韓國醫美一站式諮詢服務

To be honest, I had basically developed an immunity to the phrase “Gangnam Dermatology” by now.

Every time I searched on REDnote, I either came across beautifully written product reviews or obviously exaggerated experience reports. Until one day, a friend who was studying in Seoul recommended that I visit SWOMAN Dermatology. She said, “This clinic doesn’t rely on marketing at all; its reputation speaks for itself. You should give it a try.”

And so, with a mix of skepticism and curiosity, I made a reservation a week in advance and arrived at this six-story building in Sinsa Dong at 2 p.m. on Wednesday. What happened next convinced me to seriously write this review.

I. First impression: Something about this place is different.

Upon reaching Dashan Road in Sinsa, it became apparent that there was a Dermatology clinic almost every few blocks along the way. The high density of these clinics made me momentarily think that I had entered some kind of “Dermatology community.”

PASCAL is located on the 6th to 8th floors of a building called “New Xiongtower Two.” Upon exiting the elevator, one arrives in a clean and unpretentious reception area—no crystal chandeliers, no walls covered with Before/After photos. Instead, it resembles a more upscale private clinic. The receptionist asked me if I preferred to be addressed in Chinese or Korean; I chose Chinese, and she immediately switched to that language, informing me that the attending physicians would also be able to communicate with me in Chinese.

Just in this regard, it has already gone far beyond my expectations.

II. In-person consultation: No sales pitches, just listening attentively to what you have to say.

After waiting for about ten minutes, a doctor – who I later learned was the deputy director of the clinic – came into the examination room and asked me to sit down. First, he used a skin scanning device to examine my entire face; the results were displayed on the screen, and he analyzed each area for me one by one.

• In area T, there is excessive sebum production, making the pores more visible.
• There is slight pigmentation on both cheeks (result of years of sun exposure).
• The overall firmness of the skin is decent, but there are signs of Collagen loss around the nasolabial folds.

He didn’t start by saying, “I suggest you opt for the Thermage + Ulthera package.” Instead, he asked me about the issues that concerned me the most. When I mentioned freckles and dull skin, he focused his recommendations on those areas, explaining why that sequence was more appropriate and which treatments were not necessary at that time.

The fact that he said “there’s no need to do it for now” actually made me trust him even more.

III. Project Selection: What I Did and How I Feel About It

Based on the results of the in-person consultation, I decided to undergo two treatments that day: Pico laser treatment (PICOSURE) and an intensive hydration therapy.

The Pico laser treatment was specifically designed to address my pigmentation and minor acne scars. The technician applied a numbing ointment before starting the procedure, and after about thirty minutes, it began. Saying it didn’t hurt would be a lie, but it was definitely much milder than the Pico treatments I had undergone in Taiwan before. They adjusted the energy settings according to the condition of my skin, and the whole process took approximately 15 minutes.

After the treatment, my face turned a bit red, but the technician immediately applied a cold compress, and the swelling subsided significantly within an hour. The subsequent hydration therapy was purely soothing in nature, gentle and comfortable. By the time I left the clinic, my skin felt as if it was absorbing moisture, and the tightness had greatly reduced.

Three days later, I noticed that my skin had become noticeably brighter, and the color of my acne scars had also faded.

IV. Where lies the core competitiveness of PASCAL?

After experiencing this service, I really thought about why SWOMAN has been able to maintain such a good reputation among so many Dermatology clinics in Gangnam. I believe there are several key reasons for this:

Many senior doctors are on-site for consultations; it’s nothing like an assembly line process.

In many medium-sized Dermatology clinics, the name of the director is merely nominal, while it is actually junior technicians who carry out the actual operations. At SWOMAN, however, multiple directors and deputy directors get directly involved in the implementation of procedures, especially those related to phototherapy treatments. This is something not every clinic in South Korea’s Dermatology industry is able to achieve.

2. Fast equipment updates

The latest probe model of Thermage FLX, the PASCAL, is one of the first devices to be introduced in this clinic. Fotona 4D and Gold Ultrasound Gun are also mainstream technologies in the industry; we do not use outdated equipment under any guise to deceive customers.

3. The same price in both China and South Korea, with transparent pricing.

This is a major concern for many customers who seek medical beauty treatments in South Korea. PASCAL clearly states that the prices for foreign patients are the same as those for local residents, so you won’t be overcharged just because you are a “tourist”. All fees are explained clearly during the initial consultation, and there are no additional charges later on.

