Oligio vs Oligio XM comparison: effects and differences by 17-year medical staff | Gangnam Seoul, Korea Dermatology Clinic Guide

Key summary: Oligio XM is less a simple upgrade of the original Oligio than a device that adds focused ultrasound to monopolar radiofrequency so energy can be sent to several depths. Still, being new does not make it a better fit for everyone, and the choice between Oligio and Oligio XM is judged by the layer where sagging began and the treatment depth needed.

The questions that increased after Oligio XM arrived

These days, more and more people in consultation ask how Oligio XM differs from the existing device and whether, being a new product, it gives better results. Going by the name alone, it is easy to think of it as an improved version of the original Oligio.

However, the difference between the two devices is hard to see as merely a small change in output or convenience features. While the existing device works with monopolar radiofrequency alone, Oligio XM adds focused ultrasound so that energy can be delivered while changing the depth.

So in this article, for those wondering which to choose between Oligio and Oligio XM, I will organize the criteria that separate the two devices around energy and depth.

First difference: the type of energy available

When comparing the two devices, the first thing to look at is what kind of energy each can use. Both use radiofrequency as a base, but Oligio XM, with focused ultrasound added, offers a wider range of operating methods to choose from.

The original Oligio, using monopolar radiofrequency

The principle of Oligio is to apply heat to tissue with 6.78MHz monopolar RF to cause coagulation. It is also a device often considered by people seeking radiofrequency treatment because of reduced skin elasticity or changes in the face line.

It is more accurate to understand it as a device that delivers radiofrequency energy to the skin rather than one that pulls the whole face strongly. Even when the concern is changing elasticity in the cheeks or jawline, the current skin condition is checked first before deciding whether to apply it.

Another feature of Oligio is that a face tip and a tip for narrow areas can be used separately depending on the area. So rather than seeing Oligio only as an older device, it is important to consider whether the monopolar RF method suits your current concern.

Oligio XM, sending energy to several depths

Oligio XM is built by placing focused ultrasound on a radiofrequency foundation. According to the manufacturer, it uses both energies in one device and is designed to target a range from the shallow surface layer to the SMAS layer depth by depth.

In terms of configuration, Oligio XM has the radiofrequency-based G mode and X mode, plus ultrasound cartridges that deliver energy at depths of 3.0mm and 4.5mm. This means the radiofrequency method and the focused ultrasound method can be chosen within one device to address different depths.

Whether to plan mainly with radiofrequency energy or to also look at other depths with ultrasound depends on the condition of the face and the treatment area. Being able to choose energy sources and depths to fit the situation like this is the biggest difference of Oligio XM.

Does a new device mean better results?

A common misunderstanding arises here. Being the latest device does not mean Oligio XM is right for everyone.

If monopolar radiofrequency fits your current skin and concerns, a plan can be made sufficiently with the original Oligio. Conversely, for a face where one method is not enough and depths and energy sources need to be used separately, the mode combinations of Oligio XM are considered.

In short, the choice between Oligio and Oligio XM does not depend on whether the device is new. It depends on how deep the face needs treatment, and in actual decisions this criterion matters far more.

The selection criterion is the layer where sagging began

When deciding on a lifting treatment, what I look at first is not the device name but which layer the sagging came from. I divide it into three: whether the surface skin has thinned and stretched, whether deeper tissue has been pushed down, or whether the face only looks saggy because volume has been lost.

From the outside, all three may look the same as a feeling that the face has dropped, but the treatment direction can be completely different. That is why in the clinic I keep both existing lifting devices and Oligio XM as options and first judge what treatment range is needed.

There is no reason to use energy at several depths when it is not needed, and if other depths do need attention, the appropriate method can be considered. Rather than asking whether Oligio XM is better, checking which layer of your face should be looked at first is the wiser comparison.

Recovery and precautions

After treatment, redness, warmth, swelling, and tenderness may appear briefly, and the degree varies from person to person. The suitable device and treatment range may vary with skin thickness, fat distribution, degree of sagging, and facial structure.

Being able to address many layers does not mean that one Oligio XM session resolves every concern. I recommend first determining whether the problem is reduced elasticity or sagging in deeper layers, and then choosing between Oligio and Oligio XM.

Frequently asked questions

If my skin is thin and jawline sagging is my concern, which device should I choose?

Skin thickness and jawline sagging do not always come from the same cause. It is better to first separate whether surface elasticity has declined or whether the sagging started in a deeper layer, and then choose the device.

I have had the original Oligio. Can I switch to Oligio XM this time?

This is judged by looking at your reaction to the previous treatment together with your current skin condition. Which layer needs treatment this time is a more important criterion than the fact that it is a new model.

Can a face with little cheek fat also get lifting?

The less volume a face has, the more important it is to distinguish hollow areas from areas that have dropped. Rather than using the same intensity everywhere, treating only the areas that need it may be the right approach.

If I get Oligio XM, will I not need other treatments?

Even if one device can address several layers, that does not mean it resolves every concern. Depending on skin texture, volume, and the form of sagging, another treatment may suit better or a combination may be needed.

Visiting and consultation

O.N Clinic is near Gangnam Station, so it is fairly easy to reach by subway.

Whether Oligio or Oligio XM suits you is decided only after checking the layer where sagging began and the depth needed, so the consultation goes more smoothly if you organize the area that bothers you most and your previous lifting experience before your visit. If you have any questions, Chat for a consultation now

Author: Dr. Oh Seung-min (Chief Director of O.N Clinic, graduate of Seoul National University College of Medicine, Academic Committee Chair of the Korean Society for Laser Dermatology and Hair). His full credentials are available on the Medical Staff Introduction page. First published 2026-09-22, last reviewed 2026-11-03

This article is for general informational purposes only, and the appropriate treatment and results may vary depending on each person's condition.