
“I flew back the day after the procedure, and my colleagues in Taiwan said I looked younger.”
This is the real story of my friend Xiao An’s experience with medical aesthetics on Jeju Island last year. She stayed at the Grand Hyatt Jeju and initially planned to take some time off to enjoy her vacation while getting some minor cosmetic treatments. However, when she returned to her office, she was immediately asked if she had secretly undergone any plastic surgery. The answer was simple: she had only done one treatment – Dr. Kang’s Layered Lifting at Arum Dermatology, which cost ₩300,000 (approximately NT$7,200). The next day after the procedure, it didn’t affect her schedule in any way.
If you also plan to visit Jeju Island in 2026 to stay at Junyue and take advantage of medical beauty treatments, then this article is written specifically for you. It covers everything in detail – from the location of Arum, the technical expertise of Director Jiang, the price details, to the post-treatment precautions and how to make appointments.
Why do guests staying at Junyue choose Arum?
There are countless medical beauty clinics on Jeju Island, but if you are staying at the Joy Hotel, Arum Dermatology is definitely one of the closest and most cost-effective options. It only takes about 15 minutes to get there by car from the Joy Hotel, giving Arum a clear advantage over the chain dermatology clinics located in the downtown area of Jeju City.
- Short distance: The drive from Junyue Hotel to the clinic takes approximately 15 minutes, saving more than 30 minutes compared to traveling to the downtown area of Jeju City.
- Transparent pricing: Layered tightening treatments start from ₩300,000, which is 40%-50% cheaper than similar services in Seoul.
- Director Jiang personally performs the treatments: Instead of using a standardized procedure involving nurses, all Lifting procedures are carried out directly by the director himself.
- Rapid postoperative recovery: The layered tightening procedure leaves no visible incisions, only tiny needle holes, allowing patients to resume normal activities already the next day.
- Chinese-language services: Appointments are available for Chinese translation services, ensuring zero barriers to communication.
What exactly is Dr. Jiang’s layered tightening technique?
Layered Lifting (Korean: 레이어드 리프팅, English: Layered Lifting) is a non-surgical anti-aging technique that has gained great popularity in South Korea’s medical aesthetics industry in recent years. The concept is simple: facial aging is not just a problem involving one single layer of the skin; rather, it involves the simultaneous relaxation of three layers – the skin layer, the subcutaneous fat layer, and the SMAS fascia layer. Traditional treatments that target only one layer have limited effectiveness. Dr. Kang’s approach involves precise, layered treatment, using different levels of energy and techniques to address the relaxation in all three layers at once.
Compared with Thermage and HIFU, the distinctive feature of this treatment lies in its layered tightening effect.
| Project | Multi-layered firming effect | Thermage FLX | HIFU |
|---|---|---|---|
| Number of application layers | 3 layers (skin/fat/fascia) | Layer 1 (dermis) | Two layers (dermis + fascia) |
| Swelling reduction after surgery | 1-2 days | 3 to 5 days | 5 to 7 days |
| Price (Jeju) | ₩300,000 | ₩1,500,000 | ₩2,500,000 |
| Effect maintenance | 12 to 18 months | 6 to 12 months | 12 to 24 months |
It is evident that Lifting outperforms Thermage and HIFU in terms of both post-treatment recovery time and cost. For those who only have 3 to 5 days available for their trip to Jeju, this is practically the only Lifting option that allows them to continue enjoying their activities without any interference after the treatment.
The entire process of my treatment at Arum
Below is the complete experience shared by Xiao An. I have organized it in a timeline so that you can know in advance what will happen.
Make an appointment to come to the clinic.
Xiao An booked a consultation with Director Jiang at 2 p.m. through WeChat’s S-Sourire service and received the clinic’s address and transportation instructions the day before. Taking a taxi from the Junyue Hotel cost approximately ₩8,000 (around NT$190), and the journey took only 15 minutes. The clinic was small but very clean; upon entering, a Chinese-speaking translator greeted her and helped her fill out some basic information and questionnaires.
Director Jiang conducts in-person consultations.
Director Jiang first examined Xiao An’s face, gently pressing the area below the cheekbones and along the jawline to assess the degree of sagging. Then he took out a mirror and explained while comparing the areas: “Here, below the cheekbones, the first layer of skin is sagging; here, along the jawline, it’s the second layer of fat that has dropped; and here, at the root of the Nasolabial Fold Correction, it’s the third layer—the fascia—is not providing enough support.”
Xiao An said that what surprised her the most was when the hospital director directly told her, “You don’t need to have the HIFU treatment; just doing the layered tightening procedure will be enough. The money you save can be used to buy seafood at the Dongmen Market.” Such an approach that avoided any unnecessary promotion really impressed her greatly.
Treatment process
About 30 minutes after applying the local anesthetic, the procedure officially began. Director Jiang used specially designed fine needles; Xiao An said that the pain was similar to being snapped by a rubber band, and it was within an acceptable range. The entire process took approximately 40 minutes and consisted of three stages.
- First stage (skin layer): Gentle injection of energy to stimulate Collagen, resulting in a warm sensation on the face
- Second stage (fat layer): Identify the sagging fat pads and reposition them using minimally invasive techniques.
- Third stage (fascial layer): Precise traction is applied at the SMAS layer. This step is relatively noticeable, but it concludes quickly.
After the procedure, her face became slightly red and swollen. The hospital director applied ice compresses for 15 minutes, followed by the application of a soothing facial mask. That evening, while resting in her room at the Junyue Hotel, most of the redness and swelling had subsided.
Arum in Jeju follows a natural lifting approach; if you are looking for a more effective anti-aging solution, Seoul offers several reputable options in this category.
