I was also quite skeptical about the idea of going to Jeju Island for cosmetic treatments – isn’t Jeju Island mainly known for its beautiful scenery? How could it also offer skin care services? It wasn’t until a friend took me to The Lift that I realized Jeju Island’s cosmetic treatment standards are no less advanced than those in Seoul’s Gangnam district, and the prices are even more affordable. However, on my first visit, I encountered several problems when trying to make a reservation. Today, I would like to share the experiences I gained so that others who plan to go can use them as a reference.
Let’s get to the main point: How much in advance should one book a appointment for The Lift?
This is probably the question that everyone is most concerned about. I have been there three times, and the difficulty of getting a reservation varies significantly depending on the season.
- Off-season (March to April, September to November, excluding holidays): It’s usually possible to book a slot 2 to 3 days in advance. On regular days, you might even find available appointments as soon as you check BeautsGO on the same day.
- During the peak seasons (May-June, October), it is recommended to book at least one week in advance, especially on weekends, as Dr. Kim Dong-hyuk’s schedule is usually quite full during this time.
- Summer and winter vacations (July-August, January-February): During these periods, the demand reaches its peak. In August, I tried to book a Saturday morning appointment 5 days in advance, but all slots were already booked, so I had no choice but to reschedule for a weekday. During the high-season, it is highly recommended to make arrangements at least 2 weeks in advance; otherwise, you’ll be relying on luck.
- During holidays (Mid-Autumn Festival, Spring Festival, Golden Week): Not only The Lift, but also medical beauty clinics throughout Jeju Island are usually fully booked during these periods. It is advisable to make reservations at least 3-4 weeks in advance to ensure a place.
In my own experience, the safest approach is to make the reservation as soon as your travel plans are finalized, rather than waiting until just a few days before departure. After all, reservations through BeautsGO are free of charge, and you can cancel them without any fees if you need to change your plans at the last minute. The sooner you book, the more at ease you’ll be.
Why did I choose to book The Lift through BeautsGO?
At first, I considered making a phone call or using KakaoTalk to book an appointment, but after giving it a try, I realized that communicating directly in Korean was extremely inefficient, and responses via KakaoTalk were often unreliable, with delays of up to half a day before getting any response. Later, a friend recommended BeautsGO, and once I tried it, I couldn’t stop using it anymore. The entire process is conducted in Chinese—from searching for “The Lift” to submitting the reservation, there’s no need to understand any Korean at all. Even when I arrived at the store, Chinese translators were available to assist me, making the whole experience much smoother.
Moreover, BeautsGO offers a very thoughtful service: after the reservation is confirmed, you will receive the address and transportation instructions for the clinic. This is truly convenient for those visiting Jeju Island for the first time, as it eliminates the need to fumble around on Korean-language maps.
Steps to book The Lift through BeautsGO
- Download the BeautsGO App: You can search for “BeautsGO” or “Bijiri Mei” in the app store, or you can simply use the WeChat mini-program without having to install an app.
- Registration Account: Registration can be done using a mobile phone number, and Chinese mobile phone numbers are completely acceptable.
- To search for The Lift: Enter “The Lift” or “더리프트” and select the location on Jeju Island.
- Select the treatment and time: First, choose the treatment you want to undergo, and then pick the date and time slot. Popular treatments such as Thermage and HIFU tend to have more people booking them during peak times, so don’t hesitate if you find a suitable schedule.
- Submit and wait for confirmation: After filling in the information and submitting it, the customer service will usually confirm it within 1 to 2 hours. If you have any special requirements, such as requesting a personal consultation with Director Kim Dong-hyuk, be sure to mention it in the remarks section.
- You will receive a confirmation notice: Once confirmed, you will get detailed instructions on how to arrive at the clinic, including the address, transportation options, and important notes.
Reservation status for popular treatment packages
For the most popular treatments at The Lift, the difficulty of getting a reservation actually varies. Based on my own experience in making reservations several times and information I obtained from customer service, I would like to share some insights:
🔥 Hot Magi FLX (the most sought-after model)
This is The Lift’s signature treatment, performed personally by Director Kim Dong-hyuk. Each session takes approximately 1 to 1.5 hours. Due to the long duration of each treatment, the number of appointments available per day is limited, making it particularly easy to book out. During the peak season, it may be necessary to reserve a spot for a 300-hair treatment on the entire face more than two weeks in advance. For a 600-hair treatment (covering both the face and neck), the waiting list becomes even longer.
