When I first heard the term “same prices for Koreans and foreigners,” to be honest, I was skeptical. During my years working in the Dermatology industry in South Korea, I’ve encountered too many instances where the same treatment was significantly cheaper for locals—by 30% or even half. When foreigners inquired, however, much higher prices were always quoted. This disparity was truly uncomfortable. It wasn’t until I actually visited HEER Dermatology in Gangnam that I realized there really was a clinic that dared to claim “same prices for Koreans and foreigners” on its official website—and that it actually lived up to this promise. Below is a detailed record of the prices, my personal experience, and some practical tips, which I hope will be helpful to those of you who are currently researching this topic.
I. Where is HEER Dermatology located? The transportation is extremely convenient.
HEER Dermatology is located in the heart of Gangnam District, Seoul. The specific address is: 10th Floor, W Tower, 54 77beon Seocho-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul. This W Tower is situated in the most bustling area of the Gangnam business district, surrounded by numerous cafes and restaurants, making it very convenient to go shopping and dining after treatment.
In terms of transportation, there are two main subway lines that can take you there: one is the Exit 7 of Sinnonhyeon Station on Line 9, which is about a 7-minute walk; the other is Exit 10 of Gangnam Station on Line 2, which is approximately a 4-minute walk. Both stations are very close to the destination. If it’s your first time visiting Gangnam, it is recommended to take Line 2 to Gangnam Station, as the station itself is very vibrant, and you will immediately feel the atmosphere of South Korea’s fashion scene as soon as you exit the station.
⚠️ A little reminder: The entrance to W Tower is not located on the main road, but in a small alley. When using navigation, make sure to enter both the address and the building name to avoid getting lost. The exterior of the building features dark glass curtains, and below it, there is the Musinsa Standard clothing store as a landmark – just look for it, and you’ll find the entrance.
II. Booking Process and Consultation Experience
1. How to make an appointment
HEER operates on a strict reservation system and does not accept walk-ins. There are two ways to make a reservation: one isse-speaking customer service can assist you – the most convenient option; the other is by calling the clinic directly at 02-595-9901, but you will need to communicate in Korean. It is recommended that foreigners use BeautsGO to avoid language barriers.
2. First Impression upon Arriving at the Clinic
The elevator takes you to the 10th floor. The entrance to the clinic isn’t very large, but once you push the door open, you’re surprised by the spaciousness inside—the overall layout is modern and elegant, with white and light wood tones as the dominant colors. The lighting is excellent, creating an atmosphere reminiscent of high-end private clinics in Japan. Unlike some chain Dermatology clinics that are crowded and noisy, the atmosphere at HEER is very peaceful. There are only two or three people waiting in the waiting area, which gives the impression that “this place is definitely not a discount store”.
3. The sense of trust that comes from being treated personally by the hospital director
The consultation was conducted personally by Dr. Lee Sang-shin, the director of the clinic. With 18 years of experience as a Dermatology specialist, Dr. Lee is a rare exception in South Korea’s medical aesthetics industry – many so-called “directors” of clinics are actually just investors who do not actually conduct consultations themselves. Dr. Lee’s approach is to “only recommend treatments that he has personally tried and found effective,” and he never promotes unnecessary procedures just to charge more money.
Here’s a real example: I originally wanted to undergo the combined treatment of HIFU and Thermage. However, after examining my skin condition, the director simply said, “Your Collagen foundation is quite good; there’s no need to use both treatments together, as they might compete for the same resources. Just having HIFU combined with Juvelook for hydration will be sufficient.” Such an approach that avoids forced sales and actively helps customers save money is truly rare in the medical aesthetics industry.
