Five board-certified dermatologists in Seoul, in one clinic

What the title means

“Dermatologist” is a protected title in Korea — but not every skin clinic has one

In Korea a dermatologist (피부과 전문의) is a physician who completed a one-year internship and a four-year dermatology residency after the medical licence, then passed the national specialist examination. Any licensed doctor may offer skin treatments; only a certified specialist is a dermatologist.

The quickest check is the clinic sign. A clinic may carry 피부과 in its name only when its doctor holds the specialist qualification. A clinic run by a non-specialist must be named “의원” and list dermatology as a treated subject underneath. This clinic’s registered name is 연세스타피부과의원, and its five physicians are all certified dermatologists — the training hospital, career and society positions of each are published in full.

The clinic has been in the same Sinchon practice since 2002. It is known in Korea for scar revision — the Pinhole technique was developed here — and runs a full anti-ageing, skin-booster, injectable and laser programme alongside general dermatology.

Coming from abroad

English, location, payment

• LanguageDr. Lee Sang-joo consults in English. The front desk has a staff member with basic English. For other languages, and for detailed clinical discussion, the clinic books a professional interpreter to sit in on the consultation — say so when you message on WhatsApp.
• LocationSinchon, Seodaemun-gu — four minutes on foot from Sinchon Station (Line 2), Exit 1, in the Terraround building on Sinchon-ro. Hongdae is one stop away; Gangnam is about 40 minutes by subway.
• PaymentOverseas cards are accepted. Korea's medical tax refund scheme for foreign patients has ended and no tax refund is available. Scar treatment is exempt from Korean VAT; cosmetic treatments carry 10% VAT, which is stated separately on every quote.
• BookingScar treatment and aesthetic procedures are by appointment. General dermatology (skin conditions, prescriptions, inflammation injections, urticaria, wound care) is walk-in only: weekdays 10:00–11:00 and 14:00–15:00, not on Saturday.

International patients → Getting here →