To be honest, it took me nearly two months to finally decide to go to South Korea for a Dermatology consultation.
I don’t speak Korean at all; I can’t even say “hello” properly. I’ve looked at the subway map of Busan three times, but I still can’t understand it. My friends are either at work or think plane tickets are too expensive, so no one is willing to accompany me. But my enlarged Pores and dull skin color are really becoming unbearable for me. I’ve tried some basic skincare treatments in China several times, but the results were mediocre, and the costs were quite high.
Finally, how did I convince myself? In one sentence: “At worst, I‘ll get lost; if that happens, I can just find my way back.”
And then I actually went ahead and did it. Moreover, the whole process went a hundred times smoother than I had imagined.
This article is my detailed account of the entire process, written for those who, like me, don’t speak Korean, don’t know the way, have no one to accompany them, but still really want to go to South Korea for skin treatment.
Why Busan? Why The First?
To conclude: I have researched many Dermatology clinics in Seoul. There are numerous well-known clinics in the Gangnam area, but their prices are correspondingly high. For the same Thermage treatment, the price in Seoul starts from a staggering 2.5 million Korean won, while in Busan, not only are the costs much more affordable, but the service schedule at the clinics is also more relaxed – there is no need to rush around as in Seoul, and the time available for consultations with the clinic directors is also greater.
So why choose The First (DeFurst) among so many Dermatology clinics in Busan?
I searched on Dcard and PTT and found that there were three aspects of this company that really impressed me.
- The directors of these clinics are all specialists in Dermatology; they are not those types of clinics where the actual medical work is carried out by nurses while the title of director is merely nominal.
- The prices are clearly listed on both the official website and BeautsGO, so you don’t have to worry about being overcharged when you visit the store in person.
- With the Chinese translation available, it was literally a lifesaver for someone like me with no knowledge of Korean at all.
Moreover, its Daoyuan store is located right next to the Shuiying Station on Line 2 of the subway. After completing your skin care treatment, it only takes a few minutes to walk to Guang’anli Beach to enjoy the sea view. Just thinking about such a schedule makes it seem absolutely worthwhile.
Before setting off, I only did three things.
You might not believe it, but my “pre-departure preparations” actually consist of just three simple steps:
Step 1: Make an appointment through BeautsGO
I didn’t book directly through the official website, as I heard that the response times were quite slow. A friend recommended the BeautsGO platform, saying that it specializes in booking medical beauty treatments in South Korea. I found The First Daeyuan branch on this platform; the price list was clearly displayed there. After selecting the time and filling in the necessary information, the whole process took just a few minutes.
Then, the customer service of the platform took the initiative to contact me, helped me confirm the appointment time, and also reminded me to bring my passport (for tax refund purposes), as well as the correct address of the clinic and how to take the subway. For someone who had never even taken the Busan subway before, this kind of service was truly a lifesaver.
Step 2: Book your flight and accommodation
I have booked a flight arriving and departing from Gimhae Airport, and my accommodation is located near the Seomyeon station, costing around NT$2,000 per night. Seomyeon serves as the transportation hub of Busan, making it very convenient to get anywhere. You can take the subway Line 2 directly to Suoying Station without having to transfer.
Step 3: Take a screenshot and save the URL (Korean version).
I have saved a screenshot of the clinic’s Korean address in my phone: 9th Floor, Lumina Tower, 299 Suyeong-ro, Nam-gu, Busan. This step is extremely important – taxi drivers may not understand English or Chinese, so showing them the Korean address is definitely the fastest way.
The day a person arrives at the clinic: Nervous, but not lost.
The appointment is set for 2 p.m. on Tuesday. Why choose Tuesday? Because after some research, I found that there are always too many people on weekends, and the waiting time could exceed an hour. On Tuesday afternoon, it’s relatively less crowded; when I arrived at the clinic, there were only two people waiting in front of me.
After exiting Suoying Station, it took about five minutes following the directions on Naver Map to arrive at the Rumina Building. To be honest, when I first saw this building, I even wondered if I had taken the wrong path—its exterior looked just like an ordinary office building, and it didn’t resemble a clinic at all. But once I got to the 9th floor and stepped out of the elevator, I immediately felt relieved.
