It might surprise you to find out how much it costs to visit K-beauty clinics in Seoul, South Korea. What if I told you that you could travel from the United States to South Korea, stock up on your Korean skincare, get your K-beauty treatments, and have a mini vacation all for less than the cost of JUST the treatment in the United States? Sounds insane right?
But it’s not! South Korea is the cosmetic procedure capital of the world. Skincare in South Korea is like getting your annual health checkup at the doctor in the United States. Everyone does it! So you’ll find a K-beauty clinic in Seoul on every single corner! There is definitely no shortage of affordable services.
On my recent trip to Seoul, I went a little crazy with the K-beauty treatments and now I can’t wait to go back. Honestly, I’ll probably never get beauty treatments done anywhere else. Here is your ultimate guide to K-beauty treatments in Seoul, South Korea!
Dive into my 5-day itinerary for an epic South Korean adventure
Is it Safe?
Absolutely! Skincare and skin treatments are not considered a luxury like they are in the US. The beauty industry in South Korea is highly developed. There are many experienced and qualified beauty professionals in Seoul who are trained in a variety of K-beauty treatments. These professionals use high-quality products and equipment, and they follow strict safety procedures.
K-beauty clinics follow strict regulations that are put in place by the Korean government for beauty products and treatments. These regulations are designed to ensure that products are safe for use and that treatments are performed by qualified professionals.
In addition, any of the products and technologies used in K-beauty treatments are available in the United States and have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). This means that you can be confident that the treatments you receive in Seoul are safe and effective.
How to Select a K-Beauty Clinic in Seoul & Where to Go
I did very extensive research on K-beauty clinics in Seoul. Meaning I went on TikTok and scrolled through hundreds of videos, making notes of the locations, treatments, pros and cons, pricing, etc. I narrowed it down to the top 3 locations that came up over and over. I went to each of their websites to see how user-friendly it is and if English-speaking options were available. