Dermatology in Daejeon

Dermatology is a branch of medicine that focuses on health issues affecting the skin, nails, hair, and mucous membrane. It is a specialty with both surgical and medical aspects. A dermatologist can address cosmetic issues, which can help to rejuvenate the appearance of the skin, nails, and hair. Being a dermatologist requires a great depth of clinical knowledge, including the variety of internal health problems that may cause skin symptoms. Dermatologists can treat over 3,000 conditions. Some of the most common are acne, dermatitis and eczema, hair loss, nail problems, fungal infections, warts, vitiligo, and skin cancer.

Dermatology has a number of departments and specialties, including:

• Cosmetic Dermatology – dermatologists have been the leaders in cosmetic surgery. Many dermatologists are trained on the use of fillers, botulinum toxin, and laser surgery. Some dermatologists also perform blepharoplasty, liposuction, and facelifts. However, most dermatologists limit their cosmetic practice to minimally invasive procedures.
• Dermatopathology – this field is a joint specialty of dermatology and pathology. It focuses on the study of cutaneous diseases at molecular and microscopic levels. Dermatopathology can make a definitive diagnosis of various skin diseases, including melanoma.
• Trichology – this is the study of the hair and the scalp. This field of dermatology deals with diseases such as hair loss, scalp changes, hypertrichosis, and hair abnormalities.
• Immunodermatology – this filed specializes in immune-mediated skin diseases, such as bullous pemphigoid and lupus.
• Pediatric Dermatology – pediatric dermatologist specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of skin diseases in children, which include newborns and infants.

What does the Procedure Involve?

A range of medical and cosmetic procedures are used to manage issues affecting the skin, nails, and hair. Many skin conditions can be treated by medications and noninvasive procedures, while others may require more invasive approaches. The following are several dermatologic procedures:

• Cosmetic injections – cosmetic injections can temporarily address scarring, wrinkles, and reduced facial fullness. A dermatologist can inject botulinum toxic (Botox) or fillers, such as fat and collagen. The results may last for a few months before you need another injection.
• Chemical peels – this procedure is used to treat some types of acne, as well as sun-damaged skin. It can also treat other cosmetic complaints, such as lines under the eyes and age spots. During chemical peels, a chemical solution is applied to the skin. This chemical solution causes a layer of skin to peel off, revealing regenerated skin beneath it that is typically a lot smoother.
• Dermabrasion – this type of procedure uses a high-speed rotating brush to remove the top layer of the skin, which can help reduce the appearance of fine wrinkles and tattoos, scar tissue, and potentially precancerous areas of the skin.
• Cryotherapy – cryotherapy involves freezing skin lesions, usually with liquid nitrogen, to destroy the affected cells. It can be a quick treatment for a number of benign skin issues, such as warts.
• Hair removal or restoration – various methods can be used to address hair loss, such as hair transplants. On the other hand, dermatologists can use lasers to remove unwanted hair from the body.
• Excision of lesions – skin lesions may be cut away to prevent a disease from spreading, to improve symptoms, for cosmetic reasons, or to prevent reoccurring infection. Excision of lesions may be done under a local or general anesthetic.
• Laser surgery –can be used to treat a number of cosmetic problems or skin issues, such as warts, tumors, moles, scars, birthmarks, wrinkles, and unwanted tattoos.
• Tumescent liposuction – this procedure is used by dermatologists to remove fat. Large volumes of local anesthetic are injected into fatty tissue, then it is sucked from the body. Note that tumescent liposuction is performed to contour the body, not to treat obesity.
• Vein procedures – people with superficial leg veins, called spider veins, may want them removed. Several procedures can be done to remove them, but sclerotherapy is the most popular treatment. It involves injecting a special solution or a foam into the vein. The special solution and foam irritate the lining, causing the vein to become less noticeable or, in some cases, disappear completely.
• Skin grafts and flaps – missing skin can be restored using skin from other areas on the body. Dermatologists can also repair skin loss by making a flap of skin from a nearby area of the body. The flap of skin is then used to cover the damaged patch.
• Biopsies – a skin biopsy is usually needed to diagnose or rule out certain conditions.
• Mohs surgery – this procedure is a treatment for skin cancer. It involves removing layers of skin in order to get rid of cancerous cells. The removed skin layers are then examined under a microscope. Then, successive layers are removed until there are no more cancerous cells found in the skin.
• PUVA – Psoralen combined with ultraviolet radiation (PUVA) is a procedure to treat several skin diseases, such as vitiligo, dermatitis, and psoriasis. Psoralen is a drug that can make the skin more sensitive to radiation treatment.

How Long Should I Stay in Daejeon?

Depending on the type of procedure you have, you may be able to leave the hospital on the same day or stay for several days. For noninvasive treatments, such as chemical peels and cosmetic injections, you should be able to leave the hospital on the same day and fly home within a couple of days. For invasive procedures, particularly to treat serious medical conditions, such as cancer, you may need to stay in the hospital for several days, and stay in Daejeon for at least 10 to 14 days. Your surgeon and/or medical travel team will advise you on this matter.

