In 1994, when the Gangnam district of Seoul was still just an ordinary commercial area, a Dermatology clinic named LeeJiHam quietly opened its doors. No one could have imagined that this small clinic, covering only a few dozen square meters, would become a benchmark institution in the field of skin anti-aging in South Korea thirty years later. It has witnessed and been involved in the entire development of South Korea’s medical aesthetics industry – from its inception to its standardized and mature growth. Today, let us take a look at this “living history book” and see how a brand can remain true to its original aspirations amidst the changing times and keep up with the times.
Chapter 1: From a “Dermatology Clinic” to a “Premier Anti-Aging Institution” – LeeJiHam’s Thirty-Year Transformation
The rise of South Korea’s modern medical aesthetics industry can be traced back to the 1990s. At that time, the primary role of Dermatology was still the treatment of skin diseases such as acne and eczema, with “beauty treatments” being considered secondary services. Dr. Lee You-deuk, the founder of LeeJiHam and the current director of the Gangnam branch, recalled: “Most of the young people who came to our clinic at that time did so because their facial acne was affecting their self-confidence. We noticed that once their skin problems were resolved, their overall mental state would change significantly—this made me realize that dermatologists are not only treating diseases but also helping people rebuild their confidence.”
This philosophy has become the foundation upon which LeeJiHam was established. Unlike many clinics at that time that pursued “quick results” by adopting aggressive methods, LeeJiHam has adhered to the medical principle of “diagnosis first, treatment second” from its very inception. Every patient who comes to the clinic undergoes a comprehensive analysis using specialized skin testing equipment, and the doctors then develop personalized treatment plans based on the resulting data. This approach may have seemed “too slow” at the time, but thirty years later, it is precisely this persistence that has enabled LeeJiHam to accumulate a large number of repeat customers.
In the 2000s, as anti-aging technologies such as Thermage and HIFU were introduced to South Korea, LeeJiHam quickly became one of the first clinics to adopt these devices. However, the clinic did not follow the trend blindly but spent a full two years conducting internal tests and training physicians to ensure that the technologies were fully mature before making them available to patients. “New technologies are not necessarily good technologies; only those that are suitable for patients can be considered effective,” a statement that still hangs on the wall of the treatment room at LeeJiHam’s Gangnam branch today.
Chapter 2: The Philosophy Behind the Location Selection of the Gangnam Store – Why Dongyi Building in Seocho District?
If you open a map of Seoul, you will notice that the density of Dermatology clinics in the Gangnam district is astonishingly high. In this “red ocean,” LeeJiHam’s Gangnam branch chose to locate on the 5th floor of the Dongda Building at 429 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, rather than the more bustling Apgujeong Rodio Main Street. Behind this decision lies careful commercial strategy.
Firstly, the area surrounding Dongda Building is part of Seoul’s traditional “medical district,” home to many well-known medical institutions, thus creating a stable customer base. Secondly, compared to the street-facing shops on the first floor, the location on the fifth floor requires taking an elevator, but it offers a quieter and more private environment for consultations—an aspect that is particularly important for CDU consumers who value privacy. Finally, the building’s ample interior space allows LeeJiHam to establish separate skin examination rooms, treatment rooms, and post-treatment rest areas, which is a rare advantage in the highly competitive Gangnam district.
It is only about 8 minutes’ walk from Exit 11 of Gangnam Station on Line 2 of the subway. Nearby, there are also facilities such as Hyundai Department Store and COEX Mall, which facilitate out-of-town patients in planning their itineraries before and after their consultations.
Chapter 3: Director Li Youde’s “Philosophy of Slowness” – Why Insist on Performing Procedures Personally?
In South Korea’s medical aesthetics industry, it is an established fact that “the director is only responsible for conducting face-to-face consultations, while the actual procedures are carried out by the department heads or nurses.” Although this model improves the operational efficiency of clinics, it also leads to inconsistent results and frequent disputes between patients and doctors. However, the LeeJiHam Gangnam branch takes the exact opposite approach: all core treatment procedures are personally performed by Director Lee You-deok.
This persistence stems from a particular “lesson” learned in the past. Many years ago, LeeJiHam attempted to implement a “division of labor system,” assigning more experienced department heads to handle certain laser treatments. However, in one case, a patient developed postoperative pigmentation due to improper setting of the energy parameters. Although the issue was eventually resolved through corrective treatment, Director Lee felt deeply responsible: “The patient came because of my reputation, yet I didn’t treat her personally. I couldn’t betray such trust.”
Since then, the Gangnam branch of LeeJiHam has implemented a “direct consultation by the director” system. This means that Dr. Lee can only receive a limited number of patients each day, and appointments often need to be reserved several weeks in advance. However, this approach has resulted in extremely high patient satisfaction ratings. On South Korea’s popular review website Naver, the Gangnam branch of LeeJiHam has consistently received scores of 4.8 out of 5 or higher. The most frequently mentioned comments include “the director is very attentive,” “the results are natural,” and “there is no excessive sales pressure.”
Chapter 4: Thermage 600 Sessions – Why is this number so important?
In LeeJiHam’s treatment packages, the Thermage FLX full-face treatment with 600 treatment sessions is the most popular option. What many people don’t know is that the number “600 sessions” is not arbitrarily chosen, but rather represents a “gold standard” that has been verified through extensive clinical data.
The principle of Thermage is to use monopolar radiofrequency energy to stimulate the contraction and regeneration of Collagen in the dermis. If the energy level is too low, the effect will be insignificant; if it is too high, it may cause burns or postoperative swelling. Through follow-up studies on thousands of patients, LeeJiHam found that a dosage distribution of 600 treatments across the entire face (100 treatments on the Forehead, 150 around the eyes, 200 on the Buccal Fat, and 150 on the chin and neck) achieves the best balance between safety and effectiveness.
