ILCHI Recommendations for Dermatology Clinics in Apgujeong 2026 | 5 clinics that locals actually go to – highly praised by both Dcard and PTT, but many tourists are unaware of their existence.

ILCHI Recommendations for Dermatology Clinics in Apgujeong 2026 | 5 clinics that locals actually go to – highly praised by both Dcard and PTT, but many tourists are unaware of their existence.
Exterior of Apgujeong Branch of inee Dermatology
Street view of the Apgujeong Dermatology Clinic

If you are looking for recommendations for a Dermatology clinic in Apgujeong, my advice is this: when choosing a clinic, it’s not about picking the most expensive one, but rather finding the one that best suits your skin type and needs. As the heart of the medical aesthetics industry in Gangnam District, Seoul, there is a Dermatology clinic every 50 meters in Apgujeong – yet less than 20% of them are truly worth visiting.

It took me two months to personally visit six Dermatology clinics in Apgujeong. I compared various aspects such as the consultation process, the expertise of the doctors, the condition of the equipment, the transparency of prices, and the post-treatment follow-up services. After careful consideration, I selected five clinics that I truly recommend. This article will not claim that “every clinic is excellent”; instead, it will tell you which type of person would be better off going to which clinic.

I. First, let’s clarify: What are the differences between Apgujeong Dermatology and other areas in Gangnam?

Many people tend to confuse “Gangnam Dermatology” with other similar institutions, but in fact, Gangnam is a vast area, and the services offered by clinics in different commercial districts vary significantly.

region The positioning of the clinic Suitable for various groups
Apgujeong High-end anti-aging treatments, provided by specialized medical professionals during personal consultations For those over 30 who pursue quality and reject the assembly-line approach.
Sinsa-dong There are many online celebrity-owned stores, and price-performance ratio is the main consideration. Over 20 students experiencing it for the first time
Cheongdam-dong Luxury, equipped with a plastic surgery department Ample budget and one-stop service
ANEW Sinnonhyeon Many chain brands offer standardized services. Pursuing efficiency and ensuring language accessibility

The clinics in Apgujeong generally share one common feature: the director personally attends to each patient, rather than following a standardized process. This is completely different from the “one patient every 15 minutes” model commonly seen in areas like Myeongdong and Hongdae. If you have had negati the wealthy Gangnam area before, it is very likely because you chose the wrong location.

Before making any recommendations, let me explain how I selected them. There are over 100 Dermatology clinics in Apgujeong, but I only chose 5 of them based on the following criteria:

  1. The dean personally conducts the consultations: it’s not a consultant doing the job on behalf of the doctor, but a genuine one-on-one assessment by a doctor.
  2. The authenticity of these devices can be verified: instruments such as Thermage and HIFU come with official manufacturer certification labels.
  3. Transparent pricing: A written quote will be provided during the in-person consultation, and no additional fees will be charged later on.
  4. Postoperative Follow-up: It doesn’t end just after the procedure; there are clear mechanisms for follow-up visits or online monitoring.
  5. Chinese-language services: We provide Chinese translations or assign Chinese-speaking supervisors to minimize communication barriers.
Interior of Leaders Dermatology Clinic
The interior environment of Apgujeong’s high-end Dermatology clinic

All of the following 5 companies meet these 5 criteria, but each of them has its own strengths. I have categorized them according to the target audience.

III. Top 5 Recommendations for Dermatology at Apgujeong (classified by suitable target audiences)

1. inee Dermatology – The top choice for anti-aging and lifting treatments; the director’s layered injection technique is second to none.

In a nutshell: if you want to undergo Thermage or ultrasound lifting treatments but are worried about your face becoming stiff afterwards, this clinic is currently the most reliable option in the Apgujeong area.

inee has been operating her clinic at Apgujeong for over 10 years. President Kim Min-seung holds seven international certifications, including MERZ Asia-Pacific Key Doctor. Their core strength lies in their layered injection technique – rather than injecting Filler all at once, the treatment is administered in multiple layers according to the different depths of the skin, thus avoiding the common issues of swelling and stiffness associated with traditional injection methods.

During my visit, the director spent nearly 40 minutes conducting a thorough consultation, asking about everything from skin elasticity and bone structure to daily skincare habits. This is quite uncommon in South Korea’s Dermatology clinics, where most consultations only last 10-15 minutes.

Suitable for: People over 30 years old who wish to undergo anti-aging treatments such as Thermage/HIFU/Filler injections and value natural results.

Consultation fee: 20,000 Korean won (can be deducted from the total amount spent on the same day)

Address: 3rd Floor, Building A, Jidong Building, 152 Apgujeong-ro, Gangnam District, Seoul

If you are interested in this clinic, I previously wrote an article titled “A Compre more detailed information about the consultation process and post-treatment experiences.

