Korean Skin Clinic Phrases: An English–Korean Cheat Sheet for Your Consultation

Many dermatology clinics in Seoul have English-speaking staff or interpreters, but not all of them, and even with an interpreter it helps to have your key points written down in Korean. Clear communication protects you: it makes sure the doctor understands your concern, your medical history and your travel plans. This cheat sheet gives practical phrases for each stage of a clinic visit, with notes on how to use them. It is not a guide to choosing treatments, and it does not replace a proper consultation with a licensed doctor.

How to use this cheat sheet

The simplest method is to prepare a short note on your phone in both English and Korean before your appointment and show it at reception and to the doctor. Korean phrases below are written in Hangul with a simple pronunciation guide. You do not need perfect pronunciation; showing the written text is usually more reliable than speaking.

Keep sentences short. Translation apps work better with simple sentences, and staff can read a list faster than a paragraph. Bring a printed copy as well in case your phone battery runs out.

Booking and reception

• 예약하고 싶어요. (yeyak-hago sipeoyo) – I would like to make an appointment.
• 외국인 환자 상담이 가능한가요? (oegugin hwanja sangdami ganeunghangayo?) – Do you offer consultations for foreign patients?
• 영어 가능한 직원이 있나요? (yeongeo ganeunghan jigwoni innayo?) – Is there a staff member who speaks English?
• 통역이 필요해요. (tongyeogi piryohaeyo) – I need an interpreter.
• 예약했어요. 이름은 ___입니다. (yeyak-haesseoyo. ireumeun ___imnida) – I have an appointment. My name is ___.
• 여권 여기 있어요. (yeogwon yeogi isseoyo) – Here is my passport.

Clinics usually ask you to fill in a registration form with personal details and medical history. Ask for an English version if one is available: 영어 문진표 있나요? (yeongeo munjinpyo innayo?) – Do you have the questionnaire in English?

Describing your concern

Describe what you see and feel rather than naming a treatment. That keeps the consultation focused on your skin.

• 피부 상담을 받고 싶어요. (pibu sangdameul batgo sipeoyo) – I would like a skin consultation.
• 여드름이 있어요. (yeodeureumi isseoyo) – I have acne.
• 여드름 흉터가 고민이에요. (yeodeureum hyungteoga gominieyo) – I am concerned about acne scars.
• 기미/색소가 고민이에요. (gimi/saeksoga gominieyo) – I am concerned about melasma / pigmentation.
• 홍조가 있어요. (hongjoga isseoyo) – I have facial redness.
• 피부가 건조해요. (pibuga geonjohaeyo) – My skin is dry.
• 피부가 예민해요. (pibuga yeminhaeyo) – My skin is sensitive.
• 모공이 고민이에요. (mogongi gominieyo) – I am concerned about pores.
• ___개월 전부터 생겼어요. (___gaewol jeonbuteo saenggyeosseoyo) – It started ___ months ago.

Medical history and safety information

This is the most important section. Make sure the doctor sees it.

• 복용 중인 약이 있어요. (bogyong jungin yagi isseoyo) – I am taking medication.
• 알레르기가 있어요. (allereugiga isseoyo) – I have allergies.
• ___에 알레르기가 있어요. (___e allereugiga isseoyo) – I am allergic to ___.
• 임신 중이에요. / 수유 중이에요. (imsin jungieyo / suyu jungieyo) – I am pregnant. / I am breastfeeding.
• 레티노이드(이소트레티노인)를 복용했어요. (retinoideu (isoteuretinoin)-reul bogyong-haesseoyo) – I have taken a retinoid (isotretinoin).
• 켈로이드 체질이에요. (kelloideu chejirieyo) – I tend to form keloid scars.
• 헤르페스(입술 물집)가 자주 생겨요. (hereupeseu (ipsul muljip)-ga jaju saenggyeoyo) – I often get cold sores.
• 최근에 시술을 받았어요. (choegeune sisureul badasseoyo) – I recently had a cosmetic procedure.

Write down the names of your medications in English as well; doctors can often recognize generic drug names.

Questions to ask the doctor

Ask these before agreeing to any treatment.

