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Why have I decided to write this article about the rankings of Dermatology departments at Hongdae?

To be honest, before going to Seoul for skin care treatments, I browsed through Dcard and REDnote countless times, but the more I read, the more confused I became. Every clinic claimed to be the best, and every review was labeled as a “personal experience recommendation,” but once I actually visited these places, I realized that—no matter how highly these clinics were praised on Dcard, their services were actually just average at best.

This time, I actually visited 6 Dermatology clinics around the Hongdae area. I went through the whole process, from making an appointment to having the consultation and finally receiving the treatment. It wasn’t just a quick visit for some photos; I actually had the procedures done. I’m writing this article to provide you with some real-world references, so you can avoid making the same mistakes I did.

Let me state the conclusion first: among the companies in Hongdae, there are only three that I am truly willing to repurchase their products from—Forena, nBOM, and Mind Skin. The other three are not necessarily bad, but their cost-performance ratios and user experiences are indeed inferior. I will elaborate on this in more detail later.

🥇 Forena Dermatology | Hongdae Branch – My top recommendation!

Forena was my first stop during this trip to Hongdae, and it also caught my attention the most.

It is located just 3 minutes away on foot from Exit 9 of the Hongdae subway station, which is extremely convenient for those carrying luggage. The first impression upon entering is cleanliness—not the sterile kind of hospital cleanliness, but a warm, wooden decor that helps to reduce feelings of tension.

During the in-person consultation, the doctor was very patient, and we were able to communicate smoothly despite the use of both Chinese and translation software. I opted for the Inmode and Lifting Management package, and the entire procedure took approximately 40 minutes. After the treatment, I could definitely see a noticeable tightening effect on my skin—not that kind of faintly satisfying result, but a clear improvement where my jawline became more defined when I looked in the mirror.

In terms of price, Inmode charges approximately 150,000 to 180,000 Korean won per treatment, which is significantly cheaper than Gangnam’s services. However, the equipment used at Inmode is the same as that at Gangnam’s clinics. This is also the main reason why I recommend Forena: the quality of services provided by Gangnam and the affordable prices offered by Hongdae.

The only slight downside is that there are usually more people on weekends; it’s recommended to go during weekdays or to make a reservation in advance through BeautsGO.

🥈 nBOM Dermatology | Hongdae – The King of Cost-Effectiveness

My friend recommended nBOM to me; she had undergone crystal peeling treatments there three times before and said the results were quite good. This time, I went there mainly to get some basic skin care along with a whitening treatment.

To start with, the prices are truly attractive. The basic skin care package can be purchased for 60,000 to 80,000 Korean won, which is considered very affordable in Hongdae. The doctors are also quite honest during consultations and don’t try to push expensive treatments on customers. I originally wanted to try a more expensive package, but the doctor directly told me, “Given the condition of your skin, that package isn’t necessary; the basic treatment will be sufficient.”

As for the results, after getting the perfect fair skin treatment on the same day, my skin did seem to look brighter, but the effect didn’t last long – it faded back after about 3 to 4 days. Given the price, you can’t expect lasting results; it’s more like a quick fix for when you’re traveling to South Korea.

The area is a bit smaller than Forena, but it is clean and tidy, without the feeling of overcrowding. It is located a bit further away from Hongdae Station, approximately 8 minutes walk.

🥉 Mind Skin Clinic | Hongdae – The low-key expert in the field of medical aesthetics

I saw that Mind Skin didn’t receive much attention in discussions on Dcard, but those who had visited it all said it was great. I went there with a try-it-out attitude, and to my surprise, it was actually amazing.

The biggest highlight of this clinic is that the doctors truly take their time to conduct thorough consultations. It’s nothing like the quick, three-minute check-ups in a assembly-line setting. My consultation lasted around 15 minutes, during which the doctor used a skin analysis device to carefully examine every detail, even pointing out issues with keratin buildup that I hadn’t noticed before.

I underwent their signature Rejuve skin regeneration treatment, which involves using ultrasonic waves to deliver essential nutrients into the skin, followed by the application of a soothing mask. After the treatment, the feel of my skin was truly different—it was smooth and delicate, not that greasy, artificial kind of smoothness. The effects lasted for about a week, which is longer than the results achieved by nBOM treatments.

The prices are on the higher end of the medium range; the Rejuve package costs around 120,000 to 150,000 Korean won. However, considering the professionalism of the in-person consultations and the long-lasting effects, I think it’s worth it.

What about those other three companies? Let’s talk about the pitfalls they encountered.

KLEAM Dermatology | Expectations were too high, resulting in a significant disappointment.

KLEAM has received quite a lot of attention on Dcard, with many posts stating that “one must visit Hongdae.” However, from my experience, it’s a bit of an overstatement.

It’s not that it’s bad, but it’s certainly not as miraculous as people claim. I tried their moisturization treatment package, and the results were quite average—no different from what I get at domestic beauty salons. However, the price is nearly twice as high as that of nBOM; for the same basic treatment, it costs over 100,000 Korean won here.

The environment is indeed quite nice, and the decoration is of high quality. However, if you have to pay for all that decoration, that’s another matter. If you have a sufficient budget and are looking for an excellent environmental experience, then this option is worth considering; but if you’re more concerned with cost-effectiveness, Forena would be a better choice at the same price range.

