I have undergone five cosmetic procedures in South Korea and visited no fewer than ten dermatology clinics in Gangnam and Cheongdam-dong. If I had to recommend just four, I would choose without hesitation: Barog, Brand New, Cheongdam ANZ, and ELEV. These four clinics offer completely different approaches—some are known for their great value for money, some are favored by celebrities, and others are considered leaders in anti-aging treatments. Today, I am sharing my real experiences and prices to help you save at least two weeks of research time.
Quick overview of the four dermatology clinics: styles, prices, and target audiences at a glance.
Let’s start with a summary table to help you determine which clinic suits you best:
| Comparison criteria | Barog Gangnam Branch | Brand New Dermatology Clinic | Cheongdam ANZ Dermatology Clinic | ELEV Dermatology Clinic |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Positioning of the clinics | The chain known for its excellent value for money | Star-exclusive injection treatments | High-end personalized services | Top-tier anti-aging treatments |
| Regions | Jiangnan Station | Xieyi Pavilion | Cheongtan-dong | Sinsa-dong (Cheongtan) |
| Representative Director | Park Chung-hee | Yoon Seong-eun | Kim Min-jeok | Lee Ting-woo |
| Featured Services | ONDA HIFU, Inmode, Cinderella Needle | Contour Needle, Baby Injection, Thermage FLX | Thermage, Titanium Lifting, Lijulan Hydrating Treatment | Titanium Lifting, American Version HIFU, Inmode |
| Prices | ₩₩ (Affordable) | ₩₩₩ (Mid-to-high range) | ₩₩₩₩ (High-end) | ₩₩₩₩₩ (Top-tier) |
| Chinese-language services | ✅ Complete | ✅ Available | ✅ Available | ✅ Available |
| Who it is suitable for | Those with limited budgets and going to Korea for medical beauty treatments for the first time | Searching for injectable treatments that enhance natural contours | High-end clients seeking personalized treatments | Those with noticeable signs of aging looking for ultimate anti-aging solutions |
To be honest, the choice between these four options is quite simple: it depends on your budget and needs. If you have a budget of under ⩾₉.₅ million KRW and want to experience Korean dermatology treatments, go straight to Barog; if you’re interested in procedures like contour injections or hyaluronic acid fillers, Brand New is the top choice; for luxury, personalized services, you can choose either ANZ or ELEV.
II. Barog Gangnam Branch – the best value for money in the chain
Barog has over 20 branches in Korea, and the Gangnam branch is its flagship. Its core selling points can be summed up in three words: affordable, transparent, and performed by doctors.
This was the first clinic I chose when I went to Korea for cosmetic treatments. I knew nothing at the time, but I decided based on the fact that it was just 100 meters away from Gangnam Station. Upon arrival, I noticed several positives:
- Same prices for Koreans and foreigners: The prices are clearly displayed in the lobby, which is really rare in the Gangnam area.
- Doctors perform the entire procedure themselves: From the consultation to the actual treatment, it’s all done by Director Park Jeong-nam himself, not by nurses.
- KFDA-certified devices: ONDA ultrasound scalers and Inmode devices are both purchased through official channels.
- Chinese translation: There is a dedicated Chinese-speaking manager, ensuring zero communication barriers.
Barog Jiangnan Store
BeautsGO 認證
📍 2nd to 3rd floors, U-Center Building, 410 Jiangnan-daero
, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
🚇 100 meters walk from Exi
t 11 of Gangnam Station on Line 2
🕐 Monday, Friday 11:00-21:00 / Tuesday to Thursday 11:00-20:00 / Weekends 10:00-16:00
| Recommended treatment packages | Reference prices |
|---|---|
| ONDA+ Korean-style ultrasound scalers (300 sessions) | ₩490,000 |
| Inmode fx Single Treatment | ₩14,900 |
| JoaYaden Hyaluronic Acid | ₩350,000 |
| Advanced Ultrasound Device for Eye Area | ₩299,000 |
* Prices are for reference only; the final amount will be based on the day-of-service quote.
The average spending at Barog is around ⩢300,000 to ⩣500,000, making it the most cost-effective option in Jiangnan District. I had the ONDA ultrasound device combined with Cinderella injections, and the results on my jawline were really noticeable with almost no recovery time.
