To be honest, when I first considered going to Myeongdong for some skin treatments, what really troubled me wasn’t which clinic to choose, but whether I should make a reservation at all. There were so many different opinions online—some said you had to book two weeks in advance, others claimed you could just show up on the spot, and still others claimed that foreigners would never get a reservation…
Later, I actually went around several clinics in the Dermatology department of Myeongdong. I asked about five different places before realizing that many things were completely different from what I had imagined. Today, I would like to share my actual experience in the hope of helping any friends who are still hesitating.
These 3 misconceptions are the most commonly believed regarding appointments at Dermatology clinics in Myeongdong.
Before I started asking around one by one, I also had quite a few preconceptions in my mind. In the end, I realized that at least half of them were not entirely accurate. Here are three of the ones that I think are most likely to lead people astray:
❌ Misconception 1: “All consultations at Dermatology clinics in Myeongdong require advance reservations; otherwise, you won’t be able to get a consultation.”
The truth is that approximately 60% of these institutions accept same-day appointments or walk-in requests, but during peak hours, it is indeed necessary to compete for a spot.
Out of the 5 places I asked, 3 clearly told me that I could go to the site on the same day to queue up or make a phone reservation that morning. Only 2 places (the more well-known ones) suggested that it would be best to book 1-2 weeks in advance, because the weekends and evenings are always very busy.
However, there is one thing to note: just because you can walk in doesn’t mean you will definitely get a spot. On Saturday afternoon, I tried to go directly to one of these places, but was told that the number of available slots for today had already been filled, and I could only schedule an appointment for tomorrow. So if your time is very fixed (for example, you are only available on that day), I would still recommend contacting them in advance.
❌ Misconception 2: “Foreigners cannot walk in directly; they must make an appointment through an intermediary.”
The truth is that most Dermatology clinics in Myeongdong offer English services, and many also provide Chinese services. It is completely possible to make appointments on your own.
I also firmly believed in this misconception until I actually tried making calls myself. Out of the 5 clinics I contacted, 4 had front desk staff who were able to communicate regarding appointment details in basic English (date, time, treatment name), and 2 of them even had Chinese-speaking staff or translation apps to assist customers.
Of course, if the treatment you are considering requires more in-depth consultation (such as the Rejuran injection therapy or the Juvelook treatment plan), it might be more reassuring to have a translator accompany you or to book through a platform like BeautsGO. However, for basic skin care services such as acne treatment or M22 photorejuvenation, it is actually not that difficult to contact the relevant institutions on your own.
❌ Misconception 3: “The reservation process is very complicated, and I have to fill out a bunch of forms in Korean.”
The truth is: For most clinics, a preliminary appointment can be completed in just three minutes by providing “name + contact information + the approximate treatment you want to undergo”.
When I made my first appointment, I was also extremely nervous, fearing that my Korean language skills would not be sufficient. In fact, all they needed was my name (in English spelling), my phone number, and a general idea of the treatments I wanted to undergo. The detailed consultation and the form filling were done on-site, and usually, there were both English and Chinese versions of the questionnaires available.
⚠️ A quick reminder: Some clinics may ask you to provide your passport number or foreign resident identification number, and this is completely normal – there’s no need to worry. Additionally, if you booked through BeautsGO, you can even leave these steps to our customer service team to handle for you.
The correct posture for booking a consultation: I’ve compiled 4 methods to help you determine which one suits you best.
Based on my own experience, I have categorized the reservation methods for Dermatology clinics in Myeongdong into four types. You can choose the one that suits you best according to your specific circumstances:
Method 1: Make an appointment through the BeautsGO platform – this is the easiest option for foreigners.
This is my personal favorite option, especially for those who are going to South Korea for medical beauty treatments for the first time. BeautsGO offers a Chinese-language interface and Chinese customer service, allowing you to directly select clinics, browse treatment options, and schedule appointments through the app or WeChat mini-program. The advantage is that you don’t have to deal with the Korean-speaking receptionists on your own, and all the clinics they collaborate with have been carefully selected, so you can trust them.
If you’re still not sure which clinic to choose, you might want to take a look at this top 5 review of Dermatology clinics in Myeongdong. It contains detailed and genuine feedback from foreign tourists.
Method 2: Make an appointment through the official website of the medical institution or via an online form.
Many Dermatology clinics in Myeongdong have their own official websites, which provide reservation forms or KakaoTalk channels. This option is suitable for those who already know which clinic they want to visit. I suggest that you first use the map showing the locations of these clinics to determine their exact locations, and then check the reservation pages on their official websites.
⚠️ Caution: The response times on the official website forms of some clinics can be quite slow (it may take 1-2 working days). If your travel plans are already confirmed, don’t rely solely on this method; it’s best to verify your information through other channels as well.
Method 3: By phone or by visiting in person
If you are already in South Korea or have no problem speaking Korean/English, calling or visiting the clinic directly is certainly the fastest way. I personally tried going to a medium-sized Dermatology clinic around 11 a.m. on a Tuesday; I waited for about 20 minutes before it was my turn. However, when I went to another clinic at 4 p.m. on the same day, I was told that all appointments for that day were full.
Therefore, the success rate of walk-in appointments depends on three factors: the time you choose to go, the size of the clinic, and the day of the week. The success rate is highest on weekdays in the morning; on Friday afternoons and weekends, it’s practically impossible to get an appointment.
Method 4: Make an appointment via social media messages
An increasing number of Dermatology clinics in Myeongdong have opened official Instagram or LINE accounts, allowing customers to make appointments via private messages. The advantage of this approach is that you can first view their case photos and images of the clinic’s environment before making an appointment. However, the downside is that responses may not be immediate, making it unsuitable for those in urgent need of a same-day appointment.
For people with different needs, I would recommend it this way.
Everyone’s situation is different, so I’m not claiming that any particular method is absolutely the best. The following suggestions are based on the various scenarios I have observed:
- First time visiting, don’t know Korean, and have limited time → Use platforms like BeautsGO to save time and effort.
- If you have already chosen a target clinic and want to save money, simply complete the online form and confirm via phone.
- In South Korea, due to the flexible time arrangements, it is possible to try walk-in services, but there is no guarantee of being able to get a consultation immediately.
- For more complex treatments such as thread lifting or HIFU, it is essential to make an appointment in advance, and it is also advisable to have a translator present during the procedure.
If this is your first time visiting Myeongdong for a Dermatology appointment, it is recommended that you first familiarize yourself with the local geography and the distribution of medical institutions before making a reservation. This will ensure a much more efficient process.
To be honest about reservations…
After visiting so many clinics, I realized that there isn’t a standard answer to the question of whether or not an appointment is necessary; it really depends on your individual circumstances. What I can tell you for sure is: don’t let one-sided information online scare you. Many people claim that you must make an appointment well in advance, but these recommendations may not apply to all clinics.
My own practice is to contact the clinic about a week in advance if my travel plans have already been finalized. If I’m still unsure which clinic to choose, I’ll first check out reviews and project descriptions on platforms like BeautsGO before making a decision and booking a consultation. This way, I can avoid wasting my time or feeling too pressured.
If you still have questions after reading this, feel free to visit BeautsGO and ask me directly—I will definitely respond to you. 🙌
📖 Recommended for Further Reading
- Top 5 Recommended Dermatology Clinics in Myeongdong – Always check reviews before making a choice to avoid any pitfalls.
- Going to Dermatology in Myeongdong for the first time? A must-read guide for beginners — a comprehensive step-by-step guide from transportation to making an appointment.
- Which Dermatology clinic in Myeongdong is really reliable? (Including a list of recommended and less recommended options) — My personal experiences after visiting 5 clinics