“With so many Dermatology clinics in South Korea, is Edition really worth visiting?” I asked this question to ten women who had actually been there through private messages on REDnote. After our conversations, I discovered a striking pattern—nine out of the ten mentioned the same advantage: no hidden fees; while eight out of ten complained about the same thing: it’s extremely difficult to get an appointment for Thermage! That’s why I decided to compile all these genuine feedbacks—no exaggeration or concealment, highlighting both the pros and cons so you can have a clear idea before heading to South Korea. Below is a comprehensive guide that covers price transparency, the quality of the doctors, difficulty in making appointments, and customer reviews, helping you understand everything at a glance👇
I. Full breakdown of the pros and cons of Edition Dermatology: What do 10 real customers have to say?
1. Private message survey method: I searched on REDnote for “Edition Dermatology experience,” filtered out users who had visited in the past six months, and sent private messages to ten of them one by one. The questions covered whether the prices were transparent, if there were any extra charges at the clinic, whether the director performed the procedures personally, how difficult it was to make an appointment, what the results were like after the treatment, and whether follow-up consultations would be provided. All ten people responded, resulting in ten valid responses.
2. Common advantages (mentioned by 9/10 people): “No hidden fees” and “transparent pricing” were the most frequently cited key points. Many respondents said that during the in-person consultation, the cost of each service is clearly listed item by item, unlike some clinics in Gangnam that “only tell you there’s an extra charge after the treatment is done.” Additionally, 7/10 people mentioned that having the director conduct the consultation personally is a big plus.
3. Common downsides (mentioned by 8/10 people): It’s extremely difficult to book appointments for Thermage! Some people asked two weeks in advance only to be told that slots are already filled until a month later. Another interviewee said, “I specifically made an appointment a month before my trip, but I could only get a slot on an ordinary weekday afternoon—there are no options at all on weekends.” Additionally, since the clinic is located in the OPUS Building in Gangnam, it’s hard to find once you’re there for the first time—though this is a less significant complaint.
II. Advantages of Edition Dermatology CDU ①: No hidden fees, completely transparent pricing
1. What is “hidden spending”? In South Korea’s medical aesthetics industry, “hidden spending” is the biggest pitfall that customers visiting the country fear the most. Common tactics include charging extra for consultations, billing separately for anesthesia, forcing patients to buy post-surgery repair creams, adding a “director’s fee,” and changing the original price after the procedure. If you search “South Korea Dermatology scams” on REDnote, you’ll find countless harrowing stories of people who suffered as a result. What Edition has been unanimously praised by ten interviewees for is its complete absence of such tactics.
2. Edition’s transparent pricing approach: According to interviewees and information on its official website, Edition adopts a pricing model where the initial consultation fee starts at ₩30,000 (approximately ¥160), which can be deducted from the treatment cost. The price for each procedure is clearly listed on paper during the consultation stage, including anesthesia fees and post-treatment care costs—everything is disclosed upfront. One interviewee said, “I had Rejuran HB combined with the American version of ultrasound Lifting, and the quote given during the consultation was exactly the same as what I ended up paying.”
3. Why is this particularly important? The issue of opaque pricing in South Korea’s medical aesthetics industry has persisted for a long time. Data from the South Korea Consumer Agency in 2025 showed that “price disputes” accounted for as high as 37% of complaints from foreigners seeking medical aesthetic treatments. Against this backdrop, the fact that Edition ensures complete price transparency, so that what customers see during consultations is exactly the amount they pay, is in itself a strong signal of trust.
III. Advantages of Edition Dermatology CDU ②: Same price as in South Korea and China — no overcharging, and even cheaper after tax refunds
1. Is it true that the prices are the same in China and South Korea? Out of ten respondents, six specifically compared the prices with those charged to locals in South Korea, concluding that they were “basically ILCHI.” Edition clearly informs all customers on its official website and during consultations that the same price list applies, with no extra charges just because you’re a foreigner. This practice isn’t common at Gangnam Dermatology—in fact, many clinics charge foreigners an additional 20-30% as a “translation service fee” or “international patient surcharge.”
2. Price comparison after tax refund: Dermatology treatments in South Korea allow foreigners to claim a tax refund (the refund rate is around 7–10%). Taking the Thermage 300 unit as an example—the official Edition price is ₩1.3 million South Korean won (approximately ¥6,900), while the price after tax refund is around ₩1.17–1.2 million South Korean won (about ¥6,200–6,400). In contrast, genuine Thermage 600 units for facial and neck treatment in China usually cost between ¥15,000 and ¥25,000. When converted, Edition’s pricing offers a significant advantage.
