My South Korea Beauty Clinic Experience

I squeezed in Ultherapy, Thermage, and Rejuran HB+ during a 12-hour layover in Seoul. Total cost: $2,500. Ultherapy lifted and tightened (painful, 8/10), Thermage smoothed and tightened with a cool sensation, and Rejuran HB+ was the most intense but delivers subtle skin healing benefits. Would I do it again? Absolutely — just not for the faint of heart.

✨ Travel & Setup

In March 2025, I was traveling in Asia and intentionally scheduled a 12-hour layover in Seoul for one reason: beauty treatments. South Korea is legendary for being ahead of the curve in aesthetics — and much more affordable than the U.S.

After weeks of research, I booked with Klean Clinic in Jung-gu, Seoul. The staff and I coordinated through Instagram, where I asked about Ultherapy and Rejuran. They sent me prices, the doctor’s bio, and step-by-step directions from the airport. When my doctor changed last-minute, they provided the new name but never sent the bio as requested — not a dealbreaker, but worth noting.

My flight landed at 6:30 AM, and my appointment wasn’t until 11:00, so I had time. Getting through customs on a layover was more complicated than expected — budget extra time. I’d planned to take the $15 bus into Seoul but was too tired, so I splurged on a $45 cab. The ride into the city took about an hour.

When I arrived, the clinic was chic, modern, and spotless — the kind of place that immediately feels safe.

✨ Consultation & Treatment Planning

The consultation lasted about 30 minutes. They reviewed my skin concerns and made recommendations: 600 shots of Ultherapy and Thermage, and six CCs of Rejuran. I negotiated down for budget reasons: 300 shots of each and five CCs of Rejuran (the clinic only had five CCs left, so that worked out).

The consultation included some upselling, which is normal — but it was helpful to understand the suggested “full” plan versus what I actually needed.

✨ Ultherapy

I’ve had Ultherapy on my face and jaw in the U.S. in 2022 for $2,500. At Klean Clinic, 300 shots of Ultherapy and 300 shots of Thermage were bundled for $1,422, which was a huge difference.

Ultherapy uses micro-focused ultrasound waves to target the SMAS layer beneath the skin — the same layer surgeons address in a facelift. The energy creates tiny zones of controlled heat, triggering your body’s healing response. Over 2–6 months, new collagen and elastin are produced, resulting in tightening and lifting.

The treatment was painful — I’d give it an 8/10 — but the doctor was skilled and communicated well in English. He mentioned that only about 5% of clients are from the U.S., with most from China and Russia. He also said that 200 shots would have sufficed; 300 was plenty.

✨ Thermage

Next came Thermage FLX, which delivers monopolar radiofrequency energy deep into the skin. This heats the dermis and underlying tissue, causing collagen contraction and stimulating new collagen over 3–6 months.

Compared to Ultherapy, Thermage was slightly less painful and had a cool, icy sensation for most of the treatment. At one point, the doctor turned the device up after seeing how well I was tolerating it.

Quick comparison:

• Thermage (Radiofrequency): heats skin broadly, improves texture & tightness.

• Ultherapy (Ultrasound): targets deeper layers, best for lifting & structural support.

✨ Rejuran HB+

Finally, it was time for Rejuran HB+ — which is often called “skin healer injections.” The main ingredient is polynucleotides (PNs), DNA fragments usually derived from salmon. They’re highly biocompatible with human skin and help repair tissue, boost collagen, and calm inflammation. The HB+ version adds hyaluronic acid for hydration, glutathione for brightening, and (thankfully) lidocaine.

Even with numbing cream, butt injections of pain meds, and lidocaine in the formula… it was brutal. This was by far the most painful procedure I’ve ever had. A second nurse literally held my face down while the doctor injected 5cc total (1cc under each eye, 3cc across my face). Do not do this as your first-ever treatment. I’ll probably do it again, but I’ll dread it for weeks beforehand.

Results so far? Subtle but noticeable — my skin feels a little tighter, smoother, and more refreshed. It’s not FDA-approved in the U.S., but that’s mostly due to the lack of American clinical trials, not because it’s unsafe.

Aftercare & Downtime

Here’s the part everyone seems to agree on: Rejuran is both painful and leaves you looking rough right after. Immediately after my injections, my face was swollen, covered in bumps, and honestly, frog-like. The reaction was so dramatic that when I wandered around Seoul afterward, a few women stopped me to ask if it hurt as much as they’d heard — because that’s the reputation Rejuran has.

The swelling was at its worst in the first 24 hours, then shifted into bruising. And not just a little bruising — I was badly bruised for about five days, with the kind of purple and yellow marks that no concealer could have hidden (not that I could wear makeup anyway — it’s off-limits for five days post-treatment).

If you’re considering Rejuran:

• Expect about a week of downtime.

• The frog-face stage is real and very noticeable.

• Plan your schedule so you don’t have to show up to work or events like that.

• Ice helps a bit, but bruising is unavoidable.

• Be ready to go makeup-free for five days.

The upside: by the end of the week, my skin looked calmer, smoother, and brighter. But make no mistake — the first few days are not pretty.

✨ Cost & Summary Table

TreatmentShots/CCPrice (Korea)Notes / Pain LevelUltherapy + Thermage FLX300 each$1,422 bundledUltherapy painful, 8/10; Thermage icy sensation; both lift & tighten, smooth textureRejuran HB+5cc$1,078 total ($215.60 per CC)Most painful; skin healing & subtle tightening

Total spent in Seoul: $2,500 (for Ultherapy + Thermage + Rejuran)