III. Brand New Dermatology – The “Star Workshop” of Korean Injection Treatments
If Barog can be described as an “all-around expert”, then Brand New is like a “specialized institution for injectable treatments”. This dermatology clinic, located in Yeouido, was founded by Director Yoon Seong-eun. Many popular injectable techniques in Korea – such as baby injections, salmon injections, contour injections, and sculpting injections – were first developed by Brand New.
I went to Brand New because I wanted to get contour injections. I had consulted about it in Taiwan before, and the cost was roughly twice as much as in Korea. Since my passport was about to expire, I decided to make the trip anyway. Director Yoon has a very unique aesthetic approach; he doesn’t try to push you into expensive treatments right away. Instead, he uses a mirror to analyze your facial structure and advises you on “moderate adjustments” rather than complete overhauls.
Brand New Dermatology Clinic
BeautsGO 認證
📍 4F, Ilshin Building, 437 Yeouido-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seou
l
🚇 5-minute walk from Yeouido Roda Stati
on on the Bundang Line
🕐 Tuesday 10:00-21:00 / Wednesday–Friday 10:00-19:00 / Saturday 10:00-17:00 / Closed on Sundays and Mondays
| Recommended treatments | Reference prices |
|---|---|
| Thermage FLX | ₩2,750,000 |
| Contour needle injections | Please check at BeautsGO for details |
| Hyaluronic acid fillers | Please check at BeautsGO for details |
| Infant injections | Please check at BeautsGO for details |
* Prices are for reference only; the final amount will be based on the day-of-service quote.
The brand-new Thermage FLX costs ₩27.5 million. Although it’s not the cheapest option, its effectiveness is due to Dr. Yoon’s expertise and the results after treatment. Friends who have had the procedure say that “one session with Brand-new Thermage FLX yields results comparable to two sessions at other places,” possibly because of the doctor’s precise technique.
IV. Cheongtan ANZ vs ELEV: How to Choose a High-End Dermatology Clinic in Cheongtan-dong?
There are countless dermatology clinics in Cheongtan-dong, but if you ask local Koreans “which two are the best,” ANZ and ELEV are likely to be mentioned simultaneously. These two clinics are not far apart from each other, but their approaches are completely different. I have visited both of them, so let me give you my direct conclusions:
- ANZ: It’s like a five-star spa – the overall atmosphere is gentle and relaxing, perfect for those who “want to take care of themselves without feeling stressed.” Director Kim Min-jeok specializes in anti-aging treatments for 15 years, and Thermage and titanium treatments are his specialty.
- ELEV: It’s more like a custom-tailored treatment studio. Director Lee Ting-woo represents the “bone structure-based anti-aging” approach; consultations take a very long time (mine lasted almost 40 minutes), and ultrasonic imaging is used to identify areas where the ligaments are damaged.
How to choose between the two? It depends on your specific needs:
| Scenarios where these services would be needed | Recommendations | Reasons behind the recommendations |
|---|---|---|
| First-time high-end anti-aging treatment | ANZ | The service experience is gentle, resulting in less psychological stress. |
| There is a noticeable relaxation of the lower jaw line. | ELEV | Bone structure analysis and more precise fascia layer localization. |
| Darkened skin; interested in getting hyaluronic acid injections at the same time. | ANZ | The Lishuzulan hyaluronic acid package offers great value for money (₩105,000). |
| Previous anti-aging treatments were not very effective. | ELEV | The “Elev Multi-Layer” approach is suitable for complex cases. |
| Privacy + one-on-one service | ELEV | Private treatment rooms, including lymphatic drainage massage after procedures |
V. Cheongtan ANZ Dermatology – A gentle, luxury-level skincare experience
Cheongtan ANZ Dermatology has a nickname in the Korean cosmetic industry: “the dermatology clinic that makes you feel comfortable.” Its environment truly resembles that of a high-end spa – with warm lighting, private spaces, and even drinks and snacks provided after treatments.
