Your First Korean Dermatology Visit: What to Expect - Complete Guide 2025

Visiting a Korean dermatology clinic for the first time can feel overwhelming, especially if you're an international visitor unfamiliar with the local medical system. But don't worry—Korean dermatology clinics are incredibly welcoming to foreign patients, with many offering English-speaking staff and streamlined processes designed for medical tourists.

In 2024, over 705,000 international patients visited Korean dermatology clinics, making it the most popular medical specialty among foreign visitors. With Japanese tourists leading at 43.7%, followed by Chinese (24.4%), Taiwanese (9.6%), American (5.7%), and Thai (3.5%) patients, Korean dermatology has become a global destination for advanced skincare treatments.

This comprehensive guide walks you through every step of your first Korean dermatology visit, from booking your appointment to completing your treatment and payment.

Before Your Visit: Booking and Preparation

How to Book Your Appointment

Korean dermatology clinics offer multiple booking options:

Walk-ins: Most local clinics accept walk-in patients, especially smaller neighborhood dermatology practices. However, wait times can vary from 15 minutes to over an hour during peak hours (lunch breaks and after 5 PM).

Phone Reservations: Call the clinic directly to schedule an appointment. If you don't speak Korean, consider using your hotel concierge or a Korean-speaking friend to help with the booking. Request an English-speaking doctor when making your reservation.

Online Booking: Many clinics in Gangnam, Apgujeong, and other medical tourism hubs offer online booking through their websites or platforms like Naver Booking. International-focused clinics often have English-language booking forms.

Medical Tourism Platforms: Services like Mediround and Korea Health Trip provide comprehensive booking assistance with medical interpreters included.

Best Times to Visit: Weekday mornings (10-11 AM) and early afternoons (2-3 PM) typically have shorter wait times. Avoid Saturdays when locals crowd clinics.

Essential Documents to Bring

Your clinic will need specific documentation for registration:

For All International Patients:

Passport: Your primary form of identification
Alien Registration Card (ARC): If you're a resident or long-term visitor in Korea
Insurance Documents: If you have Korean National Health Insurance or international insurance that covers Korean medical services

For First-Time Visitors:

Referral Letter (if visiting a university hospital or upper-tier general hospital): Korea's tiered medical system requires referral letters for initial visits to major hospitals. Without one, you won't receive health insurance benefits and may pay premium fees.
Medical History: A written summary of relevant skin conditions, allergies, current medications, and previous treatments (in English is fine—clinics will translate)
Photos of Skin Concerns: Clear photos of problem areas can help communicate your concerns if there's a language barrier

Payment Methods:

Credit card (foreign cards widely accepted at medical tourism-focused clinics)
Cash (Korean won)
Some clinics offer installment plans for expensive treatments

What to Wear

Come with a Clean Face: Remove all makeup before your appointment. Most dermatology clinics have makeup removal stations and cleansing facilities, but arriving fresh-faced saves time.

Comfortable, Accessible Clothing:

Wear clothing that allows easy access to treatment areas (loose-fitting tops if treating chest/back acne, for example)
Avoid tight turtlenecks if you're getting facial treatments or injections
Bring a hat and sunglasses for after treatments that may cause temporary redness

Skip Skincare Products: Don't apply sunscreen, serums, or heavy moisturizers on the day of your visit. Your dermatologist needs to examine your bare skin.

At the Clinic: Step-by-Step Process

Step 1: Registration (접수 - Jeop-su)

Upon arrival, head to the reception desk where you'll complete the registration process.

What Happens:

Present your passport or ARC
Fill out a patient registration form (initial visit form for first-timers)
Complete a medical questionnaire (문진표 - Munjinpyo)

The Medical Questionnaire is crucial—it's not just a formality. Korean doctors rely heavily on this information to interpret your skin condition and determine treatment plans. Include:

Current medications (especially blood pressure, diabetes, or blood-thinning medications)
Known allergies to medications, skincare ingredients, or anesthetics
Family history of skin conditions or cancer
Lifestyle habits (smoking, alcohol consumption, sun exposure)
Current skincare routine and products you're using
Previous cosmetic treatments (Botox, fillers, lasers)

Many clinics now offer digital forms you can complete on tablets, with English translations available at international-focused clinics.

