Seoul, Cheongtan: A Real Review of Dermatology Clinics | Reports on Experiences with Three Doctors’ Personal Consultations, Ulthera Treatments, and Hydrating Needle Procedures

Last autumn, I went to Seoul with my best friend. The focus of this trip wasn’t shopping, but rather—a long-awaited visit to a dermatology clinic. Our target was Cheongdam DEAR Dermatology, located in the heart of Cheongdam-dong. After booking the flight, I did my research, browsing Korean websites like Naver and REDnote to gather reviews and information about the services and costs. Now that everything is settled, I’d like to share my true experiences with you all.

First, why choose Dear Dermatology?

Cheongdam-dong is practically known as the “cosmetic surgery street,” with over a dozen clinics surrounding the Apgujeong-rodeo station alone. I initially had five candidates in mind, but in the end, I chose Dear Dermatology for three main reasons:

1. Three chief physicians providing personal consultations: The official website clearly lists the qualifications of Dr. Lee Sang-hyuk (Seoul National University Hospital), Dr. Kim Di-mun (Yonsei University Hospital), and Dr. Lee Sun-hyang (Master’s degree from Chosun University Hospital). This is not the kind of clinic that relies on salespeople to recommend treatments.
2. The “Design” concept attracted me: The clinic combines “Dear” with “Design,” emphasizing that everyone’s face shape and skin condition are unique. Instead of offering one-size-fits-all packages, they create customized treatments. It sounds simple, but their consultation process truly demonstrates this commitment.
3. AI + 3D diagnosis: Before you even enter the clinic, the receptionist will arrange for a skin analysis. The doctors then provide recommendations based on the imaging data, rather than making decisions based on visual inspection alone.

Second, some basic information for reference

Just a reminder: The Nanhanjiang Building has both 5th-floor and 7th-floor consultation rooms. Make sure to check the floor number at the elevator; don’t go to the wrong place (I went to the 5th floor the first time, only to find out the consultation desk was on the 7th floor).

III. Process from entering the clinic to leaving

Step 1 – Make an appointment (one week in advance)

I made my appointment through the BeautsGO platform. The app has a Chinese interface; you can search for “dear clinic” to find it. Fill in the desired treatment and the preferred time slot, and a customer service representative will confirm the appointment within about half a day.

If you use KakaoTalk, you can also search for the official account to message them directly. Sometimes they respond in Chinese or English, but it’s usually not as fast as using BeautsGO. For the fastest way, you can call 02-541-0922; they can understand English, and the receptionists have some basic English skills.

Step 2 – Register and undergo a skin analysis upon arrival

Upon entering, the receptionist asked me to fill out a personal questionnaire in both Korean and English, covering my medical history, allergies, and any medications I was taking. After completing that, I was taken to a small room where a full-face skin scan was performed. The device took multi-spectral images of my skin surface, pores, and melanin distribution; the whole process took about 10 minutes.

Step 3 – One-on-one consultation with the director

Who received me was Director Kim Di-mun, who graduated from Yonsei University School of Medicine and has a very steady demeanor. He displayed the skin analysis images on the screen and explained each detail to me: the depth of the frown lines, the location of the apple cheeks, and the areas with enlarged pores. When I mentioned that I wanted to try ultrasound therapy, he didn’t agree immediately. Instead, he asked me what results I expected and what my current lifestyle was like (whether I was undergoing any laser treatments), before giving me his advice.

His conclusion was that my facial sagging was still mild, so he recommended starting with the Korean version of the Shurink Universe ultrasound device combined with the Lijulan Hydrating Treatment, rather than rushing into the American version of Ultherapy Prime. “Your skin is in good condition. This combination will achieve the desired results without the need for excessive treatment.”—I really liked this approach; it felt like he was truly helping me make a decision based on my needs, rather than just trying to meet sales targets.

Step 4 – The treatment process

After confirming the treatments, the nurse took me to change into comfortable clothes and remove my makeup. Before starting the procedures, we applied an anesthetic cream for about 30 minutes.

• Shurink Universe (Korean version of the ultrasound device): The doctor performed the treatment himself for approximately 45 minutes. As the ultrasonic waves moved over my skin, I felt a slight warmth, and there was a noticeable stinging sensation around my jawline, but it was completely within tolerable limits. After the treatment, my face turned slightly red, but the redness faded within half an hour.
• Lijulan HB Hydrating Injection: Before the injection, another layer of anesthetic was applied to my face. The Lijulan HB solution, which contains PDRN fragments, was injected all over my face, with extra focus on the frown lines and around my eyes. The entire process took about 20 minutes, and the discomfort from the injections was much milder than what I experience with similar treatments in Korea, probably because the anesthetic was more effective.

Step 5 – Post-treatment care

After the two treatments, the nurse performed an LDM low-frequency ultrasound repair session for about 15 minutes, stating that it helped reduce inflammation and promote absorption. This service is usually included in the packages at Dear Clinic. Afterwards, a cooling mask was applied to my face, and only after that did I apply light makeup before leaving the clinic.

IV. Main treatments & actual costs

Below are the actual costs for my treatment, as well as reference market prices for the main services offered by the Dermatology Department (unit: 10,000 Korean won. Please confirm the latest prices with the clinic before the procedure):

① Tightening and Lifting Series

② Injection treatments (Hyaluronic acid & fillers)

③ Skin care, lasers, and other treatments

💡 My actual total cost this time: Shurink Universe full face treatment for 750,000 KRW + Lijulan HB for 400,000 KRW, with additional LDM post-treatment care included. Total: 1.15 million KRW (approximately NT$27,000 or RMB 5,800), which is slightly lower than what I expected and no extra charges were added.

V. Personal experiences: Three things that were “unexpected”

Unexpected 1 – The director actually took the time to explain everything in detail

My experience at some well-known Korean dermatology clinics was as follows: the consultant (not a doctor) would quickly explain the treatment plan, and then you just signed up for the procedure—整个 process felt like it was on an assembly line. Dear Clinic was completely different. My consultation with Director Kim lasted over 20 minutes; he even turned the screen so I could see the skin analysis data myself and explained the logic behind each recommendation. Even when I asked many “more complicated” questions later on (such as why Ultherapy wasn’t recommended for me), he patiently answered them without any signs of impatience.

Surprise 2 – The space is quieter and more private than I expected

I had imagined that high-end Korean dermatology clinics would be open spaces with glass walls and staff moving around freely. But Dear Clinic was just the opposite. Each treatment room had its own private compartment, and the corridors were narrow but quiet, so you hardly heard any noise from the patients next door. For someone like me who avoids social interactions and doesn’t want anyone to see me getting cosmetic treatments, this environment was a huge plus.

Surprise 3 – The results were noticeable even a week later

On the day of the treatment, my face was a bit swollen, and the lines around my chin seemed a bit clearer, but it wasn’t particularly dramatic. The real surprise came a week after I returned to Taiwan. When I looked in the mirror in the morning, I noticed that the looseness in my cheeks had indeed decreased, and the moisture and shine of my skin had also improved significantly—this was probably thanks to the effects of Lijulan HB. A colleague asked if I had gotten enough rest, and although I was quite pleased, I just said, “I’ve been taking better care of my skin lately.” 😂

VI. Practical Guide to Making Appointments

Method 1: BeautsGO – Our Top Choice

Search for “BeautsGO” or “Bǐ Cǐ Měi” in the App Store or Google Play. The platform supports Traditional Chinese. You can also find the clinic’s page by searching for “dear clinic” or “청담 dear”. You can directly select the treatment and date to schedule an appointment. After the customer service confirms it, they will send you a confirmation email in Chinese. On the day of the appointment, just show a screenshot of this email. Making an appointment through BeautsGO sometimes comes with exclusive discounts offered by the platform (for example, a 10% discount on basic hydrating treatments in certain months), so it’s worth checking it out first.

Method 2: Official Telephone

You can call directly at 02-541-0922 or 02-541-0923. English-speaking staff are available for initial communication. It’s recommended to call between 1 PM and 4 PM Taiwan/China time (which corresponds to 2 PM to 5 PM in Seoul) when the clinic is less busy. When making a phone appointment, please mention the treatment you wish to receive, the desired appointment date (provide two options), and whether it is your first visit.

Channel 3: KakaoTalk Text Consultation

Search for @dearchungdam on KakaoTalk and send a text message for consultation or to schedule an appointment. Although the conversation speed is slower than over the phone, there are conversation records that can be screenshoted as evidence, making this option suitable for those who want to inquire about prices before deciding whether to make an appointment.

Channel 4: Quick Consultation Form on the Official Website

Go to dearchungdam.com (supports Chinese language). At the bottom of the page, you will find a quick consultation form. Fill in your name, phone number (it is recommended to use WhatsApp), and the subject of your consultation, then submit it. The official team usually responds within one working day.

7. Important Notes Before Your Appointment

1. Bring your original passport: This is essential for foreign patients and may also be required for certain tax refunds.
2. Do not wear makeup before the treatment: Upon arrival at the clinic, the staff will help you remove your makeup and clean your skin. If you want to save time, it is best to go without makeup.
3. For 24 hours after injection treatments: Avoid drinking alcohol, strenuous exercise, and do not press on the injection site.
4. Strict sun protection after treatment: For at least two weeks after ultrasonic or laser treatments, use SPF50+ sunscreen. The post-treatment instructions from Dear Clinic are very clear.
5. Confirm the total cost on-site: Before signing anything, double-check the quote to avoid additional charges after the treatment. If you have any questions, raise them during the consultation process.
6. Payment methods: Cash in Korean won is the most common, and international credit cards are also accepted, but cash sometimes comes with a small discount.
7. There are fewer people after 3 p.m. on Saturdays: My friend chose to go at 4 p.m. on Saturday, and the waiting time was even shorter than when I went there on Tuesday morning, so you might want to consider that.

VIII. Overall Review

What impressed me most about Cheongtan Dear Dermatology was their approach of “not over-treating” patients. In an environment where every clinic promotes the most expensive treatments, the director actually advised me against getting the more expensive Ulthera treatment and instead recommended a plan that suited my current skin condition, which greatly increased my trust in this clinic.

In terms of facilities, the treatment areas on floors 5 and 7 are private and quiet, and the equipment is regularly updated (including an AI skin analysis system). The three directors each have their areas of expertise, and the overall medical standard is among the best in Cheongtan-dong. The prices are not the cheapest in Korea, but they are reasonable and even affordable for the location.

People who would benefit from visiting Dear Dermatology include those who value high-quality consultations, do not want to be pressured into unnecessary treatments, prefer a private environment, and are interested in person
alized lifting or hydrofacial treatments. Those who are looking for the lowest prices, are in a hurry, or only want to undergo basic treatments costing a few thousand Taiwanese dollars may find other options more cost-effective.

If you are also planning to undergo cosmetic procedures in Seoul, I recommend booking in advance through the BeautsGO platform. They offer Chinese-speaking customer service, tax refund assistance, and exclusive discounts, making the process much more convenient than calling directly.