What are the criteria for choosing a good clinic and dermatologist?

Since it is hard to tell with the naked eye whether equipment is genuine, using the manufacturer's certification process is a reliable method. For example, for Ultherapy PRIME®, you can verify the certificate of authenticity—which includes the product code of the tip used, the treatment date, and the clinic name—through the manufacturer's (Merz Aesthetics) channel, and there is also a method of verifying the genuine sticker through a mobile app. For Thermage® FLX, you can also check whether the tip is genuine through official channels.

In practice, you can check three things. First, whether they show you the disposable items (tips) being opened in front of you before the procedure. Second, whether they provide a certificate of authenticity or genuine sticker after the procedure. Third, whether they respond to a request for the certificate with something like 'We don't usually give those out.' A clinic using genuine products has no reason to avoid such requests.

Even if the main device is genuine, if disposable items such as tips are reused or refurbished, both energy delivery and hygiene can be compromised. So it is safer to check the 'device' and 'consumables' separately.

This is because the dermatologist who performs the consultation should also perform the procedure so that the diagnosis and treatment plan remain continuous without interruption. The distribution of shots in a lifting procedure and the layer and location of injection for a filler are determined based on the facial condition assessed during the consultation. If the person who consults and the person who performs the procedure are different, this information may not be fully communicated, which can reduce the precision of the plan.

In addition, adjusting decisions in real time based on the condition during the procedure is also the practitioner's responsibility. Adjusting energy and depth according to tissue response, and modifying the plan if unexpected findings appear, must be done by the person who has the diagnostic information to be accurate. The same applies to the continuity of identifying the cause and managing it if side effects occur.

So during the consultation, we recommend asking, 'Will the doctor who consults with me also perform the procedure?' and 'Is the procedure performed by a dermatologist?' Heal House operates on the principle that a specialist directly diagnoses and performs the procedure.

The common feature of over-treatment is that 'payment comes before diagnosis.' If expensive packages are recommended without checking your condition, if you are pressured to decide today to get a better deal, or if additional procedures you didn't ask about keep being added, these can be seen as warning signs. Conversely, if the consultation distinguishes between necessary treatments and those that can be delayed, and presents priorities, it is a trustworthy consultation.

When it is hard to decide, taking time is the best defense. Instead of deciding on the spot, organize what was discussed in the consultation and compare it with other clinics' opinions; then it naturally becomes clear whether the recommendation is based on your condition or on sales.

Yes. Since satisfaction with a procedure is determined not on the day of the procedure but over the following weeks to months, the aftercare system is an important criterion in choosing a clinic. The more a treatment's effect is delayed, such as lifting, or the more sessions are needed, the more a system that monitors progress and adjusts the next plan determines the quality of the outcome.

There are three points to check. First, whether post-procedure precautions and contact channels are clearly explained. Second, whether issues such as swelling, bruising, or nodules are promptly connected to medical care. Third, whether follow-up visits are included in the treatment plan to evaluate the effect and adjust the next session. Whether your treatment history is recorded and reflected in the next consultation is also a good indicator.

Ultimately, a good clinic designs a 'continuous care relationship' rather than a 'one-time procedure.' We recommend checking whether consultation, procedure, and follow-up flow as one process, and asking all your questions during the consultation before deciding.