Key Summary
Institution Overview
IH Clinic opened near Sinsa Station, then expanded and relocated to **near Exit 3 of Apgujeong Station around July 2025**, a strategic decision to meet rapidly increasing reservation demand.
Medical Staff Expertise
Chief Director Hwang Jung-hoo, a Chung-Ang University College of Medicine graduate and Harvard Medical School E.E. alumnus, is a medical professional with a solid academic background, having registered multiple papers as the first author in SCI-level international journals. He serves as a Key Doctor for 10Therma, 10Thera, and Collaju.
Key Procedures & Characteristics
The clinic focuses on body petit surgery such as **ear fillers** and shoulder/pelvis fillers, as well as its self-developed scar treatment solution **SDR** and skin booster **Lituo**. It has secured differentiated competitiveness by targeting niche markets.
Reputation
It maintains high ratings of 9.6~9.7 (out of 10) on major aesthetic medical platforms, and is positioned as a clinic visited by idols and celebrities, enhancing its trendy image and credibility.
Hospital Information and Overview
Hospital Identity and Philosophy
IH Clinic is an aesthetic medical institution with the motto "Natural but definite change." The hospital name 'IH' appears to be taken from the initials of the founder, Director Hwang Jung-hoo, and its core value is 'Design-centric' treatment that maximizes individual unique charm. It aims for precision procedures considering patient individual facial proportions and harmony, rather than simple mechanical procedures.
Location and Facility Expansion
- Relocation History: Initially operated near Sinsa Station, it expanded and relocated to near Exit 3 of Apgujeong Station (3rd Floor, Samsin Building, 836 Nonhyeon-ro, Gangnam-gu) as of July 16, 2025.
- Background of Expansion: The hospital stated the move was due to issues with waiting times and lack of treatment space caused by a rapid increase in reservation demand.
- Facility Features: The new Apgujeong headquarters has strengthened the private treatment environment and increased customer convenience by adding the latest lifting and laser equipment.
Medical Departments
IH Clinic covers dermatology and plastic surgery subjects, and the main treatment areas are as follows:
In-depth Analysis of Chief Director Hwang Jung-hoo
Chief Director Hwang Jung-hoo is the founder and representative medical staff of IH Clinic, evaluated as a figure who possesses both clinical procedure skills and academic research capabilities.
Education and Qualifications
- Medical Education: Graduated from Chung-Ang University College of Medicine.
- Overseas Training: Holds Harvard Medical School E.E. (External Education) certified qualification. This is a career record proving the acquisition of the latest medical knowledge and clinical research methodologies.
- Professional Qualifications: Holds the 1st generation Obesity Specialist Certification and is active as a regular member of major aesthetic societies.
Research Achievements
- SCI Paper Registration: Published a total of 9 papers, including 4 as the first author in world-renowned SCI journals. This demonstrates efforts to scientifically prove procedure safety and effectiveness.
- In-house Technology Development: Developer of SDR (Scar Deep Regeneration) solution, Dual Pep-Ato (scalp peptide ingredients), and Dr. Vino Bifidus B-3 Diet supplement.
Key Doctor and Advisory Activities
- 10Therma Key Doctor: Selected as a Key Doctor for the high-frequency lifting equipment 10Therma.
- 10Thera & Collaju Key Doctor: Active as a Key Doctor in ultrasound lifting and collagen skin boosters.
- Other Advisory: Serves as a clinical education advisor for various fillers and lifting equipment such as Restylane, Sculptra, Lituo, and Primelase.
External Activities and Awards
- Judge: Appointed as a judge for Miss Korea and World Miss University.
- Awards: Received the Grand Prize in the Medical Professional category at the '10 People Who Shined Korea Awards'.
- Media: Active as a consultant for movies such as 'The Outlaws' and 'Unstoppable', linked with the entertainment industry.
