Why did I suddenly fly to Seoul for anti-aging?
To introduce myself, I am 35 this year with combination-dry skin. My biggest concerns are tear troughs, sagging apple cheeks, and a noticeable loss of youthful volume in my cheeks compared to before. Over the past two years, I have tried hyaluronic acid fillers and radiofrequency (RF) skin-tightening treatments. While they all offered some results, something always felt off—I eventually realized it was because they only ever treated single, isolated spots, and no one had ever planned things out for me based on “overall facial proportions.”
Why did I choose Cheongdam It’s Me Clinic?
This time, I was determined to get it completely right. My criteria for doing research were simple: the director must handle the consultations personally, pricing must be transparent, and there must be no hard selling. After browsing through numerous reviews, Cheongdam It’s Me Clinic came up very frequently. Everyone mentioned that it is a rare skin clinic in Cheongdam-dong that avoids a “factory assembly line” approach, and the director, Kim Han-gu, is an official certified instructor for Sculptra and Juvelook. Seeing those four words—”certified instructor”—made it my top choice immediately.
What preparations did I make before departure?
Once I locked in my choice, I booked my appointment online two weeks in advance to first confirm the director’s schedule and whether the consultation fee could be applied toward the treatment cost, before daring to book my plane tickets. Korean clinics are mostly closed on Wednesdays and Sundays, and It’s Me is no exception; I made sure to avoid those two days. For my luggage, I packed extra gentle makeup remover, hydrating facial masks, and sunglasses to make post-treatment care convenient.
Consultation Day: Hansu Building, 3rd Floor
The clinic is located in the Hansu Building, about a two-minute walk from Exit 5 of Apgujeong Rodeo Station. After checking in, my skin was first scanned using a VISIA machine, and the underlying pigmentation and collagen loss levels were projected directly onto the screen for a crystal-clear view. Next, Director Kim came in personally and used a marker to map out the exact areas on my face needing correction or lifting—such as my tear troughs, apple cheeks, and jawline—explaining why certain areas needed treatment while others could be left alone. There was no clinic consultant jumping in to hard-sell high-priced treatments, which earned immediate bonus points.
The agreed-upon treatment combination was: 300 lines of second-generation Ultherapy for lifting, Juvelook (black bottle) for collagen stimulation, and a small amount of hyaluronic acid to refine my tear troughs. Before the procedure, all medications and treatment tips were unpacked right in front of me, and the director even proactively showed me the original packaging, explaining that I could scan the QR code to verify their authenticity.
The Real Experience During the Treatment
To be honest, the aching sensation of Ultherapy hitting the edge of the bone was definitely there. I would rate the pain a 4 out of 10, but with continuous cooling protection throughout, you just grit your teeth and get through it. The injections were far less scary than imagined; the director has a very gentle touch, and in delicate areas like the tear troughs, I barely felt a thing. Once everything was finished, LED light therapy was used to cool down and soothe the face. Looking in the mirror right after, there was only slight redness and minor swelling with zero bruising, allowing me to put on a mask and head straight back to the hotel.
Post-Treatment Recovery Diary
Day 1: Cheeks were slightly swollen with a few pinprick red dots, looking like late-night water retention, which didn’t affect going out.
Day 3: Most of the swelling had subsided, facial expressions when smiling already looked natural, and I began to faintly feel my skin tightening.
Day 7: Went in for a free follow-up checkup; the director confirmed that recovery was progressing well, and the most noticeable change this week was a smoother jawline.
Day 30: Collagen volume has slowly regenerated—tear troughs have faded, apple cheeks look refreshed but completely natural without looking overfilled, and friends only asked if I had recently lost weight or started looking better, with no one guessing I had work done. This is precisely the result I wanted.
How much did this cost in total?
| Item | Amount (KRW) |
| Second-generation Ultherapy 300 lines (Lifting) | ₩900,000 |
| Juvelook Black Bottle 1cc (Collagen booster) | ₩350,000 |
| Hyaluronic acid 1cc (Tear trough correction) | ₩220,000 |
The total treatment cost came to 1,470,000 KRW (excluding 10% tax; international travelers should remember to ask about tax refunds on-site). The 20,000 KRW consultation fee was successfully applied toward the cost. The clinic’s price list also features options like Thermage FLX, Titanium lifting, and Rejuran at varying price points, and they provide honest on-site price quotes based on individual needs without arbitrary markups.
My Honest Review
✓ Having the exact same director handle everything from consultation to injection provides a high level of peace of mind.
✓ Same pricing for Koreans and international visitors, clear upfront cost breakdowns, and zero hidden fees.
✓ Full Chinese-language translation support throughout the entire process, plus a free follow-up checkup and tracking one week later.
▲ The director’s schedule is limited and genuinely hard to book, so it is recommended to book at least two weeks in advance.
▲ Collagen stimulators provide gradual results that take 3 to 4 weeks to become obvious, so those who are impatient should adjust their expectations.
▲ The clinic is closed on Wednesdays and Sundays, so you must align your travel itinerary accordingly.
3 Suggestions for Anyone Planning to Go
Check the director’s availability online before booking your plane tickets to avoid a wasted trip.
During the consultation, explicitly ask about the number of lines or cc amounts, and request a printed cost breakdown from the clinic.
Don’t schedule your itinerary too tightly right around your travel dates; leave 3 to 4 weeks for the results to slowly manifest.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is Cheongdam It’s Me Clinic a legitimate clinic?
A: I verified it on-site—all equipment and medical solutions are KFDA-certified originals, unsealed right in front of you for verification, and doctor credentials and medical licenses can also be requested for inspection, making the overall experience very transparent.
Q: Is communication difficult if I don’t speak Korean?
A: The clinic provides Traditional Chinese translation services, with dedicated staff handling everything from reservations to post-treatment tracking, so there is zero need for sign language.
Q: How far in advance should I book?
A: About one to two weeks in advance is recommended, or even earlier during peak seasons or weekends; remember to avoid the Wednesday and Sunday closing days.
Q: Will I look extremely swollen or fake afterward?
A: This time I only experienced mild redness and swelling, and I was able to resume normal outings by the second day. One month later, the result is a natural look where you “look better, but no one can pinpoint what changed”.
In a single sentence: If you are afraid of being treated like a factory assembly line and want a natural anti-aging experience overseen by a dedicated specialist from start to finish, Cheongdam It’s Me Clinic is well worth adding to your shortlist. However, since everyone’s skin condition is unique, actual treatment plans should always be determined by a professional doctor’s consultation.
