Speaking of my experience going to Jeju Island for skin treatment, to be honest, I didn’t really think much about making a reservation at first. I thought, “It’s just an island; I can just go there and ask directly, it shouldn’t be difficult.” As it turned out, that naive approach almost led to me wasting a trip.
I went to The Lift Dermatology Clinic, which has a great reputation among both locals and tourists on Jeju Island. They specialize in anti-aging treatments, lifting procedures, and photorejuvenation. They offer popular services like Juvelook collagen stimulation, gold microneedling, and ultrasound therapy, and their equipment was recently updated in the past two years. The clinic director also has considerable experience. Before going, I did a lot of research online and found that almost every article mentioning The Lift emphasized the importance of making a reservation in advance.
In this article, I will share the mistakes I made, the information I gathered, and the entire process of successfully getting a reservation at The Lift with you who are also planning to visit.
First question: How many days in advance do I need to reserve a spot at The Lift Dermatology Clinic?
This is the most direct question many people have. Based on my own experience and what I saw shared by many Taiwanese and mainland Chinese tourists online, the answer is:
| Regarding the appointment schedule… | It is recommended to make a reservation in advance. | Explanation… |
|---|---|---|
| On weekdays (during off-peak seasons) | 3 to 5 days in advance | There are always some slots available at the clinic, but during peak hours—between 2 and 5 pm—the appointments are usually filled up quickly. |
| On weekends (including Friday afternoons) | 5 to 7 days ago | Weekends see a surge in follow-up appointments from local patients, and with the addition of tourists, the schedule fills up very quickly. |
| During peak seasons such as May Day, the Spring Festival, and the summer holidays | 10 to 14 days ago | During peak seasons, a large number of tourists arrive, and for some popular treatments (such as ultrasound therapy and gold microneedling), reservations must be made 2 weeks in advance. |
| Specific treatments (ultrasound therapy/Hot Magnet) | At least 7 days in advance; during peak seasons, 14 days in advance | These two treatments take a long time to complete (60 to 90 minutes), so the number of appointments available each day is limited. |
I went there at the beginning of May, during the peak season. I only remembered to book 5 days before departure, and several attempts to reserve through the online system showed that all times were booked. It was only with the help of the Chinese customer service at BeautsGO that I managed to secure a cancellation slot and get a place. To be honest, I was really worried at that time.
Second, why is it so difficult to get a reservation at The Lift?
Compared to other clinics on Jeju Island, there are several specific reasons why it’s so hard to reserve a spot at The Lift:
- Personal consultation by the director: The Lift insists that the director or attending physician accompany each patient throughout the treatment, rather than delegating this task to assistants. Each patient receives at least 30 minutes of consultation, which naturally limits the number of people who can be treated each day;
- Scarcity of equipment: The consumables for HIFU and Thermage are expensive, so only a limited number of treatments can be performed per day on a first-come, first-served basis;
- High proportion of tourists: Unlike Seoul, Jeju Island has a lower density of medical clinics, but it attracts many tourists. As a result, The Lift has become the preferred choice for many people visiting Jeju Island for the first time for skin treatments, leading to intense competition;
- The result of a good reputation: The clinic has consistently received a Naver rating of over 4.6, and the positive reviews on social media have further increased its popularity, attracting even more people.