⚡ HIFU: The Ultherapy Device
It’s just as popular as Thermage; many people choose the combined package of “Thermage + HIFU” to complete both treatments in one go. Since the treatment time for this package is longer, the number of available slots per day is much smaller. If you want to book this package, it’s safer to reserve your spot 1 week in advance during the off-season, and 2–3 weeks in advance during the peak season.
💉 Juvelook Collagen/Potenza
The duration of each session for these two treatments is relatively short (30–45 minutes), so it is possible to schedule more sessions per day. The difficulty of getting a reservation is also lower compared to Thermage. On regular days, it is usually possible to secure a reservation 2–3 days in advance; during the peak season, 1 week in advance is generally sufficient.
💧 Basic skin care / Pico treatment / Botox
These types of services offer the greatest flexibility; it is possible to schedule and have the procedure done on the same day, especially during the morning hours on weekdays. However, during peak seasons or on weekends, it is advisable to book in advance by a few days.
Pre-departure checklist
- Original passport: You must present your original passport when registering at the store. Using a passport photo is not acceptable; you must bring the actual document.
- Confirmation screenshot of the reservation: Keep the confirmation notice sent by BeautsGO safe, and just present it when you arrive at the store.
- Natural face or light makeup: It is necessary to undergo a VISIA skin examination upon arrival at the store; wearing full makeup can affect the accuracy of the results. Once, I went for the examination with my eyebrows and foundation on, but even after removing all the makeup, some traces remained, resulting in inaccurate test results. Since then, I have always gone for the examination with a natural face.
- Stop using retinol-based skincare products 4 weeks in advance: This is a special reminder from The Lift – retinol can affect the skin’s sensitivity, especially when undergoing treatments such as laser therapy or microneedling.
- Avoid deep exfoliation 2 weeks in advance: Put aside scrubs and chemical peels for now.
- Arrive 10–15 minutes in advance: This will give you enough time to complete the registration process, fill out the forms, and undergo the skin check.
The complete consultation process after arriving at the clinic
Step 1: Registration at the front desk
Upon arrival at the clinic, please present your passport at the front desk to have your name and reservation information verified. You will then be given a Chinese consultation form where you need to fill in basic details such as your allergy history, whether you have previously undergone any medical beauty treatments, and if you have any implants. The form is in Chinese, so don’t worry if you don’t understand it.
Step 2: VISIA Skin Analysis
The Lift uses the VISIA multi-spectral skin analysis system, which is much more accurate than ordinary skin detectors. Simply place your face inside the device for a quick scan, and in about 2-3 minutes, you will receive a comprehensive skin report that includes data on Pores, freckles, wrinkles, capillaries, and more. This report serves as a crucial reference for the dermatologist during the consultation.
Step 3: Personal consultation by Director Kim Dong-hyuk
This is, in my opinion, the most reliable step in the entire process. Director Kim Dong-hyuk will develop a practical treatment plan based on the results of the VISIA assessment and taking into account the specific issues you wish to address. He will not recommend unnecessary treatments just to increase his sales volume. When I first visited his clinic, I mentioned that I wanted to undergo Thermage and Potenza treatments simultaneously. However, after reviewing my test results, he advised that my skin condition was not suitable for both procedures at the same time and suggested that I start with Thermage first, followed by Potenza after a one-month interval. It is precisely this kind of approach that really makes people feel at ease. If you make an appointment through BeautsGO, Chinese interpretation will be provided throughout the consultation, so you don’t have to worry about language barriers.
Step 4: Confirm the treatment plan and proceed with the procedure
After the face-to-face consultation, the staff will provide you with a written estimate detailing the costs and the specifics of the treatment plan. Once you sign it, the treatment can begin. For Thermage treatments, an anesthetic will be applied for 30 to 45 minutes before the procedure is carried out by the director himself/herself. Throughout the entire process, the director will explain each step in detail to help alleviate your concerns.
