertain along the way.

Even with the same single treatment, the answer to “When can you feel the effects?” differs depending on which part of the face you look at.

The earliest changes tend to appear in the skin quality of the cheeks and forehead. Because the treatment acts on layers close to the skin's surface, changes such as less noticeable pores and smoother skin commonly appear after about 2 weeks.

The next areas to change are the face line and sagging beside the mouth. Because tightening of the subcutaneous tissue is involved, use around 1 month as a general guide. Rather than a dramatic change in the angle of the contour, the change is usually perceived as a qualitative improvement, with previously blurred boundaries becoming more defined.

Submental fat takes the longest. The thicker the fat layer, the more time is required for elimination, so allow 2 to 3 months. For people whose primary goal is to improve a double chin, making a judgment after 1 month may be premature.

The effects are not permanent, but they do not suddenly disappear either. Separating the question of how long the results last from the question of when to receive the next treatment makes it easier to plan your visits.

After completing a series, the effects generally last for approximately 3〜6 months. The duration tends to increase as treatments are repeated, and depending on the circumstances, some people may continue to feel the effects for more than 6 months.

Newly produced collagen is gradually broken down by aging and ultraviolet exposure. As for fat cells, the cells that have been reduced do not return. However, if the remaining cells enlarge due to weight gain, the appearance may move closer to its original state. Think of duration not as a state of permanence, but as a matter of the rate at which the effects diminish.

During a treatment series, it is common to leave an interval of 2〜4 weeks and structure approximately 3～6 treatments as one course. Because new changes build on the collagen produced by the previous treatment, the perceived improvement tends to become greater with each session.

After completing a series, a practical approach is to receive a treatment approximately once every 3～6 months. Separating the period of concentrated treatment from the period of maintenance with longer intervals can make it easier to balance cost and time.

When there is little noticeable change despite undergoing multiple treatments, most causes fall into one of the following three categories.

Before concluding that the device itself was unsuitable, review the treatment conditions.

When subcutaneous fat is extremely thick, radiofrequency heat may not reach deep enough. Conversely, when severe laxity is caused by aging, the problem may be excess skin itself, which tightening alone cannot sufficiently address. The same applies when the main cause is a contour determined by bone structure or prominent masseter muscles.

Suitability should ideally be assessed during the consultation stage. Having a physician examine the thickness of the fat and the mobility of the skin before determining suitability is a prerequisite for treatment.

Although it is often overlooked, treatment settings and management of the treatment duration affect results more than the number of sessions. If the output is reduced too much out of consideration for people who report pain or heat, neither the heating needed to expand fat cells nor the effect of the pulses will work sufficiently.

It is necessary to reliably raise the temperature to the required range while maintaining a safe range, and this balance depends on the practitioner's judgment. This is why results can differ even when the same device is used. If you felt that the heat during treatment was insufficient, tell the clinic candidly during your next consultation.

If your weight increases during the treatment period, the effect of the fat reduction may be offset. Excessive salt intake, which causes swelling, lack of sleep, and insufficient protection from ultraviolet rays can also make changes more difficult to see.

One commonly overlooked issue is combining treatment with extreme dietary restriction. Protein and vitamin C are necessary for collagen synthesis, and when these materials are lacking, the body cannot allocate sufficient resources to rebuilding the skin. People who try to pursue weight loss and lifting at the same time are particularly likely to fall into this trap.

In reality, more people are uncertain about how to spend the time before and after treatment than about the treatment itself. We have organized some common questions.

Some clinics advise that light exercise and drinking alcohol are possible on the day of treatment, while others recommend waiting 1〜2 days. In any case, avoid strenuous exercise and heavy drinking because they may prolong redness and swelling. Saunas and prolonged bathing strongly promote circulation, so people are often advised to avoid them for 3 days or more, and in some cases for approximately 1 week. If you are unsure, the most reliable approach is to confirm with the clinic where you received treatment.

In many cases, both makeup and face washing are permitted from the day of treatment. However, skin immediately after treatment is prone to dryness, and its barrier function is temporarily reduced. Avoid rubbing strongly, avoid highly irritating ingredients, and moisturize carefully. Keeping these three points in mind can help reduce the burden on your skin. Sunscreen can also generally be used as usual from the day of treatment.

Bruising is naturally absorbed over several days to approximately 2 weeks, and swelling is also temporary. If redness or a feeling of heat is bothersome, gently cooling the area with a cooling sheet or similar product may help settle the inflammation. However, symptoms such as discomfort lasting more than 1 week, blisters, or hard lumps remaining over a wide area are not part of the usual course. Do not simply wait and see based on your own judgment; contact the clinic where you received treatment promptly.

Whether you can maintain the changes created by treatment depends on how you spend your time after leaving the clinic. The measures required are not difficult.

First is protection from ultraviolet rays. Newly produced collagen is broken down by ultraviolet exposure, so using sunscreen throughout the year is a measure that can help maintain the effects relative to the effort required.

Second is weight management. Even if the number of fat cells decreases, the remaining cells can enlarge, bringing the contour closer to its original appearance.

Finally, avoid a deficiency of protein and vitamin C, which are materials used to produce collagen. Combining treatment with extreme dietary restriction can make changes more difficult to achieve. What makes a difference in photographs taken 6 months later is not taking especially careful care of yourself for only the following day, but habits that you can continue without having to think about them.

Because this treatment uses radiofrequency energy, it may be necessary to postpone treatment depending on your physical condition. People who are pregnant or breastfeeding, and people with electronic devices implanted in their bodies, such as pacemakers, are generally not considered eligible. People with metal implants in the body must also consult the clinic in advance.

You must also report any inflammation or infection in the treatment area, or injections such as Botox or hyaluronic acid in the treatment area within the previous 2 weeks to 1 month. People with recurrent herpes simplex in the treatment area must exercise caution because heat may cause the symptoms to recur.

Although there are no strict upper or lower age limits, whether the condition of your skin and your treatment goals are appropriate should be confirmed during a medical examination. Be sure to tell the physician before treatment about any medical conditions, medications you are taking, or previous experience of a strong reaction to energy-based treatments.

The answer to when the effects of InMode appear is that there is a time lag: skin quality changes from a few days to 2 weeks, the contour changes around 1 month, and submental fat changes over up to 3 months. Simply knowing that there may be a period when the immediate changes settle can help prevent significant misinterpretation of the treatment course.

At LIVELY CLINIC, we provide facial contouring and lifting treatment using InMode Lift, which combines Forma and MiniFX. Treatment time is approximately 15 minutes each for Forma and MiniFX, and approximately 30 minutes for InMode Lift when both are combined. The price is 22,000円（税込） per session for Forma and MiniFX, and 44,000円（税込） per session for InMode Lift. When purchasing 5 or more sessions together, the price is 38,000円（税込） per session, with the aim of offering an accessible price range.

If you are concerned about the progress of the effects or are unsure how to judge the results along the way, please consult us so that we can organize your current situation and the next step together. Because each person's bone structure and distribution of fat differ, we explain which layer is responsible for the concern and how long changes may be expected to take after examining you in person. Please feel free to ask us during your consultation.