In-depth Analysis Report

The First Dermatology Clinic

Representative Director Hwang Sung-hwan

Dermatologist Expertise Premium Anti-aging Advanced Technology

Key Points Overview

Institution Overview

The First Dermatology Clinic Busan Main Branch is a large-scale medical institution specializing in dermatology located in Hwamyeong-dong, Buk-gu, Busan. Under the slogan "My Life's First Dermatology Clinic," it provides comprehensive skin care covering not only simple cosmetic procedures but also treatments for intractable skin diseases.

Medical Staff Expertise

Led by Representative Director Hwang Sung-hwan, the entire medical staff consists of dermatologists belonging to the top 2% in Korea. In particular, Director Hwang is a former university hospital professor and is evaluated as having a solid clinical experience and academic background.

Technology & Infrastructure

It possesses multiple high-end lifting devices such as Ultherapy and Thermage (2 units of each introduced) and has a premium equipment lineup for pigment and vascular treatment, including Pico Laser and Vbeam Perfecta. Recently, the space was expanded by establishing the 'Aestige Lounge' in addition to the main building.

Reputation & Achievements

It was recognized for its external brand value by winning 1st place in the Dermatology category at the 2024-2025 Customer Preferred Brand Awards and Consumer Preference Evaluation. It maintains high ratings (9.7~9.8/10) on cosmetic medical platforms like Gangnam Unni, though internal employee satisfaction shows variance by department.

Director Hwang Sung-hwan Profile

Education & Major Career

  • Education: Graduated from Inje University College of Medicine and completed Dermatology Residency.
  • Professor Career:
    • Former) Professor of Dermatology, Inje University Paik Hospital.
    • Former) Chief Professor, Skin Laser Center, Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital.
  • Clinical & Training:
    • Clinical Fellow, Department of Dermatology, Inje University Busan Paik Hospital and Haeundae Paik Hospital.
    • Training at Kyushu University Hospital, Japan.
    • Training at Skin Laser Center, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul.
    • Training at Hair Transplant Center, Kyungpook National University Hospital.
    • Work experience at Bestian Woosong Hospital Scar & Burn Center.

Academic & Media Activities

  • Academic Activities: Published about 20 papers in prominent domestic and international journals and delivered about 80 academic lectures.
  • Major Memberships:
    • Regular Member, Korean Dermatological Association and The Association of Korean Dermatologists.
    • Director, Korean Society for Clinical Therapeutic Dermatology.
    • Director, Korean Society of Hair Restoration Treatment.
    • Regular Member, American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) and European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV).
  • Specialized Fields: Covers a wide range of dermatology areas ranging from pigment diseases, lifting, and scar treatment to hair transplantation and burn scar treatment.
  • Media & Communication: Strengthens communication with the public through his YouTube channel and broadcast appearances, focusing on correcting wrong folk remedies for intractable diseases like atopic dermatitis.

Hospital Information

Location and Scale

The hospital is located on the 7th floor of 287 Geumgok-daero, Buk-gu, Busan (Hwamyeong-dong, Samhan Golden View).

To enhance the comfort and professionalism of the treatment environment, the treatment space is separated into the Main Center and the Aestige Lounge. This strategy maximizes treatment efficiency by separating the movement paths of general skin disease patients and customers desiring private cosmetic procedures.

Treatment Philosophy

The core philosophy of the hospital emphasizes the scarcity and professionalism that "Dermatologists make up only 2% of doctors in Korea."

This distinguishes it from indiscriminate procedures performed by non-specialists, and it operates on the principle of providing personalized treatment through a university hospital-level precision diagnosis system and scientific analysis (utilizing skin diagnostic devices like Mark-Vu).

Medical Staff Composition

The First Dermatology Clinic Busan Main Branch has a total of 7 male and female dermatologists residing, including Representative Director Hwang Sung-hwan.

A cooperative system is established by multiple specialists. Since all medical staff are composed of dermatologists, university hospital-level diagnosis is provided not only for cosmetic procedures but also for insurance treatment (skin diseases). This is the biggest competitive edge distinguishing it from clinics run by general practitioners (GPs).

Major Procedure Programs

Signature Lifting Programs

  • Ulthermage Program: Flagship service combining Ultherapy and Thermage.
  • Custom Design: Procedures are performed after creating a design chart considering the patient's face shape (fat amount, degree of sagging, skin thickness).
  • Pain Management: Equipped with a sleep anesthesia system for comfortable high-intensity procedures.
  • Combined Procedure: Operates a protocol that pulls the deep layer (SMAS) with Ultherapy, tightens the dermis with Thermage, and simultaneously improves volume and skin texture by combining with Juvelook Volume or skin boosters.