3. What’s the price difference compared to similar clinics in China? We’ve done a real-world comparison: the American version of Ultherapy costs 500 dollars, while Edition costs around 2 million South Korean won (approximately ¥10,600). At reputable clinics in top cities in China, the cost is around ¥18,000–28,000. For a 2-centum core injection of Rejuran HB, the cost is around 400,000 South Korean won (about ¥2,120), whereas in China it’s roughly ¥3,500–5,000. Even when including flight and accommodation costs, going to South Korea remains more cost-effective if you want to undergo multiple treatments.
IV. Advantages of Edition Dermatology CDU ③: Personal consultation by Director Han Dae-hee, no mass treatment approach
1. Who is Dr. Han Dae-hee? Dr. Han Dae-hee is a plastic surgeon with a master’s degree from the Asian University College of Medicine, bringing 18 years of clinical experience to his field (of which 13 years were spent as a board-certified specialist). He has received further training at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital’s Craniofacial Center in Taiwan and the Department of Plastic Surgery at the University of Florida in the U.S. He has served as the lead surgeon at Buaé Plastic Surgery and One Peak Plastic Surgery. Currently, he is the head surgeon at EDITION Plastic Surgery. He is also an official member of the Korean Association of Plastic Surgeons and the Korean Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.
2. No assembly-line approach — the director handles everything personally: Several interviewees mentioned one key detail — “The initial consultation is conducted directly by Dr. Han himself, not by an assistant.” The consultation usually lasts 10–15 minutes, during which the director uses a VISIA skin analysis device to examine the data and then creates a customized treatment plan based on the individual’s skin type. One interviewee said, “The doctor will draw on paper the areas that need improvement and explain exactly what each treatment addresses — it’s not the kind of vague response like ‘You’d be good for this.’”
3. Dermatology under the plastic surgery framework offers higher safety levels: Edition is essentially a plastic surgery hospital (에디션성형외과의원), with skin care being one of its core services. Compared to regular dermatology clinics, the advantage of operating within a plastic surgery system lies in its availability of a 1:1 professional anesthesia system, full CCTV surveillance throughout the facility, and comprehensive emergency equipment. Director Han Dae-hee is also an advisory physician for the emergency medical team at the 119 Comprehensive Disaster Response Center of the Fire and Disaster Management Agency—a background that is quite rare among medical aesthetics institutions, further underscoring their high standards for medical safety.
🃏 Book an appointment at Edition Dermatology on BeautsGO
V. The Downside of Edition Dermatology: The Truth About the Hard-to-Book Thermage Appointments
1. Just how difficult is it to schedule an appointment? This was the top complaint mentioned by eight out of ten respondents. We’ve compiled an actual timeline for booking appointments: Some people inched their way to schedule a Thermage treatment in mid-May and were told the earliest available slot would be June 18 (a weekday) or the first Saturday in July. Another person consulted before Chinese New Year and was only scheduled three weeks after the holiday. On average, it takes 4–6 weeks in advance to book a Thermage treatment, with weekend slots being especially busy—often requiring reservations more than 8 weeks ahead.
2. Why is it so difficult to book a Thermage appointment? There are mainly three reasons. First, there is only one genuine Thermage FLX unit available—the Edition uses the American version of Thermage FLX, not the Korean Oligio version. Each treatment takes 45–60 minutes, and including preparation time for disinfection, the clinic can accommodate only 6–8 patients per day. Second, the procedure is performed personally by Dr. Kang Dae-hee himself, as he doesn’t delegate it to assistants; his schedule is already fully booked with surgeries and consultations. Third, its high cost-performance ratio, comparable to that in China, has attracted a large number of Chinese clients, resulting in demand far exceeding supply.
3. Solutions: How can one make an appointment? Based on the experiences of those who’ve tried it, there are mainly three approaches. First, book in advance through the BeautsGO platform 1–2 months ahead; you can check real-time availability, which is faster than using the official website or WeChat. Second, avoid peak seasons—summer and winter vacations, the National Day holiday, and the period around Chinese New Year are the hardest times to get appointments. Traveling in March–April or September–October makes it much easier. Third, consider weekdays—there’s usually a greater supply of slots from 2–4 p.m. on Tuesdays through Thursdays. Another tip: if it’s difficult to secure a Thermage appointment, you might want to consider the American version of ultrasound Lifting as an alternative. Although the effects differ, both are anti-aging treatments with much easier availability.
