When you start looking into InMode, two questions tend to come up: "Will one session really change anything?" and "What is the difference between FX and Forma?" Because results can vary considerably depending on which handpiece is used and how thoroughly the treatment is carried out, this article sets out how the two handpieces work and what raises satisfaction in a single session.
What kind of device is InMode
InMode is a lifting platform developed by the Israeli company Invasix. Its distinguishing feature is the combined use of radiofrequency (RF) energy and high-voltage pulses (HVP), with the role of reducing accumulated fat and the role of stimulating collagen and elastin renewal divided between two different handpieces. The former is FX (MiniFX), the latter Forma. The two differ in operating principle, in how they feel during treatment and in how the skin responds afterwards, so choosing according to skin condition and treatment goal matters.
InMode FX, the handpiece focused on fat reduction
FX targets areas where fat has settled excessively, such as the cheeks or a double chin. The large, distinctively shaped handpiece draws the skin up with negative pressure while RF heat is delivered into the deeper layers, and each cycle finishes with a high-voltage pulse. During treatment you hear the device working and feel the skin being drawn in, followed by a sensation of heat.
The core principle is that current above a certain intensity acts selectively on fat cells. That is why it is better suited to areas with thicker accumulated fat than approaches that simply warm the surface of the skin.
That said, because the process involves suctioning the skin with negative pressure, bruising can occur afterwards and is worth knowing about in advance. It varies enough from person to person, and even from day to day depending on condition, that the same person may bruise noticeably on one occasion and barely at all on another. Bruising usually settles along with swelling within about a week, but if you have an important engagement coming up, it is safer to schedule the treatment around it.
InMode Forma, the handpiece that builds firmness through accumulated heat
Forma delivers RF heat steadily into the relatively superficial layers of the skin to encourage collagen production. It does not reduce fat cells directly the way FX does; instead, its strength lies in building heat over time to work on skin texture and firmness.
Because the stimulation during treatment is mild, Forma is manageable even for those sensitive to discomfort. Put the other way round, a quick pass over the skin will not draw out what Forma is actually for. It is a treatment that requires bringing the tissue up to the target temperature and holding it there for a sufficient period.
Why the two handpieces work well together
In short, if volume in the cheeks or jawline is the concern, FX comes first; if you want to keep working on firmness with minimal stimulation, Forma does. Combining the two in one session, however, produces more than the sum of the parts. When FX has reduced unwanted volume and Forma then stimulates the dermis to add tightening, the skin laxity that can follow fat reduction is addressed at the same time. The warming from Forma also supports recovery, helping the swelling and bruising from FX settle. Which combination suits you is best decided after checking skin thickness and fat volume in consultation.
What decides the result of a single InMode session
"Will one session be enough?" is a question that resists a definite answer. How much you notice depends on skin condition, how much fat has accumulated, and how the treatment itself is carried out. InMode in particular is not counted in shots the way Ultherapy or Thermage FLX are, so the variable that separates outcomes is not a fixed number but how long, and at what intensity, energy is delivered.
For that reason, when choosing a clinic we suggest looking first at whether it spends enough time on each area and works through it carefully, rather than at the price per area. With the same device, if energy does not accumulate sufficiently, what you feel after one session is inevitably less.
How SKINIQUE Clinic approaches InMode
At SKINIQUE Clinic, InMode is not treated as something to finish in a few minutes. We plan how FX and Forma are allocated according to each person's skin condition, and make it a principle to give each handpiece the time and energy its mechanism actually requires. Quality of treatment comes before speed because we regard it as the most reliable way to make a difference even within a single session.
Wrapping Up
InMode FX and Forma take on different roles, fat reduction and firmness through accumulated heat, and treating with both can be complementary. What decides the result of a single session is not the number on the price list but sufficient time and care. If you would like to know which combination suits your face, feel free to ask through a chat consultation about the right InMode combination for your skin.
This article was written by Dr. Park Tae-hyung, Chief Director. He is the Chief Director of SKINIQUE Clinic and serves as Senior Director of the Korean Society for Laser Dermatology and Trichology. First published March 11, 2025 · Last reviewed August 23, 2026
This article provides general medical information. Skin conditions and responses to treatment vary between individuals. Whether to undergo treatment, and by which method, should be decided through consultation.