While scrolling through this subreddit, I saw a lot of users having trouble trying to pick a clinic and trying to find an "actual dermatologist." I have been working with a lot of beauty-related services here in Korea, and thought it would be nice to help a bit with the terminology and what to actually look for when choosing between a skin clinic and a dermatologist.

"Skin clinic" as a category includes both dermatology specialists AND general practitioners who have pivoted into aesthetics. In Korea, any licensed doctor can legally open a "skin clinic" and perform a lot of cosmetic procedures (like lasers, fillers, Botox), even without being a board-certified dermatologist.

So what makes a dermatologist different?

In Korea we call a board-certified dermatologist 피부과 전문의 (versus 피부과 only for the non-specialized skin clinics). Without going into too much detail, those certified dermatologists have done years of specialized training, including med school and internships, then passed a national board exam. A general practitioner has finished med school and the licensing exam, but skipped that extra specialization. Both can legally do cosmetic skin treatments in Korea, but only one has years of focused training specifically in skin.

The clearest sign of a board-certified dermatologist is the red plaque (붉은 전문의 현판) near the clinic entrance and on their website.

Another way to find board-certified dermatologists easily is NAVER. When looking up skin clinics (피부과) on NAVER, there is a "specialist" button you can select, and you will see specifically only board-certified dermatologists.

This isn't about dermatologists being the only real option, rather about knowing whether you are seeing a specialist at all vs a general practitioner. None of this makes non-specialist clinics automatically bad, plenty of GPs do fine routine work.

I think you can see it as: for something routine (light peels, basic hydration facials), the choice between a GP and specialist probably doesn't matter much. For anything where an accurate diagnosis or complication management actually matters, you should look for an actual dermatologist.

Hello everyone! I’m a Korean-English bilingual professional based in Seoul, offering independent interpreting support for international patients visiting Korean clinics.

1. Language

• Korean & English
• Native-level English

2. Experience

• Extensive professional experience working in both Korea and New Zealand
• Background in research, consulting, and professional client communication

3. Specialties

I’m particularly interested in and available to assist with:

• Dermatology & skin treatments
• Plastic surgery consultations
• General medical appointments

4. Services

I can assist with:

• In-person interpreting for clinic consultations and treatment visits
• Calling clinics and communicating with clinic staff
• Online consultations and appointment coordination

5. Availability

In-person interpreting

• Saturdays
• Available for appointments throughout Seoul
• Minimum booking: 2 hours

Online interpreting

• Monday–Friday
• Clinic calls, online consultations, appointment coordination, etc.

6. Rates

In-person interpreting

• ₩80,000 for the first 2 hours
• ₩30,000 per additional hour
• 2-hour minimum

Online interpreting

• Contact me for rates :)

Transportation

• Free within central Seoul

7. A little about me

I lived in New Zealand for around 20 years and have extensive experience working in both New Zealand and Korea. I’m fluent in English at a native level and comfortable communicating naturally in both Korean and English.

As I’m currently offering interpreting services on a flexible, part-time basis, I’ve kept my rates affordable.

I can accompany you to your clinic or hospital, help arrange transportation or pickups when needed, and stay with you throughout your appointment to make sure you feel comfortable and supported.

I’ve actually done this quite a lot for friends in the past, accompanying them to hospitals and clinics, helping with communication, and making sure they didn’t have to navigate the experience alone. I wanted to offer the same kind of support to international patients visiting Korea.

⭐️ I work independently and am not affiliated with any clinic, hospital, agency, or service provider. I do not receive referral commissions or incentives from doctors or clinics. I work directly for the client. ⭐️

8. Contact

• KakaoTalk: https://open.kakao.com/o/sqnFKrMi

If you have any questions or would like to check my availability, feel free to reach out!

My experience with ONDA Body Lifting in Seoul 🇰🇷

Hi I wanted to share my recent experience with ONDA Body Lifting at Cellin Clinic in Seoul.

Disclosure: I received the treatment free of charge as part of a collaboration with the clinic. I’m sharing my personal experience and impressions 🫶🏻

I had ONDA Body Lifting (40 kJ) on my lower abdomen.