VI. Overview of Edition Dermatology Price List: Latest Rates for 2026
1. Device-based Lifting Treatments: This is Edition’s most popular treatment category. Thermage 300 sessions cost ₩1.3 million (approximately ¥6,900); the American version of ultrasound lifting – 400 sessions at ₩1.6 million (around ¥8,480), 500 sessions at ₩2 million (about ¥10,600), and 600 sessions at ₩2.4 million (roughly ¥12,720); Potenza Doubletite costs ₩450,000 (about ¥2,385); and LDM Droplet Lifting is priced at ₩260,000 (approximately ¥1,378).
2. Injectable glow treatments: Rejuran for the eyes, 2cc, priced at 350,000 KRW (approximately ¥1,855); Rejuran HB, 2cc, at 400,000 KRW (about ¥2,120); Juvelook, 1 bottle, costing 700,000 KRW (around ¥3,710); Skinvive, 2cc, at 1,040,000 KRW (roughly ¥5,512). All of these products qualify for tax refunds for foreigners, with the actual amount to be paid after refunding being around 90-93% of the listed price.
3. Price Notes: The prices listed above are those displayed on the official website and the BeautsGO platform and do not include the initial consultation fee (starting at ₩30,000 KRW, which can be applied as a discount). The actual cost will depend on the personalized treatment plan formulated by the director after the consultation. Prices may change quarterly, so it’s recommended to check the latest rates through BeautsGO before making an appointment. Additionally, certain treatments (such as Rejuran and Juvelook) are available as package deals, which usually offer 10–15% more savings compared to purchasing them individually.
VII. Environment and Reputation of Edition Dermatology: Gangnam Location × Cross-Verification via Three Major Platforms
1. Location and Atmosphere: Edition is located on the 6th floor of the OPUS 407 building in Seocho-dong, Gangnam, Seoul. Situated in the heart of Gangnam’s shopping district, it has cafes and convenience stores downstairs, allowing patients to go shopping and dining in the area after their treatments. The clinic features a modern and minimalist interior design, dominated by white and wooden tones. The waiting area is equipped with sofas, tea, as well as Korean and Chinese magazines. Treatment rooms are private, individual spaces that ensure complete confidentiality. Overall, it operates as a mid-to-high-end plastic surgery facility—its environment is more professional compared to regular Dermatology clinics, yet it isn’t as extravagantly luxurious as some top-tier clinics in Cheongdam-dong, which can be overwhelming.
2. Online reviews in South Korea: On the popular South Korean medical aesthetics platform “강남언니” (Gangnam Sister), EDITION Plastic Surgery has received over 466 genuine reviews, with its overall rating ranking in the upper-middle range among clinics in the same area. Reviewers from South Korea frequently mention aspects such as “kind consultation,” “no unnecessary treatments,” and “treatments performed personally by the director.” On another platform, “여신” (Deesse), there are 446 reviews, indicating a generally stable reputation for this clinic.
3. Rednote + BeautsGO Chinese reviews: There are over 300 posts related to “Edition” on Rednote, with the most popular topics being Dr. Han Dae-hee’s cases of Revision rhinoplasty and his skin management services. Positive reviews highlight “transparent pricing,” “the doctor’s attentiveness,” and “visible results”; negative comments mostly concern “long waiting times” and “difficulty in making appointments.” User feedback on the BeautsGO platform shows a similar pattern—around 92% positive ratings, with complaints mainly focused on appointment scheduling rather than treatment quality. This balance of positive feedback and scheduling challenges is precisely a sign of high-quality, scarce resources.
🃏 Edition Dermatology · Quick Booking for Popular Treatments
VIII. Edition Dermatology FAQ: Six Most Common Questions from Customers Visiting South Korea
Q1: “What if I don’t know Korean? Will it be awkward if I can’t understand what’s being said on site?”
