If you happen to be in Seongsu-dong, this Dermatology clinic is even worth waiting in line for, more so than any café.
I have made no less than ten trips to South Korea for cosmetic procedures. From Gangnam to Myeongdong, from Hongdae to Seongsu, I have virtually visited every district in Seoul. If I were to recommend one Dermatology clinic where you don’t have to spend unnecessary money or worry about being bombarded with unsolicited promotions, I would choose without hesitation—Seongsu SERENE Dermatology.
Why? In short, it’s all about three key points: an incredible cost-performance ratio. The director personally examines patients without any shortcuts; the prices are the same as those in Korea, so foreigners won’t be overcharged; and the environment is even more comfortable than that of popular coffee shops online. Most importantly, after having the treatment, you can truly feel the benefits—it’s not just about spending money to feel at ease.
I. Why is SERENE the ideal choice in the medical aesthetics industry? Three reasons that speak for themselves.
The dean personally conducts the consultation; it’s not just a formality.
In many Dermatology clinics in South Korea, the typical process is as follows: you walk in, the consultant asks a few questions, and then you are immediately directed to the treatment room. Where is the director? You never see them throughout the whole process. But at SERENE, it’s different—the director is involved in every step, from the initial consultation to the actual treatment. Their over 15 years of clinical experience are not just decorative certificates on the wall; they truly use this knowledge to provide personalized recommendations based on your specific skin condition.
When I went there that time, the director examined my face under a magnifying lamp for about five minutes and then said, “These spots on your face are not liver spots; they’re just pigmentation caused by sun exposure. A couple of Pico treatments will be enough – there’s no need to spend a lot of money on more expensive procedures.” It was really the first time I had encountered a doctor who actively helped me save money like that.
2. The prices in China and South Korea are the same, and the pricing is completely transparent.
This is really important. In South Korea, some clinics double their prices as soon as they realize you are a foreigner. However, the price list at SERENE is completely transparent, with both Chinese and Korean menus being identical. You can either check the official website in advance or use a translator on-site to verify the prices yourself – there are no hidden fees at all.
If you are also considering weration Thermage or the HIFU, it is recommended that you first clarify your own needs: choose the HIFU for relaxation purposes and Thermage for reducing fine lines. Both SWOMAN’s SERENE treatments offer these benefits at reasonable prices.
3. The entire process is accessible in Chinese, so you don’t have to worry about going alone.
At the front desk, there are nurses who can speak Chinese; during the consultation, Chinese interpreters are available to assist; and even the instructions for post-operative care are provided in Chinese. Even if your Korean skills are limited to just “Anniu ha shuiyo,” you can still go through the entire process from making an appointment to leaving smoothly. For a girl who travels alone to Seoul for cosmetic surgery, this is truly a huge advantage.
II. Basic Information about Serene Dermatology – the SWOMAN of the Dermatology Industry
| Project | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name of the clinic | Serene Clinic of Dermatology – SWOMAN |
| Address | 4th Floor, 122 Eosasan-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul |
| Transportation | About 5 minutes’ walk from Exit 2 of Seongsu Station on Line 2 of the subway |
| Opening hours | Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 11:00-20:00 Saturday: 11:00-16:00 Lunch break: 13:00-14:00 (No lunch break on Saturdays) |
| Rest days | Wednesday, Sunday |
| Language Services | Chinese, Korean, English |
| Medical team | 1 director and 8 nurses |
| Features | The dean personally conducts consultations; the prices are the same as those in Korea; one-on-one consultations are provided. |
The transportation is truly extremely convenient. After coming out of the Seongsu station, just walk straight along Echosa Mountain Road, and you will pass by several popular stores along the way. It is recommended to schedule a half-day trip to Seongsu Cave: spend the morning taking care of your skin and in the afternoon, enjoy some coffee in cafes or browse through various shops – killing two birds with one stone!
III. Process upon Arrival at the Clinic: A complete record from the time of appointment until departure
I made my reservation through the BeautsGO App and chose the time slot on Thursday afternoon. When I arrived at the location, the entire process went roughly like this:
Step 1: Registration and Form Filling – Upon exiting the elevator on the fourth floor, you will find the registration desk. The nurse will provide you with a Chinese consultation form, where you need to fill in your basic information, any allergy history, and the issues you would like to address. The entire process takes approximately 10 minutes.