What's the Recovery Time?

Recovery time will vary depending on the type of procedure you have, the reason why you have the procedure in the first place, and your general health. Your dermatologist will usually give you a detailed recovery timeline for each procedure. In general, recovery time for nonsurgical procedures is typically short and you should be able to resume your normal routine within a few days. For surgical procedures, it may take several weeks until you are allowed to return to your full daily activities.

What About Aftercare?

Your dermatologist will give you a set of instructions to care for yourself during the recovery period. The instructions will be different for each type of procedures, but they may include a diet plan, light exercises to follow, how to care for your surgical wounds or affected area, activities you can or cannot do, signs of complications to be aware of, and medication to take. It is important that you follow your dermatologist’s instructions closely in order to avoid complications and to obtain the best possible results.

Some cosmetic procedures may not be permanent, such as dermal fillers and Botox, so you will need to have regular treatments in order to maintain the results. For skin cancer treatment, you may need to attend follow-up checkups to ensure that cancer has not come back.

What's the Success Rate?

Experienced and skilled dermatologists will be able to deliver a high success rate and satisfactory results. However, every type of procedure carries some risk, which may include infection, swelling, bleeding, adverse reaction to anesthesia, and unsatisfactory results.

Are there Alternatives to Dermatology?

If you have any problems with your skin, going to a dermatologist is the only way to treat it. However, if the skin problem is caused by an underlying condition, your doctor or dermatologist will recommend you to see relevant doctors to treat it.

What Should You Expect Before and After the Procedure?

Before seeing a dermatologist, you may have a problem with your skin. You may not like the wrinkles on your face, or you may have a lesion that needs to be removed. After receiving treatment from a dermatologist, your skin problems should be addressed. You may be able to achieve your dream appearance, any disease you had before may be treated.

Dermatology in and around Daejeon

About Daejeon 

With a population of around 1.5 million people, Daejeon is the 5th largest city in South Korea. Due to its location in the center of Korea, it is a major transit hub for the region. It’s an important science and education center, with more than 200 research institutes located within its area. As South Korea’s medical tourism continues to flourish, Daejeon has undertaken strategic development to grow its medical tourism industry. The city is establishing its healthcare system by providing outstanding medical technology both in the private and public sector, improving its medical services, carrying out overseas marketing activities, as well as developing medical tourism products and medical tourism coordinators.    

Popular Parts of Daejeon

The most popular part of Daejeon is Yuseong-gu, the administrative district in the northwest part of the city. It is home to Yuseong hot springs resort town, where visitors can find a hot spring that can counter many types of illnesses. The hot spring contains alkaline minerals, such as sulfur, calcium, potassium, silicic acid, and radium. An especially high concentration of radium is found in the hot spring, which is known to be good for neuralgia and geriatric diseases. Around the area of Yuseong hot springs resort town are upscale shopping areas, accommodation, as well as numerous cultural centers and sightseeing places. Another popular area is Dunsan, the city’s central business district filled with shops and restaurants. Besides these two areas, there several popular places for sightseers, including the mountains Sikjangsan and Jangtaesan, the lake Daecheonghosu, Expo Science Park, and Daejeon O-World. 

Transport in Daejeon

The international airport serving Daejeon is the Cheongju International Airport, which is located in Cheongwon-gu. It has several flights to and from cities in Asia. However, most international tourists arrive at Incheon International Airport and travel to the city with a shuttle bus from the airport or a KTX express train from Seoul. The most convenient and affordable way to get around Daejeon is by inner-city bus and the subway. Visitors can buy T-money travel cards to reduce the fares of the bus and subway. Taxis are available, but make sure to avoid unregistered taxis.

Visas in Daejeon

Holders of passports from 112 countries, including the EU, the US, and Russia, can visit Daejeon without a visa for 30, 60, and 180 days. Citizens of other countries not listed in the visa-free entry should apply and obtain a visa prior to their visit. 

Weather in Daejeon

There are four seasons in Daejeon. Summer, starting from June to August, is typically hot and rainy. From September to late November is autumn, which has pleasant weather. Winter, from late November to March, can be freezing. The temperature will slowly rise in spring, but rainfall is more common.

Additional Info

1. Local Currency: The official currency in Daejeon is South Korean Won (KRW). 1 USD is approx. 1,185 KRW.
2. Money & Payments: ATMs accepting international cards are widely available. Credit cards are accepted at many restaurants, hotels, and shops. Tipping is not expected and can be considered rude in restaurants. However, it is okay to tip guides and porters.
3. Local Language: Korean is the official language, with Hangul as the formal script. English is mostly spoken in tourist areas.
4. Local Culture and Religion: Around 47% of the population is not religious or follows indigenous religions. Buddhism and Christianity are freely practiced.
5. Public Holidays: New Year’s Day, Independence Day, and the Birthday of Buddha are some of the important public holidays in Daejeon.