Pico laser for pigmentation at a Sinsa clinic — 3 sessions
Consultation was in English via a staff translator. Doctor spent about 5 minutes with me, the rest was with a coordinator. Results after 3 sessions: sun spots noticeably lighter, melasma only slightly better. No pressure to upsell, which I appreciated.
Recovery-friendly things to do in Gangnam (no sun, no sweating)
Between treatments I mostly stayed indoors: COEX Starfield Library, cafés in Sinsa, and an evening walk along the Han River after sunset. I skipped the jjimjilbang until the clinic said it was OK.
Clinic areas in Gangnam: Sinsa, Apgujeong, Cheongdam & Gangnam Station
Most skin and plastic surgery clinics foreigners visit are in a few neighbourhoods north and centre of Gangnam-gu. • Sinsa & Apgujeong (top-left of the map) — the densest clinic area, between Sinsa Station and Apgujeong Station (Line 3). Garosu-gil shopping street is in the middle. • Cheongdam — next to Apgujeong; quieter, more premium shops and clinics. • Gangnam Station / Nonhyeon / Yeoksam — busy commercial area further south with many dermatology clinics. ✏️ Founder: add what each area felt like to you, and walking times between them. 💬 Add a tip below: which area did you stay or get treated in, and how easy was it to get around?
Getting to Gangnam and around: airport, subway, taxis
Gangnam is south of the Han River (dark red on the map). From Incheon Airport: • Airport limousine bus — direct to many Gangnam hotels and stations. • Train + subway — AREX to Seoul Station, then subway. • Taxi — easiest with luggage, most expensive. Getting around: • Subway: Line 3 (Sinsa, Apgujeong), Line 2 (Gangnam), Line 7 (Cheongdam), Shinbundang Line (Sinsa, Gangnam). • Pay with a T-money card (buy at convenience stores) or a travel card. • Taxis: the Kakao T app lets you enter the address in Korean. ⚠️ To verify: current airport bus routes and fares. ✏️ Founder: your own route and what it cost. 💬 Add a tip below: how did you get from the airport, and how much did it cost?
Food during recovery: soft food, delivery, cafés
After some treatments you may want soft, mild food and less salt (ask your clinic). Easy options: • Juk (rice porridge) shops — common all over Seoul. • Soups, tofu dishes, convenience-store meals. • Food delivery apps (some work with foreign cards — check before you go). ⚠️ To verify: which delivery apps currently accept foreign cards. ✏️ Founder: your favourite places near Sinsa / Apgujeong. 💬 Add a tip below: what did you eat while recovering, and where?