Step 2: Personal consultation with the director – This is the most crucial step. The director will use a skin examination device to carefully assess the condition of your skin and then discuss with you the appropriate treatments. They will not forcefully recommend expensive options but will instead propose a plan based on your budget and needs.
Step 3: Confirm the plan and price – The consultant will prepare a quotation based on the suggestions of the hospital director. After verifying that there are no issues, you can proceed with the payment. Both credit card and cash (in Korean won) are accepted as payment methods.
Step 4: The procedure is carried out personally by the clinic director (this is the same person who conducted the preliminary consultation, so there’s no need to worry about a change in personnel). A nurse will assist during the process. The clinic director will continuously check on your comfort, asking whether you feel any pain and whether the intensity of the treatment is acceptable to you.
Step 5: Postoperative Care – After the procedure, you will be taken to a rest area where ice packs will be applied and a recovery cream will be applied. The caregiver will provide you with a document in Chinese detailing the postoperative precautions and will confirm each point with you using a translation software.
IV. Overview of Popular Services and Prices for Seongsu SERENE
Below are the popular treatments and their approximate prices (in Korean won), all based on a single treatment and excluding taxes. The actual cost may vary depending on your skin condition and specific needs, and a final quote will be provided after a face-to-face consultation.
| Project Name | Reference price (Korean won) | Around NTD | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hydrofiller injections | 150,000 to 200,000 | Ranging from approximately 3,500 to 4,700 | Moisturizes and brightens the skin, while also reducing the size of Pores. |
| Pico laser treatment for the entire face | 200,000 to 300,000 | Ranging from approximately 4,700 to 7,000 | Lighten spots, remove acne scars, and achieve even skin tone |
| HIFU | 800,000 to 1.2 million | Ranging from approximately 18,800 to 28,200 | Full-face lifting and contour shaping |
| Thermage FLX | 1 million to 1.5 million | Ranging from approximately 23,500 to 35,200 | Tighten the skin and reduce fine lines |
| Filler injection | 250,000 to 500,000 | Ranging from approximately 5,900 to 11,700 | Depending on the area and dosage |
| Botulinum toxin (for facial slimming) | 100,000 to 200,000 | Ranging from approximately 2,300 to 4,700 | A square face, strong masseter muscles |
| Acne treatment | 80,000 to 150,000 | Ranging from approximately 1,900 to 3,500 | Acne treatment + LED glow therapy |
If you are struggling to decidor you based on the rankings of anti-aging treatments in South Korea, my advice is as follows: For those under 30 years old whose main concern is skin laxity, HIFU is the better option; for those over 35 years old who have both fine lines and skin laxity, Thermage is more appropriate. Of course, the most accurate decision would still be made after the doctor examines your face personally.
V. My personal experience: The day I underwent Pico treatment and hyaluronic acid injections
This time, I chose a combination of Pico laser treatment and hyaluronic acid injections. The director said that my skin condition was suitable for first using the Pico laser to remove surface spots and acne scars, and then using hyaluronic acid injections to deliver nutrients into the skin – this approach would yield much better results than performing either treatment alone.
To be honest, the Pico treatment is a bit painful – it’s like having a rubber band snap lightly against your face. But the doctor is very skilled; the whole procedure takes about 15 minutes. After that, numbing cream is applied, followed by the hyaluronic acid injection. The injection itself is almost painless, with only a slight stinging sensation. Including the post-treatment care, the entire process is completed in about an hour.
After the treatment, my face turned a bit red, just like it had been sunburned, but there was no swelling. By the next day, the redness had faded by 70%, and by the third day, my skin really looked different—there was a shine that no makeup could achieve. A week later, my colleagues asked me if I had changed my foundation, and I said no; I had only gotten a Pico treatment and hyaluronic acid injections. Then they all started asking about the prices, haha.