Intractable Pigment & Scar Treatment

  • Based on Director Hwang Sung-hwan's university hospital career, strengths are shown in treating intractable diseases.
  • Pigment Treatment: Applies 'Dual Toning' or 'Multi-Laser' methods combining high-power and low-power lasers for intractable pigment diseases such as melasma, Ota nevus, and Café-au-lait spots.
  • Scar Treatment: Performs combined treatment using Ultra Pulse Encore laser and Juvelook (collagen booster) for burn scars and surgical scars as well as acne scars.

Medical Skincare (Disease-Centered)

  • In addition to cosmetic procedures, insurance treatment areas such as atopic dermatitis, vitiligo, psoriasis, warts, corns, and athlete's foot are not neglected.
  • Atopy/Allergy: Systematically provides immunotherapy, light therapy, and moisturizing management education for pediatric and adult atopy patients.
  • Skin Tumors: Equipped with a benign tumor removal and skin cancer diagnosis system, enabling primary diagnosis and treatment without transfer to a university hospital.

Major Equipment & Facility Infrastructure

  • Lifting: Ultherapy Prime (2 units), Thermage FLX (2 units), Shurink Universe, Density.
  • Pigment & Scar: Enlighten Pico Laser, Fotona StarWalker, Fotona QX-MAX, Vbeam Perfecta, New Ultra Pulse Encore.
  • Diagnostic: Mark-Vu, Dermoscopy.

Reputation and Comprehensive Analysis

External Evaluation & Awards

  • Awards: Continuously awarded '2024 Customer Preferred Brand Grand Prize' and '2025 Korea Consumer Preference Evaluation 1st Place (Dermatology Category)', establishing itself as a representative dermatology brand in the Busan region.
  • Certification: Certified by the Ministry of Health and Welfare as a 'Medical Institution for Attracting Foreign Patients', proving its global medical capabilities.

Patient Reviews: Positive Evaluation

  • Professionalism: Dominant reviews state that "Dermatologists check meticulously in person" and "Unlike factory-type clinics, the director takes responsibility from consultation to procedure."
  • Facilities and Service: High satisfaction with hotel-grade interiors, friendly staff response, and systematic reservation system.
  • Procedure Effect: Satisfaction with effects after high-priced lifting procedures like Ultherapy and Thermage is particularly high, with many reviews citing natural results without side effects.
  • Ratings: Based on Gangnam Unni, Representative Director Hwang Sung-hwan maintains a very high rating of 9.8 (out of 10).

Considerations & Improvements

  • Some reviews pointed out long waiting times, but efforts to resolve this by introducing additional equipment (2 units each of Ultherapy/Thermage) are visible.
  • In terms of cost, there is a perception that the price range is higher compared to low-cost clinics due to the premium strategy.

Internal Employee Evaluation

Pros

  • Female-friendly culture
  • Name value
  • Internal events (meet-and-greets)
  • Provision of a cafeteria

Cons

  • Vertical atmosphere in some departments
  • Workload
  • Political corporate culture
  • Organizational management challenges

Conclusion & Implications

The First Dermatology Clinic Busan Main Branch is evaluated as a model that successfully combines 'University Hospital-level Expertise' and 'Premium Cosmetic Medicine' in the Busan region.

1.

Professionalism-Centered Branding

By using Representative Director Hwang Sung-hwan's academic authority and the identity of being a 'Dermatologist' as key marketing points, it succeeded with a high-price strategy based on 'trust' in the cosmetic market where low-price competition is fierce.

2.

Bold Facility Investment

It continuously invests in improving Patient Experience (PX) by operating multiple high-priced devices like Ultherapy and Thermage and expanding space (Aestige Lounge).

3.

Balanced Treatment Portfolio

By running treatment-centered practices such as atopy and scars alongside profitable lifting/pigment procedures, it enhances the medical reliability of the hospital.

Comprehensively, The First Dermatology Clinic Busan Main Branch is one of the top-considered medical institutions for patients desiring high-quality dermatology treatment in the Busan/Gyeongnam region, and continued growth is expected under the leadership of Representative Director Hwang Sung-hwan. However, internal personnel management due to organizational scale expansion and operational efficiency such as waiting times seem to be ongoing challenges.