The secret of Korean clinic signs: 'board-certified' vs 'practice area'

Read a clinic's true nature from one line on its sign - a rule even Koreans miss.

Look closely at Korean clinic signs and you'll notice two kinds: names like 'Kim OO Dermatology Clinic', and names like 'Kim OO Clinic | Practice area: dermatology'.

The difference is written into law. Only board-certified dermatologists (4 years of residency) may put 'dermatology' in the clinic's name. 'Practice area: dermatology' can be used by any licensed doctor.

Should you avoid non-specialists? No. Aesthetic treatments like Rejuran, botox and lasers are legal without board certification, and large treatment clinics compete on devices, price and volume. Many clinics popular with foreigners are exactly this type.

Choose by goal: for diagnosis or treatment of a skin condition, go board-certified. For popular aesthetic treatments at good prices, treatment clinics are perfectly fine.

On Busan Beauty Map, clinics with verified specialists carry the 'Board-certified' badge - filter for it on the map.