What happens during a typical skin clinic visit?
A typical visit runs check-in → consultation → cleansing → numbing cream (if needed) → treatment → pressure and soothing care → finishing → payment. The treatment can be over in minutes, but preparing the skin beforehand and calming it afterwards is what makes the visit feel longer than expected.
The times below come from BTNanda Clinic’s own check-in and chart records, anonymized and aggregated, and show the median time actually recorded for each step — not a marketing estimate.
How many minutes does each step take?
Based on BTNanda Clinic’s anonymized check-in and chart records (Oct 2021–Mar 2026):
| Step | Median time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Consultation | ~8 min | Discuss concerns, examine skin, decide on treatment and settings, explain side effects |
| Cleansing | ~5 min | Remove makeup, sunscreen and oil from the treatment area |
| Numbing cream | ~20 min | Applied only for treatments that are uncomfortable, then left to absorb |
| Cream removal | ~2 min | Wipe off and disinfect |
| Treatment | Varies | See the next table |
| Pressure | ~2 min | Gentle pressure on pinpoint bleeding after injections or needles |
| Soothing care | ~4 min | Cooling and calming redness and heat |
| Finishing | ~4 min | Recovery cream, sunscreen, aftercare instructions |
| Payment | ~3 min | Payment and next-visit planning |
These are medians from visit records, not medical recommendations or guaranteed times. Individual variation is large.
How much longer is a visit when numbing cream is needed?
The single biggest difference is numbing cream (about 20 minutes). Toning and peels usually skip it; lifting, collagen boosters and fillers usually need it.
- No numbing cream (e.g. pico toning, Aqua Peel, TuneLiner): roughly 40–60 minutes including consultation.
- With numbing cream (e.g. lifting, boosters, filler): plan on 60–90 minutes from check-in to payment.
- Several treatments in one visit: some steps are shared, but treatment and soothing time add up.
Why the cream stays on for about 20 minutes is explained in Why is numbing cream left on for 20 minutes?
How long does the treatment itself take?
In the same records, the treatment itself (laser passes or injections) was usually under 20 minutes:
| Treatment | Median treatment time | Numbing |
|---|---|---|
| Botox, one area | ~3 min | Cream or ice |
| Pico toning | ~9 min | Usually none |
| PTP toning | ~7 min | Usually none |
| V-laser toning | ~7 min | Usually none |
| TuneLiner, one area | ~8 min | Usually none |
| TuneFace, lower cheeks | ~15 min | Usually none |
| Aqua Peel, full face | ~16 min | None |
| SonoCare (LDM) Basic | ~12 min | None |
| SonoCare skin booster | ~15 min | None |
Treatment times on our product pages are longer because they include preparation and care. Shot-based lifting is left out of the table because the time depends heavily on the number of shots and areas.
How should I plan my day around the appointment?
- Allow extra time on a first visit. Examination and explanations take longer the first time.
- Avoid meetings or photos straight afterwards. Redness, injection marks or mild swelling can last hours to days.
- Don’t arrive right before last check-in. Treatments that need numbing may not be possible late in the day. Last check-in is 18:30 on weekdays and 13:00 on Saturdays (closed Wednesdays and Sundays).
- Pick a quieter time slot. See When is a skin clinic least busy?
If you are visiting Seoul on a short trip, also read How to plan skin treatments on a short trip to Seoul.
What should I bring and wear?
- Makeup is fine — we cleanse before treatment — but heavy eye makeup takes longer to remove.
- A wide-neck or front-opening top keeps gels and creams off your clothes.
- Glasses or a lens case if you wear contact lenses and are having treatment near the eyes.
- A list of medications, allergies and recent treatments (peels, lasers, injections). Tell us about aspirin or blood thinners, as they increase bruising.
- A hat or mask helps cover redness and keep the sun off afterwards.
What if I notice an unexpected reaction afterwards?
Redness, swelling, bruising and warmth are common and temporary. Less often, blisters, severe pain, hives or other allergic reactions, or pigment changes can occur. If something feels unusual or lasts longer than expected, take a photo and contact the clinic promptly. Recovery varies from person to person.