• 이 시술은 무엇인가요? (i sisureun mueosingayo?) – What is this treatment?
• 부작용이 있나요? (bujagyongi innayo?) – Are there side effects or risks?
• 회복 기간은 얼마나 걸려요? (hoebok giganeun eolmana geollyeoyo?) – How long is the recovery or downtime?
• ___일 후에 비행기를 타요. (___il hue bihaenggireul tayo) – I am flying in ___ days.
• 몇 번 받아야 하나요? (myeot beon badaya hanayo?) – How many sessions are needed?
• 의사 선생님이 직접 하시나요? (uisa seonsaengnimi jikjeop hasinayo?) – Does the doctor perform it personally?
• 생각해 보고 다시 올게요. (saenggak-hae bogo dasi olgeyo) – I will think about it and come back.

That last phrase is worth remembering. You never have to decide on the spot.

Cost and payment

• 전체 비용이 얼마예요? (jeonche biyongi eolmayeyo?) – What is the total cost?
• 부가세 포함인가요? (bugase pohamingayo?) – Does that include VAT?
• 견적서를 받을 수 있을까요? (gyeonjeokseoreul badeul su isseulkkayo?) – Can I get a written quote?
• 카드 결제 되나요? (kadeu gyeolje doenayo?) – Can I pay by card?
• 영수증 주세요. (yeongsujeung juseyo) – Please give me a receipt.
• 진료 내역서/진단서를 영어로 받을 수 있나요? (jillyo naeyeokseo/jindanseoreul yeongeoro badeul su innayo?) – Can I get a medical statement in English?

An itemized receipt and an English statement can be useful if you need to show records to a doctor at home. Policies on any VAT refund for cosmetic procedures have changed over time, so ask the clinic and check official sources rather than assuming.

Aftercare

• 시술 후 주의사항을 적어 주세요. (sisul hu juuisahangeul jeogeo juseyo) – Please write down the aftercare instructions.
• 세안은 언제부터 가능해요? (seaneun eonjebuteo ganeunghaeyo?) – When can I wash my face?
• 화장은 언제부터 가능해요? (hwajangeun eonjebuteo ganeunghaeyo?) – When can I wear makeup?
• 선크림 발라도 되나요? (seonkeurim ballado doenayo?) – Can I apply sunscreen?
• 문제가 생기면 어디로 연락해요? (munjega saenggimyeon eodiro yeollakhaeyo?) – Whom do I contact if there is a problem?

Ask for written aftercare instructions and take a photo of them. If the clinic uses a messaging app for follow-up, save the contact before you leave.

Helpful extras

• 천천히 말씀해 주세요. (cheoncheonhi malsseumhae juseyo) – Please speak slowly.
• 다시 한번 말씀해 주세요. (dasi hanbeon malsseumhae juseyo) – Please say that again.
• 여기에 써 주실 수 있나요? (yeogie sseo jusil su innayo?) – Could you write it here?
• 아파요. (apayo) – It hurts.
• 잠깐만요. (jamkkanmanyo) – Please wait a moment.

Interpretation services

Korea has public resources for foreign visitors, including the Korea Travel Hotline (1330), which offers interpretation help in several languages. Some clinics registered to attract foreign patients also provide coordinators. If your consultation involves important medical decisions, a professional interpreter is safer than relying on an app alone.

Sample note to show at reception

Here is a short template you can adapt and translate before your visit. In English: "Hello. I am a tourist and I have a consultation booked. My main concern is ___. It started ___ months ago. I take ___ medication and I am allergic to ___. I fly home in ___ days. I would like to understand the risks, downtime and total cost before deciding. Please write the aftercare instructions for me." Put the Korean version underneath and keep both on one screen so staff and the doctor can read whichever they prefer.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to speak Korean to visit a clinic? No. Many clinics serving foreign patients have coordinators, but preparing written notes reduces misunderstandings.

Can I bring a friend to interpret? Usually yes, though a friend may not know medical terms. For important decisions, a professional interpreter or the clinic's coordinator is more reliable.

Is it rude to decline a recommended treatment? Not at all. Saying you will think about it is normal and respected.

Summary

Prepare a short bilingual note covering your concern, your medical history and your travel dates, and bring the key questions about risks, downtime, cost and aftercare. Show it at reception and in the consultation, ask for everything important in writing, and remember that you can always say you will think about it.

This article is general information and not medical advice. Translations are provided as a practical aid; for medical decisions, confirm understanding with the clinic, an interpreter or a licensed doctor. Last checked: 2026-10-19.

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