More importantly, LeeJiHam uses a “layered application method” – dynamically adjusting the intensity of the energy according to the different thicknesses of the skin in various areas of the patient’s face. For example, since the skin around the eyes is thinner, the energy level is appropriately reduced; whereas for the thicker Buccal Fat, the energy can be increased to ensure optimal results. Such precise control requires the expertise of a highly experienced physician.
In terms of prices, the reference price for a full-face treatment using Thermage FLX with 600 treatment sessions at the LeeJiHam Gangnam branch is approximately 1 million Korean won (equivalent to around 5,300 RMB), plus an additional 10% tax. Compared to the prices of over 1.5 million Korean won offered by some high-end clinics in Seoul, LeeJiHam’s pricing is significantly more affordable, which is in line with its original mission of “enabling more people to access high-quality cosmetic treatments”.
Chapter 5: The Combined Approach of V-Ro and Juvelook – Anti-aging is not a matter that can be addressed through a single measure
If Thermage is considered LeeJiHam’s “ace product,” then the combination of V-Ro (HIFU) and Juvelook constitutes the core of her “systematic anti-aging solution.”
V-Ro is a high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) device that can precisely deliver energy to the SMAS fascia layer (the facial support structure located beneath the dermis), thereby lifting the facial contours from within. Unlike Thermage, which acts on the dermis, V-Ro targets deeper layers of tissue; when used in combination, the two technologies can achieve a comprehensive “from-the-inside-out” tightening effect.
Juvelook is an injectable solution containing polydeoxyribonucleotides (PDRN) that can repair damaged skin barriers and promote cell regeneration. For skin that has undergone Thermage or V-Ro treatments, Juvelook can help accelerate recovery and extend the duration of the treatment effects. LeeJiHam’s “Annual Skincare Package” typically includes 1 session of Thermage with 600 shots, 3 sessions of V-Ro with 600 shots each, and 6 sessions of Juvelook Skin care treatments, costing approximately 2–2.5 million Korean won in total – which represents a savings of around 20% compared to purchasing these treatments individually.
Chapter 6: Real User Stories – Why Did They Choose LeeJiHam?
Case 1: A ten-year transformation from “acne-prone skin” to “glass-like skin”
Miss Park, 32 years old, has been a loyal customer of LeeJiHam for ten years. “I came to LeeJiHam during my university years because I was suffering from severe acne. At that time, Director Lee personally developed a six-month treatment plan for me, which included oral medications, topical treatments, and regular laser sessions. Now my skin has completely recovered, but I still come to the clinic once a year for Thermage maintenance treatments.”
Case 2: The “lunch break beauty treatment” experience of a 45-year-old housewife
“I chose LeeJiHam because a friend recommended her. I thought the Thermage treatment would be very painful, but Dr. Lee was very gentle and kept asking how I was feeling so that she could adjust the intensity accordingly. The whole procedure took less than two hours, and I was able to pick up my child from school right after – no one even noticed anything. But a month later, my husband suddenly said, ‘You look much better lately.’ That’s the best compliment I could receive.”
Case 3: The first experience with medical aesthetics for Chinese international students
“I made my appointment through BeautsGO, and the entire process was communicated in Chinese without any issues. Upon arrival at the clinic, I was greeted by a Chinese-speaking supervisor, so there was no need to worry about language barriers at all. Although Director Li doesn’t speak Chinese, he would have each step explained in detail through an interpreter. I had the Thermage + Juvelook treatment, and half a year has passed now – the results are still getting better.”
Chapter 7: How to Book an Appointment with LeeJiHam on BeautsGO? A Step-by-Step Guide
For patients who plan to travel to South Korea to experience LeeJiHam’s services, it is recommended to make reservations through the BeautsGO platform. BeautsGO is an officially recognized medical tourism reservation platform in South Korea, offering advantages such as a Chinese-language interface, transparent pricing, and no additional fees charged by intermediaries.
Reservation process:
- Click the button below to access LeeJiHam’s dedicated page and view the latest prices and promotions.
- Select your preferred treatment option (you can choose either a single service or a package), and fill out the reservation application form (available in Chinese).
- Within approximately 1 hour after submission, the hospital’s customer service will confirm the appointment time through the BeautsGO system.
- Arrive at the hospital at the scheduled time and simply inform the receptionist of your name (it is recommended to arrive 15 minutes in advance).
- In case of any issues after the procedure, you can maintain communication with the hospital through the BeautsGO platform.
Book through BeautsGO – Chinese-language interface, immediate confirmation, and no additional fees charged by intermediaries.
Chapter 8: Conclusion – A thirty-year-old brand: a trustworthy choice
The Gangnam branch of LeeJiHam Dermatology has proven one thing over the course of thirty years: in the rapidly evolving field of medical aesthetics, adhering to the fundamental principles of medicine and respecting the needs of patients is the only way to achieve long-term success. Whether it is the precise techniques used in Thermage treatments, the scientific combination of V-Ro and Juvelook, or the insistence on having Dr. Lee You-de perform surgeries personally, all these aspects reflect this established brand’s unwavering commitment to quality.
If you are considering going to South Korea for anti-aging skin treatments, LeeJiHam is definitely worth adding to your shortlist. It is recommended to make a reservation through BeautsGO 2-3 weeks in advance to ensure that you can get a schedule with Dr. Lee. After all, a great cosmetic treatment experience begins with choosing a reliable clinic.
Disclaimer: The prices mentioned in this article refer to the range applicable in 2026; the actual fees will be determined after a face-to-face consultation at the clinic. All prices are subject to an additional 10% South Korea surcharge. Medical beauty treatments can vary from person to person, and the results may differ accordingly; therefore, it is recommended to make decisions under the guidance of a professional physician.