When you book

Good preparation starts with the booking itself. When you request a consultation at Dernia Clinic Myeongdong, share:

Your arrival and departure dates, so treatments with downtime land early in your trip
Your top two or three concerns
Treatments you have had in the last 12 months, with product names if you know them
Medical conditions, allergies (including lidocaine or fish) and current medications
Whether you are pregnant, trying to conceive or breastfeeding

Booking ahead is recommended; see do I need to book in advance? and how it works.

Two weeks before: protect your skin

Avoid tanning, sunbeds and self-tan if laser or IPL is planned. See can I get laser with a tan?
Don't start new active products, and ask about pausing retinoids. See should I stop retinol before treatment?
No waxing, threading or hair-removal creams on areas to be lasered.
If you get cold sores, say so; preventive medicine may be advised before some lasers.
Reschedule if you develop an infection, cold sore or sunburn in the area.

One week before: medicines and supplements

Some medicines and supplements can increase bruising after injections, including aspirin, ibuprofen and other anti-inflammatories, fish oil, vitamin E and ginkgo. Tell your doctor what you take. Never stop a prescribed medicine, such as a blood thinner, without speaking to the doctor who prescribed it. If you take or recently took isotretinoin, mention it before any laser or RF microneedling.

Health details to mention

Pregnancy, breastfeeding or trying to conceive
A pacemaker, other implanted device or metal implants in the face
Keloid scarring, eczema, rosacea or psoriasis
Autoimmune conditions, diabetes or a recent illness
Allergies to numbing creams, lidocaine, antibiotics or fish

If you have had treatments before

Previous work changes the plan. Filler, threads or a recent lifting treatment can affect energy settings and injection technique, and the gap between sessions matters. Bring what you can: product names, amounts, dates and any photos you took yourself. If you are not sure what was used, say so; your doctor will examine the area and plan conservatively.

The day before

Skip alcohol for 24 hours before injectables to reduce bruising.
Sleep well and drink plenty of water.
Shave the night before rather than the morning of your visit.
For laser hair removal, shave the area about a day ahead unless told otherwise.
Plan your route with our location and directions page.

On the day: what to bring and wear

Bring	Why
Passport or photo ID	Clinics in Korea usually register patients with ID
Medication and allergy list	For safe dosing and numbing
Past treatment details	Product names, dates and amounts if known
Payment card	Prices are in KRW and exclude 10% VAT
Sunscreen and a hat or mask	To protect treated skin on the way out
Glasses instead of contacts	Easier if eye-area treatments are planned

Wear comfortable clothes with an open neckline, arrive with clean skin or allow time to remove makeup, and leave jewelry for the face and neck at home. Payment details are on payment and tax.

At the consultation

A licensed medical doctor examines your skin, asks about your goals and history, and explains options, expected results, downtime and costs before anything is done. Bring your questions; our list of questions to ask at your consultation helps. Ask for the plan and prices in writing, and use shots, lines and cc explained to understand the units.

Plan around flights and events

Book treatments with visible downtime early in your trip.
Leave a day or more between injectables and your flight home if you can. See flying after Botox and fillers.
Keep 2–3 days clear of photos or events after boosters or filler.

New to Korean clinics? Read your first visit to a Korean skin clinic and our page for international patients.

Before you leave the clinic

Make sure you understand your aftercare, what is normal over the next few days and how to reach the clinic if something worries you. Our guides to your skincare routine after treatments and normal side effects are worth saving on your phone.

A quick checklist

Booking request sent with travel dates and concerns
No tanning or new actives for two weeks
Medicines and supplements discussed
No alcohol for 24 hours before injectables
ID, medication list and treatment history packed
Sunscreen ready for the walk back out

Should I wear makeup to my appointment?

It is easier to arrive with clean skin, but it is fine if you can't. The skin is cleansed before treatment either way. Bring your own makeup if you want to reapply where your doctor allows.

Can I book a consultation only?

Yes. You can see the doctor first and decide afterward. Many visitors book the consultation early in their trip and schedule treatment for a later day.

Do I need to stop retinol before treatment?

Often, yes, for lasers, peels and microneedling. Many doctors suggest pausing retinoids for several days beforehand. Ask when you book so the plan suits your skin.

Can I take painkillers before injections?

Ask your doctor first. Aspirin and ibuprofen can increase bruising, so acetaminophen (paracetamol) is usually preferred. Do not stop prescribed medicines without medical advice.

What if I get a cold sore before my appointment?

Contact the clinic before you come in. Treatments near an active cold sore are usually postponed, and your doctor may suggest a different area or date.

How early should I arrive?

Arriving about 10 minutes early gives you time to complete registration and medical history forms without feeling rushed.

Planning your visit

How it works — from booking to aftercare
First visit to a Korean skin clinic — what to expect
Questions to ask at your consultation — a printable list
Plan treatments around your itinerary — timing tips

Common questions

How long does a consultation take? — usually 15–30 minutes
Do you offer consultations in English? — yes
How long should I stay in Seoul? — by treatment type

Practical information

Location and directions — getting to Myeongdong
Payment and tax — KRW pricing and 10% VAT
International patients — help for visitors

Dernia Clinic Myeongdong

How to Prepare for Your Clinic Appointment in Seoul