The Philosophy Felt Through the Fingertips

Dr. Kim Hong-seok of VOS Dermatology Clinic, who participated in the in-depth interview



With your professional knowledge, you've put a lot of effort into creating YouTube content in addition to treating patients at the clinic. You've been doing this for over five years now.

I previously taught cosmetics-related courses for several years. I thought about how I could share the knowledge and ideas I had in a way that's easy for others to understand, using videos. Since no one could hear my thoughts unless they were in a lecture hall, I started with the intention of giving back, though not in an overly grand way. Gradually, as the topics expanded to treatments, skincare, and more, it led to where I am now.

Another reason is that I value efficiency. You can answer the common questions that patients ask through YouTube videos, making it easier to share information. Both the patients and I save time, and they can revisit the information anytime they need it.

There are over 500 videos posted. I'm curious about how you came up with such a vast amount of content ideas.

I usually think about what to film 10–20 minutes before shooting. Even the PD doesn't know what I'll be filming; they just show up (laughs). Time is physically limited, so I don't have time to organize the content or write scripts. If I put too much effort into it, it might turn from fun into a task, so I decided to skip those steps.

It may sound surprising, but the reason it's possible is that these are stories and ideas that have already become second nature to me. I'm simply communicating the thoughts and knowledge within me. In the beginning, filming took 3–4 hours because it was unfamiliar. But as I gained experience, I got better at organizing my thoughts and expressing them more efficiently.



Dr. Kim Hong-seok of VOS Dermatology Clinic filming YouTube content.



When conducting live broadcasts, what do you feel when communicating directly with people who have skin concerns?

I’m often surprised by the questions that come up in real time. From a professional’s perspective, many of the questions don’t even make sense. Even if I tried to recall one, I wouldn’t be able to come up with an example. But what’s surprising is that these types of questions make up 50% of them.

I think I gained some insight from that. It made me ask myself whether the topics I’m addressing are truly the ones people are curious about. While I thought they were important, they might not be. I realized I needed to make my YouTube content simpler. Instead of using professional terms, I always try to explain with appropriate examples and make sure I’m clear.

For personalized care, I believe it’s essential to listen to the client’s concerns and exchange views before any procedure. It’s the first step of the treatment process.

First, I think it’s crucial to understand exactly what the client wants and whether they fully understand their treatment goals. Instead of just saying they want to look younger, I always ask what they ultimately hope to achieve through the procedure. That’s the reason I ask this question.

" The key to the procedure is to not focus on the tree, but on the forest."

Patients often mention the specific parts of their face they don't like, but the key to treatments is not focusing on the trees, but on the forest. By setting a clear goal, you can actually save time and money. When you combine treatments like redness and wrinkle improvement all at once, there's a lot of overlap. However, if you space them out and do them separately, the effect tends to diminish, and you end up spending more time and money.

I would like to hear specifically how you set the direction for treatments.

To give an analogy, when doing a big cleaning, you don't immediately decide where each piece of furniture will go. The overall feeling of the face being organized is what matters first. Then, you focus on the details.

If someone is focusing on small things, like wanting to remove just the smile lines, I would ask them, "Do you want to look like a 40-year-old with no smile lines?" Improving only the smile lines won't create the desired image. It's better to think about a more fundamental change. If your goal is to look younger and more beautiful through treatments, I recommend starting with a solid foundation, even if it costs more initially. By focusing on the basics, you won't need to do other treatments later.

I believe that the approach to treatments can differ from clinic to clinic, and from doctor to doctor.

"My philosophy is that there is no such thing as something that is both natural and effective immediately." When a small piece of food gets stuck in your teeth, it bothers you, right? Similarly, when Botox, fillers, or lasers are injected into the skin, even if you don't feel it directly, it has a significant impact on the surrounding tissues. It requires an adjustment period. I believe it takes at least a month.

In most cases, the results improve over time rather than immediately after the treatment. My stance is that nothing can be both fast and natural. If clients ask me to recommend treatments that are both natural and quick, I firmly tell them that such treatments don't exist, and they are welcome to go to another clinic.



There is no such thing as something that is both natural and improves quickly.

With this philosophy, I think clients will trust the clear guidance you provide.

I believe so. In the end, those whose values and direction for treatments do not align with mine will naturally leave. I believe that having the same goals between the clinic and the client is a very important element in carrying out treatments.

Dr. Kim Hong-seok of VOS Dermatology Clinic emphasizes the importance of gaining client trust through clear treatment guidelines.

Juvéderm is not used as a ready-made product; it requires a hydration process to convert the powdered form into a liquid. The way it is diluted, and the specific recipe used, determines how evenly the particles disperse without clumping. The hydration process is one of the key techniques in reducing the risk of Juvéderm nodules.

The important factor here is the dilution ratio. Even with the same amount of medication, the result can vary depending on the recipe used. If a recipe includes not just saline but also skin-effective ingredients, the collagen formation effect can be enhanced. For example, Boss Dermatology Clinic's recipe, which can normalize surrounding skin tissues such as for brightening, regeneration, skin tone, and vitality, would increase the effectiveness.



Skin concerns likely vary depending on age and gender.
In fact, almost everyone says the same thing: they don’t want to age. This is the same regardless of gender or age. Younger people want to look younger, and those who are older have the thought and expectation that they should start taking care of themselves now. Looking young is also a sign of good maintenance.

"You can never beat someone who works consistently."