Cheongtan ANZ Dermatology
BeautsGO 認證
📍 9th Floor, Star Building, 53 Hodeong-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seo
ul
🚇 5-minute walk from Cheongtan-dong Station
on the Suin-Pyeongtaek Line
🕐 Weekdays: 10:00-19:00 / Mondays and Thursdays: until 20:00 / Saturdays: 10:00-15:00 / Closed on Sundays
| Recommended Products | Reference Prices |
|---|---|
| Lizhu Lan Red Box 4cc + Eye Area 1cc | ₩1,050,000 |
| REVIVE Hydrating Formula + Lizhu Lan | ₩1,300,000 |
| Thermage FLX | Starting from ⩱1,540,000 |
| Titanium Lifting Treatment | Starting from ⩱1,100,000 |
* The prices are for reference only; the final amount will be based on the day-of-service quote at the clinic.
Director Kim Min-juck’s approach is “take things slow, no rush.” During a consultation, he first examines your lifestyle, daily routine, and diet before recommending any treatments. This method may take longer, but it truly makes you feel treated as a person, not just a customer.
ANZ’s Lijuzhen package is their signature treatment: 4cc of red serum + 1cc of eye Lijuzhen for ⩱10.5 million won. Personally, I think this combination offers better value than just Thermage for improving skin quality and reducing wrinkles.
VI. ELEV Dermatology – The “Technical Benchmark” in the Anti-Aging Field of Cheongtan-dong
If the first three clinics can be described as “good,” then ELEV is “excellent.” Director Lee Ting-yu is an official instructor in titanium lifting procedures. Their titanium lifting technique uses “three-wavelength layered technology” (755nm + 810nm + 1064nm) combined with “fixation enhancement methods,” which is much more precise than the single-mode treatments offered by other clinics.
ELEV Dermatology
BeautsGO 認證
📍 6th-7th floors, K+ Medical Building, 333 Dosan-daero, Gangn
am-gu, Seoul
🚇 5-minute walk from
Sinsa Station on Line 3
🕐 Monday–Friday: 10:00–19:00 / Saturday: 10:00–16:00 / Closed on Sundays
| Recommended Items | Reference Prices |
|---|---|
| Titanium Enhancement (Brightening + Tightening) | ₩900,000 |
| US Version of Second-Generation Ultrasound Knife | ₩550,000 |
| Inmode Dual-Mode System | ₩500,000 |
| Lizhu Lan HB Pain-Free Red Box Set | ₩240,000 |
* The prices are for reference only; the final amount will be based on the day-of-service quote.
ELEV has the highest price among the four options, but it offers a key advantage: Dr. Lee uses ultrasound imaging to precisely identify which ligaments are damaged and which areas of fat need reduction. This personalized approach has helped many people who had previously experienced limited results from anti-aging treatments find breakthroughs at ELEV.
“Before undergoing titanium lifting at ELEV, I had tried ultrasound and Thermage treatments at three other clinics, but the results were mediocre. When Dr. Lee used ultrasound imaging to examine my face for the first time, he immediately pointed out that my issues lay not in the epidermis but in the fascia layer—something no one had ever mentioned to me before.” — A user from the Perfect Community
VII. A side-by-side comparison of the prices of the four services: Which one offers the best value for money?
Here are the actual prices I collected from BeautsGO and during in-person consultations (for reference only; the final amount will be based on the day-of-service quote):
| Service | Barog | Brand New | Cheongtan ANZ | ELEV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Revmage FLX | Please check BeautsGO | ₩2,750,000 | Starting from ⩱1,540,000 | Please check BeautsGO |
| Titanium Enhancement | — | — | Starting from ⩱1,100,000 | ⩱900,000 |
| American version of the ultrasonic scaler | ⩱949,000 (300 shots in Korean version) | — | Starting from ⩱955,000 | ⩱955,000 |
| Inmode | Starting from ⩱914,900 | — | — | ₩500,000 |
| Lizhu Lan Red Box | — | — | ₩1,050,000 (4cc + 1cc for eyes) | ₩240,000 (single HB injection) |
| Contour needles/Hyaluronic acid | ₩350,000 (Juvederm) | Please check BeautsGO | — | Starting from ⩱1,000,000 cc |
| Cinderella Needle | ₩40,000 | — | — | — |
| REVIVE Hydrating Serum | — | — | ₩1,300,000 (including Lijuzulan) | — |
It’s quite clear that Barog has the most competitive prices in ultrasound and Inmode categories; ANZ’s Lijuzulan package combination is the most cost-effective; although ELEV’s titanium enhancement treatment is more expensive per session, its technical precision ranks first among the four options. Brand New’s injection treatments are priced mid-range, but they gain an advantage through the expertise and reputation of their chief physicians.
