Executive Summary
Expertise
Representative Director Choi Min-hee specializes in non-surgical anti-aging (Ulthera, Thermage, etc.) and skin booster procedures, while co-representative Director Lee Seung-yoon focuses on fat plastic surgery.
Medical Philosophy
Director Choi upholds an "experience-based philosophy" of personally undergoing procedures to build trust and set realistic patient expectations.
Market Position
Located on Cheongdam-dong Luxury Street, the clinic offers private, high-end medical services, emphasizing 'craftsmanship' over high-volume procedures.
Reputation
Maintains high ratings (e.g., 9.2/10) on cosmetic platforms for counseling and comfort, though the premium strategy leads to a perception of higher costs.
Note: It is clarified that Director Choi Min-hee, the subject of this report, is unrelated to the politician Choi Min-hee (member of the 19th and 22nd National Assembly) who shares the same name.
Clinic Information
Location & Operations
The Ciel Clinic is located on the 3rd floor of Sangwon Building, 436 Apgujeong-ro (Cheongdam-dong), Gangnam-gu, Seoul. This prime location within Cheongdam-dong Luxury Street ensures excellent accessibility and a private medical environment.
- **Address:** 436 Apgujeong-ro (Cheongdam-dong), Gangnam-gu, Seoul
- **Clinic Hours:**
- Weekdays: 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM
- Saturdays: Until 2:30 PM
- Closed: Sundays and public holidays
Establishment & Brand Philosophy
Opened in September 2014, The Ciel Clinic is jointly operated by a married couple of doctors, Lee Seung-yoon and Choi Min-hee, both alumni of Yonsei University College of Medicine. The name 'Ciel', meaning 'sky' in French, reflects the clinic's pursuit of clear and pristine beauty.
"Researching and performing only lifting and anti-aging" - Clinic Slogan
The clinic's brand philosophy aims to elevate beyond mere medical technicians to 'Artisans' and 'Artists', emphasizing customized design tailored to individual patient's facial features, skin conditions, and aging processes. This 'craftsmanship' approach distinguishes it from mass-production dermatology clinics.
Director Choi Min-hee Profile
Education & Career Highlights
Education & Qualifications
- **Yonsei University College of Medicine (Seoul Campus)** - Graduate
- Residency at Yonsei University Severance Hospital (Sinchon Main Branch)
- Active in Korean Academy of Aesthetic Surgery and Laser Medicine
Major Career
- **Current:** Representative Director of The Ciel Clinic (2014.09 ~ Present)
- **Former:** Director of Picasso Dermatology
Academic & Media Activities
- 2012 SKIN MD Seminar: Lecture on 'Laser Cocktail Technique'
- 2012 Korean Academy of Cosmetic Surgery Spring Conference: Presentation on 'Derma Shine'
- 2013 Korean Academy of Cosmetic Surgery Autumn Conference: Presentation on Skin Anti-aging Procedures
- Operating YouTube channel 'Dr. Ciel' for patient communication and education
Medical Philosophy: "Personally Experienced Procedures"
The most significant characteristic of Director Choi Min-hee is **'Self-Experimentation-based Practice.'** She has been interested in beauty and diet since her student days and periodically undergoes procedures such as Thermage, Ulthera, and various skin boosters herself.
- **Securing Trust:** By vividly conveying her personal experiences (pain, downtime, effects), she resolves information asymmetry with patients.
- **Realistic Advice:** She clearly recognizes procedure limitations and potential side effects, offering realistic improvement ranges rather than excessive fantasies.
Major Clinical Fields
The Ciel Clinic features a clear division of specialized fields: Director Lee Seung-yoon focuses on fat plastic surgery and thread lifting, while Director Choi Min-hee leads non-invasive laser lifting, skin boosters, and petit plastic surgery.
High-End Lifting
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Thermage FLX
Radiofrequency (RF) for collagen regeneration. Director Choi has personally undergone it over 10 times, emphasizing genuine tips and strict shot counts.
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Ulthera
High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) for SMAS layer contraction. Focus on design shot distribution to minimize cheek hollowing.
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Combined Procedure (Ul-Thermage)
A premium package combining Ulthera and Thermage for simultaneous improvement of skin surface and inner elasticity.
Skin Boosters & Injections
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Rejuran Healer
PN component injection for skin regeneration, pain/bruising controlled by combining manual and machine injection.
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Mine Line Booster
Preferred by Director Choi for improving neck wrinkles and skin elasticity.
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Other Boosters
Actively introduces and performs trendy skin boosters such as Juvelook, Exosome, and Water Shine Botox.
Petit Plastic & Pigmentation
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Fillers & Botox
Focuses on natural line correction, avoiding excessive volume, and utilizes collagen-stimulating fillers like Ellansé.
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Pigmentation & Hair Removal
Based on extensive experience from Picasso Dermatology, performs laser toning for pigmentation and hair removal treatments.
Reputation & Market Response
Positive Feedback
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✓
Meticulous Counseling & Design:
Director Choi accurately identifies patient concerns and avoids unnecessary procedures, often praised with "It feels like she knows exactly what the concerns are without me saying them."
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✓
High Credibility:
The director's practice of personally undergoing procedures provides a strong sense of psychological stability and trust for patients.
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✓
Natural Results:
The clinic pursues natural anti-aging that enhances one's original features rather than artificial changes.
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✓
Pleasant Environment:
The luxurious Cheongdam-dong interior and private waiting areas are consistently well-received.
Considerations & Perceived Downsides
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Cost Burden:
Due to the premium strategy, use of genuine tips, and extended procedure times, prices are higher than low-cost network clinics. "Expensive but worth it" opinions coexist with "burdensome."
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Limitations of Dramatic Changes:
As the focus is on non-surgical lifting, the extent of change may be perceived as less dramatic compared to surgical methods, aligning with the clinic's naturalness-oriented approach.
Price Policy & Transparency
The Ciel Clinic prioritizes value over price competition. Through its YouTube channel, it educates patients on the importance of genuine products and appropriate pricing, warning against suspiciously low costs.
Conclusion & Recommendations
The Ciel Clinic and Representative Director Choi Min-hee represent a medical institution and professional with a clear positioning of 'Cheongdam-dong Premium Anti-aging.'
1. Expertise
Solid medical fundamentals from Yonsei University, over 10 years of clinical experience, and the synergistic specialized division of labor between the couple directors.
2. Credibility
Director Choi Min-hee's "doctor who experiences it herself" persona fosters strong patient trust, leading to sincere counseling that avoids overtreatment.
3. Recommended Targets
- Patients prioritizing procedure safety and quality over cost.
- Patients seeking natural anti-aging that isn't overtly artificial.
- Those desiring a private and pleasant treatment environment with sufficient time and careful attention from verified medical staff.
In conclusion, The Ciel Clinic is analyzed to be ideal for consumers who prioritize detailed care and sufficient consultation time with verified medical professionals, rather than those solely seeking the lowest prices.