"The human face is curved — so why should lifting devices be flat?" NEWPONG Rewrites the Rules with the World's First Curved HIFU
"Our goal is to develop products that resolve the discomfort of clinicians and patients, grounded in scientific evidence and technological excellence," says Director Lee. "LINCURVE PRO is the embodiment of that mission.""The human face is curved — so why should lifting devices be flat?"The world's first curved HIFU device was born from this one simple question. The human face is a three-dimensional contoured surface, yet conventional device cartridges (the part that contacts the skin) were designed flat — creating an inherent limitation in achieving full contact during lifting treatments.To overcome this structural constraint, NEWPONG developed the world's first curved HIFU device — LINCURVE PRO — ushering in a new era for the ultrasound lifting market. By reflecting the actual facial curvature of the human face, the company fundamentally redesigned the architecture of lifting equipment.Health Kyunghyang sat down with Lee Kwangjae, Director of the NEWPONG Research Institute, to hear the full story behind its development.— Why focus specifically on HIFU technology?HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) concentrates ultrasound energy at a single point to deliver thermal energy deep into tissue. By forming thermal coagulation points at specific depths within the skin, it generates a lifting effect — making it widely used for facial contouring and skin elasticity improvement.However, the structural limitations of existing devices have been a persistent concern in clinical settings. NEWPONG identified this unmet need behind the ultrasound lifting market's rapid growth.Addressing the discomfort experienced by clinicians and the structural shortcomings of existing HIFU devices became the starting point of our research.— What exactly are those structural limitations?The human face has curves and contours, yet the cartridge — the part that contacts the skin — is flat. This means it fails to fully adhere to the skin surface, creating gaps. Particularly in highly curved areas, the cartridge cannot achieve complete contact, resulting in uneven energy delivery. In some cases, clinicians must apply additional pressure just to maintain contact.The curved HIFU device adheres seamlessly to the face without lifting, delivering thermal energy precisely to the target treatment area. Director Lee noted that the improved precision and predictable outcomes have generated strong satisfaction among clinicians.— How does the curved HIFU device differ?By conforming to the facial contour, the device maintains stable contact across the skin surface, allowing more uniform energy delivery to the target skin layer. Without any gap between the cartridge and skin, it forms consistent thermal coagulation points at a uniform depth — enabling more precise and accurate treatment. It also reduces the risk of facial injury from excessive pressure, and because energy can be delivered exactly where the clinician intends, it helps lower the risk of burns as well.— How did you account for the variation in facial curvature between individuals?We analyzed facial curvature data from actual Korean male and female subjects, derived an optimal standardized curvature value, and developed multiple cartridges based on that benchmark.Coincidentally, researchers in academia were also studying injury risks associated with facial medical devices and were independently calculating facial curvature values for Korean men and women. The values they derived were closely aligned with our own findings — providing further scientific validation for our curved design. That is why we can confidently say that LINCURVE PRO is an ergonomic achievement grounded in optimal facial curvature data.NEWPONG derived an optimal standardized facial curvature value and developed a range of cartridges based on it, enabling personalized treatment for each patient in clinical settings.— How has the clinical community responded?The feedback has been highly positive, particularly for the ability to deliver uniform energy to the intended area, enhancing treatment precision and the predictability of outcomes. International clinicians have shared the same perspective.A prime example is Brazil, where LINCURVE PRO was recently introduced. Many local specialists have been comparing the flat and curved cartridges side by side in real clinical settings. They particularly highlighted that the curved cartridge delivers energy to the precise target point, consistently producing uniform results regardless of the operator — making post-treatment outcomes predictable.Brazil is the world's second-largest aesthetic medical device market after the United States. With competition among Korean companies especially fierce, it serves as a critical benchmark for validating technology and product quality.— Why did you also launch a home-use device (LINCURVE)?We wanted the innovation of the curved HIFU device to reach more consumers beyond the clinical setting. NEWPONG's product philosophy is: "Think Creatively based on Why, to deliver Happiness." LINCURVE was built on the technological foundation developed for the professional medical device, and clinical trials have confirmed its effectiveness across the forehead, eye area, nasolabial folds, double chin, neck wrinkles, and jawline.