Useful Korean Phrases:

"처음 방문했어요" (Cheo-eum bang-moon-haess-eo-yo) - "This is my first visit"
"예약했어요" (Ye-yak-haess-eo-yo) - "I have a reservation"
"영어 가능한가요?" (Yeong-eo ga-neung-han-ga-yo?) - "Is English available?"

Step 2: Waiting and Payment Deposit

After registration, you'll receive a waiting number and be directed to the waiting area.

Wait Times: Typically 10-30 minutes at specialized clinics, though popular dermatologists in Gangnam may have longer waits even with appointments.

Initial Payment: Some clinics request a consultation deposit (usually ₩10,000-₩50,000 / $8-$38 USD) before the doctor's examination, which is deducted from your final bill.

Step 3: Consultation with the Dermatologist

When your number is called, you'll enter the consultation room to meet your dermatologist.

What to Expect:

Skin Analysis: The doctor will examine your skin concerns using various tools:

Visual examination under bright lighting
Magnifying devices to inspect pores, pigmentation, and texture
Skin analyzer machines (like VISIA) that photograph your face and analyze wrinkles, UV damage, pore size, and pigmentation beneath the skin surface
Dermoscopy for suspicious moles or lesions

Discussion: Your dermatologist will:

Ask about your skin concerns and goals
Review your medical questionnaire
Explain their diagnosis in detail (with translation if needed)
Recommend treatment options with pros, cons, and expected results
Discuss pricing for each treatment option
Answer your questions

Treatment Philosophy: Korean dermatologists typically take a comprehensive, preventive approach. Don't be surprised if they recommend addressing multiple concerns simultaneously or suggest a treatment plan spanning several visits.

Useful Korean Phrases:

"여드름이 걱정이에요" (Yeo-deu-reum-i geok-jeong-i-e-yo) - "I'm worried about acne"
"얼마예요?" (Eol-ma-ye-yo?) - "How much is it?"
"부작용 있나요?" (Bu-jak-yong in-na-yo?) - "Are there side effects?"
"영문 영수증 주세요" (Yeong-mun yeong-su-jeung ju-se-yo) - "Please give me an English receipt"

Step 4: Treatment (if applicable)

If you agree to proceed with treatment during your first visit:

Minor Procedures (extractions, prescription medications):

Performed immediately after consultation
Takes 10-30 minutes
You may move to a separate treatment room

Injectable Treatments (Botox, fillers):

Some clinics perform same-day injections
Others require a second appointment after consultation
Numbing cream applied 15-20 minutes before injections
Treatment takes 10-30 minutes depending on areas treated

Laser Treatments:

Often scheduled for a separate appointment
Same-day treatment available at some clinics if time permits
Requires patch test for certain laser types

Medical Prescriptions:

Your doctor will write prescriptions for topical creams, oral medications, or both
You'll take the prescription to a Korean pharmacy (separate from the clinic)

Step 5: Payment and Checkout

After your consultation or treatment, return to the reception desk for final payment.

Consultation Fees (2025 Estimates):

Local clinic (의원): ₩5,000-₩15,000 ($4-$12 USD)
General hospital (병원): ₩8,000-₩20,000 ($6-$15 USD)
University hospital (종합병원): ₩11,000-₩30,000 ($8-$23 USD)
Premium cosmetic dermatology clinics: ₩30,000-₩100,000 ($23-$77 USD) for detailed analysis and consultation

Note: These are consultation-only fees. Actual treatment costs are additional and vary widely based on procedures.

Payment Methods:

Credit cards: Foreign Visa, Mastercard, and American Express widely accepted at medical tourism clinics
Cash: Korean won (ATMs available at most clinics or nearby)
Installment plans: Available for treatments over ₩500,000 at some clinics
International wire transfer: For very expensive treatment packages

Get Your Receipt: Always request an itemized, English-language receipt ("영문 영수증" - yeong-mun yeong-su-jeung) if you plan to claim insurance reimbursement from your home country. These receipts include:

Clinic information and tax ID
Detailed treatment descriptions
Itemized costs
Doctor's stamp and signature

Step 6: Pharmacy Visit (if prescribed medication)

If you received prescriptions, you'll need to visit a separate pharmacy (약국 - yak-guk).

Finding a Pharmacy: Korean pharmacies are separate from clinics. Your clinic may recommend a nearby pharmacy, or you can use any licensed pharmacy.

What to Bring: Prescription form from your dermatologist, payment method, and your passport.