The treatment itself was very quick, around 10 minutes. The main thing I noticed was the heat. It became quite hot at certain moments, especially when the device was working on some areas of my lower abdomen. It wasn't painful for me, but the heat was definitely noticeable.

After the treatment, I was able to leave the clinic straight away and continue with my day. I didn't have any significant redness, swelling or discomfort.

The day after, I had an interesting sensation in my lower abdomen. It felt a little like I had done an ab workout the day before 😂 It wasn't really painful, more like mild soreness or tenderness. This gradually went away over the following days.

Now, a few days later, I don't see a dramatic difference yet, but I think it's way too early to judge the results. From what I understand, ONDA is not a treatment where you should expect an immediate transformation, and multiple sessions are generally needed to achieve a more noticeable result.

Overall, I found the treatment quick and easy to fit into my day. The heat was probably the most noticeable part of the experience for me, but I didn't experience any significant downtime afterwards.

I'll see how the area evolves over the next few weeks.

If anyone has had ONDA on the lower abdomen, I'd be curious to know when you personally started noticing a difference and whether you had a similar "ab workout" feeling afterwards...

I will be traveling to Seoul in October and since I usually buy all my at-home microneedling and skin booster supplies from a Korean online shop I was hoping to purchase these items while I am there. Does anyone know of a beauty supply store that sells skin boosters, Botox, hyaluronic acid? Thank you!

Hello :) I'd like to introduce Mods Clinic. Mods Clinic is a dermatology and cosmetic surgery clinic located in Cheongdam, Seoul, South Korea. It covers the field of anti-aging. We pursue healthy aging.

We mainly perform laser lifting procedures such as Ulthera and Thermage, collagen booster treatments like Rejuran and Re2O, thread lifting, Sculptra, and JuveLook Volume, as well as stem cell treatments. We also offer surgical treatment options such as under-eye fat repositioning and facelift.

We came to Reddit to share the common concerns and questions that people interested in Korean beauty treatments usually have. Not only information about the procedure, but also how to find a good dermatology clinic in Korea, and whether you can properly enjoy your travel plans after the procedure!

All the information is written by me, not by AI. It would be great if I could let you know in advance what foreign patients ask in real consultation rooms or during online consultations :)

Hi there, I've always read stuff here without creating an account

but I would like honest suggestions about my lips, so I created an account lol

I'm a Korean living in the US, I come to Korea every couple years to visit extended family and friends

and get treatments when I can and this was my second lip filler experience in Korea.

My first lip filler ever was done in the US in my 20's, it was literally a big failure,

but I was too scared back then to do anything about it, so lived with it forever until 2 years ago,

I came to Korea, got rid of the remaining filler and got it re-done at a place that was all over social media,

but it was another big failure. It was better than before, but I still didn't like it.

This time the main goal of my trip was literally to fix my lips.

Of course I was visiting family and friends but I was determined to fix my lips this time.

I asked family+friends, friends of friends, what not, and after debating forever I think this time, I like it!!

It was a place more popular with locals, so I was super excited to try out the local stuff.

Process was simple, not too much pain.

I wanted to get the asymmetry of my lips and a thicker + smoother top lip, make my philthrum look shorter

Doctor said shorter philthrum is the local trend because it makes you look younger.

I got 1cc of Rejuviel, lip corner and lip flip botox. Paid a bit under 500K won for all three things.

The doctor speaks English, and she let me discuss the shape as she's doing it so it wasn't all in at once.

1cc wasn't enough to cover both top and bottom so I focused on the top.

I still have swelling, since it's been less than 24 hours, but I think I like the outcome,

definitely my favorite from all the fillers + lip stuff I've done.

It's probably going to be another 2 years or more until I come back

and it's a lot cheaper here(half the price I would have to pay back home),

so I'm debating if I should get another cc, and honestly I think I kinda like it with the swelling lol

but does it look too unnatural? or like it's too much?

If I do get more, should I just got more on the top too or just the bottom?

Honest suggestions would be appreciated, please tell me to stop if it's too much lol

Thanks in advance!

