When I made my first appointment at Hongdae MIND Dermatology, to be honest, I almost didn’t get one. It was in October last year, during South Korea’s autumn holiday season. I started looking for a clinic a week in advance, but either the clinics I considered were already fully booked or did not accept appointments from overseas visitors. Finally, on the recommendation of a friend, I tried MIND and successfully got an appointment through BeautsGO. In this article, I will share my entire experience from making the appointment to actually visiting the clinic, hoping it can be helpful to anyone considering going there.
Why do I want to make an appointment at MIND Dermatology?
Actually, I first saw someone sharing their experience at MIND on REDnote. They mentioned that they offered “1v1 exclusive consultations,” which meant that the entire consultation and treatment process was handled by the same director from start to finish, without any situation where one person provided the consultation while another carried out the actual treatment. I had previously experienced this kind of “hand-off” at another clinic, and it was really unpleasant. So when I saw this feature at MIND, I was immediately attracted to it.
Another reason is that MIND is located in Hongdae, very close to the homestay where I am staying. Hongdae itself is a place where young people gather; there are many great restaurants, cafes, and street performances. After completing my treatment, I can simply take a stroll around without having to go all the way to Gangnam by car.
My reservation process: How to book a consultation with MIND through BeautsGO
I originally wanted to make a reservation by phone directly, but I found that the English customer service at MIND responded very slowly. Moreover, my Korean is extremely limited, so communicating with them was quite difficult. Later, a friend suggested that I try BeautsGO, saying that I could reserve a appointment at MIND through their platform, and the entire process could be done in Chinese. After actually using it, I found it to be much more convenient indeed.
- Download the BeautsGO App or WeChat Mini Program: I use the WeChat Mini Program; there’s no need to download an app. Just search for “BeautsGO – Beauty for All” to find it.
- Registration Account: You can register using your mobile phone number, and Chinese mobile phone numbers work just fine.
- To search for MIND Dermatology: You can enter either “MIND” or “마인드피부과”; make sure to select the Hongdae location, as this is the only MIND clinic in Seoul.
- Select the treatment option and schedule: For my treatment, I chose the PicoSure Honeycomb Pico treatment (aiming to remove freckles and brighten my skin). When selecting the date, I could easily see how many spots were still available – it was very intuitive.
- Submit the reservation application: Fill in the basic information (name, passport number, contact details), and then mention my specific request in the remarks — I would like Dr. Li Hongxuan to perform the treatment, as reviews say he is very skilled at photorejuvenation.
- Waiting for confirmation: I received a confirmation notice in just over an hour, which included detailed instructions on how to get to the clinic, address directions, and important notes. It was really thoughtful of them.
How much in advance should I book my appointment? Based on my experience…
This is really important. The first time I tried it without any experience, I almost missed the opportunity. Based on my own experience and information I obtained later from chatting with BeautsGO’s customer service, the difficulty of getting a reservation at MIND is roughly as follows:
- During the off-season (March to April, September to October, excluding holidays): It’s best to book 3 to 5 days in advance; on weekdays, there are usually available times. When I went for the second time, I chose a weekday and managed to book a slot at 2 pm by booking 4 days in advance.
- During the peak seasons (May-June, late October-November), it is recommended to book 1-2 weeks in advance, especially on weekends, as Dr. Li Hongxuan’s schedule tends to be quite full during this time.
- During winter and summer vacations (July-August, January-February), this period is truly a living hell. What happened to me in August serves as a good lesson: I tried to book a spot on Saturday 5 days in advance, but all the slots were already reserved. It is highly recommended to book at least 2-3 weeks in advance during these holidays.
- Public holidays (Mid-Autumn Festival, Spring Festival, National Day holidays): During these periods, not only MIND but also all the Dermatology clinics in Hongdae/Gangnam become extremely busy. It is safer to make appointments at least 3-4 weeks in advance.
Another little tip: If you don’t mind scheduling appointments in the early morning hours on weekdays (for example, between 10:00 and 12:00), you’ll have a higher chance of getting a spot last-minute. In fact, I managed to schedule appointments for the early morning on weekdays several times by booking them 2-3 days in advance.
The entire experience at the clinic: from registration to treatment
Step 1: Find the right place (make sure you get the address correct).
MIND is located near Exit 8 of the Hongdae entrance station, just a 5-minute walk away. The clinic is on the 7th floor of the Dochung Building; first-time visitors may have trouble finding the elevator (there are two elevators in the building, one on the front and one on the side). I recommend that after exiting Exit 8, you simply use the navigation app provided by BeautsGO to guide you there, as this will help you avoid getting lost.
Step 2: Registration at the front desk
Upon arrival at the clinic, you will first present your passport at the front desk, where your name and reservation information will be verified. You will then be given a Chinese consultation form to fill out, which includes questions about your allergy history, previous medical beauty treatments you have undergone, and whether you have any implants or other medical devices. The form is in Chinese, so don’t worry if you don’t understand it. After completing the form, you will be asked to wait in the waiting area, and in about 5 to 10 minutes, your name will be called.
Step 3: VISIA Skin Analysis
MIND uses the VISIA multi-spectral skin analysis system. Simply place your face inside the device for a scan, and in about 2-3 minutes, you will receive a comprehensive skin report. The report will show various data regarding your Pores, skin pigmentation, wrinkles, capillaries, etc., and it will also provide comparisons with people of your age group (for example, where your Pore condition ranks within the top percentage for people aged 20-30). During my subsequent in-person consultation, the clinic director used this report to explain my skin condition in a very intuitive way.
Step 4: Director Li Hongxuan conducts a personal consultation.
