Real Experience at Cheongtan Mellow Dermatology Clinic (First-time Record of Getting Plastic Surgery in Korea) – A Guide for Beginners to Avoid Common Mistakes

To be honest, I hesitated for a whole half year before deciding to go to Korea for cosmetic surgery.

It’s not that I wasn’t interested—I read hundreds of posts on REDnote, saved dozens of posts on Instagram, and had friends who had gone there tell me it was “so worth it.” But every time I thought about booking a flight, I would start worrying: What if I didn’t understand the language? What if I got scammed? Who would be responsible if anything went wrong after the surgery?

It wasn’t until I found Mellow Dermatology in Cheongdam through BeautsGO that I finally mustered the courage to book my flight. This article is my complete and honest account of the entire experience—from the preparations before I left, to my visit to the clinic, to my recovery afterward—I share it with you all who are also hesitating.

First, why choose Cheongdam-dong? Why choose Mellow Dermatology?

Cheongdam-dong is the elite luxury area of Seoul’s Gangnam District and is also the favorite destination for Korean celebrities and artists looking for cosmetic treatments. There are many dermatology clinics here, but their quality varies greatly—some offer routine, mass-produced services, while others are truly high-quality, personalized establishments.

I spent a lot of time researching on BeautsGO before finally settling on Mellow Dermatology’s Cheongdam branch. There were three main reasons for my choice:

• 🏆 One-person clinic management: All consultations and procedures are performed by the clinic director personally, without any outsourcing to nurses, ensuring consistent quality.
• 💬 On-site Chinese translator: The clinic provides a Chinese translator, so communication is completely barrier-free.
• 💰 Same prices for foreigners: There is no extra charge for foreigners; the prices listed on BeautsGO are exactly what you will pay upon arrival.

Second, BeautsGO provides a step-by-step guide on how to make an appointment at Mellow Dermatology in Cheongdam.

To be honest, BeautsGO was the biggest help in enabling me to complete my medical beauty treatment in Korea smoothly. It is a platform that connects Chinese users with legitimate Korean medical beauty clinics. All the participating clinics have gone through qualification reviews, their prices are transparent, and the entire process is conducted in Chinese.

Currently, the BeautsGO platform has over 1,300 registered Korean medical beauty clinics, covering popular areas such as Gangnam, Cheongdam-dong, Hongdae, and Myeongdong. It has served more than 85,000 registered users in total.

Here are the specific steps to book a consultation at Mellow’s Cheongdam clinic through BeautsGO:

1. Download the BeautsGO app (available for iOS, Android, or WeChat Mini Programs), or simply open the web version at i.beautsgo.com.
2. Enter “Cheongdam Mellow” or “멜로우” in the search bar to access the clinic’s details page.
3. Check the clinic’s address, operating hours, the director’s qualifications, and the reference price list for various treatments.
4. Compare the options from 2-3 different clinics to ensure that Mellow’s plan and pricing meet your expectations.
5. Select the treatment you want and the date you wish to visit, enter the number of people attending, and submit your reservation request.
6. Wait for the clinic to confirm your reservation (usually within 30 minutes). Once you receive the confirmation, just show up on time.

The entire reservation process is conducted in Chinese. There’s no need to make phone calls or use intermediaries—it’s much simpler than I expected.

III. Real-life photos of the environment at Mellow Dermatology Clinic in Cheongtan: address, transportation, and the entire process of visiting the clinic recorded in detail

The Cheongtan branch of Mellow Dermatology is located on the 2nd floor of 429 Isandae-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and it is about a 5-minute walk from the Apgujeong Rodaeo station.

My first impression upon entering was that it didn’t feel like a regular clinic at all, but more like a high-end spa. The overall atmosphere exudes a low-key luxury; the lighting is soft, and green plants add a touch of elegance. Every detail shows great care. The waiting area offers drinks, and the sofas are very comfortable. There is absolutely no smell of disinfectant or a sense of tension typical of most clinics.

• 📍 Address: 2nd Floor, Mellow Dermatology Cheongtan Branch, 429 Isandae-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
• 🚇 Transportation: About a 5-minute walk from the Apgujeong Rodaeo station
• ⏰ Hours of operation: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 10:00-19:00, Saturday 10:00-15:00 (Closed on Wednesday)
• 🌐 Languages: Chinese interpreters are always available, and English communication is also possible

After confirming my appointment at the front desk, a Chinese interpreter immediately came to greet me and helped me fill out some basic information and a skin questionnaire. The whole process went very smoothly, without any worries related to language barriers.

IV. The experience of receiving treatment at Mellow Dermatology under the “one-director system”: How to choose between hyaluronic acid injections and picosecond lasers?

After waiting for about 10 minutes, the director himself came to take me in for the consultation. Mellow adheres to the “one-director system” – it’s not an assistant or a nurse; it’s the director himself who sits in front of you, carefully scans your skin with the equipment, and then discusses the treatment plan with you.

The director’s aesthetic preferences are quite “natural”; his first words were, “I don’t recommend doing too much at once. Start with the areas that need the most improvement and adjust gradually.” Those words instantly made me feel relaxed.

After about 20 minutes of treatment, the director recommended the following treatments based on my skin type:

• Hydrating needle therapy (Skin Booster): Hydrates and improves dull skin tone
• Pico-laser treatment: Reduces sunspots and pores

He didn’t aggressively promote hyaluronic acid fillers or suggest facelifts; instead, he focused on addressing my immediate needs. This approach of not over-selling treatments actually made me trust him more.