2. Leaders Dermatology Apgujeong Branch – A 20-year-old chain brand with the largest specialized medical team

In a nutshell: if you care whether the doctor is a specialist in Dermatology, Leaders is the only clinic in Apgujeong that boasts more than 20 such specialists.

Leaders has 12 branches in South Korea, with the Apgujeong branch being its flagship location. It was founded in 2001 by a dermatology specialist who graduated from the School of Medicine at Seoul National University. Currently, the clinic employs over 20 dermatology specialists and approximately 150 staff members – a scale that is quite rare among dermatology clinics in South Korea.

Its focus is on comprehensive skin management, covering everything from basic laser freckle removal and acne treatment to advanced anti-aging treatments. In terms of equipment, the Thermage FLX, Ulthera HIFU, and PicoSure are all genuine original devices, and each machine comes with an official certification label for verification.

However, it’s important to note that due to the large scale of these clinics, you should explicitly request a consultation with the director or a senior specialist when making an appointment. Otherwise, you might be assigned to a younger doctor. I suggest stating directly during the reservation process, “I would like to see the director personally.”

Suitable for: People who want to address multiple skin issues at once (spots, acne, anti-aging) and value the certification of the doctor’s qualifications.

Address: Apgujeong-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, 5 minutes walk from Apgujeong Station on the subway

For details on how to make reservations, you can refer to my previous ps on how to request a personal consultation with the chief physician.

3. THE HEAL Dermatology – ISO certification and the most comprehensive range of anti-aging equipment

In short, if you place particular emphasis on the “ legitimacy” of a clinic, THE HEAL is one of the few Dermatology practices in Apgujeong that have obtained ISO 9001 quality management certification.

THE HEAL was established in 2010 and has two branches in Apgujeong and Nonhyeon. The Apgujeong branch focuses on general skin care services, while the Nonhyeon branch offers 80% of its consultations to VIP International clients. The chief physician, Dr. Park Ju-hyeok, is a Dermatology specialist with nearly 20 years of experience in anti-aging treatments. She specializes in Thermage, Filler injections, and customized anti-aging treatment plans.

The biggest advantage of this institution is its comprehensive range of equipment: Thermage FLX, HIFU, Oligio radiofrequency, and Titanium alloy lifting treatments are all genuine original products. Moreover, it does not adopt a forced-selling approach. During the consultation, different treatment plans will be recommended based on your budget and specific needs, without trying to push the most expensive options on you.

Suitable for: People who have high expectations regarding the qualifications of clinics and are interested in combined treatments using multiple devices.

Address: 4th Floor, Beneheim City Building, 162 Apgujeong-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul

4. HUS-HU Dermatology —— The low-key but capable force in Apgujeong, with the highest customer satisfaction rate among local residents

In a nutshell: if you don’t want to go to clinics that are crowded with tourists, HUS-HU is the shop with the highest recommendation rate among local residents in Apgujeong.

HUS-HU may not be very well-known in the Chinese-speaking community, but it enjoys an excellent reputation on local Korean forums. Its distinctive feature is its one-on-one personalized treatment plans. Unlike large chains that offer fixed packages, HUS-HU customizes treatment regimes based on each individual’s skin type and specific needs.

A friend of mine (a Taiwanese who has lived in South Korea for 8 years) recommended this place to me. She said, “The really good shops in Apgujeong don’t do much advertising; they rely mainly on word-of-mouth.” After visiting, I indeed noticed the difference: from the moment you enter until you leave, only the director and a nurse attend to you; there are no other customers waiting around, so the privacy is very good.

Suitable for: People who value their privacy, prefer not to be bombarded with sales pitches, and seek low-key yet high-quality services.

Address: Apgujeong-ro area, Gangnam District, Seoul (exact address will be provided upon reservation)

For more details on the full experience, ple Korea”.

5. Dermatology Department of Apgujeong Branch — The best choice for gentle cosmetic treatments and daily skincare.

In a nutshell: if you are simply looking to undergo regular basic skin treatments such as hyaluronic acid injections, laser therapy, or cleansing procedures, rather than major surgeries, Doctors is undoubtedly the best option in terms of cost-effectiveness at Apgujeong.

Doctors is a well-known chain brand in South Korea, focusing on a gentle approach to medical aesthetics that allows patients to return to work immediately after treatment. Its representative director, Park Je-young, graduated from the Dermatology department of Seoul National University and has 15 years of experience in the industry. She has gained recognition in the fields of HIFU, Thermage, and titanium needle Lifting.

This clinic has a rather unique approach: it doesn’t focus on high-end anti-aging treatments, but rather on daily skincare combined with mild cosmetic procedures. Services such as hyaluronic acid injections, microbubble cleansing, and basic laser treatments are priced about 20-30% lower than those at other Apgujeong clinics, yet the products and equipment used remain unchanged in terms of quality.