JFeel Dermatology | Hongdae Branch | Good service, but average results

The service attitude at JFeel is truly excellent; from the moment you enter until the procedure is completed, there is always someone to guide you, and communication in Chinese is also no problem at all. However, the issue is this: I underwent the lifting treatment, but the results were almost identical to those before I had it done.

Perhaps it’s because I only had the treatment once, since lifting procedures generally require multiple sessions. However, after having just one Inmode treatment at Forena, the results were significantly better. JFeel’s lifting package costs 180,000 Korean won, which is considered relatively expensive in Hongdae, but the quality of the service doesn’t seem to match the price.

If your needs are basic skin care or relaxation-oriented treatments, JFeel might be a good option. However, if you’re looking for effects such as skin tightening and anti-aging, I wouldn’t recommend it.

CLEOR Dermatology | Hongdae Branch | Good location, but average service experience

The location of the CLEOR Hongdae store is indeed excellent – it’s right on Hongdae Pedestrian Street, so you can visit it conveniently while shopping. However, precisely because of its convenient location, there are always a huge number of people there, and you often have to wait for a long time.

I made an appointment for 2 pm, but I didn’t start the treatment until 2:40 and it wasn’t completed until 3 pm. The whole process was a bit rushed; the consultation lasted less than 5 minutes, and it felt like the doctor was in a hurry. The moisturizing treatment itself was okay, but the overall experience was greatly diminished due to the lack of time.

In summary: If you live in Hongdae and want to take the opportunity to get some basic skincare done, CLEOR is barely sufficient; but if you go out of your way just for this purpose, it’s not really necessary.

Hongdae vs Gangnam: How to choose?

This is the question I get asked the most, so I might as well answer it all at once.

Reasons for choosing Hongdae:

• Generally, the prices are 20-30% lower than those in Gangnam.
• Being close to the accommodation area, there are many homestays surrounding Hongdae.
• With fewer people around, there’s no need to wait in line for so long.
• It’s convenient to go shopping and eat out; after that, you can go straight out and have fun.

Reasons for choosing Gangnam:

• There are more high-end options available (such as Thermage and HIFU).
• There are many large chain flagship stores, and they are equipped with more comprehensive facilities.
• The translation services have become more sophisticated, enabling smoother communication in Chinese.
• If it comes to surgical procedures, people in Gangnam feel more at ease.

My suggestion is: For basic skin care treatments such as tightening and whitening, Hongdae is more than sufficient. You can simply choose Forena or Mind Skin, and the money saved could be used to enjoy a few more barbecues, right? However, for more advanced treatments like Thermage or HIFU, it’s better to go to a larger clinic in Gangnam for greater reliability.

How to Make an Appointment at Hongdae Dermatology

Finally, here are some little tips for making appointments:

1. Book 3 to 5 days in advance: Although Hongdae has fewer people than Gangnam, it still tends to fill up during peak hours (on weekends in the afternoon). Booking in advance through BeautsGO is the most reliable way to ensure a spot.
2. The best time is on weekdays in the morning: there are fewer people, and doctors have more time for consultations, so there’s no need to rush.
3. Bring your passport: In some clinics, foreigners are required to register their passport information for the first time.
4. Going without makeup allows doctors to see the true condition of your skin, and it also saves the hassle of removing makeup.
5. Don’t overdo it: It’s better to perform 1-2 treatments at a time; doing too many can actually be harmful to your skin.

FAQ: Common Questions about Hongdae Dermatology

Q1: Is it necessary to make an appointment in advance at Hongdae Dermatology?

It is highly recommended to make reservations in advance. Although there are fewer people at Hongdae compared to Gangnam, it still tends to get crowded on weekends and during the peak tourist season. Making reservations through BeautsGO is the most convenient option, as you will also enjoy Chinese-language customer service and discounted prices.

Q2: Are the facilities at Hongdae’s Dermatology department the same as those at Gangnam’s?

Most chain brands, such as Forena, use the same equipment in their Hongdae and Gangnam stores. The main difference lies in the variety of services offered; the flagship Gangnam store offers a wider range of premium services.

Q3: What if I don’t speak Korean?

Most Dermatology departments at Hongdae are equipped with Chinese translation services or translation software, so communication should not be a major issue. If you make an appointment through BeautsGO, Chinese-speaking customer service will also provide full support throughout the process.

Q4: How much does treatment at Hongdae Dermatology cost approximately?

Basic skin care treatments cost around 60,000 to 100,000 Korean won, while lifting procedures range from 120,000 to 180,000 Korean won. The exact prices depend on the clinic and the specific treatment. Overall, these services are about 20% to 30% cheaper than those in Gangnam.

Q5: Can I wear makeup on the same day after undergoing skin care treatments?

It is recommended not to wear makeup on the day of the procedure; wait at least 24 hours before applying any makeup. After the treatment, the skin becomes more sensitive and requires time to recover and absorb nutrients.

Q6: If it’s my first time going to South Korea for skin care treatments, should I choose Hongdae or Gangnam?

If you are just looking for basic skincare treatments such as moisturization, whitening, or cleansing, Hongdae’s Forena is a great choice due to its high cost-performance ratio. However, if you want to undergo more advanced anti-aging procedures like Thermage or HIFU, it is recommended to go to Gangnam. For first-time users, Hongdae’s Forena is definitely the right choice.