Taking care of one’s health, such as through exercise and diet, is the foundation of maintenance. Consistent effort cannot be beaten. It’s okay if it’s late. Even if someone has never exercised before, starting now means they’ve begun, and things will change. The same goes for skin.

You must have deep conversations with your clients about their skin, but do you face moments of doubt as a doctor in the process?
As treatments accumulate, natural doubts arise. For example, after consistently using one method, although it’s already great, I’ll have moments when I feel a slight change in approach could lead to even better results. If the outcome is not as expected, I’ll question whether I did something wrong or if I misjudged the concept.

Over time, these moments accumulate, and by changing treatment methods slightly, I believe we can gradually improve. Even though it’s the same procedure, there are parts of my approach now that are completely different from 1-2 years ago. Ultimately, the difference in experience and the reflections from those doubts lead to better results. I believe being a doctor means lifelong learning.



Dr. Kim Hong-seok of VOS Dermatology Clinic presenting at the Juvelook launch event in Taiwan (September 8, 2024).

Dr. Kim Hong-seok of VOS Dermatology Clinic was one of the first in Korea to introduce Juvelook, despite the uncertainty involved in pioneering a treatment.

Why did you decide to bring Juvelook to Korea when no one else had?

It’s been almost seven years now. I was one of the first in Korea to try it. The reason I started was simply that I was curious about Juvelook. However, I wasn’t sure how it would be received, so I had to be cautious. Before, the options were mainly lasers and injections, and the concept of a skin booster like Juvelook wasn’t widely used, so there was a natural hesitation. But when I saw its potential in combination with other treatments, I realized it could be a great tool for anti-aging, not just for scar treatments.

Despite concerns over Juvelook's side effects, you seem very confident in the treatment, even on YouTube. Can you explain why?

There is no treatment without risk of side effects. But I believe side effects are caused by the practitioner, not the treatment itself. For example, if there’s a side effect after a filler treatment, it’s not because the filler is a bad substance. Filler is one of the safest materials available and is widely used. The problem arises when the practitioner doesn’t fully understand the properties of the filler. Filler moves and remains in the tissue, and if a practitioner doesn’t properly calculate for these traits, issues will occur.

"There is no treatment without the risk of side effects. Ultimately, what matters is the philosophy of the practitioner and how they approach the procedure."



When I was in charge of the related presentation at the Juvélook launch in Japan and Taiwan, one of the things I emphasized during the symposium, sharing my 6 years of experience, was to never treat it like a filler. I urged everyone not to use it like a filler. Juvélook should be evenly distributed across the entire skin. If it's injected excessively into a specific area, complications like nodules can occur.

Ultimately, what matters is the philosophy of the practitioner and how they approach the procedure. Most accidents happen when people try to get quick results. It requires patience and a slow, careful approach.

Dr. Kim Hongseok of VOS Dermatology Clinic performing a Juvélook procedure.

What does anti-aging mean to you, Dr. Kim?

Let's imagine we bought an item. Taking care of it and using it carefully is very different from using it roughly until it breaks. Even if you fix it, it won’t be as good as new. But if you take care of it from the start, with just a little attention, it can last longer and stay in good condition.

For me, anti-aging is about self-care. Eating good food, exercising, and reducing alcohol and smoking are all ways of taking care of yourself. Consistent habits are the real key to slowing down aging. Maintaining these life patterns for a long time is a way of loving yourself.

Do you have any personal skincare methods to slow down aging?

I keep it really simple. (laughs) I stick to the basics. As I mentioned earlier, my belief is that consistency beats everything. I don’t go over 3 minutes when cleansing, I use 3 products with minimal ingredients, sunscreen, Vitamin A at night, and Vitamin C during the day.

There’s no need to go overboard. It’s all about consistency. Even if I don’t feel like it or it’s a hassle, I still do it. That’s all there is to it.

Dr. Kim Hong-seok of VOS Dermatology Clinic, who works hard at the gym as a hobby..

What are your favorite sports or hobbies?

I tend to work hard at the gym. I also like to travel, so when I have time, I go on short trips, such as a day trip or two days and one night. It was nice even if it wasn't a long trip. Personally, I tend to be curious, so I like seeing new landscapes or scenes.

"When people think of VOS Dermatology, I hope they perceive it as a clinic that offers more than just treatments. Some people might view our clinic as expensive, but when choosing a car, for example, people don't only focus on fuel efficiency. They also consider the brand's value, design, heritage, and other factors that are important to them.



One of my philosophies is to become someone irreplaceable. While anyone can perform the procedures, it’s the rich experience, specialized knowledge, and my philosophy and values that will create a unique experience that can only be found at VOS Dermatology. I am confident in my ability to meet and exceed expectations."

The director of VOS Dermatology, Kim Hongseok, dreams of starting a cosmetics education business.



Please tell us about the future plans of Boss Dermatology Clinic director and human Kim Hong-seok.

I want to start a cosmetics education business. I aim to create a basic framework for cosmetics education that can be applied not only in Korea but also globally. We are currently producing cosmetics, but we haven’t been able to promote them effectively due to a lack of personnel and time. However, I am thinking about expanding this business starting next year.

It may sound contradictory, but another thing I plan to do is stop taking on too many projects. (laughs) I feel like I’ve done quite a few unnecessary things in the past, possibly seeking recognition from others. This year, I want to focus more on the things that truly matter and streamline what I do.