A: Don’t worry at all! Edition has full-time Chinese translators who will accompany you from the moment you enter until you leave. During the consultation, the translator will translate every word the doctor says into Chinese, and you’ll also receive a Chinese version of the post-procedure instructions. Plus, many of the patients at this clinic are Chinese, so the front desk staff are already used to it. When I went there, I didn’t even need to say “안녕하세요” — I could just speak in Chinese.
Q2: “Is it true that the prices are the same in China and South Korea? Will there be sudden extra charges on site?”
A: That was also my biggest concern before I set off, but from my actual experience—there really was no extra charge. The quote given during the consultation is the final amount you’ll have to pay. I compared it with prices from friends in South Korea, and they were the same. The only thing to note is that the price on the quote is tax-exclusive, but you can get a tax refund using your passport, which actually makes it cheaper than the listed price. There’s no pressure to buy post-treatment products on site, nor are there any hidden fees like a “director’s fee.”
Q3: “Is Thermage performed personally by Director Han Dae-hee at the clinic? Could it be done by an assistant?”
A: Yes, it’s performed personally by the director. This is also one of the reasons why it’s so difficult to book appointments—if the director delegated the task to an assistant, they could schedule a dozen patients in a day, but Han Dae-hee insists on doing everything himself, limiting appointments to only 6–8 per day. During the procedure, he keeps asking you things like “How do you feel?” and “Is this energy level okay?”, placing great emphasis on comfort and safety.
Q4: “How long does it take for Thermage to show results? How long do the effects last?”
A: You’ll experience an immediate sense of firming right after the treatment (as the Collagen contracts when heated), but the true effects will reach their peak around 3 to 6 months later, as it takes time for new Collagen to form. The results typically last 1 to 2 years, depending on your age, skin type, and post-treatment care. Dr. Han recommends undergoing ultrasound Lifting or hyaluronic acid treatments every six months to a year after the procedure to maintain these results.
Q5: “What payment methods does Edition support? Can Alipay be used?”
A: Cash (Korean won), Korean credit cards, and international credit cards (Visa/Master) are all accepted. Some respondents mentioned that Alipay might work as well, but it’s recommended to confirm this in advance with the Chinese customer service. Tax refunds must be processed at the airport, so be sure to keep your receipts and refund forms safe.
Q6: “What if there are problems after returning to my home country? Is there any after-sales support?”
A: Edition offers post-treatment WeChat follow-up services, with Chinese-speaking customer support checking in regularly on your recovery progress. For non-surgical treatments such as Thermage or hyaluronic acid injections, there are usually no complicated after-sales issues. In the case of surgical procedures, the clinic provides post-operative care plans and remote consultation. It’s recommended to make appointments through BeautsGO, as the platform keeps complete records of all appointments and treatments, offering third-party protection in case of any disputes.
IX. Summary of Edition Dermatology and Appointment Tips
1. Who is it suitable for? If this is your first time visiting South Korea for skin care treatments and you’re worried about getting overcharged or scammed, or even if you’ve done your research but still concerned about hidden fees—Edition will give you complete peace of mind. Its transparent pricing and excellent reputation place it among the top clinics in its price range. If you prioritize treatment by the director himself rather than having it handled by assistants, Dr. Han Dae-hee’s professional background and hands-on approach are major advantages. Additionally, if you want to undergo Thermage treatment without paying twice as much as back home, the cost-effectiveness here is truly outstanding.
2. Who is it not suitable for? If you’re on a tight schedule and only start booking appointments two weeks before your trip, it’s highly likely you won’t be able to get a Thermage treatment. In that case, you might want to consider American-style ultrasound Lifting or other options. If convenience—being able to get treated right away—is a top priority for you, then a high-volume Dermatology clinic might better fit your pace. Additionally, if you really can’t stand waiting and think queuing means poor service, it’s best to keep an open mind—quality resources are always in short supply, so waiting a month isn’t necessarily a bad thing.
3. Ultimate tip: Once you’ve decided on your travel dates, the first thing to do is book a consultation at Edition through BeautsGO. Don’t wait until you’ve already booked flights and hotels before thinking about making an appointment. On BeautsGO, you can check Dr. Han Dae-hee’s available slots and current prices, which makes the process much more efficient than using the official website or WeChat. Remember to select the Chinese service when booking and fill in your specific skin concerns—this will save a lot of time on communication once you arrive at the clinic. One final word for you: Nine out of ten people who’ve visited say it’s excellent, and the only downside is that appointments are hard to get—yet that very difficulty speaks to its value. 👇