Behind every public figure's appearance lies a personal regimen. This series examines the diets, workouts, procedures, and beauty and fashion routines of people in the spotlight.
Actor Lee Min-jung, 44, said she spent about 5 million won ($3,770) on a radiofrequency skin-tightening procedure on her abdomen after giving birth. Experts say such care becomes increasingly important after 40, as the body undergoes changes including reduced skin elasticity and declining muscle mass.
Lee shared her self-care routine on her YouTube channel Tuesday.
"In your 40s, the key is preventing aging and muscle loss," she said. "People apparently get Thermage on their bodies too. I had no idea body Thermage was even a thing."
She added that she had the procedure done on her abdomen after childbirth, describing the cost as "almost 5 million won — it is expensive." She also offered a candid personal verdict: "Strictly speaking, it's not worth the money."
Body Thermage, as Lee described it, is a cosmetic procedure that uses radiofrequency energy to deliver heat to skin tissue. It targets areas with sagging or reduced elasticity, such as the abdomen and thighs.
Radiofrequency treatments stimulate collagen remodeling not just on the face but on the abdomen as well.
Thermage works by delivering radiofrequency energy to the skin, generating heat within the underlying tissue.
The skin is made up of the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous tissue. The dermis contains collagen and elastin, which maintain the skin's shape and elasticity.
Collagen is a structural protein that supports the skin, while elastin allows the skin to stretch and return to its original form.
As the body ages, collagen production slows and the structure of existing fibers changes, causing the skin to lose firmness. UV exposure and weight fluctuations can also accelerate this process.
Radiofrequency procedures use electrical energy to generate heat inside the skin, triggering a tissue response that causes collagen to contract and remodel.
Immediately after treatment, the contraction of existing collagen fibers can produce a temporary tightening effect. Over the following months, newly formed collagen gradually improves skin elasticity.
Thermage manufacturer Solta Medical offers specialized tips for treating not only the face and eye area but also the abdomen, thighs and buttocks.
Tips designed for body treatments have a larger contact surface than facial tips, allowing radiofrequency energy to be delivered across broader areas of skin.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, noninvasive radiofrequency skin-tightening procedures generally produce results over several months following a single session. Because collagen production takes time, noticeable improvement may become apparent over about six months.
How long the effects last depends on individual skin condition, the area treated and lifestyle factors.
Radiofrequency procedures are also used to address reduced elasticity in abdominal skin.
A 2010 study published in the journal Dermatologic Surgery observed changes in 12 patients with loose abdominal skin after they underwent monopolar radiofrequency treatment.
Researchers evaluated skin elasticity and waist circumference from one to six months after the procedure and found reductions in both skin laxity and waist measurements over the follow-up period.
However, results are influenced by the degree of skin laxity, the thickness of the fat layer, the equipment used and the energy level applied. An assessment of skin condition is necessary when planning treatment.
Pregnancy and postpartum weight changes are among the main reasons abdominal skin loses elasticity after childbirth.
Pregnancy and childbirth are major factors that alter the structure and elasticity of abdominal skin.
During pregnancy, the uterus expands as the fetus grows, stretching the skin, muscles and connective tissue of the abdomen. Prolonged expansion places sustained tension on collagen and elastin fibers.
After delivery, even as the uterus returns to its original size and weight decreases, the stretched skin needs time to recover.
The extent of recovery varies depending on the condition of collagen and elastin, the amount of weight gained during pregnancy, and factors such as age and genetics.
The most common changes to abdominal skin after childbirth are reduced elasticity and stretch marks.
Stretch marks are linear marks that form when rapid skin expansion causes changes in the connective tissue of the dermis. They often appear red or purple at first, then fade toward white over time.
Pregnancy and childbirth can also bring changes to the abdominal muscles.
One common condition is diastasis recti. The rectus abdominis runs vertically along the front of the abdomen, and as the belly expands during pregnancy, the connective tissue between the two muscle columns can stretch and widen.
The feeling that the abdomen is less firm after childbirth can result from a combination of reduced skin elasticity, changes in the abdominal muscles and shifts in subcutaneous fat distribution.
Radiofrequency procedures targeting abdominal skin elasticity and rehabilitation exercises for diastasis recti address different areas and serve different purposes.
The FDA notes that noninvasive radiofrequency body contouring is used to make skin appear tighter and to temporarily improve the appearance of cellulite.
After a radiofrequency procedure, the skin may become red, swollen or temporarily painful. If too much energy is delivered, side effects such as burns, blisters or pigmentation changes can occur.
People with implanted electronic devices such as pacemakers, or with metallic implants in the treatment area, may face restrictions on radiofrequency use.
Costs vary depending on the tip used, the area treated, the energy level applied and the medical facility. The approximately 5 million won Lee cited reflects her own experience.
Anyone considering a radiofrequency procedure should confirm the treatment's purpose, the realistic scope of improvement, potential side effects and how long results are expected to last.
Maintaining muscle mass becomes increasingly important from age 40 onward, alongside strength training and adequate protein intake.
The muscle-loss prevention Lee emphasized is an important part of health management for middle-aged adults.
Muscle mass and strength tend to increase through early adulthood and then gradually decline with age.
According to the US National Institute on Aging, muscle mass and strength typically peak around ages 30 to 35, after which they begin to slowly decrease — a decline that can accelerate in later years.
Muscle is essential for everyday physical activities such as walking, climbing stairs and lifting objects. It also plays a metabolic role in absorbing glucose from the bloodstream and burning energy.
A reduction in muscle mass affects physical function and energy expenditure, while declining strength can impair mobility and balance.
After age 40 in particular, differences in muscle mass can widen depending on exercise habits and diet, making regular strength training advisable.
The National Institute of Health within the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency published research in 2024 analyzing data from about 130,000 Korean adults between the ages of 40 and 79.
The study found that people who performed resistance exercise three to four days a week for 12 to 23 months had about a 20 percent lower risk of low muscle mass compared with those who did not exercise.
Among those who sustained resistance exercise for 24 months or more, groups exercising three to four days a week or five or more days a week each showed roughly a 45 percent lower risk of low muscle mass.
Resistance exercise involves applying load to muscles to build strength and muscular endurance. It includes exercises using dumbbells, barbells or resistance bands, as well as bodyweight movements such as squats, lunges and push-ups.
Strength training should work the major muscle groups evenly, including the lower body, upper body and core.
Beginners are advised to start with lighter weights to learn proper form, then progressively increase intensity and repetitions as strength improves.
Adequate protein intake is equally important.
Protein is a key nutrient for muscle, playing a role in repairing damaged muscle tissue after exercise and supporting muscle protein synthesis.
Eggs, fish, lean meat, tofu, legumes and dairy products are among the most common dietary sources of protein.
When trying to lose weight, cutting food intake too drastically can reduce muscle mass along with fat. Combining sufficient protein intake with strength training helps manage body composition.
When working to improve abdominal firmness, it is worth addressing both skin condition and muscle mass. Radiofrequency procedures aim to improve skin elasticity, while strength training maintains the volume and function of the abdominal and other muscles throughout the body.
After age 40, skin aging and muscle loss tend to progress together, making it important to choose a care approach suited to one's physical condition and to maintain consistent exercise and a balanced diet.
rainbow@heraldcorp.com
