Why the two get confused
Onda and Titanium became popular in Korea around the same time. Both are described as low-pain lifting treatments that let you return to daily life right away, and both are dosed in kJ (kilojoules, the total energy delivered). That makes them look like the same kind of device.
They use different kinds of energy. Onda uses microwaves and Titanium uses lasers. Different energy heats different tissue, so each suits a different face.
What is Onda?
Onda (ONDA, Onda Coolwaves, オンダリフト, 온다 리프팅, microwave lifting) is a device made by DEKA in Italy that uses 2.45 GHz microwaves. Energy at this frequency passes through the epidermis and dermis with relatively little absorption and is absorbed mostly in the subcutaneous fat layer. Contact cooling in the handpiece keeps the skin surface cool while the deeper tissue is heated.
There are two handpieces. The shallow handpiece heats the dermis and superficial fat to trigger collagen contraction and remodeling, and the deep handpiece targets subcutaneous fat. On the face, the two are used on different areas.
Zappia et al. (2025, Lasers in Medical Science) treated 10 women with submental laxity twice, 30 days apart, and assessed them 12 weeks later. The mean Submental Skin Laxity Grade fell from 3.6 to 2.3, with no serious adverse effects. This was a small study of 10 patients. Source: DOI 10.1007/s10103-024-04270-1
What is Titanium Lifting?
Titanium Lifting (Titanium Lifting, Soprano Titanium, チタニウムリフト, 钛提升, 티타늄 리프팅) uses a diode laser device made by Alma in Israel to firm facial skin. It emits 755 nm, 810 nm and 1064 nm at the same time. Longer wavelengths travel deeper, so heat is spread from the upper dermis to the deep dermis.
The device was first developed for hair removal. It came into use for lifting after skin was seen to become firmer following hair removal sessions. It has two modes. SHR mode keeps the handpiece moving and warms the shallow layers over a wide area to even out tone and texture. STACK mode builds up heat in one spot to tighten deeper layers.
Jo et al. (2023, Lasers in Medical Science) treated 28 women with a laser combining the same three wavelengths, five sessions at two-week intervals. 78% of patients reported an improvement of more than 25%, and apart from brief pain during treatment there were no serious adverse effects. The authors describe it as a preliminary study, so the evidence is still building. Source: DOI 10.1007/s10103-023-03936-6
Side-by-side comparison
| Item | Onda | Titanium Lifting |
|---|---|---|
| Energy | Microwave, 2.45 GHz | Diode laser, 755, 810 and 1064 nm together |
| Where the heat goes | Subcutaneous fat and dermis | Upper to deep dermis |
| What it does best | Double chin, full cheeks, heavy jawline | Firmness, skin tone, texture, pores |
| Effect on fat | Yes (targets fat cells) | Little |
| Reaction with pigment and hair | Almost none | Yes (includes wavelengths absorbed by melanin) |
| Pain | A warm sensation | A warm sensation, briefly hot in STACK mode |
| Downtime | Almost none, temporary redness | Almost none, temporary redness |
| When results show | Tightening right after, further change over several weeks | Tightening and brighter tone right after |
| Faces that need care | Slim faces with hollow cheeks | Beard and hairline areas, darker skin tones |
| Cost | By consultation | By consultation |
No clinical study has compared the two devices directly under the same conditions. This table is based on the energy characteristics of each device and on separate studies.
Which one is right for you?
Onda may suit you if
- You have a double chin or fat under the jaw
- Full cheeks make your lower face look heavy
- You want less fullness without injections or surgery
Titanium may suit you if
- Your face is slim but has lost firmness
- Dull tone and rough texture bother you as well
- You want a light, refreshed look before an important event
Points of caution
- On a slim face with hollow cheeks, wide use of Onda's deep handpiece can make the hollows look deeper.
- Titanium uses the same wavelengths as hair removal lasers, so the beard, sideburns and hairline need to be avoided or adjusted. If you keep a beard, please say so at your consultation.