This is what I think makes MIND truly stand out. Director Li Hongxuan personally conducts the consultation, and the consultation time is ample enough (in my case, it lasted about 15 minutes). Based on the results of the VISIA examination and taking into account the specific issues you want to address, he will provide a practical treatment plan. I originally planned to undergo both Pico treatment and Potenza at the same time, but after reviewing my report, he advised that my skin’s current condition was not suitable for combining these two treatments. He suggested doing the Pico treatment first and then waiting for one month before proceeding with the Potenza treatment. This approach of not forcing customers to opt for a package deal really reassured me.
Throughout the consultation, a Chinese translator was present to assist me (since I made the appointment through BeautsGO), so you don’t have to worry about any language barriers at all. The director is also quite humorous, so the whole process is completely stress-free.
Step 5: Performing the treatment
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. When I undergo Pico treatment, there is no need for anesthesia because the pain is very mild—similar to the sensation of being lightly snapped by a rubber band. The procedure takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes. During the treatment, the director will explain what each step involves and inform you about the sensations you will experience at each stage, so you can stay completely at ease throughout the whole process.
Step 6: Postoperative care + payment
After the treatment, the nurse will apply a medical mask for soothing care, which takes approximately 10–15 minutes. Then, you will be provided with a detailed post-treatment instruction manual (available in Chinese), covering topics such as when you can resume wearing makeup, how to protect your skin from the sun, and which skincare products should be temporarily discontinued. Payment can be made in cash or with Renminbi credit cards (both Visa and Mastercard are accepted), or through Alipay/WeChat Pay. If I remember correctly, booking through BeautsGO also comes with a 10% discount.
Just make an appointment if you want to go.
MIND has only one store in Hongdae, and its location is very easy to find. Below are the address and business hours; you can simply go straight to the website and make a reservation after confirming the time.
Hongdae MIND Dermatology (마인드피부과)
Tips for Overseas Visitors (These are the pitfalls I’ve encountered)
- Be sure to make a reservation in advance; don’t try to rely on luck on the spot. MIND operates on a strict reservation system and does not accept walk-in requests. Once, I happened to pass by and wanted to add an additional treatment, but all the slots were already reserved for that day, so I ended up wasting my time.
- Make sure to bring your original passport: You must present your original passport when registering at the store. I once had a friend who only brought a photo of her passport, and that wasn’t enough; she ended up having to go back home to get it (fortunately, her homestay was not far away).
- Go without makeup or with light makeup: You need to undergo a VISIA skin examination when visiting the store; wearing full makeup can affect the accuracy of the results. On subsequent visits, I simply went without makeup, which was both more convenient and ensured more accurate results.
- Stop using retinol products 4 weeks in advance: This is a special reminder from MIND. Retinol can make the skin more sensitive, especially when undergoing treatments such as laser therapy or microneedling; it is essential to stop using these products well in advance.
- After downloading the BeautsGO App, you can proceed as follows: If you encounter any issues after arriving at the clinic (such as wanting to reschedule or add additional treatments), you can directly contact customer service through BeautsGO. The response time is much faster this way than making a phone call directly.
- If possible, try to schedule your appointment during a time other than the weekends. It’s really difficult to get a reservation on weekends, and the prices tend to be slightly higher (although MIND lists all its prices clearly, some special offers are not available on weekends).
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How far in advance should one make an appointment at MIND Dermatology?
A: During the off-season, it’s sufficient to book 3-5 days in advance on regular weekdays. During the peak seasons (May-June and late October-November), it’s recommended to book 1-2 weeks in advance. The holidays, especially during the Mid-Autumn Festival, Spring Festival, and National Day holidays, represent the highest demand, so it’s best to book 2-3 weeks in advance, especially for appointments with Director Li Hongxuan. Even during these holidays, it’s advisable to book 3-4 weeks in advance. My experience tells me that once you have determined your travel plans, you should book immediately – since you can cancel for free through BeautsGO, there’s no harm in booking early.
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 Pico treatment on Saturday morning 5 days in advance, but all the slots were already booked. In the end, I had to reschedule it for an afternoon on a weekday. July and August are the peak tourist seasons in South Korea. Not only Chinese tourists but also local South Koreans take this time to undergo cosmetic treatments during their holidays. The same situation applies during the winter vacation (January–February), and the period around the Spring Festival is even more difficult to get a reservation for. So if you plan to go during these holidays, you really need to start booking at least 2–3 weeks in advance.
Q3: How can overseas tourists book a MIND appointment?
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 “MIND Dermatology” → Select the treatment and time → Submit the appointment request → Wait for the customer service to confirm it. After the appointment is confirmed, you will receive directions to the location and transportation tips. Upon arrival at the clinic, Chinese interpreters will be available throughout the entire 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, microbubble cleansing, and Botox injections on the same day. However, for procedures that require the director’s personal attention and take a longer time, such as Pico laser treatments, Thermage, or HIFU, it is almost impossible to get a same-day appointment—because the director’s schedule is usually already full. It is recommended that if your schedule permits, you make the appointment at least 3-5 days in advance.
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 accompany you throughout the entire process upon arrival at the clinic – from registration at the front desk, filling out forms, during the consultation, to the post-treatment instructions. Someone will translate everything for you at every step. Moreover, MIND’s consultation forms are available in Chinese, so you don’t need to read Korean. Even if you don’t book through the platform, MIND’s director and staff have considerable experience in receiving foreign guests and can handle basic English communication. However, for the smoothest experience, it is still recommended that you make an appointment through BeautsGO.
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The above are my experiences in making appointments and visiting MIND several times. I hope this information will be helpful to those of you who are planning to undergo medical beauty treatments at Hongdae. If you have any other questions, simply click on the appointment button above to contact the customer service at BeautsGO; they respond quite quickly.