Step 5: Postoperative care + Payment
After the treatment, the nurse will provide you with soothing care measures, such as applying a medical mask or using LDM ultrasonic therapy, and will also give you detailed instructions on post-treatment precautions. Payment can be made in cash or via international credit cards (Visa/Mastercard). If you are eligible for a tax refund, you can submit your passport for the process. The customer service team at BeautsGO will also monitor your recovery progress after the treatment, and you can always ask them any questions you may have.
Just make an appointment if you want to go.
The Lift has only one store on Jeju Island, located in the heart of the Yeondong shopping district, very close to the airport – it takes only 15 minutes by taxi to get there. Below are the address and opening hours; you can simply click through to make a reservation after confirming the time.
The Lift Dermatology (The Lift Clinic)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How far in advance should one make an appointment at The Lift Dermatology?
A: During the off-season, it’s sufficient to book 2-3 days in advance; on regular days, it’s still possible to get a reservation on the same day. However, during the peak seasons (May-June, October), it is recommended to book 1 week in advance. During the summer and winter holidays, which are the busiest periods, it is best to book at least 2 weeks in advance, especially for popular treatments such as Thermage and HIFU. Even during holidays like Mid-Autumn Festival, Spring Festival, or Golden Week, it is advisable to book 3-4 weeks in advance. My experience tells me that once you have determined your travel plans, go ahead and book immediately – since cancellations are usually free, booking early is never a loss.
Q2: Are the schedules usually full during summer and winter vacations?
A: It’s extremely easy! What happened to me in August serves as a good lesson. I tried to book a Thermage treatment on Saturday morning 5 days in advance, but all the slots were already booked, so I had to reschedule it for Tuesday afternoon. July and August are the peak tourist seasons for Jeju Island – not only Chinese tourists but also South Koreans take this opportunity to go on vacation and get cosmetic treatments. The same situation applies during the winter holidays (January–February), and the period around the Spring Festival is especially difficult to get a reservation. So if you plan to visit during these times, you really need to start booking at least 2 weeks in advance; otherwise, you’ll likely end up wasting your time.
Q3: How can overseas tourists make reservations?
A: The most convenient way is to make an appointment through BeautsGO. The entire process can be completed in Chinese, so there is no need to know Korean. Here are the specific steps: Download the BeautsGO app or WeChat mini-program → Register an account → Search for “The Lift” → Select the treatment and time → Submit the reservation → Wait for the customer service to confirm it. After the reservation is successful, you will receive directions to the location and transportation tips. Upon arrival at the clinic, Chinese translators will be available throughout the process, so you don’t have to worry about language barriers, from registration to the actual treatment and post-treatment care.
Q4: What treatments can be scheduled on the same day?
A: During the off-season, it is relatively possible to schedule and have treatments such as basic skin care, Pico laser treatments, and botulinum toxin injections on the same day. However, for procedures like Thermage and HIFU, which require the director’s personal attention and take a longer time, it is almost impossible to get a spot on the same day—because the director’s schedule is usually already full. Occasionally, it is possible to schedule Juvelook or Potenza treatments on the same day, but there is no guarantee. It is recommended that if your schedule allows, try to make the reservation at least 2-3 days in advance; it will be much more reliable than trying to find a place at the last minute when you arrive in Jeju.
Q5: Can I still receive treatment normally if I don’t speak Korean?
A: No problem at all. If you make an appointment through BeautsGO, a Chinese translator will be available throughout your entire visit – from registration at the front desk, filling out forms, during the consultation, to the post-treatment instructions. Someone will assist you with translation at every step. Moreover, The Lift’s consultation forms are available in Chinese, so you don’t need to read Korean. Even if you don’t book through the platform, The Lift’s director and staff have considerable experience dealing with foreign guests and can handle basic English communication. However, for a smoother experience, it is still recommended to book through BeautsGO – it saves you a lot of hassle.
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The above are my experiences in making reservations and visiting The Lift on several occasions. I hope this information will be helpful to those of you who are planning to undergo cosmetic procedures in Jeju Island. If you have any other questions, simply click on the reservation link above to contact the customer service at BeautsGO; they respond quite quickly.
