[Beautystone Column]

LDM 10-Session Lifting

Seen Through Markview Data:

'Real' Skin Changes

Among dermatologic procedures,

the one that most often gets the reaction

"I've heard the name, but I don't know what it is" is LDM.

It doesn't create dramatic changes like lasers,

and it's not a procedure with immediately obvious results afterward,

so it's trickier to explain than you might think.

Still, I use this treatment

quite often, across quite a variety of cases.

Today, for those learning about LDM for the first time,

or

those wondering, "Is this the right treatment for me?"

I’ll share

what I’ve felt from personally performing it nearly 10 times

honestly and clearly.

First, let’s start by addressing

the three most frequently asked questions.

Q. What kind of skin does LDM

work well for?

A. It responds especially well in skin

with a weakened barrier or high sensitivity to irritation.

I’ll continue with detailed explanations in the main text.

Q. Can I return to daily life

immediately after treatment?

A. In most cases, right after treatment,

washing your face and makeup are possible.

However, there can be exceptions depending on skin condition,

so please make sure to check the main text.

Q. Can I feel results from LDM

after just one or two sessions?

A. It’s difficult to expect dramatic changes

from a single session.

I’ll explain in detail in the main text why that is.

Let’s first go over

what LDM is

LDM stands for

Local Dynamic Micro-massage.

It works by focusing ultrasound near the skin surface

to create fine vibrations

inside the tissue.

To put it simply:

Rather than generating high heat

or directly irritating the skin,

it induces cellular-level vibrations within the skin

to activate regenerative signaling.

So compared with laser or RF procedures,

its biggest characteristic is low irritation itself.

For people with a weakened skin barrier,

or those too sensitive for other procedures,

this is exactly why LDM

is often mentioned.

However, low irritation

doesn’t mean it has only benefits.

Depending on where and how it is used,

results can vary greatly.

Which skin types showed good effects?

In my experience, cases that respond well to LDM

fall broadly into three categories.

1. When the skin barrier is weakened

Those with a history of long-term steroid use,

or recurrent contact dermatitis

1. Post-procedure recovery stage

When skin is sensitive after lasers or peeling,

for calming and regeneration support

1. Facial redness / flushing

In skin with high vascular reactivity,

when aiming for a calming effect without irritation

These three showed good responses.

On the other hand, for people with high expectations,

that is,

those who ask questions like, "Can LDM alone replace lasers for lifting?"

I speak honestly.

LDM is not a lifting procedure.

It is closer to improving overall skin condition.

Quite a few people come in with this misunderstanding,

so I always explain this part in advance.

Director Kim Gaeul’s Practical Note:

Rather than cases receiving multiple sessions of LDM alone,

when combined with laser or RF treatments

and used to maintain skin condition,

satisfaction was much higher.

When repeated as a standalone treatment only,

many responses are, "It seems somewhat better, but I’m not sure."

There is one thing I must emphasize:

the interval and number of sessions should vary

depending on skin condition.

Rather than a fixed package like "once a week for 10 sessions,"

my usual approach is to adjust as we go

based on the skin’s response each time.

Points to watch out for

It is true that LDM causes less irritation,

but that does not mean

"it is unconditionally safe for everyone."

There are situations that require caution.

1. Severe active acne

Inflammation can spread,

so those areas should be avoided.

1. During pregnancy

The abdominal area is contraindicated.

For the face as well,

consult your obstetrician first.

1. When skin infection is present

During active herpes simplex,

the procedure should be postponed.

This is not unique to LDM,

but something commonly applied

to most skin procedures.

The downside is cost.

Because of its low-irritation characteristics,

it is positioned as a premium treatment,

so the price can feel burdensome.

Still, for those with very sensitive skin condition,

the reality is that there are not many alternatives.

How many sessions

until you feel results?

LDM is not a procedure where you feel definite changes

in just 1–2 sessions.

Barrier recovery and calming effects

usually start to be noticed

after about 3–5 sessions, with responses like "My skin seems different."

There is a somewhat tricky part here:

the effect is not the kind you can see instantly,

but rather a gradual change

in elasticity and texture.

So in many cases,

you only notice it when comparing photos.

What I learned while accumulating cases is that

response speed differs quite a bit

depending on baseline skin condition.

The more compromised the barrier is,

the faster the response in the first few sessions,

while those whose skin is already fairly okay

tend to feel changes later.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. After LDM,

can I put on makeup right away?

A. In most cases, yes.

Because the procedure itself is low-irritation,

there are usually no major restrictions on daily life immediately after.

However, if your skin is very sensitive that day,

it is better to keep it to light moisturizing only.

I’ll advise you based on your condition on the day of your visit.

Q2. For acne-prone skin,

is LDM okay?

A. It depends on the case.

If it is mainly quiet acne scars or redness,

it can be applied,

but if inflammatory acne is currently active,

those areas should be avoided.

Using ultrasound energy over lesions

that are oozing or severely swollen may worsen spread.

Q3. Can it be combined

with other laser procedures?

A. Yes, combination is possible,

and in fact, when combined,

responses are often better.

It works as a method of

supporting recovery with LDM after laser stimulation.

Which procedures to combine and in what order

should vary by skin condition,

so you can ask in advance via KakaoTalk before visiting.

This was Kim Gaeul.

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