When it comes to anti-aging, many people’s fear is never whether to do it — but being pushed through an assembly line, stacking procedures with no visible results, being over-sold, or ending up with an unnaturally stiff face. With so many options like Ultherapy, Thermage, ONDA, and thread lifting, clinics that you can truly trust with your face are actually few.
Near Exit 10 of Gangnam Station in Seocho-gu, Seoul, there is a clinic that is so “pure” it barely does any marketing. Rappoel Dermatology (라포엘의원) is not a general hospital that does everything; it is a specialty clinic with only one director who personally handles everything from consultation to treatment — offering Ultherapy, ONDA fat melting and tightening, Thermage, thread lifting, and hyaluronic acid fillers.
The core logic of anti-aging treatments can be broken down into two actions: “lifting” and “tightening.” Facial aging typically manifests as two issues — sagging and drooping (blurred jawline, downward shift of the apple cheeks) and fat accumulation (double chin, chubby cheeks). A single treatment often addresses only one of these, while Rappoel’s anti-aging approach combines “lift + tighten.”
Ultherapy uses high-intensity focused ultrasound to target the SMAS layer, stimulating collagen regeneration for deep, internal lifting and tightening. It is ideal for those with facial sagging, drooping, and a blurred jawline.
ONDA laser uses a proprietary essential oil and RF technology to gently dissolve excess fat while simultaneously tightening the skin. It is suitable for those with facial fat accumulation, a double chin, or prominent cheek fullness.
The combination logic is very clear — Ultherapy handles the “lift” to address sagging, while ONDA handles the “tighten” to improve fat accumulation. Director Lee Joo-hyung himself undergoes this combination 1–2 times a year and has publicly shared his own experience.
Beyond Ultherapy and ONDA, Rappoel also offers Thermage, thread lifting, and hyaluronic acid fillers for anti-aging and contour management. Thermage uses RF energy to heat the deep skin layers, promoting collagen contraction and regeneration for improved laxity and fine lines, while thread lifting provides an immediate lift through absorbable threads.
Anti-aging treatments are not a simple do-it-and-leave service — energy levels, depth, and dosage all directly affect outcomes and safety. When choosing a clinic, we recommend considering these three dimensions:
In many Korean dermatology clinics, anti-aging treatments are performed by assistants or nurses. But at Rappoel, Director Lee Joo-hyung is the only doctor, personally handling everything from consultation and injections to Ultherapy and ONDA. This means every energy setting, depth judgment, and dosage adjustment comes from a specialist with 18 years of experience.
“Restraint” is Rappoel’s most distinctive tag in Korea’s medical aesthetics scene. One visitor shared that they initially wanted to do many procedures, but the director stopped them — “Instead of doing everything, let’s first improve your skin’s underlying texture.” Another guest wanted shoulder fillers, and after evaluating their physique, the director said, “6cc is enough, no need for more.” This refusal to push unnecessary treatments just to sell more products is rare in the industry.
One visitor shared that at Rappoel, they first underwent a PF skin analysis, and the director spent nearly 30 minutes reviewing the report, noting “your left side is looser than the right, so the energy needs to be adjusted.” During the procedure, he watched closely and asked “is it too hot?” if they frowned even slightly. This data-driven personalized approach is far more trustworthy than any “one-size-fits-all” routine.
Summary of selection logic: The success of anti-aging treatments is 50% the device and 50% the operator. A director with 18 years of experience who personally performs procedures and does not push unnecessary treatments is far more important than any “latest device.”
Rappoel Dermatology is located at 5F, 24 Seocho-daero 77-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul. Near Exit 10 of Gangnam Station, it is easily accessible.
The clinic’s positioning is very clear — a “pure” clinic with only one director, no assembly line, no assistant substitution. Rappoel specializes in anti-aging wrinkle treatment, skin aesthetics, and facial contouring, with advanced equipment including Ultherapy, Thermage, and ONDA laser.