— Beyond technology, what sets NEWPONG apart competitively?We invest heavily in research — including maintaining a dedicated in-house research institute — and we actively pursue industry-academia collaboration, partnering with the scientific and medical communities from the earliest stages of development. The curved HIFU device itself is a product of constant dialogue and exchange with a wide range of experts.Going forward, we aim to play a central role in building a new ecosystem in aesthetic medicine by connecting clinicians, academia, and industry.— What are NEWPONG's plans and ultimate goals?We continue to raise awareness of LINCURVE PRO's capabilities through academic conference presentations where specialists share clinical experiences, as well as clinician briefings. We also maintain ongoing dialogue with the clinical community, and are developing the next generation of products based on the diverse feedback and ideas gathered through this process.NEWPONG's ultimate goal is not simply to follow market trends, but to develop products that address the fundamental challenges of clinical practice — grounded in scientific evidence and differentiated technology. We will continue to deepen our collaboration with the market, clinical settings, and academia to further solidify the values that define NEWPONG.■ FAQQ1. What is HIFU, and how does it work for facial lifting?A. HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) is a non-invasive technology that concentrates ultrasound waves at a precise focal point beneath the skin, generating heat energy. This creates thermal coagulation zones — tiny points of controlled injury — that stimulate collagen production and tissue tightening over time. Because the energy bypasses the skin surface and targets specific layers (such as the SMAS layer), it lifts and firms without surgery or downtime. It is widely used for facial contouring, jawline definition, and skin elasticity improvement.Q2. What is the structural problem with conventional flat HIFU cartridges?A. Conventional HIFU cartridges are designed with a flat contact surface. Since the human face is a curved, three-dimensional structure, a flat cartridge cannot fully conform to areas with significant curvature — such as the cheekbones, jawline, or temples. This causes the cartridge to lift slightly off the skin, leading to inconsistent energy delivery, potential hot spots, and the need for additional manual pressure from the clinician to maintain contact. Over time, this pressure increases the risk of discomfort or injury.Q3. How does LINCURVE PRO's curved design solve this problem?A. LINCURVE PRO features a curved cartridge that mirrors the natural contour of the human face. This enables seamless, gap-free contact across facial surfaces — including highly curved areas. As a result, ultrasound energy is delivered uniformly and consistently to the target skin layer, forming thermal coagulation points at a precise and even depth. This reduces variability between operators, improves treatment predictability, and lowers the risk of burns or bruising from excess pressure.Q4. How did NEWPONG determine the right curvature for the device?A. NEWPONG conducted a data-driven analysis of actual facial curvature measurements from Korean male and female subjects. From this data, they derived an optimal standardized curvature value and used it to design a range of interchangeable cartridges suited to different facial zones. This approach was independently validated when academic researchers, studying injury risk in facial medical devices, arrived at closely matching curvature values for the Korean population — lending additional scientific credibility to NEWPONG's design.Q5. Is LINCURVE PRO only for clinical use?A. No — NEWPONG also developed LINCURVE, a consumer-grade home-use version of the device, to bring the benefits of curved HIFU technology to a broader audience. LINCURVE was built on the same technological foundations as the professional device and has undergone clinical trials confirming its efficacy on the forehead, eye area, nasolabial folds, double chin, neck wrinkles, and jawline. It extends NEWPONG's clinical innovation into everyday skincare.Q6. How has LINCURVE PRO performed in international markets?A. LINCURVE PRO has gained particular traction in Brazil — the world's second-largest aesthetic medical device market. After its local introduction, numerous Brazilian specialists conducted direct head-to-head comparisons between flat and curved cartridges in real clinical settings. Their consistent finding was that the curved cartridge delivers energy with greater precision, produces more uniform results regardless of operator technique, and allows for more reliable prediction of post-treatment outcomes.Q7. What is NEWPONG's broader vision for the future?A. NEWPONG is committed to going beyond trend-following to address the fundamental, real-world challenges faced by clinicians and patients — through products grounded in scientific rigor and proprietary technology. The company actively engages with academia, medical institutions, and the wider industry through conferences, clinician briefings, and ongoing feedback loops. Its next-generation product line is already in development, and NEWPONG aims to serve as a central connector building a new, collaborative ecosystem in aesthetic medicine.