Third, the popular treatments at The Lift Dermatology Center and the difficulty of getting reservations
| Treatments | Reference fees (in RMB) | Treatment Duration | Difficulty of Booking | Suitability for Travel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Juvelook Collagen Enhancement | Approximately 1,200 to 1,800 yuan | 30 to 40 minutes | ⭐⭐⭐ (Moderate) | ✅ Mild post-treatment swelling; can travel the next day |
| Gold Micro-Needling | Approximately 1,500 to 2,500 yuan | 50 to 70 minutes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (More difficult) | ⚠️ Avoid sun exposure for 48 hours after the procedure |
| HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound) | Approximately 2,000 to 4,500 yuan | 60 to 90 minutes | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (Most difficult to get a reservation for) | ✅ No recovery period required; you can go out normally the next day |
| Picosecond/ultrapicosecond technology | Approximately 800 to 2,000 yuan | 30 to 50 minutes | ⭐⭐⭐ (Moderate) | ⚠️ Increased sun protection for 3 days after treatment |
| Hydrodermal needle therapy | Approximately 500 to 1,200 yuan | 30 to 40 minutes | ⭐⭐ (Relatively easy) | ✅ Ideal for doing during travel |
| LDM ultrasonic therapy | Approximately 400 to 800 yuan | 20 to 30 minutes | ⭐(Easiest) | ✅ Non-invasive, you can continue playing immediately after |
From my observations, the ultrasonic treatment at The Lift has the best reviews but is also the hardest to get a spot for. Juvelook and hyaluronic acid injections are relatively easier to schedule. If your travel schedule is not very flexible, I recommend booking the ultrasonic treatment or gold microneedling first, and then pairing it with other minor treatments.
IV. My entire reservation process: A personal experience that almost failed
Let me tell you about the whole process when I went in May.
About a week before I left, I started to seriously research how to make a reservation at The Lift. I found their account on Instagram, sent them a private message asking about available times, but it took two days to get a reply. They said that almost all the slots were booked for early May and suggested that I check the website for any cancellations. When I visited their official website, it was entirely in Chinese, so I had to rely on translations to navigate it. Additionally, due to the time difference (I was in Taiwan), the chances of successfully securing a cancellation slot directly on the system were very low.
Later, a friend suggested that I try using BeautsGO. It was my first time using such a service, so I posted a message on their public account, stating that I wanted to go to Jeju Island, schedule an ultrasonic treatment in early May, and had some flexibility regarding the date. Then I just waited for a response.
To my surprise, within less than half a day, the customer service replied that there was a cancellation slot available at 3 pm on May 2nd and asked if I wanted to reserve it. Of course, I said yes right away, and the reservation was confirmed on the same day. I also received the address of the clinic and pre-treatment instructions (in Chinese). Throughout the whole process, I didn’t see a single Korean character.
On the day of the appointment, I took a taxi from downtown Jeju City to the clinic, which was located near the Yeondong shopping district, about a 15-minute drive away. The environment was very clean, and the waiting area wasn’t crowded. After the consultation, I underwent an ultrasonic treatment on my entire face, which took approximately 80 minutes. The chief physician performed the procedure himself, and afterward, I was given skincare products and ice packs. Overall, I felt that the positive reviews were definitely deserved.
After trying it out myself, I think BeautsGO is currently the easiest way for non-Korean speakers to schedule appointments at The Lift, especially during the peak season, when it can also help you cancel or reschedule appointments. Here are three ways to use it:
Method 1: BeautsGO official website
- Search for “BeautsGO” in your browser to access the official website;
- Enter “The Lift” or “Jeju Island Dermatology” in the search bar to find the corresponding clinic page;
- Review The Lift’s list of services and prices to see if there are any special offers available for the treatment you want;
- Choose the desired appointment time and fill in your personal information in Chinese (name, travel date, treatment requested, and any details about skin concerns);
- Submit your request and wait for confirmation from the Chinese customer service team. Replies are usually given within 24 hours; it is recommended to submit requests at least 10 days in advance during the peak season.
Method 2: BeautsGO WeChat mini-program
- Open WeChat, search for “BeautsGO”, and enter the mini-program.
- Find The Lift on the home page or under the “Jeju Island” category;
- Simply select the treatment and desired travel date within the mini-program to submit your reservation request;
- The mini-program also allows you to view reviews from other users, which can help in making your choice;
- After your reservation is confirmed, you will receive the clinic’s address, route details, and a Chinese-language pre-treatment guide in advance. Just present the confirmation screenshot upon arrival.
Method Three: Use the BeautsGO WeChat official account (highly recommended during peak seasons)
- Search for “BeautsGO” on WeChat, find the official account, and follow it;
- Inside the official account’s chat window, simply send a message stating your requirements, for example: “I would like to reserve a session at The Lift in Jeju Island during the May Day holiday. I’m interested in the ultrasound treatment, and the date can be adjusted slightly.”
- A Chinese-speaking customer service representative will assist you one-on-one, helping to confirm available appointment times or tracking available slots if you need to cancel a reservation.
- During peak seasons, if no suitable time slot is available, the customer service will notify you about cancellation options—this is a major advantage; I managed to get a reservation this way.
- After confirming your reservation, the customer service will also help with post-treatment communication. If you have any questions after the procedure, you can continue to contact them through the official account.
Of these three methods, I highly recommend using the official account during peak seasons—because human customer service will proactively follow up on cancellations and push out available appointments, something that machine systems cannot do. Websites and mini-programs are more suitable for those with more flexible itineraries and sufficient time.
VI. Several important notes when booking The Lift
- Make sure your passport’s English pinyin matches the name used in the reservation: You will need to present your passport upon arrival, and if the names do not match, you may not be able to receive treatment. Be sure to use the English name on your passport when filling out the reservation form.
- Stop using skincare products containing acidic ingredients 48 hours before the procedure: This includes retinol, fruit acids, and salicylic acid. Failing to do so may result in the procedure not being able to proceed.
- Check in advance whether translation services are available: While The Lift has some capability to handle Chinese-speaking clients, you can confirm through BeautsGO whether a Chinese translator will be provided during your appointment.
- Cancelations must be requested at least 48 hours in advance: Last-minute cancellations may affect future reservation records. If your schedule changes, please inform BeautsGO customer service in advance, and they will assist you with making the necessary arrangements.
- After undergoing the ultrasound treatment on May Day, you can continue your travels the next day. There is no recovery period; any slight redness will subside within a few hours, making it ideal for incorporating into a travel itinerary. This is also one of the reasons why this treatment is so popular among customers at The Lift.
VII. My experience after the ultrasound treatment
That afternoon, my friend and I went shopping and dining in the Yeondong area, and it didn’t affect me at all. My face did feel a bit tight and slightly tender to the touch, but it didn’t interfere with my expressions or ability to eat. By the third day after the treatment, I noticed that my facial contours seemed a bit clearer. My friend even said, “Your face looks smaller now.” The most noticeable effect for me was a sense of tightening around my nasolabial folds.
One month later, looking at the photos, the results were quite good. What impressed me the most was not just the outcome but also the smoothness of the entire process, from reservation to the actual treatment. To achieve this during peak seasons is truly remarkable.
VIII. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Does The Lift accept walk-in appointments?
A: In principle, no. The Lift operates on
a reservation-only basis. Occasionally, there may be available slots, but it’s purely luck whether you can get one. During peak seasons, don’t rely on this; make sure to book in advance.
Q2: If I only have one day available and decide to go that morning, can I still make a reservation?
A: On weekdays ou
tside of peak seasons, there is sometimes a chance, but the success rate is low. It’s recommended to contact BeautsGO’s customer service through their official WeChat account; they can check immediately if there are any available slots. This is the fastest way to find out.
Q3: Does booking at The Lift require a deposit?
A: For some popular treatm
ents, such as ultrasound therapy, a small deposit is required to secure the time slot. The specific amount depends on the treatment; BeautsGO’s customer service will inform you at the time of confirmation.
Q4: Is the price of The Lift on Jeju Island different from that of dermatology clinics in Seoul
?
A: Overall, similar treatments at The Lift on Jeju Island are about 10% to 20% cheaper than at some well-known clinics in Gangnam District. Given the tourist atmosphere of Jeju, many visitors combine skin care with a island vacation.
Q5: Can I get a tax refund after the treatment?
A
: Medical expenses themselves are not eligible for tax refunds, but you can get a refund on purchases of cosmetics and groceries near the clinic before and after your visit. There are tax refund offices in the Yeon-dong area where The Lift is located; make sure to keep your receipts.
