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When it comes to my first experience of undergoing cosmetic procedures in South Korea, I really have so much to say.

In the fall of 2023, I flew to Seoul for the first time. The moment I landed in Incheon, two words came to my mind: to become more beautiful.

What was the result? I spent nearly 20,000 yuan on the procedure, but when I got back, I found that the results were far from what I had expected – my face was also covered in small red marks. What annoyed me the most was that when I talked about this experience with a friend who had lived in South Korea for 5 years, she just said one thing after listening to my story:

“These three pitfalls are almost inevitable for beginners.”

It was only at that moment that I realized: it’s not South Korea’s medical beauty industry itself that is deceptive, but rather the information gap that leads to misunderstandings.

Writing out these three potential pitfalls in detail today is not meant to discourage you, but rather to help you have a smoother experience on your first attempt.

Trap 1: Being attracted by the “low-price experience” only to realize how expensive it actually is at checkout

Almost every girl who goes to South Korea for medical beauty treatments for the first time encounters this problem.

Before I set off, I came across several posts recommending a Dermatology clinic in Myeongdong, which claimed that the hydrafacial treatment there was available for only 99,000 Korean won. 99,000 Korean won is just over 500 yuan when converted, which is much cheaper than the prices in China. I thought to myself, if it’s so affordable, I definitely should go and give it a try.

Upon arriving at the location, the consultant first used instruments to conduct a skin examination on me. Then, suddenly, the topic shifted…

“Your skin barrier is relatively thin; it is recommended to use a repair essence before undergoing the hydrafacial procedure, otherwise your skin may become red afterwards.”

Okay, let’s add it then. “It works best when used in conjunction with our hospital-exclusive cream.” That sounds good too. “Your Nasolabial Fold Correction area seems a bit sunken; would you like to get some Filler injected today?” ……

The final bill amounted to 470,000 Korean won – twice the original price.

After returning to my home country, I posted a complaint on REDnote, and the comment section went absolutely crazy: “Me too!!”, “The on-site translator kept saying that without special effects, it wouldn’t look good”, “Where’s the so-called ‘experiential value’ they promised???”

It was only later that I realized: in South Korea, the so-called “experience package” offered by many clinics is actually a trick. The quoted prices usually only include basic procedures; anesthesia, the doctor’s fees, and post-operative care are not included. If you don’t ask, they won’t mention them on their own.

How can one avoid it?

• Before setting off, make sure to check the actual total price of services that require medical intervention on BeautsGO.
• Upon arrival at the site, any additional services require a written quote from the other party before a decision can be made.
• Remember: For clinics with opaque pricing, regardless of how good their facilities are, you should think twice before choosing them.

Pitfall 2: Following the trend and choosing a “internet-famous clinic” that is actually completely unsuitable for you

If a certain place becomes popular on REDnote, you might want to try it out yourself.

Before my first visit, I saved more than a dozen articles titled “Recommended Dermatology Clinics in South Korea,” each of them written with great sincerity: “The director of this clinic has an incredible sense of aesthetics,” “That clinic is outstanding at skin care…” Reading these articles really made me eager to go.

When the results came out, several issues became apparent: the waiting time for a reservation was 2 hours; the doctor only examined me for 2 minutes before asking the nurse to take me for a facial wash; when I mentioned that I wanted to improve my Pores, the consultant recommended a package – but upon checking at home, I realized that 3 of the treatments in that package were completely unnecessary for me.

It’s not that this clinic is bad. But rather, “popularity” and “being suitable for you” are completely different things.

The blogger might have been asking about the long-term maintenance of problematic skin, while you might be doing this treatment for the first time. She underwent basic hyaluronic acid treatments, while you want to improve the issue of sagging skin. She is a regular customer and enjoys special discounts, but you are a casual client and therefore don’t get any discounts at all.

Later, I found a Dermatology clinic in Hongdae called KATE Dermatology. The three directors each have their own areas of expertise. You can get there by walking for just one minute after exiting from exit 9 of the Hongdae station. The key is that they don’t engage in aggressive sales; instead, they provide recommendations based on your actual skin condition.

When I went there that time, my face had sunspots, my Pores in the T-zone were enlarged, and there were also a few closed comedones on my neck. After the skin examination using the Visia device, the first thing the director of KATE said to me was…

“Your skin barrier is not yet stable enough. First, undergo a month of hydration treatment to strengthen your skin’s foundation, and then the HIFU treatment will be more effective.”

To be honest, I was a bit surprised. Since HIFU is much more expensive than basic skincare treatments, they actually advised me to “wait before proceeding”. But what happened later proved that their decision was correct – after my skin’s foundation improved, the results of the subsequent laser freckle removal treatments were much better than if I had done them right away.

How can one avoid it?

• First, figure out “what problem I need to solve,” and then look for the appropriate clinic to address it.
• Selecting a doctor > Selecting a clinic: Even at the same clinic, different doctors may result in vastly different outcomes.
• Look for doctors who are willing to “discourage” you from undergoing the procedure – it shows that they truly have your best interests at heart.

Hongdae KATE Premium Dermatology

📍 Exit 9 of Hongdae Entrance Station, just a 1-minute walk away | Each of the three directors has their own areas of expertise.

🌐 Chinese-speaking customer service provides full support throughout the process | No sales gimmicks | Transparent pricing

Book a consultation now →

Trick number three: Going without even bringing a passport, not even knowing that “no one will take care of you after the procedure”

This issue is the one that is most easily overlooked and also has the greatest impact on the overall experience.

My thought at that time was very simple: Just start a project, bring along my passport, bank card, and translation software – and that’s it.

The next day after the Pico treatment, my face began to turn red and swell a bit. By the third day, the symptoms were even more obvious. I panicked—who should I turn to for help? Translation software? Of no use; it’s impossible to describe such symptoms accurately. A clinic? They don’t have any post-treatment follow-up services, so I would have to seek help on my own. The online retailer who recommended the treatment? Well, they disappeared right after selling the product to me.

In the end, on the streets of Seoul, wearing a mask and using my poor Korean-English mix of gestures, I managed to find a pharmacy and buy some soothing ointment…

It was only after that incident that I realized: the biggest problem in South Korea’s medical aesthetics industry is not the surgery itself, but the fact that “no one takes care of the patients after the procedure”.

In many clinics, after the treatment is completed, the nurse will just apply a facial mask to you and then send you away. There is no follow-up, no Chinese-speaking customer service, and no emergency contact information. If you don’t have any acquaintances in South Korea and don’t speak the language, encountering problems can really be very distressing.

Later, I switched to KATE Dermatology, and their post-treatment services left a deep impression on me: after the treatment, the nurse gave me a Chinese-language “Post-Treatment Instructions Card”; on the third day, the WeChat customer service of the clinic took the initiative to ask how my recovery was going; if I had any problems, I could directly contact the Chinese-speaking customer service for assistance.

For those who are going to South Korea for cosmetic procedures for the first time, having someone to cover their expenses is truly more important than anything else.

How can one avoid it?

• Choose a clinic that offers Chinese-speaking customer service and post-treatment follow-ups.
• Before setting off, make sure to save the clinic’s emergency contact information.
• Confirm the recovery period: It’s really common for people to go on a shopping spree on the day of the procedure and then fly back home the next day.

Written for those who are going there for the first time

Having said all this, it’s not my intention to tell you that “you shouldn’t go to South Korea for medical aesthetics treatments.” On the contrary, South Korea’s medical aesthetics technologies, the experience of its doctors, and the quality of the medications used are all at the leading level globally. If you go to the right place, you can indeed spend less money and achieve better results than if you stay in your home country.

The problem lies in knowing how to approach it properly.

My three suggestions:

1. Check the prices before making a decision: On BeautsGO, you can find the actual prices of hospitals and treatments, so you can have a clear idea in advance.
2. Look for reputable professional clinics: Don’t follow the crowd, and don’t be tempted by low prices; choose those that will provide you with genuine advice.
3. Make proper preparations after the procedure: Check in advance whether Chinese-language services and post-operative follow-ups are available before making an appointment.

If you want to avoid all this hassle, there is a very simple way: use BeautsGO to make an appointment. The clinics listed on the platform have all been carefully selected, the prices are transparent, and there is Chinese-speaking customer service available to help you discuss your needs in advance, so you can be directly assisted upon arriving at the clinic.

When going to South Korea for medical beauty treatments for the first time, there’s no need for you to become an expert in this field. But at the very least, make sure you understand your own needs clearly, ask about the prices in detail, and confirm the after-sales services available.

By achieving these three things, you will find that South Korea’s medical aesthetics industry is truly worth experiencing.

Related recommendati
ons: [Recommended by the Dermatology Department of Hongdae Hospital in South Korea] KATE Clinic Hongdae: A comprehensive guide to Juvelook, HIFU, and thread lifting treatments. Why has the Dermatology Departmen
t of Hongdae Hospital, known only to local residents in Seoul, remained so popular for so many years, with three directors in charge?