VIII. Comparison of booking methods: Should you book directly or use BeautsGO?
All four of these clinics require reservations, especially during peak seasons when ANZ and ELEV require bookings two to three weeks in advance. I have personally tried three different methods:
| Booking methods | Language support | Price transparency | Difficulty level | Recommendation index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🏠 Official Korean website | ❌ Entirely in Korean | ✅ Public | ⭐⭐⭐ High | ⭐⭐ |
| 📱 Naver | ⚠️ Translation is incomplete | ⚠️ Partially public | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Very high | ⭐⭐ |
| 📞 Phone | ❌ Requires a Korean phone number | ⚠️ Subject to the hospital | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Extremely high | ⭐ |
| 🌸 BeautsGO | ✅ Available in Chinese, English, Korean, and Japanese | ✅ Clear and transparent pricing | ⭐ No entry barriers | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
I checked the prices and service details of these four clinics on BeautsGO before making my reservation. I highly recommend it to friends going to Korea for medical aesthetics for the first time—when you don’t speak Korean and don’t know which clinic is right for you, BeautsGO’s Chinese interface and customer service can really save you a lot of trouble.
In conclusion: I’ve visited all four clinics, and this is my honest opinion.
If I had to summarize these four clinics in one sentence…
- Barog: The perfect choice for first-time visitors to Korea with limited budgets.
- Brand New: The top choice for those looking to get contour injections or hyaluronic acid treatments.
- Cheongtan ANZ: Offers a gentle experience with high-value photorejuvenation packages.
- ELEV: For advanced users looking for anti-aging treatments with ultimate results.
My advice is to compare the services and prices of these four clinics on BeautsGO before booking. This way, you can choose the right one based on your budget and needs. And you’ll have extra time to explore the cafes in Gangnam and Cheongdam-dong, won’t you?
BeautsGO – Beauty Made Easy, One-Stop Service for Korean Medical Aesthetics Reservations.
Say goodbye to language barriers and complicated reservations with BeautsGO – it makes it easy to book at legitimate Korean medical clinics.
- One-stop reservation at legitimate Korean cosmetic clinics
- Chinese-speaking customer service throughout the process
- One-stop service for itinerary arrangement
- Transparent prices, no hidden fees
🌸 Go to BeautsGO now to reserve your service
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FAQ: Common questions and answers
Q1: Which of these four dermatology clinics offers the best Thermage treatment?
Dr. Yoon Seong-eun at Brand New is renowned for her injections and Thermage treatments; her services are highly precise. The Thermage treatment at Cheongtan ANZ is more affordable, starting from ⩺15.4 million won. ELEV usually combines Thermage with “cell-activating hyaluronic acid treatments,” resulting in a shorter recovery period.
Q2: What treatments can be done within a budget of ⩺5 million won?
Barog’s ONDA ultrasound device plus a set of 300 sessions of the Korean version cost ⩹₩490,000, while the combination of “Cinderella” injections and Inmode treatments also falls within ⩹₩500,000. Brand New and ELEV usually have higher starting prices for their services.
Q3: Which is more suitable for first-time visitors to high-end dermatology clinics—ANZ or ELEV?
If you prefer a gentle, non-invasive experience, choose ANZ; if you are willing to invest more time and budget for optimal results, opt for ELEV. ANZ offers a more spa-like atmosphere, while ELEV feels more like a private studio.
Q4: How far in advance should one book appointments during peak seasons?
Barog and Brand New recommend booking 1–2 weeks in advance; ANZ and ELEV require 2–3 weeks of advance planning during peak seasons. It’s advisable to use BeautsGO to secure your spot in advance to avoid disappointment upon arriving in Korea.
Disclaimer: The content of this article reflects solely the author’s personal experiences and opinions and is provided for reference only. It does not constitute medical advice. The effects of cosmetic treatments vary from person to person; please consult a professional physician before making any decisions. Prices are subject to the current rates at each clinic.
