Hongdae Dermatology, Don't look for devices—look for a doctor

💡 Check this before you read


Q. If the device is good, isn't the result the same no matter where you get treated?

A. Even with the same device, results can be completely different depending on output settings, application order, and combination methods. The key is not the device itself, but who designs it and how.


Q. Does personalized 1:1 care really make a difference in results?

A. Yes. Even with the same symptoms, the optimal approach differs depending on skin type, lifestyle patterns, and previous treatment history.

"With personalized 1:1 care from Dr. Wi Young-jin, a Seoul National University board-certified specialist, we offer an experience different from factory-style dermatology clinics"

— Dr. Wi Young-jin (Beautystone Clinic in Hongdae)

Hongdae dermatology clinics—why have there become so many?

Just in the Hongdae and Hapjeong area alone,

there are more than dozens of dermatology clinics.

But to be honest,

many of them have a very similar structure.

You get a consultation at the front desk,

you're guided through a package with a fixed number of sessions,

and then you go straight into the treatment room that same day.

The device names may all be different,

but in many cases you leave without knowing

who actually looked at your skin

and designed the plan for you.

This is something many people misunderstand,

but dermatology treatment is not about 'getting' a device;

it's about getting a treatment plan that a doctor has designed.

Without that design,

even the best device can only produce half the result.

Factory-style clinics vs. personalized care—what's the difference?

This part can be a bit tricky,

because from the outside, it's hard to tell.

The signs look similar, the devices look similar,

and sometimes the prices aren't that different either.

But here's what's important.

The difference is whether the director personally

takes the time to look at your skin

and listen to you in the exam room.

At every consultation,

I check the patient's current skin condition,

their previous treatment history,

and even their living environment and stress levels.

Because even if the goal is the same, such as 'removing blemishes',

for someone with a weak skin barrier,

I lower the laser intensity and start with moisturizing pre-treatment first,

while for someone with thicker skin and deeper pigmentation,

we need to choose a more aggressive wavelength.

It depends on the case, of course,

but this is usually how I do it —

for first-time patients, before treatment

I spend at least 10 minutes on skin analysis and a consultation first.

That way, we can see what needs to be done first and in what order.

There are patients who come to us saying

they've had the same treatment elsewhere many times but saw no effect.

When we listen to their stories,

most of them had been receiving the same package repeatedly.

If the skin condition has changed

but the plan stays the same, the results can only stay the same too.

That's why at every visit

I check the previous reaction

and adjust the settings for that session.

That may look like a hassle,

but in fact it's the fastest way.

👨‍⚕️ Dr. Wi Young-jin's key summary:


In choosing a dermatology clinic, what's more important than the device name is


"Does the director personally look at my skin and design the treatment?"


Even with the same equipment, if the parameters (output, wavelength, combination order) change,


the results can be completely different.


Personalized 1:1 care is not just a service; it's a core factor that determines whether treatment succeeds or fails.

Factory-style vs. personalized care: a side-by-side comparison

When choosing a Hongdae dermatology clinic,

here's what differences you should look for.

I'll lay them out for you.

This is especially a good fit for people like this

To be honest,

we may not be the right fit for everyone.

If you want to quickly use up a package

and come in repeatedly for simple visits,

a large chain dermatology clinic might be more convenient for you.

However, for people like this,

we can definitely offer a different experience.

✔ Those who have been to several dermatology clinics

   but never had anyone properly identify the cause

✔ Those who repeated the same treatment

   but didn't see much improvement

✔ Those who want to hear the explanation directly from a doctor

   and understand it before starting

✔ Those who want not just one issue fixed,

   but a strategic approach to overall skin management

I remember each patient's

skin history as I treat them.

That's the care style I aim for,

and it's also why Beautys Doctors was created.

Frequently asked questions

Q1. It's my first visit—can I get treated the same day?

A. Yes, in some cases you can.

However, on the first visit,

we first conduct a skin analysis and consultation.

Depending on the results, if same-day treatment is appropriate, we proceed,

and if we judge that restoring skin condition should come first,

we'll tell you honestly.

"Same-day treatment no matter what" is not always the best choice.

Q2. How much should I expect to pay?

A. It varies depending on the type of treatment and how it's combined,

so it's hard to give a one-size-fits-all answer.

That said, we don't recommend unnecessary extra procedures,

and since we design only what is needed,

there are many cases where the actual cost is lower

than in package-selling clinics.

We'll let you know the exact amount after the consultation.

Q3. I have sensitive skin—can I still get treatment?

A. It varies by case,

but having sensitive skin doesn't automatically mean treatment is impossible.

The real problem is jumping straight into strong treatment

without properly assessing the skin barrier condition first.

We first check the barrier condition,

and if needed, we go through a pre-treatment stage

before adjusting the treatment intensity.

There are quite a few cases where patients with sensitive skin, who had been turned away elsewhere,

did very well with us.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact us via KakaoTalk or phone.


This was Wi Young-jin.

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