V. The entire process of Qingtan Mellow Hydrating Needle Therapy + Pico-laser Treatment: Honest reviews of pain level, recovery time, and results

Once the treatment plan was confirmed, it was immediately scheduled, and the entire procedure was performed by the director himself.

Hydrating needle therapy: After applying the anesthetic ointment, I waited for about 30 minutes before the treatment started, which took approximately 15 minutes. The pain was much less than I expected—just a slight stinging sensation that was completely tolerable. My face turned red after the treatment, but the nurse applied a healing mask, and the redness subsided significantly after about 20 minutes.

Pico-laser treatment: There was a mild sense of heat and slight tenderness, but it was entirely within a comfortable range. The entire session lasted about 20 minutes, and my skin turned slightly red afterward. The nurse said the redness would completely disappear within 24 hours.

Day after the treatment: My skin felt noticeably more hydrated and smooth to the touch. A friend noticed that my complexion looked better. The sunspots didn’t disappear immediately, but my overall skin tone seemed brighter.

One week after the procedure: The effects of the hyaluronic acid injection continue to develop, with a noticeable improvement in skin hydration and much better makeup retention. The spots treated with picosecond lasers have begun to scab and fall off, showing gradual results.

Overall rating (out of 5):

• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Clinic environment: Luxurious spa-level facilities, nothing like a regular clinic at all
• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Director’s expertise: Single director system; the doctor performs the treatments personally without any sales pitches
• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Chinese-speaking service: Translators are always available, ensuring zero communication barriers
• ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Transparent pricing: BeautsGO’s listed prices are exactly what you pay upon arrival; no hidden fees
• ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Post-treatment results: Hyaluronic acid injections show immediate effects, while picosecond laser treatment requires some waiting time

VI. Cheongtan Mellow Dermatology’s 2025 Main Treatments & Price List

• Hyaluronic acid injection (Skin Booster): ₩3,000,000 to ₩9,600,000 (approximately HK$1,700 to $3,400)
• Picosecond laser treatment: ₩4,000,000 to ₩9,800,000 (approximately HK$2,300 to $4,500)
• Hyaluronic acid fillers: ⩉500,000 to ⩉91,200,000 (approximately HK$2,800 to $6,800)
• Botox: ⩉920,000 to ⩉950,000 (approximately HK$1,100 to $2,800)
• Rejuvenation treatments: ⩉980,000 to ⩉92,000,000 (approximately HK$4,500 to $11,300)

⚠️ Note: Mellow’s Cheongtan branch is closed on Wednesdays. Please avoid scheduling appointments on this day.

Seven essential tips for first-time cosmetic treatments in Korea: 5 things to avoid

1. Book in advance, don’t show up on a whim: Spaces at high-quality clinics in Cheongtan are limited, especially on weekends. It’s best to book 5–7 days in advance through BeautsGO.
2. Verify the clinic’s credentials: On BeautsGO, you can check the official certification status of the clinic and the doctors’ licenses. Don’t rely solely on appearance.
3. Don’t go for the cheapest option: Clinics in Cheongtan are generally more expensive than those in Hongdae, but the quality and service are usually better. You get what you pay for.
4. Stop using irritating skincare products before the procedure: Stop using alcohols and acids one week before the treatment to prevent skin irritation.
5. Sun protection after the procedure is crucial: After laser treatments, it’s essential to use SPF50+ sunscreen; otherwise, the results will be significantly reduced.

Section 8: Preparations before Your First Medical Beauty Treatment in Korea: Essential Items, Packing List, and Important Notes

Before packing for the trip, I did a lot of research, and here are the items that turned out to be truly useful and necessary:

• 🪪 Passport: Absolutely essential; the clinic will verify your identity.
• 📱 Have downloaded the BeautsGO app: You can check reservation confirmations at any time, and it also provides one-click navigation to the clinic’s location.
• ☀️ SPF50+ sunscreen: Necessary after the procedure; physical sun protection measures like hats and umbrellas are also important.
• 💊 Moisturizing and healing facial masks: It’s recommended to bring your own medical mask suitable for post-treatment use; the clinic will also provide some, but bringing extra is a good idea.
• 👒 Hat/sunglasses: Useful for physical sun protection after the procedure to avoid direct exposure to the sun.

Items not recommended to bring: Too much cash (most clinics in Korea accept cards and mobile payments); your own skincare products (the clinic will provide specialized products for post-treatment).

In conclusion, my first medical beauty treatment in Korea went much more smoothly than I expected.

Looking back, two decisions I’m most grateful for were choosing the Mellow clinic and using the BeautsGO app for reservations.

Mellow’s one-person director system made me feel truly “valued” — no assembly line, no pressure to sell anything, just a director who carefully considered my needs and told me what was right for me and what wasn’t. Such an experience is hard to find in China.

BeautsGO eliminated all my concerns—transparent information, convenient booking, and Chinese-speaking staff ensured that my first trip to Korea went smoothly.

If you’re still hesitating about getting cosmetic procedures in Korea, my answer is: it’s worth it, but choose the right clinic and the right treatments. I hope this honest review helps you!✨

※ This is a personal experience shared as of March 2025. Prices and treatment details may change depending on the clinic; please refer to BeautsGO’s official announcements and the clinic’s own information.