In terms of service, Rappoel stands out with several impressive details:
Rappoel’s lead director is Dr. Lee Joo-hyung (이주형). His credentials are deep and focused in Korea’s dermatology and anti-aging field:
Many patients ask: “What sets Dr. Lee apart from an ordinary dermatologist?” – Dr. Lee not only has 18 years of specialist experience, but more importantly, his restraint. He never recommends unnecessary treatments just to sell more products; in fact, he will advise some patients against treatments that are not suitable for them. One Korean client commented that after many visits to Rappoel, the feeling that comes to mind is “reliable.”
In anti-aging treatments, Dr. Lee customizes energy parameters based on each individual’s facial condition – higher energy for a looser left side, lower for a tighter right side. He watches the patient’s reactions closely throughout the procedure, adjusting as needed. This “one person, one plan” precision is Rappoel’s core strength.
Rappoel maintains open and transparent pricing with equal rates and promotions for both local and international clients. Below are market reference price ranges (excluding 10% VAT, exchange rates for reference):
| Treatment | Price (KRW) |
|---|---|
| Ultherapy 300 shots | From 1,250,000 |
| Ultherapy 400 shots | From 1,800,000 |
| Ultherapy 600 shots | From 2,400,000 |
| Thread lifting | From 1,030,000 |
| Ultrasound lifting | From 3,030,000 |
| Hyaluronic acid filler | From 1,500,000 |
| Juvederm Volbella 1cc + philtrum shortening + mouth corner toxin | 490,000 |
* Prices are market reference ranges, excluding 10% VAT. Final costs depend on the consultation plan provided by the clinic. Rappoel accepts Alipay and offers tax refunds.
Rappoel Dermatology is located at 5F, 24 Seocho-daero 77-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul. In the heart of Gangnam’s commercial district, it is easily accessible:
The clinic operates on an appointment-only basis. We recommend scheduling a consultation in advance. Chinese services are available from online consultation to post-treatment follow-up.
Q: How is Rappoel different from an ordinary dermatology clinic?
A: Rappoel is a “pure” clinic with only one director, Lee Joo-hyung — no assembly line, no assistant substitution, with the director personally handling everything from consultation to treatment. The clinic is known for its “restraint” and “reliability” in Korea’s medical aesthetics scene, with no hard selling or over-recommendation of procedures.
Q: What are Director Lee Joo-hyung’s qualifications?
A: Director Lee Joo-hyung has 18 years of experience as a board-certified specialist. He graduated from Inha University College of Medicine and completed his specialist training at Inha University Hospital. He has served as director at Erne Plastic Surgery, Abijou Gangnam Main Branch, Barbie Plastic Surgery, and Nasser Hospital, and is an expert in Ultherapy, Thermage, ONDA lifting, and various lifting treatments.
Q: What is the specialty of Rappoel’s anti-aging treatments?
A: Rappoel specializes in a “Lift + Tighten” combination — Ultherapy for lifting and tightening (stimulating the SMAS layer) and ONDA for fat melting and skin tightening. Director Lee himself undergoes this combination 1–2 times a year.
Q: Does Rappoel offer Chinese language support? How can I book?
A: Rappoel provides Chinese services with thorough pre-treatment consultation. The clinic operates on an appointment-only basis. We recommend scheduling a consultation in advance through official channels or Chinese customer service.
Q: Is Rappoel’s pricing transparent?
A: Rappoel offers equal rates and promotions for both local and international clients, with open and transparent pricing and no hidden fees. Alipay is accepted, and tax refunds are available.
In anti-aging, what truly matters is not how many procedures you do, but whether you do the right things – whether the energy is precise, whether the depth is correct, and whether the dosage is appropriate. These details determine whether anti-aging adds to or subtracts from your natural beauty.
Under the leadership of Director Lee Joo-hyung, Rappoel Dermatology – a pure clinic on the 5th floor near Gangnam Station Exit 10 – brings 18 years of experience and a restrained, no-hard-selling attitude. If you are looking for a non-assembly-line, no-gimmick, no-nonsense anti-aging clinic, Rappoel might just be the answer worth exploring in Seoul’s Seocho-gu district.