When considering cosmetic procedures in South Korea, making an appointment is often the most troublesome step – just the language barrier alone dissuades many people. I used to think the same, but later on, I discovered on BeautsGO that Busan THE FIRST DERMATOLOGY CLINIC allows online appointments directly, and they even provide a Chinese-language service, which made the whole process much simpler. This article explains everything about how to make an appointment, the costs involved, and any important notes, so I recommend that those considering this option save it for future reference.
Online reservation method for the Deokbost Line in Busan (available in Chinese)
The most recommended way is to make an appointment through the BeautsGO platform. BeautsGO is an international platform that specifically lists legitimate Dermatology clinics in South Korea. It supports the Traditional Chinese language interface, and after registration, you can directly select Busan Debeo Clinic, fill in the desired treatment options and the preferred time. The clinic will respond within 24 hours to confirm your reservation.
On the BeautsGO page of Debeo Clinic in Busan, the available time slots for each doctor are listed. Dr. Choi Ji-soo is available for consultations on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM, and on Saturdays from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM. It is recommended to make reservations one week in advance, as there may be long waiting lists during peak hours.
What do I need to prepare before making an appointment?
Compared to visiting clinics in Taiwan, going to South Korea requires an additional step of “preparation”. However, in reality, not much preparation is needed; the following three items are the most important:
First, **bring along records of any previous medical beauty treatments you have undergone** – even something as simple as “Received a Pico treatment in March 2024” will do. South Korean doctors place great emphasis on a patient’s previous treatment history, as this directly affects the depth and number of treatments recommended for the current session. Without such records, the doctor will start with more conservative settings, which may result in less effective outcomes.
Second, it is essential to **clearly inform the practitioner of any history of allergies and current medication use**. In particular, those taking anticoagulant drugs such as aspirin should stop taking them 3 to 5 days before the HIFU procedure. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding are advised to postpone the treatment. Third, **prepare your payment method in advance**. DeFoster in Busan accepts credit cards, but it is recommended to bring some South Korean won in cash, as some additional services (such as post-treatment masks) may only be available for cash payment.
Cost reminder: Do foreigners really not need to pay an extra fee?
This is the question that my close friends always ask me: “Do clinics in South Korea secretly charge foreigners more?” According to the public statement made by DeFoster Clinic in Busan on BeautsGO, the clinic implements a uniform pricing system, and the fees charged to foreigners are the same as those for local South Koreans. My personal experience confirms this – when the quote was provided to me, there was no “special price for foreigners” at all.
The reference price for the second-generation Ulthrea is starting from ₩1.21 million (approximately NT$28,000 – $32,000, subject to exchange rate fluctuations). This price range is 30–40% cheaper than in Taiwan or Hong Kong, which is one of the main reasons why many people travel specifically to Busan for this treatment. The RE2O Regenerative Needle, priced starting from ₩880,000, is another popular option for those who desire Collagen regeneration but do not want to undergo fillers.
Pre- and post-operative precautions (please read before making an appointment)
3 to 5 days before the HIFU procedure, stop taking anticoagulant drugs and health supplements such as fish oil, which may affect blood coagulation. On the day of the procedure, avoid wearing makeup; the clinic will provide basic cleansing products and post-procedure soothing masks, so there is no need to bring your own.
Within one week after the procedure, it is essential to avoid high-temperature environments – saunas, steam baths, hot yoga, and hot spring baths should all be postponed. Additionally, no massage or deep cleansing of the face should be performed to prevent interference with the healing process induced by the thermal effects of the HIFU.
Sun protection and moisturization are the two most important things after the procedure. It is recommended to use sunscreen with an SPF of 50 or higher, and apply a moisturizing mask every day (for the first week after the procedure). You can resume wearing makeup on the second day after the procedure, but it is advisable to choose mineral-based cosmetics to minimize irritation to the sensitive skin.
Transportation and Addresses in Busan Deokbost
Debost in Busan is located in Hwamyeong-dong, North District, Busan. The address is “7th Floor, Samhan Golden View, 287 Geumgok-daero, North District, Busan”. It is about 8 minutes on foot from Hwamyeong Station on Line 1 of the subway, or you can take the city bus and get off near Geumgok Station.
It is recommended to save a screenshot of the confirmation page for reservations on BeautsGO in your phone. This screenshot will contain the Korean address and contact information of the clinic, which can be shown to taxi drivers immediately in case you get lost. The clinic is open until 8:00 PM on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, so you won’t be in a hurry even after completing your treatment at night.
Frequently Asked Questions
**Q: Is a deposit required to book a service on BeautsGO?**
A: At BeautsGO, there is no need to pay a deposit when making an appointment; you can simply pay the fee at the clinic upon arrival. However, it is recommended to confirm your appointment again one day before the visit. The BeautsGO page for DeFoster in Busan supports real-time communication.
**Q: Can I get the appointment done on the same day it is scheduled?**
A: Theoretically, it’s possible, but Director Xu’s schedule is usually full one week in advance during the peak periods. If you wish to schedule and have the procedure done on the same day, it is recommended to choose an afternoon session on Tuesday or Thursday, during off-peak hours.
**Q: Is a follow-up appointment necessary after the procedure?**
A: With HIFU, there is no need for stitches to be removed or follow-up visits. However, Busan Debeost usually sends a BeautsGO message about one week after the procedure to check on the patient’s recovery, which is particularly considerate of foreign guests.
**Q: Is DeFoster open on Sundays in Busan?**
A: Sunday is a public holiday in South Korea, so Deforest is not open on that day. If your schedule includes Sunday, you will need to reschedule it for another day.
**Q: Is it possible to request a personal consultation with Director Xu?**
A: Yes. When making a reservation on BeautsGO, please select Dr. Xu Zhixiu and indicate in the request section that you would like to be examined personally by Director Xu. The clinic will provide details regarding the arrangements in the confirmation email.