Two extremely popular Dermatology clinics in Gangnam – Betterme vs Peishu. Here’s how I would choose between HIFU and Thermage!

After spending two months conducting research in Gangnam, I finally managed to visit the two most popular Dermatology clinics in the area: Betterme Gangnam and Pêche. These two clinics have been the ones people ask about the most in the past year. In this article, I will neither exaggerate nor criticize; instead, I will simply share all the experiences I had and the details I observed. Those considering undergoing HIFU or Thermage treatments should find this information quite helpful.

Why did I begin to seriously study the Gangnam HIFU?

Some of my friends have been going to South Korea non-stop in the past year for medical beauty treatments. It’s not just about getting Botox injections; they actually fly there specifically for HIFU and Thermage procedures. They say the results are great, but when I checked the prices in Taiwan and Hong Kong, I was shocked: for the same treatments, the costs in South Korea are approximately 30% to 50% lower.

Here comes the question: With so many Dermatology clinics in Gangnam, which one can be trusted? As a layperson, I have no idea what the differences are between HIFU, Thermage, and HIFU, let alone which one is more suitable for me.

So I decided to go to Gangnam in person to study the relevant materials, understand the principles first, and then seek advice from professional institutions.

Two extremely popular clinics in Gangnam: Betterme Gangnam vs Pêche – Basic introductions

Betterme Gangnam Dermatology is located on the 11th floor of 403 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-dong, just about a five-minute walk from Gangnam Station. The clinic features a new and spacious interior, creating a clean and bright Korean-style consulting atmosphere.

The institution promotes the skin care concept of “naturalness without excess.” The staff are very professional and welcoming; even during your first visit, you won’t be subjected to aggressive sales pitches. The main treatment options include:

• HIFU Lifting (FDA-certified genuine product)
• Thermage FLX 600 treatments
• Inmode Lifting Procedure
• Pico laser whitening
• Botulinum toxin and Filler injections

Pêche Clinic Gangnam is located on the 3rd floor of 364 Gangnam-daero, just a three-minute walk from Yeoksam Station. In French, “Pêche” means “peach”. The interior design of the clinic emphasizes texture and features an Open rhinoplasty layout, making it easy to distinguish between the consultation and treatment areas.

Pei Shu’s core philosophy is “trust” – transparent pricing, precise treatment, and no exaggerated marketing. The director, Antain, specializes in anti-aging treatments and is particularly renowned for the combined HIFU and Thermage therapy programs. The clinic is open until 9 p.m., making it very convenient for working professionals who can only come after work.

• HIFU
• Thermage FLX
• HIFU + Thermage combined anti-aging treatment (1200 sessions): ₩3,300,000
• Hydrofiller injections, Rejuran
• Filler injection

What exactly is the difference between HIFU and Thermage? Understand the principles in this article.

While doing my homework, I realized that many people (including me at first) didn’t really understand the difference between HIFU and Thermage. Both claim to have a tightening and lifting effect, but their mechanisms are completely different.

HIFU (Ulthera / HIFU):

• Principle: High-intensity focused ultrasound waves
• Depth of action: It can reach the fascia layer (SMAS) at a maximum depth of approximately 4.5 mm.
• Main effects: Deeply lifts the contours and reduces sagging.
• Pain: Relatively noticeable; anesthesia is required.
• Duration: approximately 1-2 years

The advantage of HIFU lies in its ability to penetrate deeply – the energy can reach the fascia layer directly, much like tightening a loose eraser again. It is ideal for those whose facial contours have begun to sag and who desire a noticeable lifting effect.

Thermage FLX:

• Principle: Monopolar radiofrequency energy (RF)
• Depth of action: dermis, approximately 2-3 mm
• Main effects: Tighten the skin, reduce fine lines, and increase elasticity.
• Pain level: Relatively mild; sedative anesthesia is sufficient.
• Duration: approximately 1-2 years

The advantage of Thermage lies in its ability to act comprehensively – the radiofrequency energy affects both the epidermis and dermis, stimulating the production of new Collagen. It is ideal for those who wish to improve skin elasticity and increase its moisture content.

Can both of these be done together?

The answer is yes, but a certain interval of time is required. Many Dermatology departments in South Korea offer a “HIFU + Thermage combined treatment” – first using HIFU for deep lifting, followed by Thermage to tighten the skin surface, resulting in better overall effects. Peishu’s HIFU + Thermage combined treatment follows exactly this approach.

