Among the beauty institutions in Myeongdong, Seoul, there is an established dermatology clinic that is often highly recommended by locals – DAN-A CLINIC (Korean: 단아의원). It isn’t a chain brand that relies on internet celebrities for marketing; rather, it’s a small, high-quality clinic that has been operating in Myeongdong for 14 years, earning repeat business through its expertise.
What I want to share this time is my personal experience getting hyaluronic acid injections at DAN-A, including details about the clinic’s environment, the doctor’s skills, the brands of fillers used, the transparency of the costs, and my thoughts on whether it’s suitable for foreign visitors. If you are considering getting some minor cosmetic procedures in Seoul, this article should be helpful to you.
What is the background of DAN-A CLINIC?
DAN-A CLINIC opened its doors in Myeongdong in 2013, with the English name DAN-A CLINIC and the Korean name 단아의원. It has been in operation for 14 years now. The clinic is located at 21 Myeongdong 7-ro, on the 3rd floor of the Arnuvo Centum shopping mall, just a 3-minute walk from Exit 6 of the Eulji-ro subway station. Below the clinic, you can find Starbucks, Olive Young cosmetics, and various restaurants, so you can easily access it after shopping.
This clinic deliberately maintains a “small but premium” approach. The director, Lee Eun-ji, personally handles almost all injection procedures, avoiding a mass-production model and focusing on a more personalized consultation style. The walls are covered with her educational certificates, certifications as a Key Doctor for various brands, and awards, creating an atmosphere that is completely different from that of large chain clinics.
What exactly makes Director Lee Eun-ji’s hyaluronic acid techniques so good?
Before talking about hyaluronic acid, let me first introduce Director Lee’s background. She holds the title of Key Doctor or Core Instructor for four different brands, including Ulthera, Oligio (the Korean version of Thermage), Lijulan, and microneedling. She also has 14 years of experience using Ulthera. In the field of hyaluronic acid, she was among the first doctors in Korea to use Radiesse and Belotero, and she has over 15 years of total experience performing such injections.
The positive reviews regarding her technical skills are reflected in several details:
- Precise injections and clear layers: Director Lee always explains in detail the number of injection layers and the dosage for each area before the procedure, ensuring that customers understand where their money is going. This proactive approach creates a sense of transparency and trust.
- Changing the needle after every 1 cc of Lijulan: Although it’s a small detail, this practice significantly reduces the pain during the injection and helps avoid bruising caused by repeated needle insertions.
- Joyadon’s “needle-passing technique”: The assistant passes the needle from behind the patient to the doctor, preventing the patient from seeing the long needle and becoming nervous. The whole process is much smoother than expected.
- Hyaluronic acid injection method: Multiple small injections are used instead of one large dose, resulting in a more natural look with almost no stiffness after the procedure.
Which brands of hyaluronic acid fillers are available for Danya?
Danya offers several popular brands of hyaluronic acid fillers. The doctor will recommend the appropriate brand based on the treatment area and the customer’s needs, rather than always suggesting the most expensive option. Here is a brief overview of each brand:
| Brand | Specifications | Reference price | Indications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Belast | 1cc | ₩180,000 | Superficial filling, minor adjustments |
| Belotero Soft | 1cc | ₩350,000 | Tear troughs, fine lines, around the eyes |
| Restylane Kysse | 1cc | ₩500,000 | Lip plumping, natural appearance |
| Juvederm | 1cc | ₩500,000 | Smoothing wrinkles, firming the apples of the cheeks, shaping the chin |
| Radiesse | 1.5cc | ₩800,000 | Three-dimensional face lifting, deep filling |
| Walnut Medical Collagen | 1cc | ₩350,000 | Full-face collagen regeneration |
Converted into RMB, 1 cc of Jeovon is approximately 2,700 yuan, and 1 cc of Belotero Soft is about 1,900 yuan—which is 40% to 50% cheaper than in major domestic cities. If you have a passport, you can get a 10% tax refund for purchases over ⩩300,000 Korean won, so the actual cost can be even lower.
Personal experience with eye contour filling: Hyaluronic acid for tear troughs
The main focus of my consultation this time was my tear troughs—staying up late for extended periods had made the hollows under my eyes very noticeable, and it also caused darker circles. After conducting a preliminary skin assessment, Dr. Lee recommended Belotero Soft, stating that its smaller molecular structure made it suitable for the delicate skin around the eyes. The procedure caused almost no swelling, and the results looked very natural.
The entire process took about 30 minutes: First, I applied local anesthetic for 20 minutes, and then we moved into the treatment room. Before injecting, the doctor pressed on the areas where the tear troughs were located to confirm the exact spots and informed me that the expected dose would be 0.5 cc per side. The injection was performed gently, and thanks to the anesthetic, I hardly felt any pain. After the injection, the doctor pressed the area briefly to secure the filler and then I looked in the mirror—the hollows under my eyes had been significantly filled in, without any noticeable “swelling” typical of such treatments.