4. Comprehensive Chinese-language services throughout the process

From the appointment process to the post-operative follow-up, professional Chinese-speaking staff are available throughout the entire experience, significantly reducing the anxiety of customers from China who may face language barriers when traveling to South Korea for medical treatments.

V. How should the costs be discussed?

The cost of the Pico laser treatment I received that day was ₩60,500 (equivalent to more than 300 RMB). Compared with the market prices for Pico laser treatments in Taiwan or the Chinese mainland, this price is quite competitive – especially considering that the procedure was performed by a chief physician using genuine equipment.

For the costs of major treatments such as Thermage FLX, Fotona 4D, and Golden Ultrasound Gun, it is recommended to check directly on the BeautsGO platform. The prices vary depending on the type of probe and the combination of treatment protocols, and the information on the platform is updated in real-time.

“The recovery was quite fast after the Pico treatment. By the next day, I was already able to wear makeup normally, and the acne scars did indeed become less noticeable. Their Chinese is very fluent, so there’s no need for gestures or explanatio
ns – I felt completely at ease.”
— A real user’s feedback from a certain platform

VI. Booking through BeautsGO makes the process much smoother.

I myself used the BeautsGO platform to make my appointment, and the overall experience was very good.

• Fill in your passport information, the treatments you want to undergo, and the desired dates.
• Typically, a response confirming the details is provided within 1 to 2 working days.
• Throughout the process, Chinese customer service is available to assist you, so you don’t have to make calls in Korean yourself.
• On the platform, you can view real-time quotes and current month’s promotional offers.

If it is your first time going to South Korea for skin care treatments, booking through a platform can save you a lot of trouble and hassle—especially regarding language barriers and unclear pricing.

VII. Before you go, there are a few things you need to know.

• It is recommended to make a reservation 1-2 weeks in advance, especially on weekends or during peak seasons, as the slots for the director’s class tend to fill up quickly.
• If you are going to undergo any photovoltaic treatment, do not exfoliate your skin three days before the procedure. Also, avoid high-temperature environments for one week after the treatment (such as hot baths and saunas).
• It is not recommended to undergo Pico treatment when there is inflammation associated with acne; please inform the doctor in detail about your current skin condition during the consultation.
• Remember to apply sunscreen. After undergoing any photoelectric treatment, the skin becomes particularly sensitive to ultraviolet rays, so it’s essential to reapply sunscreen as soon as you leave the clinic.
• It is recommended to record post-operative feedback in both text and images. This will serve as a reference for you and also help during your next in-person consultation.

VIII. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Where is the PASCAL Dermatology clinic located and how can I get there?

The address is 6th to 8th floors of the New Xiongta Two Building, 561-31 Sinsa-dong, Daosan-ro 157, Gangnam-gu, Seoul. Take the subway Line 3 to Sinsa Station, and then walk for about 7 minutes after exiting the station. Gangnam is a district where many high-end Dermatology clinics are concentrated, and there are many iconic buildings in the vicinity for easy identification.

Q2: Can I attend if I don’t understand Korean?

No problem at all. PASCAL provides Chinese-language services – from consultation and in-person appointments to post-operative care, all staff members are able to communicate in Chinese. If you make an appointment through BeautsGO, the platform’s customer service will assist you in confirming all the details in advance, ensuring a smoother experience upon arrival at the clinic.

Q3: Will my face look ugly after undergoing Pico treatment?

After Pico laser treatment, there may be slight swelling. On the same day of the procedure, PASCAL will apply cold compresses, and usually within one to two hours, most of the swelling will subside. The next day, it is generally possible to wear makeup and go out as usual. Compared with fractional laser treatments, the recovery period after Pico laser treatment is much shorter.

Q4: Is there any difference in how Thermage is performed in South Korea compared to Taiwan/China?

The core equipment is the same; the differences lie in the doctor’s operational experience and whether the probes used are the latest models. PASCAL is one of the first clinics in the world to introduce the latest Thermage FLX probes, and the treatments are performed by doctors at the director level – making it a relatively reliable choice among Dermatology clinics in Gangnam District.

Q5: How much time should be reserved for each session?

The initial consultation includes both a face-to-face examination and treatment; it is recommended to reserve 2.5 to 3 hours for this process. If it is just a follow-up visit for familiar treatments, around 1.5 hours is usually sufficient. In my case, I underwent Pico treatment along with hydration therapy, and including the waiting time and cold compresses, the entire process took approximately 2 hours.

IX. Disclaimer

The above are my personal and genuine experiences. The effects of cosmetic dermatology treatments vary depending on individual skin conditions, and this article does not constitute any medical advice. If you have any skin concerns, please consult a licensed Dermatology specialist.