A first dermatology appointment in Korea is usually quick. Preparing a few things beforehand helps you get a clear answer, especially if you do not speak Korean. This is a checklist for before, during and after the visit.
Before you go
- Bring ID. Clinics usually need your passport or alien registration card to register you.
- Write down your medical background: allergies, medicines you take (with generic names), past skin reactions, pregnancy, and conditions such as diabetes or a tendency to scar. Take photos of product labels.
- Save the clinic’s Korean name and address as text, so you can show it to a taxi driver or use it in a map app. You can find them on the clinic map.
- Prepare a short note in English describing the problem, since when it started, what you have tried and what you want.
- Plan to use a translation app, and ask in advance whether the clinic has English-speaking staff or an interpreter for the consultation.
At the clinic
- Registration. You fill in a form, often in Korean, with name, contact details and symptoms. Ask staff to help, or use a translation app to fill it in accurately. Do not sign a consent form you cannot read.
- Consultation. Ask the doctor to explain the diagnosis or plan. Confirm which doctor will treat you.
- Estimate. Before any non-covered treatment, ask for the itemised price in writing, with VAT stated. See how to read the bill.
- Treatment. Ask what you will feel, how long it takes and what to avoid afterwards.
- Payment. Ask for the receipt (진료비 영수증) and the itemised statement.
Phrases worth having ready
| English | Korean | Romanised |
|---|---|---|
| I have an appointment. | 예약했어요. | yeyak haesseoyo |
| Do you speak English? | 영어 가능하세요? | yeongeo ganeunghaseyo |
| I am allergic to this. | 저는 이거에 알레르기가 있어요. | jeoneun igeoe allereugiga isseoyo |
| How much is it? | 얼마예요? | eolmayeyo |
| Is VAT included? | 부가세 포함인가요? | bugase pohamingayo |
| Please give me a receipt. | 영수증 주세요. | yeongsujeung juseyo |
| Where is the pharmacy? | 약국이 어디예요? | yakgugi eodiyeyo |
Afterwards
- Photograph the area the same day and again over the next few days.
- Follow the aftercare instructions, and ask for them in writing or in English.
- Know how to reach the clinic and what counts as a reason to call. Redness, swelling, pain or discharge that worsens needs prompt attention.
- Keep your documents in one folder: estimate, receipt, consent form, prescription and photos.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to bring cash?
Most clinics accept cards, but ask when booking, particularly for foreign cards.
Can I take photos in the clinic?
Ask first. Many clinics take before-and-after photos for the record, and you can ask for a copy.
What if I do not understand the consent form?
Do not sign it until someone has explained it. Use a translation app and ask the doctor to confirm the main points.
General information, not medical advice. See the About page for our sources and corrections policy.
General information, not medical advice. Ask a licensed doctor about your own situation. Details such as prices and rules change, so confirm with the clinic.