III. HEER Dermatology Price List (same prices in China and Korea)
The following is the price list for 2026 that I have confirmed on-site. It should be noted that these are the same prices in both China and South Korea; there will be no additional charges just because you are a foreigner. All prices are listed in Korean won, but I have also converted them into ANEW New Taiwan Dollars for your reference (the exchange rate is approximately 1,000 Korean won = 23.5 ANEW New Taiwan Dollars).
| Project Name | Type | Korean won price | Agree on the new Taiwanese dollar amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smashing HIFU treatment (350 treatments for the lower face and neck) | Ultrasound Lifting | 1.58 million to 2 million | Ranging from approximately 37,100 to 47,000 |
| Pony Up Lifting (Specialized Lifting Services) | Thread lifting + precise injection | 1.5 million to 2.5 million | Ranging from approximately 35,300 to 58,800 |
| Juvelook Skin Regeneration Needle (1 dose for the entire face) | Collagen regeneration injections | 150,000 to 250,000 | Ranging from approximately 3,500 to 5,900 |
| Thermage FLX-3: The third generation of Thermage technology | Radiofrequency tightening | 1.2 million to 2.5 million | Ranging from approximately 28,200 to 58,800 |
| Botulinum toxin (for Masseter or crow’s feet) | injection | 50,000 to 200,000 yuan per treatment area | Ranging from approximately 1,200 to 4,700 |
| Filler injections for Tear trough correction/Nasolabial Fold Correction | Injection Filling | 200,000 to 600,000 yuan per treatment area | Ranging from approximately 4,700 to 14,100 |
| Pico laser treatment for the entire face | Laser freckle removal | 100,000 to 300,000 yuan per session | Ranging from approximately 2,400 to 7,100 |
| Sculptra Sculpture and Rejuvenation (Collagen Regeneration) | Collagen injections | 400,000 to 700,000 yuan per dose | Ranging from approximately 9,400 to 16,500 |
💡 How much can you actually save when the prices are the same in both China and South Korea? For example, if a procedure using the HIFU in South Korea costs 1.58 million South Korean won, it will also cost you 1.58 million South Korean won – not a single cent more. Compared to some clinics that charge foreigners an additional 30% to 50%, performing two or three treatments this way can save you hundreds of thousands of South Korean won.
IV. What exactly does “same price in China and South Korea” mean? And why is it so important?
In South Korea, it is a common practice for foreign tourists to pay different prices for medical beauty treatments. Although some clinics claim to charge a uniform rate for all customers, the actual prices displayed on the quotation sheets are often different for South Koreans and foreigners. The reason behind this is quite simple: information asymmetry. Foreigners are unaware of the local market conditions, and language barriers make it difficult for them to compare prices.
HEER Hel is one of the few clinics that actually puts these four words on their official website and truly implements them in their operations. If you make an appointment through BeautsGO, theat the prices are fair, providing you with double protection against any discriminatory pricing practices.
V. My actual treatment record: Smashing HIFU + Juvelook
The treatment I chose this time consisted of the Smashing HIFU (350 treatments for the lower face and neck) combined with the Juvelook skin regeneration injections (1 dose for the entire face), along with anesthetic cream and a post-treatment soothing mask. The total cost was 1,830,000 Korean won (approximately NT$43,000). If I had undergone the same level of HIFU treatment in Taiwan, the cost of just the HIFU procedure alone would have ranged from 60,000 to 80,000 NT dollars, so I saved almost half of that amount.
The entire treatment takes approximately 2 hours. First, a numbing cream is applied for 30 minutes, after which the HIFU procedure begins. To be honest, it doesn’t hurt completely: the area near the jawline, where the bone is located, experiences a level of pain of about 7/10, and the same goes for the area near the eyebrow bones. However, in other areas, the pain level is around 3 to 4/10. The nurse keeps chatting with you throughout the process to help distract your attention, so the time passes much faster than you might expect.
Postoperative recovery timeline
On the same day: My face was noticeably hot and slightly swollen. After applying a calming facial mask for 20 minutes, I left. In the evening, my face was only slightly red, which did not affect
my ability to go out. The next day, my face had basically returned to normal, and I could apply make
up and go to work as usual. One week later, there was almost no visible change in my appearance (the effects of HIFU are gradual).
Six weeks later, I clearly noticed that my face had become tighter, my Nasolabial Fold Correction was less noticeable, and the contour
s of my chin were more defined. Three months later, a friend asked me, “Have you lost weight?” But in fact, my weight remained the same — this is the ultimate goal of achieving beauty without anyone noticing.
