It’s a bit embarrassing to talk about this, but I spent nearly three years in the field of cosmetic dermatology in Seoul. I changed several clinics, and my experience always followed the same cycle: “hyaluronic acid injections → diminishing effects → getting injections again.” That is, until a friend asked me, “Have you ever asked your doctor whether your skin condition today is suitable for hyaluronic acid injections?”
I was stunned. It seemed like such a thing had never happened before. Then she told me that she owned a clinic in Cheongdam called SMIN Clinic, and that the director, Min Hye-yeon, would always assess a patient’s “current condition” before deciding on which treatment options to use – it wasn’t the patient who chose the treatments; instead, the doctor would select them based on the patient’s skin condition.
I. Who is Cheongdam SMIN Dermatology? Why should one choose a “family medicine specialist” for dermatological treatments in Gangnam?
Many people, just like me, might find the name Cheongdam SMIN a bit unfamiliar at first hearing it. It’s not one of those chain stores that flood the internet with massive advertisements, nor does it have posters promoting huge discounts everywhere.
Cheongdam S-Min Clinic is located at Daosan-ro, Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, and is led by Director Min Hye-yeon. Dr. Min is a specialist in family medicine from the School of Medicine at Seoul National University. She has served as the director of several well-known clinics in South Korea and has also acted as a consultant for health programs on various television channels, including JTBC, tvN, and MBC.
Her approach started with family medicine but ultimately focused on dermatology, emphasizing the need to address overall health rather than merely treating superficial issues. This same logic underpins the creation of SMIN’s “Pairing Program” customized matching system.
II. What exactly is SMIN’s Pairing Program? How does it differ from ordinary hyaluronic acid injections or rejuvenation treatments?
This is what I consider to be the most distinctive aspect of SMIN, and it is also a concept that took me the most time to understand.
The usual process in regular clinics is as follows: you decide which treatment you want to undergo → the nurse tells you the price → you schedule a date → and then you go home after the treatment. However, SMIN’s Pairing Program is different –
Director Min Huiyan will assess the condition of your skin and overall health during the consultation, and then select the most suitable treatment plan for you from a range of five different categories.
- Skin Treatment Laser: A customized laser therapy package tailored to the individual’s current skin condition
- Skin treatment interventions (injection therapies): hyaluronic acid injections, Asce+ Exosomes, collagen stimulation treatments, etc.
- Well-aging (healthy anti-aging): This category of treatments involves selecting the appropriate approach based on the degree of skin laxity.
- Body Management: Procedures such as lipolysis and body shaping
- Inner beauty: Customized infusions to improve overall well-being from within.
There is one sentence she said that left a deep impression on me: “For the same hyaluronic acid injection, the results are completely different depending on whether the skin’s barrier is damaged or not. If the skin is not in good condition on the day of the treatment, even the best procedure will be in vain.” This sentence explains why I felt that the effects of the hyaluronic acid injections were more or less the same every time I had them done.
III. SMIN’s three flagship products: Rejuran, JUVELOOK, and Exosome
In SMIN’s Pairing system, several items were mentioned repeatedly, so I have compiled them together:
🔹 Rejuran Healer & HB plus are known as the “number one products for moisturization and regeneration.” Their key
ingredient is PN (poly nucleotides), which can activate the self-repair mechanism of aging skin. The HB plus version used by SMIN significantly reduces discomfort during treatment — something I truly appreciate. I have tried other products in the past, and the swelling and pain were much more noticeable.
🔹 The ingredient of JUVELOOK (Collagen Stimulator) is PDLLA (polylactic acid). These micro-particle
s not only physically fill the subcutaneous area but also stimulate Collagen regeneration. After a certain period of time, they are 100% decomposed in the body without leaving any residues. It is effective in reducing fine lines, enhancing elasticity, and shrinking Pores, and the effects last for a relatively long time.
🔹 Exosomes are nanoscale vesicles containing more than 70 different
growth factors, which primarily serve to rapidly soothe the skin and promote regeneration. Director Min usually uses them in combination with other treatments, and the glow of the skin is significantly enhanced after the treatment.