VI. Things You Must Know Before Going to SERENE for Seongsu Treatment
We are closed on Wednesdays and Sundays, so don’t come in vain.
In South Korea, many Dermatology clinics are closed on Sundays, but SWOMAN is even closed on Wednesdays. Remember to avoid these days when booking your flight, otherwise you’ll find the doors firmly locked when you arrive.
2. Lunch break is from 13:00 to 14:00 – make sure to take this time properly.
There is no lunch break on Saturdays, but it is available on weekdays. It is recommended to schedule appointments during the time slot from 10:00 to 11:00 (when the place just opens and there are fewer people) or after 2:00 PM (after the lunch break, when everyone is fresh and energized).
3. There is a discount when paying in cash; you can also use your credit card.
For some services, you can get a 5-10% discount when paying in cash; you can inquire about this before checking out. However, using a credit card is also completely acceptable, and there’s no need to go through the hassle of exchanging a large amount of Korean won.
4. Ensure adequate sun protection and moisturization after the procedure
After undergoing a Pico treatment or hyaluronic acid therapy, do not apply makeup or use any irritating skincare products for three days. Be sure to apply sunscreen thoroughly; otherwise, all the money spent will be in vain. The clinic director will provide you with detailed post-treatment care instructions; just follow them carefully.
Additionally, if this is your first time undergoing medical aesthetics treatments in South Korea, we recommtology Guide.” It provides a comprehensive list of clinics to consider and useful tips to help you avoid common mistakes on your first attempt.
VII. Conclusion: Is the SERENE value of Seongsu worth pursuing?
It’s definitely worth it. If you’re looking for a Dermatology clinic with transparent pricing, no aggressive sales tactics, and treatments performed by the director himself – where you can truly feel the difference after treatment – then adding Seongsu SERENE to your shortlist would be an excellent choice.
However, it is not one of those luxurious medical beauty clinics that resemble hotels – instead, it follows a path of refinement, professionalism, and understated elegance. If you are in the market for VIP private rooms and champagne hospitality, you might want to consider the larger medical beauty brands in Gangnam. But if what matters to you are “results” and “value for money”, then SERENE is definitely worth every penny you spend.
One final observation: On the day I visited, in addition to me, there were also two groups of South Koreans and a group of Japanese patients waiting in the waiting area. The fact that a clinic is recognized by both locals and foreigners speaks volumes about its quality and competence.
Choose your preferred way of making an appointment:
FAQ: Common Questions
Q1: Does Dermatology SEongsu SERENE accept walk-in patients?
It is not recommended. Since the dean personally conducts consultations, the number of slots available at each time is limited, so walking in without an appointment is likely to result in a wasted trip. It is advised to make a reservation at least 3 days in advance through BeautsGO or LINE.
Q2: Can I use a credit card? Do I need to pay in cash?
You can use your card for payment; both VISA and MasterCard are accepted. For some items, cash payments come with discounts, so you may want to inquire when checking out.
Q3: How soon after a Pico treatment can I wear makeup?
It is generally recommended to wait for 3 days before applying makeup again. On the first day, the face may appear slightly red, as if it has been sunburned; by the second day, the redness will begin to subside, and by the third day, it will be almost impossible to notice any trace of it. However, if you have an important event coming up, it is safer to allow a week for your skin to fully recover.
Q4: Is it really possible not to know Korean?
Absolutely. There are nurses who can speak Chinese at the front desk, interpreters during consultations, and all post-treatment instructions are available in Chinese. It’s completely fine even if you don’t understand a single word of Korean throughout the entire process.
Q5: Are the prices really the same as those in South Korea?
Yes, SERENE’s price list is uniform, regardless of the customer’s nationality. You can use translation software on-site to compare the Korean and Chinese versions of the menu to ensure there are no discrepancies. This is also one of their main selling points.
Q6: What if I’m not satisfied with the results after the procedure? Can it be redone?
During the in-person consultation, the clinic director will clearly explain the expected results to you. For example, it usually takes 2 to 3 treatment sessions to achieve the desired outcome with Pico therapy. If you are not satisfied with the results, you can directly communicate with the clinic; they have a post-treatment follow-up system in place.
