FairFare
Cosmetic & Dermatology Procedure Prices
Real price ranges for the plastic surgery and dermatology procedures foreign patients ask for most — plus what foreigner-focused clinics quote.
Gangnam
The Apgujeong-Rodeo and Sinsa-dong strip is dense enough with clinics to be nicknamed the "Beauty Belt." But government data shows foreign patients actually visit dermatology far more than plastic surgery (62.9% vs. 11.2% of all foreign patients in 2025) — a lot of what tourists get done here is skin treatments, not surgery.
- •Around 400 of Seoul's plastic-surgery clinics — roughly 75% of the city's total and about 40% of the national total — are concentrated in Gangnam-gu (as of 2020).
- •About 37% of foreign medical tourists visiting Seoul reportedly choose Gangnam specifically, though the exact source year for this figure isn't confirmed.
- •Gangnam-gu's own "Gangnam Medical Tour Center" runs 42 professional coordinators across 8 languages, handling hospital matching, accommodation, interpretation, airport pickup, and tax-refund guidance — with a reported 91% patient satisfaction rate.
- •Hospitals certified under Korea's official foreign-patient program (KAHF) are required to keep a dedicated foreign-patient coordinator on site at all times — Apgujeong's JK Plastic Surgery Center was the first hospital ever to receive this certification (permit No. 0001).
- •If you just want walk-in skin treatments rather than surgery, Myeongdong is a real alternative — it has plenty of foreigner-facing dermatology clinics with fixed-price menus, though it's built around casual walk-ins rather than Gangnam's surgical/package-focused model.
Double Eyelid Surgery
Korea's most common cosmetic procedure for foreign patients, done as a quick non-incision (suture) method or a longer-lasting incision method.
Non-incision (suture) method typically ₩300,000–₩1,000,000; incision method ₩700,000–₩1,500,000.
Premium Gangnam foreigner packages (often including the incision method, interpreter, and aftercare) are quoted higher by international medical-tourism sites — cross-check before booking.
Rhinoplasty
Reshaping the bridge and tip of the nose, usually with a silicone or cartilage implant — one of the two procedures foreign plastic-surgery patients ask for most.
Basic bridge-and-tip work with a standard implant runs ₩1,400,000–₩4,500,000; upgrading to Gore-Tex/Silitex material adds roughly ₩300,000–₩800,000.
International medical-tourism sites quote foreigner-package rhinoplasty (often bundling more complex techniques) noticeably higher — treat as a rough guide, not a quote.
Botox
A quick injectable that's the single most common reason foreign patients visit Korean dermatology clinics — priced per treatment area.
Averages ₩95,836 across all areas; forehead runs around ₩31,512 on average, jaw/masseter slimming around ₩47,947.
Clinics marketing directly to foreign patients often list ₩112,000–₩420,000 per area — cross-check the specific clinic's own price list before booking.
Dermal Filler
Hyaluronic-acid injections used to add volume or smooth lines — priced per syringe (1cc), with a large gap between domestic and imported brands.
Domestic-brand filler runs ₩70,000–₩300,000 per 1cc; imported filler averages ₩323,231 (₩242,000–₩418,000) per 1cc, based on a national 13-clinic survey.
Clinics marketing to foreign patients often quote ₩280,000–₩840,000 per syringe — again, confirm directly with the clinic rather than relying on a broker site's figure.
Laser Toning
A low-downtime laser treatment for brightening and evening skin tone — usually done as a course of several sessions rather than once.
Averages ₩50,320 per single session; a 10-session package averages around ₩374,000.
Ulthera (HIFU Lifting)
A non-surgical, high-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) treatment for skin lifting and tightening — price varies a lot by how many shots/how much area is treated.
Platform average ₩257,882 — but treat this as directional only: other sources quote full-face 300-shot treatments at ₩800,000–₩1,500,000+, so always confirm exactly how many shots/what area a quoted price covers.
Pigment Laser / Pico Toning
Laser treatment for melasma, age spots and overall skin tone using pico or Q-switched devices — melasma care and simple spot removal are treated very differently, so confirm the diagnosis and device/mode before booking.
A single basic toning session and a 'triple' pico session bundling multiple passes are priced very differently — confirm exactly which device, mode, and number of passes a quoted price covers. Based on official English-menu prices observed at several Seoul clinics in September 2026.
Recovery Timeline
What's commonly normal during recovery for each procedure, and when to contact your clinic directly — general information only, not a diagnosis.
Double Eyelid Surgery
Day 0–2
- •Significant swelling and bruising is expected and typically peaks around day 2–3 before it starts improving.
- •Visible stitches at the incision are normal until they're removed by the clinic.
- •Clinics commonly instruct cold compresses for the first 1–2 days (switching to warm later on their guidance), sleeping with the head elevated, and keeping the incision clean and dry exactly as instructed.
- •One side dramatically more swollen than the other, out of proportion to normal asymmetric healing.
Day 3–7
- •Swelling and bruising gradually decrease, though they're still visible.
- •Stitch removal (for the incisional method) commonly happens around day 5–7 — this appointment normally needs to happen in person at the clinic, so it's worth planning the trip length around it.
- •Swelling or pain that is increasing rather than decreasing after day 3–4.
- •Pus or discharge from the incision, or fever.
2–4 weeks
- •Most bruising has resolved and swelling is much reduced, but the eyelid's "final" shape has generally not settled yet — some asymmetry at this stage is still normal.
- •Any wound that reopens, or a crease line that seems to be disappearing rather than settling in.
Month 2–3
- •This is roughly when the result is commonly considered settled enough for a real evaluation — the natural crease and any residual swelling can continue refining for several months beyond this, though.
- •If there's a concern about asymmetry or shape by this point, this is generally the appropriate time to request a proper evaluation from the clinic — either in person or through whatever photo-review process the clinic offers — rather than judging too early.
- •Persistent, clearly visible asymmetry that hasn't improved at all since the 2–4 week stage.
General information only, based on common aftercare guidance — not a diagnosis. Your own results and timeline can differ. Always contact the clinic that performed your procedure with any concern.
Botox
Day 0–2
- •Small red marks or light bruising at injection sites are common and usually fade within days.
- •A mild headache for a few hours afterward is commonly reported.
- •Many clinics advise not lying down for about 4 hours and not rubbing the treated area, so the product stays where it was placed.
- •It's normal to see no visible effect yet — botox typically takes several days to start showing.
- •An eyelid or eyebrow that starts drooping — this usually resolves on its own but the clinic should know.
- •Difficulty swallowing or breathing is very rare but a true emergency — seek local emergency care immediately, don't wait to reach the clinic.
Day 3–7
- •Injection marks fade further and the effect gradually becomes visible.
- •Some left-right asymmetry can feel more noticeable at this stage — this is common before the effect fully settles.
- •Redness that spreads, or warmth and fever around the area — possible signs of infection.
- •Drooping that is getting worse rather than better by this point.
2 weeks – 1 month
- •The full effect is commonly reported to settle in by around 2 weeks.
- •If the result feels uneven or weaker than expected, it's generally recommended to go back to the clinic that performed it rather than seek a fix elsewhere — they have your exact injection record.
- •No visible effect at all by around 3 weeks.
General information only, based on common aftercare guidance — not a diagnosis. Your own results and timeline can differ. Always contact the clinic that performed your procedure with any concern.
Dermal Filler
Day 0–2
- •Swelling and bruising are common, especially around the lips or under the eyes, and can look more noticeable the next morning before it improves.
- •Mild tenderness at injection points is expected; many clinics recommend gentle icing.
- •Many clinics advise avoiding strenuous exercise, alcohol, and saunas/hot baths for a day or two.
- •Pain, hardness, or discoloration (especially a dusky blue-purple, spreading beyond the injection area) that is getting worse rather than better — this is rare, but is the specific warning sign for a vascular complication and should be reported promptly.
- •Fever, or pus/discharge from an injection point.
Day 3–7
- •Most swelling has gone down, though small lumps or firmness can still be felt as the filler settles — this is common early on.
- •Slight left-right asymmetry is common at this stage and often settles further over the following weeks.
- •Any worsening (not improving) pain, skin color change, or coolness of the skin over the treated area.
2 weeks – 1 month
- •The final shape is commonly reported to be visible by around 2–4 weeks, once any residual swelling is fully gone.
- •If a lump persists or the result isn't what was expected, going back to the clinic that injected it is the standard next step — for hyaluronic-acid fillers, dissolving is an option the clinic can discuss if truly needed.
- •Skin breakdown, blistering, or an area that hasn't healed normally.
General information only, based on common aftercare guidance — not a diagnosis. Your own results and timeline can differ. Always contact the clinic that performed your procedure with any concern.
Laser Toning
Day 0–2
- •Mild redness and a warm, mildly sunburnt feeling is common right after treatment.
- •Depending on the specific laser used, tiny pinpoint marks or micro-crusting can appear.
- •Clinics commonly ask patients to strictly avoid sun exposure and use SPF, and to skip active ingredients (retinol, exfoliants, vitamin C) and makeup for the period the clinic specifies.
- •Blistering, or pain that is more intense than what the clinic described as expected.
Day 3–7
- •Mild flaking or dryness can occur as the skin renews — picking at it is generally discouraged.
- •New dark or light patches forming where the redness was, or signs of infection (worsening pain, pus).
2 weeks – 1 month
- •This is typically a series treatment — visible tone improvement usually builds gradually over multiple sessions, not from a single visit.
- •Existing pigmentation or melasma that appears to be getting darker rather than better — laser treatments can worsen melasma if not managed carefully, so this is worth flagging promptly.
General information only, based on common aftercare guidance — not a diagnosis. Your own results and timeline can differ. Always contact the clinic that performed your procedure with any concern.
Ulthera (HIFU Lifting)
Day 0–2
- •Mild swelling, redness, and tenderness to the touch are common right after treatment.
- •Temporary tingling, numbness, or a dull ache from the ultrasound energy is commonly reported and usually fades within days.
- •Most people resume normal daily activities the same day; many clinics advise avoiding saunas or very hot baths for a short period.
- •Signs of a burn or blister.
Day 3–7
- •Tenderness fades; a temporary tight or firm sensation in the treated area is commonly reported.
- •Persistent nerve-type pain (sharp, shooting), or any new facial weakness or asymmetry in movement — very rare, but worth reporting promptly given the treatment's proximity to facial nerves.
Month 1–3
- •This procedure works by stimulating collagen over time — results are commonly reported to build gradually across 2–3 months, not immediately. Expecting an instant lift is a common source of disappointment that isn't actually a sign anything went wrong.
- •No change at all is noticeable even after 3 months.
General information only, based on common aftercare guidance — not a diagnosis. Your own results and timeline can differ. Always contact the clinic that performed your procedure with any concern.
Government-Certified Clinics
These clinics are currently listed on Korea's official certification portal for institutions serving foreign patients (KAHF). This certification evaluates a clinic's foreign-patient service systems (interpretation, dispute prevention) and patient-safety systems — it is not a rating of treatment outcomes and does not replace reading real reviews yourself. "Known for" details below (where shown) come from each clinic's own website, not the government portal.
JK Plastic Surgery
Gangnam-gu835 Nonhyeon-ro, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul
Known for: Breast augmentation, rhinoplasty, eyelid surgery, anti-aging (per the clinic's own listing — not verified by the government portal itself).
KAHF-certified 4 consecutive cycles (2017, 2019, 2021, 2023), current validity through Dec 2027 — the only plastic surgery clinic with this many consecutive certifications, per Ministry of Health and Welfare notices and news coverage.
DM Dermatology
Gangnam-gu158 Apgujeong-ro, Sinsa-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (4F, Jinwoo Bldg.)
Known for: General dermatology with English/Japanese/Chinese-language consultation available, per the clinic's own site.
Currently listed as KAHF-certified on the official Medical Korea portal (medicalkorea.or.kr). The exact year(s) the certification was awarded weren't published anywhere independently verifiable — only current active status is confirmed.
Jiwoo Clinic
Gangnam-gu107 Teheran-ro, Yeoksam-dong, Gangnam-gu, Seoul (14F, Medit Tower)
Known for: Pigmentation and laser treatments, acne scars, Rejuran, Thermage, and Ulthera-type lifting, per the clinic's own site (not the official certification portal).
Currently listed as KAHF-certified on the official Medical Korea portal; the clinic's own site claims a "4-year" certification term but the exact award year wasn't independently confirmed.
Pixelab Plastic Surgery
Seocho-gu (near Gangnam Station)42 Seocho-daero 73-gil, Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul (Gangnam Station Riga Square)
Known for: Skin lifting (Ulthera, Titanium, Opus) and Botox/filler — leans toward non-surgical aesthetic dermatology despite the "plastic surgery" name, per the clinic's own site.
Currently listed as KAHF-certified on the official Medical Korea portal; exact award year not independently confirmed.
AB Plastic Surgery
Seocho-gu (near Gangnam Station)17 Seocho-daero 77-gil, Seocho-dong, Seocho-gu, Seoul (BLOCK77)
Currently listed as KAHF-certified on the official Medical Korea portal. Secondary sources suggest a 2025 award, but this could not be confirmed against a primary Ministry of Health and Welfare or KHIDI notice — treat as unconfirmed.
Observed Official Menu Prices by Clinic
These are individual prices observed directly on each clinic's own official website/English menu — this is a different list from the government-certified clinics above and carries no certification claim. These are not personal confirmed quotes; tax, anesthesia, interpretation and follow-up fees are often separate, so confirm directly with the clinic before booking.
MIO Clinic
Gangnam-gu- Allergan wrinkle treatment, one area₩79,000
Tax excluded on the official menu. A separate ₩100,000 doctor-selection fee is listed elsewhere on the same menu — confirm whether it applies to your visit.
- Allergan wrinkle treatment, three areas₩189,000
Tax excluded on the official menu. Confirm exactly which three areas are covered before booking.
- Xeomin or Dysport wrinkle treatment, one area₩45,000
The menu lists Xeomin/Dysport together without specifying which brand is used by default — ask which one you'll receive. Tax excluded.
Checked on 2026-09-08
Forena Clinic
Mapo-gu (Hongdae)- First-visit aqua peel (steps 1–2) + cryo care₩75,900
Tax included. First-time patients only; the offer's expiry date is not stated on the page.
- First-visit Excel V laser + modeling mask₩75,900
Tax included. First-time patients only; confirm the treated area, laser mode, and offer expiry directly with the clinic.
Checked on 2026-09-08
A Reddit account described this clinic's English communication and care as helpful, but mentioned more pain and a rushed feeling during some lifting treatments and considered long-term results too early to judge. One traveler's account, not a clinic-wide assessment.
View sourcePPEUM Global Gangnam
Seocho-gu (Gangnam / Sinnonhyeon)- Xeomin wrinkle treatment, one area, limited offer₩25,000
Tax excluded. September 2026 limited-time offer excluding lip corners — confirm the offer is still running and any other eligibility conditions.
- Juvederm filler, 1mL, limited offer₩239,000
Tax excluded. September 2026 limited-time offer excluding lips — confirm the exact product variant.
- Pico toning, one session, standard menu₩49,000
Tax excluded on the official menu.
- Pico toning + ten sheet masks, limited offer₩29,000
Tax excluded. September 2026 limited-time offer — confirm the offer is still running.
- Male underarm laser hair removal, one session₩40,000
Tax excluded. This is the clinic's male-category price — confirm whether it covers both sides and which device is used.
- September Thermage FLX, 600 shots₩1,790,000
Tax excluded. September 2026 promotional price, valid through 2026-09-30 — confirm current pricing if booking after that date.
- Fillroad skin booster (salmon-derived PN extract), 1mL₩79,000
Listed online at a 41% markdown from the clinic's own stated regular price of ₩135,000 — no expiry date shown, but confirm whether this discount is still active before booking. Tax treatment not stated.
- LIZNE skin booster (DNA-fragment based), 1mL₩75,000
Listed online at a 46% markdown from the clinic's own stated regular price of ₩140,000 — no expiry date shown, but confirm whether this discount is still active before booking. Tax treatment not stated.
- Rejuran Skin Booster, 2mL₩110,000
Listed at a single price with no discount/event markup shown — treat as the clinic's standard online-booking price. Tax treatment not stated.
- SlimCut fat-dissolving injection (body), 300mL₩129,000
Listed online at a 33% markdown from the clinic's own stated regular price of ₩195,000 — no expiry date shown, but confirm whether this discount is still active before booking. Tax treatment not stated.
Checked on 2026-09-08
VSLINE Clinic Apgujeong
Gangnam-gu (Apgujeong)- Xeomin wrinkle toxin (area count unspecified)₩60,000
The official menu states VAT and 'injector costs' are excluded — confirm what the injector cost covers and its amount before booking.
- Allergan wrinkle toxin (area count unspecified)₩130,000
VAT and injector costs excluded per the official menu — confirm the total before booking.
- Restylane filler, 1mL₩330,000
VAT and injector costs excluded per the official menu — confirm the treated area and total before booking.
- Juvederm filler, 1mL₩590,000
VAT and injector costs excluded per the official menu.
- Triple pico toning₩290,000
This bundles three passes/modes in one session — a much larger scope than a single basic toning session elsewhere, so it isn't a like-for-like comparison. VAT and injector costs excluded.
- Rejuran Healer, 4mL₩460,000
VAT and injector costs excluded per the official menu.
- Ultherapy Prime, 300 shots₩1,170,000
VAT and injector costs excluded per the official menu — confirm what area 300 shots is meant to cover.
- Thermage FLX, 600 shots₩2,290,000
VAT and injector costs excluded per the official menu — a different Gangnam clinic listed a September promotional price of ₩1,790,000 for the same 600-shot Thermage FLX, so it's worth comparing both before booking.
- Rejuran HB Plus skin booster, 4mL₩720,000
A higher-concentration variant of the Rejuran Healer 4mL this file already lists (₩460,000) — VAT and injector costs excluded per the official menu.
- Glass Skin skin booster, 4mL₩360,000
VAT and injector costs excluded per the official menu — the official menu doesn't state which active ingredient blend this product name refers to.
- Juvelook skin booster, 3mL₩300,000
VAT and injector costs excluded per the official menu — the same clinic's 6mL size is ₩600,000 (exactly double), suggesting a flat per-mL rate rather than a bundle discount for this product.
- VS Power Slim fat-dissolving injection (body), 40mL₩600,000
VAT and injector costs excluded per the official menu — the same clinic's 60mL size is ₩900,000, confirm exactly which body area(s) a quoted volume is meant to cover.
Checked on 2026-09-08
The clinic's own site links to its Apgujeong Signature Center location on Google Maps. Review text and live ratings inside Maps were not independently checked, so no score or summary is given here.
View source