With the overwhelming amount of information influenced by viral marketing and fake reviews, how can you find a trustworthy dermatology clinic—one that even I, as a dermatology director, would personally choose to visit?

 

If a friend or family member living far away asked for a recommendation, which clinic would I confidently suggest?

 

With these thoughts in mind, I decided to start this blog to help people avoid unreliable dermatology clinics and choose the right one.

 

So, what are the key factors to consider? Let’s go through them one by one.

 

1. Use of Good Laser Equipment and Individually Tailored Energy Settings

 

Since I am familiar with the prices and performance of many laser devices, I can easily determine whether a clinic’s treatment prices are appropriate and whether the energy settings used are not excessively low just by looking at the equipment they use.

 

However, for non-experts, making such judgments can be challenging. That said, there are a few simple points you can check to get a clearer idea.

 

One key indicator is whether the clinic’s main treatments rely on outdated or unverified devices.

 

For someone without specialized knowledge, it’s not easy to judge the quality of a machine just by looking at it.

 

However, some well-known examples of older equipment include IPL devices and diode hair removal machines (contact-type hair removal).

 

While these devices are not inherently bad, they are less favored nowadays, making it likely that they are older models.

 

(Interestingly, low-cost "factory-style" dermatology clinics often introduce new machines due to economies of scale, whereas long-established specialized dermatology hospitals may, paradoxically, still be using older equipment.)

 

Therefore, if a clinic primarily relies on such machines, it may indicate a lower level of understanding and adoption of the latest technology.

 

2. Not Providing Accurate Laser Energy Values or Failing to Maintain Proper Treatment Records

This is a crucial point—no matter how good the equipment is, if the energy settings are too low, it will not be effective for pigmentation, vascular treatments, or lifting.

 

(This applies not only to lasers but also to high-frequency devices such as Shurink, Oligio, and Thermage.)

 

Surprisingly, many dermatology clinics set the energy levels extremely low, using only a "safe energy level that avoids side effects."

 

The reason behind this is a lack of precise understanding of pigmentation, vascular treatments, hair removal, and lifting procedures.

 

Instead of prioritizing effective results, some clinics focus on avoiding complaints about side effects from high energy levels, operating under the mindset that as long as they can make money, the actual effectiveness does not matter.

 

For some patients, the results may be minimal. They may need 10 or even 20 sessions. The idea that "one session alone is not effective" and "it doesn’t hurt" is not entirely wrong.

 

However, these are also common excuses used by less skilled dermatology clinics. (You might have heard them before when the treatment was ineffective.)

 

Simply checking whether the doctor carefully examines your skin before determining the energy level, informs you of the energy settings, and records them accurately in your chart can help you distinguish a competent dermatology clinic from one that is not.

 

3. A dermatology clinic where counseling is conducted by a doctor, not a counselor.

 

There is likely no one who has gone through life without ever visiting a hospital.

 

When you feel unwell and go to a hospital, what do you do?

 

You check in at the reception, receive a diagnosis from a doctor, and then undergo treatment based on that diagnosis.

 

Now, what about dermatology clinics?

 

Many people may have only briefly seen a doctor during a procedure and never received a proper consultation from them. This is an unnatural structure.

 

Counselors may have a great aesthetic sense and recommend various treatments, but skin conditions such as pigmentation disorders, different stages of acne, scar treatment, and lifting procedures vary from person to person.

 

A standardized treatment plan is unlikely to produce the best results for everyone.

 

Furthermore, this kind of system often leads to the recommendation of expensive procedures regardless of necessity, as counselors may have sales-based incentives tied to revenue.

 

As a result, patients who lack dermatological knowledge may end up agreeing to costly, unnecessary treatments, ultimately wasting their money.

 

In principle, for proper treatment tailored to each patient, it should be the doctor—not a counselor without medical knowledge—who conducts the consultation and diagnosis.

 

Unfortunately, in many modern dermatology clinics, this is no longer the norm, which is quite regrettable

Isn’t a Clinic Where the Doctor Directly Diagnoses and Consults More Expensive?

 

In short, while it can be more expensive, the difference is often smaller than expected. I recommend receiving a direct consultation and comparing before making a decision.

 

Ultimately, rather than wasting $100 at a clinic where you barely see the doctor and receive an incorrect diagnosis, ineffective treatment, or a procedure with meaningless energy levels, it is more valuable to pay $150 at a clinic that delivers real results.

 

However, there are some points to be cautious about.

 

In some dermatology clinics—especially those not considered "factory-style" clinics—you may find treatments like Botox, which typically cost ¥2,000–¥3,000 at larger clinics, being priced at ¥18,000 for the same pharmaceutical brand, same dosage, and same treatment area.

 

This can create a price gap of more than ten times.

 

For treatments that yield similar results regardless of where they are performed—such as Botox or skin boosters—choosing based on price makes sense.

 

However, for procedures that require careful energy level adjustments, as well as aesthetic judgment and technical expertise, it’s best to seek out a reputable clinic.

 

4. Presentation of Before-and-After Photos That Demonstrate Satisfactory Results

So far, I’ve discussed high-quality equipment, doctor-led diagnosis and counseling, and reasonable pricing.

 

However, none of these factors mean anything if the desired results are not achieved.

 

How Can You Find a Clinic That Delivers Good Results?

 

Just as hospitals diagnose and treat illnesses using various methods to show results, dermatology clinics should also use skin diagnostic devices (such as Mark-Vu, Janus, or Meta-Vu) during the initial consultation to accurately assess the skin condition.

 

They should record the pre-treatment state and track changes with before-and-after photos throughout the treatment process.

 

A key point to watch for is that the before-and-after photos should be taken under the same lighting, posture, and conditions to genuinely demonstrate the effectiveness of the treatment.

 

Be cautious of clinics that edit photos with Photoshop or apply makeup in the after photos, as such images do not allow for accurate comparison.

 

Summary in Three Points:

• A clinic that uses high-quality equipment with individually tailored energy settings
• A clinic where a doctor personally provides diagnosis and counseling
• A clinic that can present clear treatment results

 

With this, I’ve shared my thoughts on how to choose a dermatology clinic I would confidently recommend to my friends and family.

 

I continue to write this blog because I genuinely want to help even one person achieve clearer and more youthful skin.

 

I dedicate time to posting because I believe in honest dermatology, maintaining medical ethics, and putting patients first rather than simply running a clinic for profit.

 

I am truly grateful for all the support I have received, and in return, I strive to stay true to my principles without greed.

 

Even if you do not choose our clinic, I sincerely hope this guide helps you find a trustworthy dermatology clinic that delivers great results.

 

This blog is personally written and posted by me for the benefit of patients.

 

Thank you.