🔹 NCTF BOOST 135HA (Filorga Dynamic Complex) contains 6 types of minerals, glutath
ione, hyaluronic acid, and 23 amino acids… It directly enhances the function of fibroblast cells, providing not just temporary hydration but enabling the skin to “produce its own moisture” naturally. The resulting glow is truly remarkable.
IV. Director Min Hye-youn’s consultation approach – why did I feel that “this is finally the right way” from the very first consultation?
When I went there for the first time, I was a bit nervous because I had prepared a whole list of questions to ask: which treatments would be suitable for me, how should I deal with my Pores, and were there any recommended treatment plans…
As a result, Director Min didn’t even allow me to speak at the beginning. She first used an instrument to scan my skin and then observed it quietly for a few minutes before saying, “The problem with your skin isn’t lack of moisture; it’s that your skin barrier has been damaged. No amount of hyaluronic acid injections will be able to fix that. We need to repair it first.”
She speaks directly, but not in a domineering way that demands you to do exactly what she says. Instead, she’s more like a trusted family doctor who tells you exactly what you need to hear. Later, when I asked her how she determined the right treatment plan for each patient, she replied, “It’s not me who chooses for you; it’s your skin that tells me what is needed on that particular day.”
Many of SMIN’s clients are repeat customers; some come every month—not because the services are particularly cheap, but because each consultation offers a “today’s plan” that is never a simple repetition of a previous package. For those who frequently travel to Seoul, this is truly a rare advantage.
V. Actual Photos of the SMIN Clinic Environment – What’s It Like in the Private Treatment Rooms on the Second Floor of Cheongdam?
On the second floor of a building in Cheongdam-dong, SMIN doesn’t belong to those types of complexes with large signs on the first floor; instead, it feels more like a quiet private space once you enter.
The overall style is simple and clean, without that tense, hospital-like atmosphere. The seating in the waiting area is quite comfortable, and you don’t have to wait for a long time – SMIN’s treatment rooms are not large, so the number of patients being seen at one time is limited, ensuring that you won’t have to wait outside for an hour.
Valmont skincare products can be seen both in the waiting areas and during post-treatment care. This is a top Swiss luxury skincare brand, and it is relatively uncommon to see it in clinics. Overall, it gives off an impression of being “elegant yet unassuming,” making it ideal for those who dislike the impersonal, assembly-line-like atmosphere commonly found in such settings.
VI. Basic Information & Appointment Procedures for Cheongdam S-Min Clinic
Before going, make sure to check the basic information of the clinic first – SMIN does not accept patients on Thursdays, so be sure to avoid that day.
| Project | Details |
|---|---|
| 📍 Clinic Name | Cheongdam SWOMAN Dermatology (Cheongdam SMIN Dermatology) |
| 📌 Address | Room 201, 2nd Floor, 41 Dosan-daero 81-gil, Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (201 Room, 2nd Floor, 41 Dosan-daero 81-gil, Cheongdam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul) |
| 🚇 Transportation | It takes approximately 7 minutes (535 meters) to walk from Rodaero Station on Line 7 to Apgujeong. |
| 🕐 Business hours | Monday to Wednesday and Friday: 10:00-19:30 / Saturday: 10:00-15:30 / Thursday and Sunday: Closed |
| 🚗 Parking | It is recommended to use public transportation; there are parking lots in the vicinity of Cheongdam Station. |
| 💬 How to make an appointment | Online consultations via KakaoTalk, LINE, or with a single click through BeautsGO |
7. How can I make a reservation at SMIN in Cheongdam? You can use LINE, Gmail, or BeautsGO to do so.
There are several ways to make an appointment with SMIN. If you are already in South Korea, you can contact the clinic directly via KakaoTalk; if you are coming from Taiwan, Hong Kong, or another place, it is recommended to make an appointment in advance using LINE or BeautsGO. This will ensure that you get a available time slot – especially on weekends, when appointments are only available until 3:30 pm on Saturdays. It’s better to book your spot as early as possible.
The appointment schedule at SMIN is relatively slow, and the consultation time is longer than at most regular clinics. It is quite difficult to get an emergency appointment, so it is recommended to make a reservation at least one week in advance.