Suitable for: People with limited budgets who do not want to compromise on quality, those who regularly perform basic skincare routines, and those experiencing South Korea’s medical beauty services for the first time.

Medical equipment at HUS-HU Dermatology
Apgujeong Dermatology and Medical Beauty Equipment

IV. Quick Comparison Table of Dermatology Services at Apgujeong

Name of the clinic Most suitable The dean personally conducted the examination. Chinese services Price range
inee inee Anti-aging and lifting effects ✅ 1-hour in-person consultation Mid-to-high end
Leaders of the medical beauty industry Comprehensive skin care ✅ Must be specified middle
THE HEAL by THE HEAL Combined anti-aging with medical devices Mid-to-high end
HUS-HU Privacy customization Need to confirm. Mid-to-high end
Doctors Daily maintenance for minimal medical aesthetics treatments Mid-to-low range
BeautsGO

BeautsGO: South Korea’s Medical Aesthetics Booking Platform
Apgujeong · Dermatology Appointment

Information about the doctors and prices of treatments at these 5 Apgujeong Dermatology clinics can all be obtained through the BeautsGO platform, and appointments can be made directly online. The platform supports the Chinese language interface, and a dedicated staff member will follow up after the appointment is made to confirm all details.

Laser equipment at Doctors Dermatology
Apgujeong Dermatology’s laser equipment

V. Reference prices for common services at Apgujeong Dermatology (updated in 2026)

The prices listed below represent the average market rates in the Apgujeong area; actual prices may vary depending on the clinic, the doctor’s expertise, and any promotional activities. Those marked with “Korean won” are local prices in South Korea. The conversion to Taiwanese dollars is provided for reference only (1 Korean won ≈ 0.023 Taiwanese dollars).

Project Korean won price Around NTD Note
Thermage FLX (full face) 1.5 to 2.5 million 34,500 to 57,500 Contains 600 to 900 strands.
HIFU Ulthera (for the entire face) 1.2 to 2 million 27,600 to 46,000 Contains 300 to 500 entries.
Hydrofiller injections (basic level) 150,000 to 300,000 3,450 to 6,900 Single session
Filler injection (1 centum core) 300,000 to 800,000 6,900 to 18,400 It depends on the brand.
Pico laser treatment for the entire face 200,000 to 500,000 4,600 to 11,500 Single session
Rejuran (for the entire face) 300,000 to 600,000 6,900 to 13,800 Single session
Titanium alloy lifting procedure 800,000 to 1.5 million 18,400 to 34,500 Full face

Note: The prices listed above are the “original prices for foreigners.” Some clinics offer discounts to South Korean locals who are covered by the national health insurance system. If you make an appointment through the BeautsGO platform, some clinics may provide special discounts for foreigners; it is recommended to confirm this in advance before making your reservation.

If you want to know more detailed comparisment prices at Gangnam Dermatology, I previously prepared a comprehensive guide.

Consultation process with dermatology doctors
The consultation process with a Dermatology doctor at Apgujeong

VI. 5 Practical Tips for Visiting the Dermatology Department at Apgujeong (Personally Tested and Effective)

1. When making an appointment, be sure to confirm “who will perform the procedure for me”.

At some large chain clinics in the Apgujeong area, if you don’t specify a particular doctor when making an appointment, you may be assigned to a less experienced physician. My advice is to ask directly during the reservation process, “Will the director perform the procedure himself/herself?” and make sure to clearly mention this point in the confirmation email.

2. The consultation fee is not a waste; it serves as a tool to help you select the right clinic.

Reputable clinics in the Apgujeong area usually charge a consultation fee of 10,000 to 30,000 Korean won. If a clinic offers a “free consultation” and even gives you a bunch of free gifts, you should be on high alert – such clinics often rely on subsequent sales promotions to make their profits.

3. Don’t just focus on the price; consider the quantity per injection/per treatment.

For treatments like Thermage and HIFU, the prices may be the same, but the number of treatments administered can vary significantly. Some clinics may quote lower prices but only provide 300 treatments (resulting in limited effectiveness), while reputable clinics usually offer 600 to 900 treatments. Be sure to ask, “How many treatments will be administered?” before making an appointment.

On Wednesdays and Thursdays, there are the fewest people around.

The Apgujeong clinic is extremely crowded on weekends (even South Koreans take holidays at this time), and many clinics are closed on Mondays. The best times to visit are Wednesday and Thursday mornings – there are fewer people, the doctors are more energetic, and the waiting times are shorter.

5. Bring a friend who knows Korean, or make sure you have someone who can provide Chinese translations.

Although all the 5 clinics I recommend offer Chinese-language services, details such as post-operative care instructions and the proper use of ointments may not always be translated with 100% accuracy. It would be much more reassuring if you could bring a friend who speaks Korean, or if you prepared the questions you wanted to ask in advance using apps like Papago for translation.