After the procedure, the doctor gave me some instructions for aftercare: avoid rubbing the area around the eyes vigorously for 24 hours, and refrain from steaming your face or exposing it to high temperatures for a week. You can continue with your regular gentle skincare routine. The next day, when I went out, passersby and friends all asked how I was feeling, and none of them mentioned anything about the treatment. That natural look is exactly what I wanted.
Besides hyaluronic acid, what other treatments at Danaya are worth considering?
Although my main treatment this time was hyaluronic acid, I also learned about some other popular procedures during the consultation. Here are some of them for your reference:
Juluvlook hyaluronic acid injections
Rejulane is Director Lee’s signature treatment; she is one of the certified Key Doctors in Korea. The Black Box (full-face version) contains PDRN repair factors, which primarily help to improve dull skin tone and promote skin renewal, making it ideal for those with chronically tired skin. The cost is approximately 9.6 million won per 1cc, or around 9.85 million won for a full face treatment. The director replaces the needle after each 1cc injection, which is more thorough than many other clinics and is a notable plus.
OligioX (Korean version of Thermage upgraded model)
This device delivers 400 units of heat, which is on par with the American version of Thermage and much higher than the regular Oligio model (which delivers 150 units of heat). It is mainly used to tighten facial contours and reduce sagging. Associate Director Bae Jae-hak is highly skilled in using this device; having worked as a resident doctor at Seoul National University Hospital, he performs treatments very consistently.
Ultherapy (American version)
Director Lee’s reputation in the field of Ultherapy is undoubtedly her most important technical asset. With 14 years of experience and her certification as a Key Doctor, she customizes the energy level and probe settings according to each patient’s individual facial structure, rather than using fixed templates like some other clinics do. If your main goal is to combat aging, combining Ultherapy with Oligio is definitely worth considering.
Experience of foreign patients undergoing treatments: Language support, procedures, and transparency in fees
Danya doesn’t have a large team of Chinese translators on staff, but basic communication in Chinese is not too difficult. The director knows some simple phrases such as “relax”, “does it hurt”, and “it’s done”, and the assistants use translation software to assist in conversations. The entire process is smooth, and there are no awkward situations where they are completely unable to communicate.
Payment methods include Alipay and WeChat, which are very convenient for customers from mainland China. The registration fee for the initial consultation is 920,000 won, which includes a skin consultation and a face-to-face meeting with the director. This fee can be deducted from subsequent treatments. If you spend 930,000 won or more using your passport, you are eligible for a 10% tax refund; remember to present your passport before checking out.
The entire treatment process is not rushed; the director takes plenty of time for consultations, unlike some clinics that might pressure you into making a decision immediately, fearing that prices might increase the next day. If a particular treatment is not suitable for you, she will honestly tell you so, which I find to be a very trustworthy approach.
Practical information summary
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 3F, Arnuvo Centum, 21 Myeongdong 7-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul (Dana Clinic) |
| Transportation | Exit 6 of Eup Line 2 subway station, about 3 minutes on foot |
| Telephone | 02-779-7412 |
| Opening Hours | Monday/Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday 12:00-21:00 (lunch break 14:00-15:00); Saturday 11:00-17:00 |
| Closed | Thursday, Sunday, and public holidays |
| Registration fee | ₩20,000 (including in-person consultation, can be deducted from treatment costs) |
| Payment methods | Cash, card payment, Alipay, WeChat |
| Tax refund conditions | Spending ≥ ⩾₩30,000 and bringing your passport for a 10% tax refund |
Who is suitable for hyaluronic acid treatments at Danya?
Based on this experience, I think Danya is particularly suitable for the following groups of people:
- Those who want to treat tear troughs or the area around the eyes and prefer using delicate fillers like Hyaluronic Acid
- Those who prefer in-person consultations with a doctor and do not want injections performed by nurses or assistants
- Travelers who want transparent pricing and no unnecessary sales pitches (the director’s approach is quite direct)
- Those who want to combine skin care treatments with their shopping trip in the Myeongdong area; the location is extremely convenient
- Those with a budget of 2,000 to 5,000 RMB who want to undergo one or two targeted treatments
If your main goal is to get a combination of multiple treatments or require full-time Chinese-speaking guidance, Danya may not be the best option due to its smaller scale and limited Chinese staff. However, if you know exactly what you want or wish the director to help you evaluate hyaluronic acid treatment options, then Danya is a reliable choice.
How to make an appointment at Danya Dermatology?
The most convenient way to schedule an appointment currently is through the BeautsGO platform, which supports Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and English interfaces. This allows you to confirm the time and treatment details in advance, avoiding last-minute disappointments due to full schedules or language barriers.
You can also contact us directly via LINE or Email to assist with your appointment arrangement:
Hyaluronic acid injections are a procedure where “the quality of the treatment depends on the expertise of the doctor”. Choosing the right doctor is even more important than choosing the right brand. The attention Dr. Lee from Danya pays to the details of the injections is the main reason I am willing to share my experience with you. If you have any questions about getting hyaluronic acid injections in Korea, please feel free to leave a comment below.