Analysis of Key Procedures and Competitiveness
Body and Special Area Fillers (Niche Market Dominance)
One of the biggest features of IH Clinic is its strength in body and special area fillers as well as the face.
- Ear Filler: The hospital's representative signature procedure, popular for correcting ear shape due to thin or meager earlobes or physiognomic reasons. Designs that bring out fine details are its strength.
- Body Filler: Specialized in large-volume filler procedures for correcting body lines such as pelvis, hip-dip, shoulders, breasts, and buttocks.
- Head Shape and Other Fillers: Equipped with high-difficulty special area procedures like back of the head (head shape) fillers and noble chin fillers.
SDR Solution (Scar and Wrinkle Treatment)
The SDR (Scar Deep Regeneration) solution developed directly by Director Hwang Jung-hoo is the hospital's technological differentiator.
- Principle: Uses radiofrequency and laser energy to stimulate collagen production deep in the skin (dermis) and activate the regeneration system.
- Indications: Applied non-invasively for acne scars, pitted marks, pore reduction, and improving deep wrinkles in thin and sensitive skin such as neck wrinkles.
- Features: Focuses on smoothing uneven skin surfaces and uniformly improving skin texture.
Lifting and Anti-aging
- 10Therma: Equipment for which Director Hwang Jung-hoo acts as a Key Doctor; it generates collagen by delivering heat to the dermis using monopolar radiofrequency (RF). Features a cooling system that reduces pain and enhances effects.
- Lituo: A skin booster that injects ECM (Extracellular Matrix) extracted from allogeneic dermis processed into fine particles, effective for improving pores, scars, and elasticity.
- Collaju: Directly injects 99.9% pure collagen to provide immediate volume and elasticity and induce self-collagen production.
Reputation and Market Response
Patient Reviews and Ratings
IH Clinic maintains a very high level of customer satisfaction based on data from major aesthetic medical information platforms.
- Gangnam Unni: Rating 9.7/10 (approx. 715 reviews)
- Yeoshin Ticket: Rating 9.6/10 (over 500 reviews)
- Key Factors for Positive Reviews: Design satisfaction ("meticulously designs it himself," "natural and pretty ear filler"), friendliness of staff, absence of recommendations for excessive treatment, and effective pain management during procedures.
Celebrity Marketing and Awareness
IH Clinic is known as a hospital visited by celebrities such as idols, actors, and athletes. This contributes to building the hospital's credibility and trendy image, earning it the nickname 'Idol's Primary Doctor'.
Controversies and Points of Caution
While phrases like "Treatment by Plastic Surgery Specialist" appear in some platform information, official profiles of Chief Directors Hwang Jung-hoo and Choi Jun-won list qualifications such as 'Medical School Graduate' or 'Obesity Specialist'. Patients should verify the specialist status of their doctor. However, high ratings suggest skill and design sense are valued more than specialist qualifications in aesthetic procedures.
Comprehensive Analysis and Conclusion
IH Clinic can be defined as a 'Research-centric Design Aesthetic Clinic' that combines Chief Director Hwang Jung-hoo's academic expertise (SCI papers, Key Doctor activities) with trendy procedure sense (ear fillers, body fillers).
Summary of Features:
- Academic-based Procedures: Solutions developed directly by the chief director (SDR, Dual Pep-Ato) and multiple SCI paper achievements provide trust in the safety and professionalism of procedures.
- Preemption of Niche Markets: Unlike general plastic surgery clinics focused on the face, it has built a differentiated brand identity by leading the market for fillers in special areas such as ears, shoulders, and pelvis.
- Emphasis on Customer Experience: The expansion and relocation to Apgujeong, private facilities, and meticulous counseling processes demonstrate the direction of the hospital aiming for premium medical services.
In conclusion, IH Clinic is analyzed as a medical institution suitable for consumers who want personalized design and correction of special areas rather than standardized aesthetic procedures, and for patients who wish to receive treatment from skilled Key Doctors using verified equipment.