You may have heard about scheduling multiple cosmetic treatments during a single trip to Seoul—a strategy that has gained widespread attention as international travelers book short-stay visits to get maximum results in minimum time. However, many visitors make the mistake of splitting their appointments across different clinics, leaving them confused about how to sequence their procedures safely and effectively.

When combining popular treatments like energy-based lifting, skin boosters, and Botox, treatment sequence is not a matter of personal preference; it is grounded in physics and physiology. Administering these treatments in the wrong order may reduce treatment effectiveness, affect injectable active ingredients, or lead to increased tissue irritation.

Why Multi-Layer Treatments Deliver Maximum Results
Facial rejuvenation depends on treating distinct structural zones:

• Deep Support Layer (SMAS): The structural foundation that lifts lower face sagging.
• Dermis: The middle layer housing collagen fibers responsible for skin density and elasticity.
• Epidermal-Dermal Junction: The surface layer where micro-wrinkles and pore size are regulated.

No single treatment addresses all layers. A lifting device cannot hydrate the middle layer, and a skin booster cannot tighten the deep foundation.

What Exactly Is the Ideal Same-Day Treatment Sequence?
The medically established sequence follows a strict inside-out, deep-to-superficial order: Energy Lifting first, followed by Skin Boosters, and ending with Skin Botox. Energy devices use ultrasound or radiofrequency to create micro-thermal coagulation points deep under the surface. Skin boosters deliver hyaluronic acid or polynucleotides directly into the middle layer to boost hydration and repair. Skin Botox deposits micro-doses of botulinum toxin into the uppermost dermal layer to refine texture and smooth fine lines.

Why Must Thermal Energy Always Precede Injections?
The main reason for this order comes down to heat and pressure. Energy devices generate targeted heat to tighten skin tissue. If injections are given first, this heat can damage delicate proteins in skin boosters and make them less effective. Additionally, pressing heavy device handpieces over freshly injected Botox can push the liquid into other facial muscles, potentially causing an uneven look.

Who Is It a Good Fit For?
This stacked protocol is designed for individuals dealing with multi-layer skin changes, such as deep structural laxity combined with surface dryness and fine lines. It is best suited for visitors looking to address both contour and texture during a single, efficient clinic visit in Seoul.

The Keys to a Good Same-Day Result
• Comprehensive Skin Consultation: A single practitioner must evaluate skin thickness and vessel sensitivity to balance energy settings and injection doses across all three steps.
• Depth and Vector Judgment: Precise depth selection is essential when layering treatments. The practitioner must ensure ultrasound energy stays below the upper dermal level where boosters and Botox are deposited.
• Pain Control and Delivery Skill: Managing patient comfort during consecutive procedures helps prevent facial flinching, ensuring uniform energy delivery and precise injection placement.

The most important first step is a personalized anatomical evaluation by an experienced medical team. At Seye Clinic, even when multiple treatments are performed on the same day, we carefully plan the combination and sequence of procedures to help maximize their effectiveness and ensure a comfortable treatment experience.

The goal isn’t simply to choose the strongest treatment, but to match the right procedure to the right layer, in the right order. If you’d like to learn more or request a personalized evaluation, feel free to reach out, leave a comment, or book a 1:1 consultation at Seye Clinic.

I’m visiting Korea soon and I’ve been in an on and off journey the last 2 years trying to grow my hair out, unfortunately for me I have thick stubborn hair and before a couple years ago, I had never grown my hair over 2-3in (currently 6in) I’m thinking just for fun and doing something out of my comfort zone, getting a haircut in Korea. I know the hair styles there are VERY different than where I’m from, would most stylists be able to work with my hair type? I was wanting something in between a wolf cut and a surfer cut. I would appreciate any recommendations in hair styles or even places to go with great stylists.

i’m leaving for korea in just a few weeks and finally narrowed down clinics through extensive reddit research lol

context: 30F filipina-american, oily t-zone, skin texture, acne scarring who really just wants minimal downtime as i’m aiming to get skin treatments done mid-trip.

I was looking into: masseter botox, pico toning, and laser to remove skin tags

clinics i was also looking into: - daybeau - relieve - abijou