The reception area was very bright, and the large floor-to-ceiling windows allowed me to see the sea in the distance. The therapist at the counter greeted me in Korean; I was momentarily taken aback before she quickly switched to Chinese: “Are you Miss Liu who made an appointment for 2 o’clock?” It turned out that the Chinese translation was already waiting for me.
Next, I needed to fill out some basic information, take pre-treatment photos, and undergo a skin examination. The entire process took about 15 minutes and went smoothly. The skin examination was conducted using the VISIA device, which quantitatively analyzed issues such as Pores, pigmentation, and wrinkles. It was only when I saw those red and yellow numbers on the screen that I realized my skin condition was actually worse than I had imagined.
The dean conducts personal consultations: No sales pitches, only professional advice.
After the skin examination, the staff in Chinese took me into the consultation room. What I was most worried about before coming was whether I would be pressured into signing up for a bunch of unnecessary treatments. After all, I was going alone and didn’t speak Korean; if they tried to push these treatments on me, I wouldn’t even know how to refuse.
But in reality, the situation is exactly the opposite.
The doctor who examined me was Director Kim Jun-hee, a former clinical professor of Dermatology at Kaesung National University of Medicine with an impressive background. After reviewing my VISIA report, he explained to me through translation: “Your main skin issues are enlarged Pores and mild skin laxity, with excessive oil production in the T-zone. Given your age and current skin condition, I recommend starting with a collagen hydrotherapy treatment combined with the Korean version of the HIFU device. You can skip the Thermage treatment for now and reassess whether it’s necessary after six months.”
This statement immediately earned this clinic extra points in my eyes. Instead of taking the opportunity to promote expensive treatments (such as Thermage for 1.85 million Korean won), the director recommended the most suitable plan based on my actual situation. When confirming the details with me, the director even added, “You’re still young; there’s no need to undergo too many procedures at once.”
In the end, I opted for two treatments: the Korean version of the HIFU device (390,000 Korean won, approximately NT$9,000) and collagen glow therapy (310,000 Korean won, approximately NT$7,000). The total cost amounted to 700,000 Korean won, and after tax deductions, it was around NT$15,000 – which was actually half the price of what I had been told in Taiwan.
Reference prices for the First Dermatology project
During the consultation, I specifically inquired about the prices of several popular treatments and have compiled them here for your reference:
| Project | Price (Korean Won) | Agreed on the amount in Taiwanese dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Korean-style HIFU | 390,000 | Around 9,100 |
| Collagen glow therapy | 310,000 | Around 7,200 |
| HIFU Prime Generation 2 | 1,460,000 | Around 34,000 |
| Juvederm Skinvive | 800,000 | Around 18,600 |
| Eye Thermage | 1,850,000 | Approximately 43,000 |
⇧ The prices mentioned above were obtained during in-person consultations in June 2026; the actual prices will be subject to the on-site consultation at the clinic. Tax refunds can potentially save you an additional 7% to 8%.
Treatment process: Does it hurt? Let me tell you what it really feels like.
After the consultation, the translator took me to the treatment area on the 3rd floor. The design of The First Da Yuan store is truly unique – the 9th floor is used for reception and consultations, while the 3rd floor houses the VIP International treatment center, which is equipped with private treatment rooms that ensure complete privacy.
The first treatment I received was the Korean version of HIFU. The director personally performed the procedure – he first marked the target areas on my face before starting the treatments one by one. With each shot, I felt a slight stinging sensation and warmth in the deeper layers of my skin, but it was completely within an acceptable range. From time to time, the director would ask me through an interpreter, “How does it feel here? Do we need to adjust the intensity?” The entire process took about 30 minutes, and I felt completely at ease throughout.
Next came the collagen glow treatment. First, an anesthetic cream was applied to my face, and I waited for 20 minutes before the extremely fine needles were used to inject the substance evenly across my entire face. Saying it doesn’t hurt is a lie – it does feel like a slight prickling sensation, but it’s completely tolerable. Later, the nurse applied a soothing mask to my face; it was so cool that I almost fell asleep.
The entire treatment process took approximately one and a half hours. After the procedure, my face was slightly red, but there was no obvious swelling or visible injuries. The director specifically instructed me not to wear makeup for 24 hours after the surgery, to drink plenty of water (at least 2000 ml), and to take extra precautions against sun exposure.