VI. Who is suitable for undergoing treatments at HEER?
Based on my experience and observations, the following types of people are particularly suitable for considering HEER:
① For those who care about transparent pricing: The fact that the prices in South Korea are the same as those in China is truly an unbeatable advantage – there’s no need to worry about being overcharged. Especially if you plan to undergo multiple treatments, the savings generated by these price differences could even be
enough to buy an extra plane ticket.
② For those who want to anti-age but are concerned about being pressured into unnecessary treatments: The director’s approach to communication is practical; he won’t try to push you into extra services. If you’re interested in learning the differences between Thermage and ts in South Korea for your reference.
③
For those going to South Korea for medical aesthetics treatments for the first time: With Chinese-speaking customer service, platform guarantees, and transparent pricing, the entire process will be smooth and hassle-free.
④ For those with specific
requirements regarding the treatment environment: Instead of operating on a mass-market basis, the clinic provides a quiet, private one-on-one service, giving you a completely different experience from chain clinics.
VII. 6 things you must know before making an appointment
1. Reservations must be made in advance: On-site registrations are not accepted. It is recommended to make reservations 1 to 2 weeks in advance, as weekend periods tend to be particularly popular.
2. Don’t forget to bring your passport: Foreigners are required to present their passports to verify their identity. In some cases, you can apply for a tax refund after completing the procedures.
3. The dean takes Sundays off: If you wish to have Dean Li Xinying examine you in person, please make sure to avoid Sundays and public holidays.
4. No consultations during lunchtime: The lunch break for employees is from 1 pm to 2 pm on weekdays; please do not come during this time.
5. Avoid exercising, drinking alcohol, or using a sauna within 24 hours after the procedure: These activities can affect the recovery process.
6. Prices include tax: The quoted prices already include VAT, so there is no need to pay additional taxes on value-added tax. This is also one of the reasons why the prices in China and South Korea are the same.
VIII. Conclusion: Is it worth it?
If there are three things you care most about when considering medical beauty treatments in South Korea – transparent prices, reliable doctors, and a comfortable environment – then HEER Hel basically meets all three of these criteria. Especially the aspect of “same prices as in China”. In an area like Gangnam District in Seoul, where rent costs are extremely high, there are very few clinics that can actually maintain such prices.
The only slight downside is that the appointment slots at the clinic are usually full, so it might be difficult to get a desired time if you decide to make an appointment at the last minute. On the other hand, this also indicates that they don’t lack customers and therefore don’t need to rely on aggressive sales tactics to meet their performance targets. If you are comparing Derme a look at trmatology. Both are high-quality clinics with transparent pricing options, so you can choose according to your budget and needs.
IX. Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Is it true that HEER Dermatology offers the same prices in China and South Korea?
That’s true. The price list and payment details are clearly indicated, and both South Koreans and foreigners see the same prices. Making reservations through BeautsGO also provides an additional layer of protection through the platform.
Q2: Can I participate if I don’t have any basic knowledge of Korean?
Certainly. When making an appointment through BeautsGO, you will be assisted throughout the process by Chinese-speaking customer service staff. The nurses at the clinic also have basic English communication skills, so the entire process can be carried out without the need for Korean.
Q3: How long does it take for the effects of HIFU to become visible?
The effects of HIFU are gradual; usually, patients begin to notice changes within 2 to 4 weeks, and the optimal results are achieved after around 3 months. These effects can last for 1 to 1.5 years. In the case of Juvelook, the moisturizing effects are most noticeable 1 to 2 weeks after the procedure.
Q4: Is it possible to decide to add more services on the same day?
Sure, but you need to discuss it with the director first. The director will recommend whether it’s suitable for you based on the condition of your skin, and they won’t push it on you just to charge more money.
Q5: Is a deposit required for making a reservation?
In general, this is not required, but please notify us 24 hours in advance if you decide to cancel. If you fail to show up on the day, you may be charged a partial fee.
Q6: How does it compare to other Dermatology clinics in Gangnam?
The advantages of HEER lie in the same prices as those in China, direct treatment by the clinic director, and a commitment to avoiding excessive treatments. If you want to see more options, we ha-dong in 2026, which compares five high-quality Dermatology clinics in Seoul.
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