Useful Phrase: "약 받으러 왔어요" (Yak ba-deu-reo wass-eo-yo) - "I'm here to pick up medicine"

After Your Visit: Follow-Up Care

Follow-Up Appointments: Your dermatologist may schedule a follow-up visit in 1-4 weeks to monitor progress or continue treatments.

Emergency Contact: Save your clinic's phone number and operating hours. Most clinics offer emergency consultation via phone or messaging apps like KakaoTalk.

Medical Tourism Coordinators: If you booked through a medical tourism service, they typically provide post-treatment support and can help with follow-up questions.

Special Considerations for International Patients

Health Insurance Coverage

Korean National Health Insurance: If you're a resident with Korean health insurance, basic dermatology consultations and medical treatments (acne, eczema, dermatitis) are partially covered. Cosmetic treatments are never covered.

International Insurance: Most cosmetic dermatology is not covered by standard travel or international health insurance. However, medically necessary treatments may qualify for reimbursement—keep all documentation.

Medical Tourism Insurance: Some companies offer specialized medical tourism insurance for elective procedures in Korea.

Language Support

International Clinics: Clinics in Gangnam, Apgujeong, and Myeongdong typically have English, Chinese, and Japanese-speaking staff.

Translation Services: Medical tourism platforms provide interpreter services. Some clinics offer translation via video call if in-person interpreters aren't available.

Translation Apps: Papago and Google Translate work well for basic communication, though medical terminology can be challenging.

FAQ

Q: Do I need an appointment, or can I walk in? A: Most local dermatology clinics accept walk-ins, but appointments are recommended at popular clinics in medical tourism areas to minimize wait times. International-focused clinics often require appointments.

Q: How much does a typical first consultation cost? A: Consultation fees range from ₩5,000-₩100,000 ($4-$77 USD) depending on the clinic type and depth of consultation. Local clinics are cheaper (₩5,000-₩15,000), while premium cosmetic dermatology clinics in Gangnam charge ₩30,000-₩100,000 for comprehensive skin analysis.

Q: Can I get treatment on the same day as my consultation? A: Yes, many clinics offer same-day treatments for minor procedures, extractions, and sometimes injectables. However, laser treatments and extensive procedures often require a separate appointment.

Q: Do Korean dermatologists speak English? A: Not all do. Clinics in medical tourism hubs like Gangnam usually have English-speaking doctors or translators. Call ahead to request an English-speaking doctor or use a medical tourism service with interpreters.

Q: What payment methods are accepted? A: Most clinics accept cash (Korean won) and major credit cards. Foreign credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) are widely accepted at international-focused clinics. Some offer installment payment plans for expensive treatments.

Q: Can I use my international health insurance? A: Cosmetic dermatology is typically not covered. For medically necessary treatments (severe acne, dermatitis), you may be able to get reimbursement from your home insurance—keep all receipts and documentation.

Q: What should I wear to my appointment? A: Come with a clean face (no makeup), and wear comfortable clothing that allows access to treatment areas. Avoid tight turtlenecks if getting facial treatments. Bring a hat and sunglasses for after treatment.

Q: How do I get my prescription filled? A: Take your prescription to any Korean pharmacy (약국). They're separate from clinics and easily found throughout Seoul. Bring your passport and payment.

Q: What if I have a bad reaction after treatment? A: Contact your clinic immediately. Most provide emergency phone consultation. If severe, visit an emergency room. Save your clinic's contact information and treatment details.

Q: Can I get an English receipt for insurance claims? A: Yes! Request "영문 영수증" (yeong-mun yeong-su-jeung) at checkout. This itemized English receipt includes all necessary information for insurance claims.

Final Tips for a Smooth First Visit

Book during weekday mornings for shorter wait times
Remove all makeup before arriving
Bring your passport and any relevant medical records
Write down your questions in advance (in English is fine)
Take photos of your skin concerns from multiple angles
Request English receipts if you need them for insurance
Don't feel pressured to book expensive treatments immediately—many clinics offer "thinking time"
Ask about package deals if planning multiple visits
Confirm the total price before agreeing to treatment
Save your clinic's contact information for follow-up questions

Korean dermatology clinics have earned their world-class reputation through advanced treatments, skilled doctors, and patient-focused care. With this guide, you're fully prepared for a smooth, stress-free first visit that could transform your skin health journey.

Have you visited a Korean dermatology clinic? Share your experience and tips in the comments below to help fellow international patients!