Experience Report on the Thermage Treatment Using HIFU from Betterme Gangnam

I have made an appointment for a consultation regarding HIFU and Thermage at Betterme Gangnam. The entire process is roughly as follows:

• Upon arrival at the clinic, the receptionist will first verify the reservation details and then arrange for you to wait in the waiting area.
• Removal and cleansing of makeup: The therapist took me to a separate cleansing area and helped me remove all my makeup thoroughly.
• VISIA skin analysis: I was really surprised by this part. The device is able to detect the condition of the skin under ultraviolet light, including the distribution of melanin and blood vessel dilation.
• Doctor’s advice: After reviewing my test results, the hospital director recommended that I undergo 400 sessions of HIFU and 300 sessions of Thermage to specifically address my sagging issues.
• Applying the anesthetic: Wait for about 30 minutes until the anesthetic takes effect.
• Start of the treatment: First, undergo the HIFU procedure. During this process, you will feel the ultrasonic energy being targeted at specific areas of your face, causing a slight stinging or heating sensation, but it remains within an acceptable range.
• Thermage: When using the Thermage probe, the thermal sensation is significantly stronger than that of HIFU, but it is not as “stinging” or uncomfortable.
• Postoperative sedation: I applied a moisturizing facial mask for about 15 minutes.

The entire treatment took approximately 2 hours. Immediately after the procedure, my face turned slightly red, but this subsided by the next day. A week later, I began to notice that my skin felt tighter, and after one month, the results were more noticeable – the contours of my jawline had become smoother than before.

Comprehensive Analysis of the Pêche HIFU + Thermage Combined Treatment

Pei Shu’s combined treatment plan was the focus of my particular attention this time. The clinic offers a comprehensive treatment package that combines HIFU with Thermage, involving a total of 1,200 HIFU sessions and 600 Thermage sessions, allowing patients to receive both treatments in one go.

The logical basis behind the design of this treatment program is as follows:

• HIFU: It targets the fascia layer to perform deep lifting, pulling the sagging contours upward.
• Thermage: Used after ultrasonic treatments; it targets the dermis to tighten the skin and increase its elasticity.

The advantage of combining the two methods is that they work both internally and externally – the HIFU exerts pressure from within, while Thermage applies tension from the outside, resulting in better outcomes than using either method alone.

The prices at Peishu are open and transparent. The combined treatment using ultrasound and Thermage costs ₩3,300,000, so there is no such thing as “different prices for different people.” For foreign tourists, this is particularly important, as it means they don’t have to worry about being overcharged.

How to choose between these two institutions? Here’s my suggestion.

Based on this research and experience, my recommendation is as follows:

Comparison items	Betterme Gangnam	Pêche
Location	Gangnam Station, in 5 minutes	It takes only 3 minutes to reach Yeoksam Station.
Style	Bright Korean style	The texture is open and porous.
Translation services	Yes, it is user-friendly in Chinese.	Yes.
Transparent pricing	Generally speaking	Clearly state the prices
Suitable for	Looking to diversify treatment options	You want an anti-aging comprehensive treatment program.
Opening hours	Monday to Friday, 21:00	Worry-free all year long, 21:00

If you meet the following criteria, Betterme Gangnam is suitable for you:

• This is my first time going to South Korea for cosmetic procedures, and I would like Chinese-speaking staff to accompany me throughout the entire process.
• I’m not sure what to do yet; I would like to hear the suggestions of several different parties before making a decision.
• At the same time, I would like to undergo various treatments such as laser therapy and whitening procedures.

If you meet the following criteria, then Shu is suitable for you:

• I have already decided to opt for the ultrasonic + Thermage combined treatment.
• I value transparency in pricing and don’t want to be subjected to aggressive sales tactics.
• I prefer open spaces and dislike overly enclosed environments.

How to make an appointment

If you want to undergo HIFU treatment at Betterme Gangnam or Peishu in Gangnam, you can easily make an appointment through BeautsGO. BeautsGO offers a Traditional Chinese interface, allowing you to view real reviews of these clinics and the latest prices for various treatments. In addition, its customer service team is available to assist you with the reservation process one-on-one. For foreigners visiting South Korea for medical aesthetics treatments for the first time, using BeautsGO is indeed a great convenience.