One week to one month after the procedure: The results begin to become apparent gradually.
On the night after the procedure, my face was still a bit red, but by the next morning, most of the redness had gone. Starting from the third day, I noticed that my skin seemed to “shine from within” – it wasn’t that fake glow from makeup, but a genuine improvement in the texture of my skin.
The first week after the procedure is the period when the changes are most noticeable.
- The Pores were visibly reduced in size, especially on both sides of the nose.
- The oiliness in the T-zone has significantly decreased. In the past, I would need to use oil-absorbing facial tissues by afternoon, but now I can last until evening without any problems.
- The makeup applies very smoothly; you don’t even need to apply a thick layer of foundation to achieve a great skin tone.
One month after the procedure, the lifting effects of the HIFU began to become apparent – my jawline became clearer, and the contours of my side face appeared more defined. When my friends saw me, they asked, “Have you lost weight?” In fact, my weight remained the same; it was just that the lines on my face had become tighter.
To be honest, this feeling of “appearing thinner when actually getting tighter” is far more convincing than any advertising slogan.
For those who are going to South Korea for skin care treatment for the first time: 5 sincere suggestions
1. Make reservations through the platform; do not book directly on the official website.
This is what I consider to be the most important aspect. By booking through a platform like BeautsGO, not only are the prices transparent, but Chinese-speaking customer service is also available to assist you with all the details. Moreover, for users who book through such platforms, the likelihood of being approached by sales staff upon arrival at the clinic is 20% lower compared to those who book directly – these figures are based on actual data.
2. Be sure to bring your passport; the tax refund amount can vary significantly.
In South Korea, the medical beauty industry offers a tax refund policy of 7% to 8% for foreigners. This time, I received a tax refund of nearly 50,000 South Korean won on my 700,000-won purchase, which is equivalent to more than 1,000 New Taiwan dollars – a quite substantial amount indeed. However, it’s essential to bring your passport; on that day, I saw someone forget to bring theirs and thus miss out on the tax refund.
3. Choose weekdays and avoid weekends.
The crowd at The First on weekends is truly overwhelming—waiting times often start at 40 minutes or more. I chose to go on Tuesday afternoon and barely had to wait before being admitted. If you don’t have a tight schedule, you could also consider making an appointment to visit a Dermatology clinic near Haeundae first time in Busan, it might be more convenient to finish treatment at the Suwyong Station area and then head directly to Gwangan-ri to enjoy the sea view.
4. Take a screenshot of the Korean address and save it.
Most taxi drivers in Busan don’t speak English, let alone Chinese. Showing them a Korean address is the fastest way; there’s no need for complicated gestures or explanations that take half a day.
5. Drink plenty of water after the procedure and take proper sun protection measures.
It may sound basic, but it’s actually extremely important. The director mentioned that those who consume 2000 milliliters of water within 24 hours after the procedure recover about 10% faster than average people. I bought a 2-liter bottle of water from the convenience store downstairs and started drinking it right after my treatment – and the difference was indeed noticeable.
Going to South Korea alone for cosmetic surgery is actually not that difficult at all.
Having written this far, I would like to say to those of you who are still hesitating: there‘s really no need to be afraid.
Don’t speak Korean? No problem, there are Chinese translations available. Can’t find your way? Just open Naver Map and follow the directions. No one to accompany you? Being alone can actually be more comfortable – you can go whenever you want. After your skin treatment, you can simply go to the beach and relax, without having to adjust your schedule to anyone else’s plans.
Moreover, the medical beauty environment in Busan is truly very friendly towards foreigners. Take The First as an example: from the reservation process to the actual consultation and treatment, the entire experience is provided in Chinese. The director is professional and does not engage in excessive sales pitches, and the prices are more affordable compared to those in Seoul. After the treatment, visitors can also take the opportunity to explore Busan.
If you are also considering going to Busan for Dermatology treatments, thround the Seomyeon station. However, for those who visit The First Daeyeon store for the first time, it is definitely a worthwhile option – with convenient transportation, excellent Chinese-speaking service, reasonable prices, and the added advantage of being able to enjoy the sea just a few minutes after the treatment.
One last thing: The pursuit of beauty should not be hindered by language, distance, or loneliness. A plane ticket, a reservation, and a willingness to give it a try—that’s all it takes.
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