I haven't seen any thread on this topic but since there are so many skin clinics in Chiangmai, there must be some interest in them... So, I am sharing my experience with one of them: HOLISTICA CLINIC at Nimmanhemin Soi 17.

HOLISTICA does a lot of advertising about their holistic approach, so I thought that this may be the right choice for my wife, who was looking for some laser treatment to get rid of some dark acne spots. The doctor there did such a good sales pitch on their "revolutionary Yellow Laser" that we agreed to prepay THB 25,000 for a 7-treatment course. Yes, I know, thinking back, I am wondering if they drugged us or something... Anyways, being such an expensive and "revolutionary" method using the latest high-tech equipment, I wanted to witness the first treatment. And guess what, their "Yellow Laser" turned out to be a regular APL ("accumulative pulsed light") that is offered in about any skin clinic for THB 500 - 1,000 a treatment!!! What a scam!!

By the way, when I asked their main (only?) doctor about their "holistic" approach, that they advertised in all their brochures and even their name, she looked at me blankly but then seemed to remember and pointed at a small electronic device in the corner of the treatment room. She explained that this device was used to evaluate a person in the "holistic approach" but that they don't really use it. And then she offered me Botox. Hahaha, what a scam!!

Edited September 28, 201213 yr by justamember

I get my armpits botoxed to stop excessive sweating. It's not exactly a high-end use of botox and frankly, I don't think it requires much skill to do. It's not like someone sticking needles near your eyes. But, it does use a lot of botox and thus can be expensive.

I found the best option is for me to visit Central Airport Plaza when it's time for a treatment (they last about 7 months) and make the rounds of all the clinics in that mall, getting a price quote from each of them and asking to see their treatment room and the botox they use if the price is promising.

For the amount of money quoted to the OP -- a second opinion and price quote would have been a good use of time prior to signing up.

Edited September 28, 201213 yr by NancyL

Clinics that use Korean FDA approved Botox can give you an awesome deal. Try SK clinic. I know one of

The branch owners in Bangkok. They pay around $150 for 100 units of Korean Botox. Compared to 10,000 baht for allergan Botox.

Forget those clinics. Many of them are run by people just out of medical school and often there is not even a licensed M.D. on the premises. What if the "dark spot" is skin cancer and it does not get diagnosed or misdiagnosed? Go to a reputable dermatologist at Sriphat or Ram.

In my opinion, the world of 'Holistic' or 'Alternative' treatments consists of a minority of generally humble but highly qualified and professional therapists, dedicated to the worthy ideal of relieving suffering and treating diseases with natural methods. They do not use hyped phraseology, nor feature themselves in glossy colour magazines. Their expertise is most often spread by word of mouth.

In my own personal (and costly) experience, the majority of 'holistic' practitioners comprises quacks and charlatans, dedicated to making as much money as possible by tricking fellow human beings into believing that they have some remedy or treatment that mainstream medicine is either not yet aware of, or otherwise discredits.

Bottom line: beware of anything labelled 'holistic'

It is likely to be aimed directly at your wallet.