Last month, I had dinner with a friend who lives in Seoul, and I noticed that her complexion looked different from before—not the puffy appearance usually associated with hyaluronic acid injections, but rather a truly radiant and glowing skin. Later, she told me that she had undergone a stem cell treatment at CBJ First Clinic in Cheongdam.
To be honest, I was always a bit skeptical about the term “stem cell beauty treatments,” thinking it sounded more like a fancy marketing gimmick. But seeing how good her results were, I decided to go for a consultation myself.
1. What are stem cell beauty treatments? Why did I choose CBJ First Dermatology in Cheongdam?
Before going, I did some research. The principle behind stem cell beauty treatments (줄기세포 피부관리) is to extract stem cells from the patient’s own body or from a specific source, culture them under controlled conditions, and then inject them into the skin to stimulate its natural repair and regeneration processes. Theoretically, these treatments offer longer-lasting results than traditional hyaluronic acid or microneedling, because they don’t just provide temporary hydration but help the skin improve on its own.
After comparing many options, I settled on CBJ First Clinic in Cheongdam-dong for several reasons: first, they have their own dedicated stem cell culture facility, rather than using pre-made products; second, the director is a specialist in dermatology; and third, reviews consistently mentioned that the effects are gradual and long-lasting, not immediate after just one treatment.
2. Where is CBJ First Dermatology in Cheongdam? A guide to transportation in Cheongdam-dong
The clinic is located in Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, near Apgujeong-rodeo Station on Line 7 of the subway. It’s only about a 7 to 8-minute walk from there. Cheongdam-dong is known as one of Seoul’s premium areas for medical aesthetics, with many well-known dermatology clinics in the vicinity. The entire neighborhood is highly developed, and the service quality is excellent.
On the day I went, I took the subway and followed the directions on Google Maps. The location was easy to find. The building itself has a modern design, and there were clear signs inside the elevator. The staff at the reception were very friendly, and they even offered Chinese-language assistance.
3. How does the stem cell treatment process at CBJ First Dermatology in Cheongdam work? From preparation to injection, what is the whole process?
During my consultation, the director explained the entire treatment process in detail. They use a combination of PRP (autologous platelet-rich plasma) and stem cell factors for the injections, which is different from the standard microneedling approach. The process consists of several steps:
- Blood drawing + centrifugation: This is done in the clinic and takes about 15–20 minutes to obtain PRP.
- Mixed stem cell factor solution: They use their own domestically cultured stem cell factor solution, not a commercially available product.
- Facial cleansing + anesthesia: The standard procedure involves applying anesthesia and waiting for about 30 minutes.
- Injection: The treatment is performed by the clinic director or a senior physician. The solution is evenly injected across the entire face, and the process takes approximately 20 minutes.
- Post-treatment care mask: After the injection, a soothing care mask is applied to help with absorption.
The clinic director emphasized that they do not use those commercially available “XX stem cell ampoules” but instead prepare their own factor solution in their in-house laboratory. He showed me photos of the laboratory, which is equipped with professional equipment, including laminar flow benches and specialized centrifuges.
IV. Impression from the consultation: What did the clinic director say that impressed me?
The consultation lasted around 25 minutes. The director didn’t start selling products right away. Instead, he carefully examined my skin condition and asked about my recent skincare habits and sleep patterns. Then he said, “The dullness of your skin is mainly due to slower metabolism, so traditional whitening treatments won’t be very effective. Stem cell therapy would be more suitable in your case.”
This answer reassured me because he didn’t immediately suggest that I needed to try multiple treatments. He explained that a typical course consists of 3 sessions spaced 4 weeks apart, and the effects become noticeable after the second session—it’s not something that produces immediate results after just one treatment.
V. What’s like at Cheongtan First Dermatology? Let me show you the waiting area and the treatment room with pictures and descriptions.
The overall decor of the clinic has a medical atmosphere, being clean and tidy rather than overly designed in a trendy style. There are comfortable sofas in the waiting area, and staff will offer you water or tea while you wait.
The nursing rooms are private and offer good confidentiality. The stem cell culture area is in another section; I saw that it was equipped with centrifuges, laminar flow hoods, and several incubators. Staff wore sterile gloves and masks throughout the process, giving the place a very professional vibe.
They provide Chinese translation services, so it’s no problem for those who don’t understand Korean to communicate. You can contact them via LINE before making an appointment and tell them what treatment you want; they will arrange a consultation time for you.
VI. Basic Information & Appointment Process for Cheongtan First Dermatology Clinic
| Treatment Services | Details |
|---|---|
| 📍 Clinic Name | CBJ First Dermatology Clinic |
| 📌 Address | Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul |
| 🚇 Transportation | Metro Line 7, Apgujeong Rodeo Station; about 7–8 minutes on foot |
| 🕐 Hours of Operation | Monday–Friday: 10:00–19:00, Saturday: 10:00–17:00, Sunday: Closed |
| 🚗 Parking | There are paid parking lots nearby; it is recommended to use public transportation |
| 💬 How to Make an Appointment | LINE consultation / Gmail email / One-click reservation via BeautsGO |
How to Make an Appointment at Cheongtan First Dermatology – LINE / Gmail / BeautsGO
For first-time visitors to CBJ First in Cheongtan, we recommend starting with a LINE consultation. Describe your skin condition and the treatments you would like to receive, and they will help you schedule a suitable appointment. If you prefer written communication, you can also make an appointment via Gmail by listing all your details in one message; responses usually take within one working day. BeautsGO is ideal for those who want to compare quotes from multiple clinics before making a decision; the platform provides information on various dermatology clinics in Cheongtan for easy comparison.