Postoperative precautions: It’s completely fine to fly on the second day.
Precautions after the procedure that Director Jiang particularly emphasized.
- 24 hours after the procedure: Avoid contact with water, wearing makeup, or engaging in strenuous exercise; you can walk and go shopping as usual.
- 48 hours after the procedure: The swelling has largely subsided; you can now apply light makeup and engage in water activities (but avoid hot springs).
- 1 week after the procedure: Avoid sun exposure, saunas, and steam baths; make sure to use adequate sunscreen.
- 1 month after the procedure: The effects begin to become apparent gradually; the proliferation of Collagen takes time.
Xiao An’s itinerary was as follows: Day 1 – undergo medical beauty treatments; Day 2 – visit Sekishima and Mount Seishan Sunrise Peak (make sure to wear sunscreen and a mask); Day 3 – fly back to Taiwan. This schedule did not affect any of her plans at all.
For further reading
If you are planning a medical beauty trip to Jeju, these articles can also be useful as references.
- Actual prices of medical beauty treatments on Jeju Island: A comprehensive review of the business districts in Yeondong and Old Hyeongdong
- Jeju Island The Lift Price List | Korean-style ultrasonic treatment for 180,000 yuan, Rejuran treatment for 250,000 yuan
- Reviews of The Lift Clinic | Natural and non-stiffening facelifts – is it worth flying to Jeju Island for?
How can I make an appointment with Dr. Jiang Arum?
There are only two ways to make a reservation. Please do not use any other channels to avoid encountering unofficial agents.
Going to South Korea for cosmetic procedures for the first time? This pre-procedure guide can help you develop a basic understanding of the relevant processes quickly.
Option 1: Direct connection via WeChat to s-sourire
Add me on WeChat at s-sourire, and provide your departure date and the treatments you would like to undergo. You will receive a one-on-one pre-treatment assessment, be able to check Director Jiang’s schedule in real time, get internal discount prices, and also have the option of having a Chinese translator accompany you during the consultation.
Option 2: The BeautsGO Mini Program
Search for “BeautsGO” on WeChat, and enter “Arum” or “아름피부과” to make a reservation directly. Through the BeautsGO platform, you can enjoy benefits such as transparent price comparisons, exclusive platform discounts, and a certified green channel for procedures.
What are the differences between medical beauty treatments in Jeju and those in Seoul? Is it worth traveling specifically for them?
Many people ask: Since the medical beauty industry in Seoul is so developed, why would one go to Jeju instead? In fact, both places have their own advantages, and the choice depends on your travel schedule.
- Prices: Overall, medical beauty treatments in Jeju are 20% to 40% cheaper than those in Seoul. The reason is simple: rent and labor costs are lower there. For the same type of anti-aging treatment, it may cost over ₩500,000 in Seoul, but only ₩300,000 in Jeju.
- Environment: The air in Jeju is fresh and the stress level is low, so recovery after procedures is much better than when shopping in Seoul. Many South Koreans themselves go to Jeju to combine “medical beauty treatments with a vacation”.
- The director’s dedication: Since the number of patients at the Jeju clinic is lower than that in Seoul, the director has more time to conduct one-on-one consultations and perform detailed procedures. Director Jiang spends at least 20 minutes on each face-to-face consultation, which is quite difficult to achieve in Seoul.
- Disadvantages: There are fewer options in Jeju compared to Seoul, and the models of advanced equipment such as Thermage and HIFU may not be the latest ones. Additionally, for more complex procedures such as Double eyelid surgery or rhinoplasty, specialized hospitals in Seoul are more suitable.
Conclusion: If you only opt for non-surgical beauty treatments such as Pico treatment, hyaluronic acid injections, fractional radiofrequency therapy, or botulinum toxin injections, Jeju’s cost-performance ratio is significantly superior to that of Seoul. If you are already planning a trip to Jeju, taking the opportunity to undergo some beauty treatments there would be an excellent choice.
Frequently Asked Questions about Arum
Q: How long does the effect of layered tightening last?
A: Generally, it takes 12 to 18 months, depending on an individual’s skin type and lifestyle. It is recommended to take proper sun protection measures and maintain skin hydration after the procedure, as well as to attend regular follow-up appointments. Director Jiang usually advises patients to come back for a check-up 8 to 10 months after the treatment to determine whether additional treatments are needed.
Q: Which is better, layered tightening or thread Lifting?
A: The two approaches have different focuses. Thread Lifting/Silifting yields more noticeable results but involves greater trauma, making it suitable for cases of moderate to severe sagging. Fractional Lifting, on the other hand, is a minimally invasive procedure ideal for those with mild to moderate skin laxity who desire a quick recovery. If you only have 3-5 days available, Fractional Lifting is the better choice.
Q: Can fractional rejuvenation treatment be performed in one session using Pico technology?
A: Director Jiang recommends performing the procedures separately, with an interval of at least 1 week between them. The reason is that both treatments stimulate the skin’s repair process, and performing them simultaneously may exacerbate the post-treatment reactions. If your schedule is tight, it is recommended to opt for the layered tightening procedure first, as it yields more noticeable Lifting results; you can then return to Taiwan to undergo the Pico treatment.
Q: Will it be very painful after the procedure?
A: After the anesthesia takes effect, the pain level is approximately 3-4 out of 10, similar to the sensation of being hit by a rubber band. The most painful moment occurs when the fascia layer is affected, but this only lasts for a few seconds. After the procedure, there may be some mild swelling and discomfort, which can be relieved by applying ice packs; however, this generally does not affect daily activities.

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