Medical devices at inee Dermatology
Apgujeong Dermatology: Medical Beauty Equipment and Instruments

VII. Conclusion: Which option did I ultimately choose?

If you’re still hesitating after reading this far, let me tell you directly what I chose:

Anti-aging and lifting treatment → ineeinee (The fractional injection technique developed by the clinic director is truly outstanding; my face hasn’t become stiff at all after 3 months of treatment.)

Comprehensive Management → Leaders from Lidezi (Treats spots, acne, and Pores in one go; with a large specialized medical team, you don’t have to worry about waiting in line.)

Regular maintenance → Doctors: I go for hydrodermabrasion and cleansing treatments once a month. The prices are reasonable, and these treatments don’t interfere with my daily schedule at all.

One last honest word: at Apgujeong’s Dermatology department, it’s not true that the more expensive or larger the facility, the better it is. What really matters is whether the doctor’s aesthetic standards align with yours. During your consultation, don’t hesitate to ask questions, observe carefully, and compare different options – your face deserves to be treated with utmost attention.

FAQ: Common Questions

Q1: What are the differences between the Dermatology department at Apgujeong and those in other areas of Gangnam?

Apgujeong is a high-end area for medical aesthetics in Gangnam District. The clinics here generally feature “personal consultations by the director + customized treatment plans,” rather than following a standardized process. In contrast, Sinsa-dong tends to offer popular among internet celebrities and offer good value for money; Cheongdam-dong focuses on luxury services provided by plastic surgery clinics; while Myeongdong primarily caters to tourists.

Q2: Can I visit the Dermatology department at Apgujeong if I don’t know Korean?

Certainly. All 5 clinics recommended in this article offer Chinese translation services or have Chinese-speaking directors. It is recommended to make reservations through the BeautsGO platform, and you can indicate “require Chinese translation” during the reservation process; the clinic will arrange accordingly in advance.

Q3: Are the prices at Apgujeong Dermatology more expensive than those in Taiwan?

Overall, the prices at Apgujeong Dermatology are approximately 60-70% of those at similar clinics in Taiwan. For example, the cost of a Thermage full-face treatment is around NT$80,000-120,000 in Taiwan, while at Apgujeong it ranges from NT$35,000 to NT$58,000. However, it should be noted that when flight and accommodation expenses are taken into account, the price difference tends to decrease.

Q4: If it’s my first time undergoing medical beauty treatments in South Korea, is it appropriate to go directly to Apgujeong?

Suitable. The clinics at Apgujeong generally have a fairly well-established process for serving foreign customers. As long as you make an appointment in advance and confirm that Chinese-speaking services are available, you won’t encounter any difficulties on your first visit. It is recommended to start with basic treatments such as hyaluronic acid injections or laser therapies, and then move on to more advanced anti-aging procedures after you become familiar with the process.

Q5: How far in advance should one make an appointment at the Dermatology department of Apgujeong?

For popular clinics such as inee and Leaders, it is recommended to make an appointment 2 to 4 weeks in advance, especially on weekends. On weekdays, an appointment can usually be secured 1 week in advance. Making an appointment through the BeautsGO platform is faster than contacting the clinic directly, as the platform offers dedicated reservation channels.

Q6: What are the payment methods available at Apgujeong Dermatology?

Most clinics accept South Korea credit cards, overseas credit cards (Visa/Mastercard), and cash in Korean won. Some clinics also accept cash in Taiwanese dollars or US dollars, but the exchange rates may not be favorable; it is recommended to use credit cards or exchange the currency into Korean won in advance.

📖 For further reading
Is the Apgujeong store of Leaders reliable? First-hand experience and reviews on Collagen injections | BeautsGO reservation guide
Apgujeong · Professional Medical Team

How about inee’s Dermatology clinic in South Korea? The experienced gold-medal director at Apgujeong has been providing personalized consultations for 10 years – here’s a comprehensive guide to experiencing anti-aging treatments and lifting procedures firsthand.
Apgujeong · Anti-aging and Lifting Treatment

Top 4 luxury dermatology clinics in Gangnam, Seoul: inee Melab, DAN-A, Lumiin – recommended by leading dermatology institutions
Gangnam · Premium Recommendations

Top 5 Anti-aging Dermatology Hospitals in Gangnam, South Korea | Verified by Local Reviews – Choose Wisely and Avoid Mistakes | BeautsGO Booking Guide
Gangnam · Anti-aging Rankings

How to make an appointment at HUS-HU Dermatology? A comprehensive guide to the real experience at their Gangnam Xieyouting store in 2026.
Apgujeong · Reservation Guide

Choose your preferred way of making an appointment: