💉 How to Use Dermatology Clinics in Korea (Procedures & Prices for Foreigners)

⚠️ Important: This is general information. Decide on a procedure's suitability, effects, and side effects only through an in-person consultation with a licensed doctor. Prices vary greatly by clinic, brand, and individual condition.

⏱️ 30-Second Summary — Just Remember This!

📍 Where? → Gangnam (widest choice), Cheongdam (premium), Myeongdong (tourist-convenient), Hongdae (value)
💆 Popular procedures → Aqua Peel, skin boosters, lifting lasers, Botox/fillers
💰 Price → Varies widely by procedure/brand; check whether VAT, anesthesia, and aftercare are included
🌐 Language → Foreigner-focused clinics offer English/interpretation
🧾 VAT refund → Be sure to check the latest applicability before visiting

1. 🏥 How Are Korean Dermatology Clinics Divided?

Medical vs. aesthetic: Dermatology splits broadly into disease treatment (acne, atopy, skin conditions, etc.) and aesthetic procedures (lasers, injections, lifting, etc.). One clinic may do both.
Specialist vs. general practitioner: A "dermatology specialist" on the sign is a doctor who completed dermatology training. GPs can also do aesthetic procedures. Many aesthetic clinics in Korea use the word "dermatology," so it's good to separately confirm whether an actual dermatology specialist is on site.
Foreigner-focused clinics: Gangnam and Myeongdong have many clinics offering English, Chinese, and Japanese consultation and interpretation.

💡 For serious skin conditions, choose a place with dermatology treatment rather than an aesthetic clinic; for cosmetic goals, choose a clinic with lots of procedure experience.

2. 📍 Where to Go? (By Area)

Gangnam·Gangnam Station: The widest choice. From value to premium, with fierce competition keeping prices reasonable.
Cheongdam·Apgujeong: The premium zone. Many high-end clinics favored by celebrities, so prices run higher.
Myeongdong: Convenient for tourists. Central and well set up for multiple languages, though some may charge tourist-area prices.
Hongdae: Has value-oriented, trendy clinics.

3. 💆 Popular Procedures Among Foreigners

Common procedures foreigners seek. Decide on effects/suitability via consultation.

Aqua Peel: Deep cleansing that suctions debris from pores. Good for a light session.
Skin boosters (Rejuran, Juvelook, etc.): Injections aiding hydration/regeneration in the skin. Popular for the "glass-skin glow."
Laser toning: Lasers for pigmentation, spots, and tone.
Lifting (Shurink, Thermage, Ulthera, etc.): Ultrasound/RF for elasticity and lifting. Each device has different traits.
Botox/fillers: Wrinkle reduction (Botox), volume/contour (fillers). Prices vary a lot by brand.
Mole/spot removal: Removing moles, age spots, etc. by laser.
Acne/scar treatment: Acne extraction, lasers, medication, etc. (If it's condition-based, treatment is needed.)
Laser hair removal: Semi-permanent removal by area.

💡 If it's your first time, start with quick-recovery procedures like Aqua Peel or light lasers; for lifting/injection procedures, check the downtime (recovery period) before deciding.

4. 💰 How Much? (Reference Ranges)

⚠️ The below are rough reference examples to give you a sense. Actual prices vary by area, brand, dosage, individual condition, and promotions — by several times — and the exact amount is confirmed at consultation.

Aqua Peel·toning (light procedures): Roughly ₩30,000–150,000 per session. Cheaper as an add-on or in a package.
Botox: Varies greatly by area/brand. Korean brands start from tens of thousands of won per area; premium imports run ₩100,000+. (Jaw/masseter is higher.)
Fillers: Roughly ₩200,000–500,000 per area, depending on area/product.
Skin boosters (Rejuran, Juvelook, etc.): Roughly ₩150,000–350,000 per session. Usually sold as multi-session packages.
Lifting (Shurink, Thermage, Ulthera, etc.): Wide range, from hundreds of thousands to ₩1,000,000+, by shot count/device. Premium devices cost more.
Must check: Confirm "whether it's a per-session price, whether VAT is included, and whether anesthesia/sedation/aftercare are included."
Caution: Even if a "package/event price" looks cheap, check the scope and extra charges. For unusually cheap places, be sure to verify the brand and who performs the procedure.

5. 🧾 Aesthetic-Medical VAT Refund — Check the Latest Applicability Before Visiting!

In the past, foreigners could get a VAT refund (about 10%) at the airport after aesthetic procedures.

Key point: The foreigner aesthetic-medical VAT refund has been a temporary, repeatedly-extended system, so its applicable period can change. Before visiting, be sure to check whether a refund applies via the clinic, airport refund desks, and official notices.
Retail refund is separate: The general-goods tax refund for cosmetics, clothes, etc., operates separately from the aesthetic-procedure refund.
Some platform points: Booking platforms may offer their own point rewards, but that's different from a government refund and has conditions.
If a refund applies: You'll need the clinic to give you the refund documents (receipt/proof) at payment to process it at the airport.

6. 📱 How to Book & Consult

Book ahead: Walk-ins are possible, but booking in advance lets you confirm price and who performs the procedure — safer.
How to book: Use the clinic's English website, KakaoTalk, or Instagram DM, or a medical-tourism agency/booking platform.
Online consultation: Many foreigner-focused clinics discuss your desired areas, medical history, and a quote via advance online consultation.
Entry·stay: Many travelers get short-term aesthetic procedures, but confirm your nationality's entry requirements, length of stay, and procedure scope in advance (surgery is separate).
On the day: Reception → written intake (English forms at many places) → in-person consultation → procedure → aftercare guidance.

7. 🛡️ How to Stay Safe (Please Read!)

Verify license/credentials: Confirm that the doctor who consulted with you performs the procedure. A "ghost doctor" (someone else doing it) is illegal. It's fine to ask about the doctor's license/experience.
Confirm official registration: You can verify the official registration of institutions that attract foreign patients. If using an agency, also check fees and the refund policy.
Confirm the brand: For Botox/fillers, confirm which brand and check the sealed, genuine container.
Disclose history: Always disclose allergies, current medicines, pregnancy, etc., in advance. Before injections (fillers/Botox), tell the doctor about anticoagulants, aspirin, and supplements.
Before/after care: Avoid alcohol, saunas, intense exercise, and excessive sun before and after.
Check downtime: Confirm the recovery period and side effects (swelling, bruising, redness) at consultation.
Aftercare: Follow sun protection, moisturizing, and instructions afterward. You may get prescription medicine from a pharmacy if needed.
Beware overblown ads: Be wary of absolute claims like "guaranteed / permanent / no side effects."

8. 📅 Travel-Schedule Tips

Before important events: Before important photo shoots, weddings, or departure, avoid procedures that may bruise/swell, and leave at least a few days' buffer.
Allow recovery time: Lifting/injection procedures can take time for swelling to subside.
Multiple procedures: Stacking several at once can overlap recovery, so spread out your schedule.

9. 🔎 Verifying a Clinic — Official Channels (Highly Recommended!)

Blog/SNS reviews and rankings are often ads or sponsored. When choosing a clinic, it's safest to verify via official information rather than marketing. Use these official channels.

Foreign-patient institution registration/search (KHIDI): On the official system run by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, you can check whether a clinic is a registered foreign-patient institution. → medicalkorea.or.kr/korp
Visit Medical Korea (official portal): Provides info on Korean medical institutions/services in English, Chinese, Japanese, and Russian, with service info and price comparison. → visitmedicalkorea.com
Accreditation check: You can also check the accreditation status of foreign-patient institutions on the KHIDI system.
Medical Korea Support Center: Phone 1577-7129 (English, Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Arabic).
Ask for the certificate: You can ask the clinic to show its "Certificate of Registration for Foreign Patient Attraction." If registration can't be confirmed or they can't show it, treat it as a red flag.

💡 Tip: ① Verify registration/accreditation on official sites → ② confirm the consulting doctor's specialty/license → ③ confirm the procedure's brand/authenticity. Checking in this order helps you choose safely without being swayed by marketing.

10. 🚨 Side-Effect / Emergency Response

If you have severe pain, skin-color changes, vision problems, difficulty breathing, or high fever after a procedure, contact the clinic or an ER immediately.
Get the clinic's emergency contact in advance.
While traveling, if you're unsure where to go, use 119 (emergency), and the E-Gen app to find nearby medical facilities.

11. Common Questions from Foreigners ❓

Is it OK if I don't speak Korean? → Foreigner-focused clinics offer English/interpretation. Confirm language support when booking.
How do I find a good clinic? → Rather than reviews/rankings (which can be ads), first verify a clinic is officially registered via KHIDI's official search/accreditation (see section 9).
Is it really cheap? → More reasonable than the West, but the real cost depends on whether VAT is included and extra charges.
Can I get a VAT refund? → The aesthetic-procedure refund is a temporary system whose applicability can change. Confirm before visiting (retail refund is separate).
What about entry/visa? → Many travelers get short-term procedures, but confirm your nationality's entry requirements, stay, and procedure scope in advance.
Can I get it done the same day? → Sometimes, but advance booking/consultation is safer.
What about payment? → Card and cash both generally work. When paying by card, pay in KRW to avoid DCC losses.

✅ Quick Checklist

Decide your goal (medical treatment vs. aesthetic procedure)
Verify a registered institution/accreditation via KHIDI's official search (medicalkorea.or.kr/korp)
Confirm whether a dermatology specialist is on site and English support
Confirm the quote and who performs it via advance booking/online consultation
For price, confirm whether VAT, anesthesia, and aftercare are included
Confirm the procedure's brand/genuine container; beware ghost doctors
Disclose allergies, meds (anticoagulants/aspirin), and pregnancy in advance
Avoid alcohol, saunas, intense exercise, and sun before/after
Avoid bruise/swell procedures right before important events/departure
Check the latest VAT-refund applicability; pay in KRW
For abnormal symptoms, contact the clinic/ER immediately (119, E-Gen)

🟦 A guide put together by the CultureHub team.
📅 As of 2026 · ⚠️ This is general information, not medical advice. Procedure types, prices, refunds, and entry rules vary by clinic and policy and may change. Consult a licensed doctor before a procedure, and verify a clinic's registration/accreditation via official channels.