- If you have melasma or a darker skin tone, the Titanium energy needs to be lowered.
- If you have an implanted electronic device such as a pacemaker, or a metal implant in the treatment area, please tell us before an Onda session. In many cases treatment is possible once the medical team has checked.
Having both
Onda mainly heats the fat layer and Titanium mainly heats the dermis, so they work on different layers. People with a heavy jawline who also care about skin tone choose Onda to refine the lower-face contour and Titanium to even out overall firmness and tone. No clinical paper has compared the combination with either treatment alone. This explanation is based on the difference in target layers.
Planning it into a trip to Korea
- Treatment time depends on the amount of energy delivered (kJ). Both are often done without numbing cream.
- You can wear makeup and go sightseeing right after, because neither treatment breaks the skin surface.
- Avoid saunas, Korean bathhouses and intense exercise for 2–3 days.
- After Titanium, be more careful with sun protection.
At DIORE
In our clinical experience, the results of Titanium tend to last a shorter time. For patients concerned about firmness, DIORE more often recommends Sofwave and Thermage. Sofwave uses ultrasound to heat the mid-dermis (about 1.5 mm deep), and Thermage uses monopolar radiofrequency to heat the dermis as a whole. Both stimulate collagen renewal without breaking the skin surface. We decide which treatment fits after checking facial fat, the degree of sagging and skin condition at your consultation. International patients on a short stay in Korea can have several treatments on the same day.
Frequently asked questions
Q1. Which is better for a double chin, Onda or Titanium?
Onda. Its microwaves are absorbed mostly in subcutaneous fat, so it addresses submental fat and laxity together. In a study of submental laxity, the mean laxity grade fell from 3.6 to 2.3 twelve weeks after two sessions. Titanium acts more on dermal firmness than on fat.
Q2. Does Titanium Lifting remove beard or hairline hair?
It can. Titanium uses the same wavelengths as lasers developed for hair removal. Areas where you want to keep hair are left out or treated with adjusted energy, so please mention it at your consultation.
Q3. My face is slim. Can I still have Onda?
Yes, mainly with the shallow handpiece. The deep handpiece, which targets fat, is used only where it is needed, such as a double chin. If hollow cheeks worry you, a treatment aimed at dermal firmness is the more comfortable choice.
Q4. Can I have Onda and Titanium on the same day?
Yes. Onda mainly heats the fat layer and Titanium the dermis, so they act on different layers, and neither damages the skin surface.
Q5. I'm in Korea for only a few days. Will one session make a difference?
You can feel tightening right after a single session. The studies above reported results after two to five sessions, so the size of the change and how long it lasts after one session vary from person to person. On a short trip, it helps to focus on the area that concerns you most.
In summary
Onda and Titanium share low pain and little else. They use different energy and target different layers. Onda fits sagging that comes with fat, and Titanium fits firmness and tone on a slimmer face. If firmness is your main concern, Sofwave and Thermage are worth comparing as well.
ℹ️ This content is for general medical information and does not replace an individual consultation. Results vary with each person's skin condition. For an accurate assessment, please consult our aesthetic medicine team.
References
- Zappia E, Del Re C, Tolone M, Bennardo L, Nisticò SP, et al. An innovative microwave technology for the treatment of submental skin laxity. Lasers Med Sci. 2025;40(1):28. doi:10.1007/s10103-024-04270-1
- Jo JY, Suh DH, Park H, Lee SJ, Ryu HJ. Skin rejuvenating effect of a combined triple-wavelength (755 nm, 810 nm, and 1064 nm) laser: a preliminary study. Lasers Med Sci. 2023;38(1):272. doi:10.1007/s10103-023-03936-6
- Microwave-Energy-Based Device for the Treatment of Cellulite and Localized Adiposity: Recommendations of the "Onda Coolwaves" International Advisory Board. Bioengineering. 2024;11(12):1249. doi:10.3390/bioengineering11121249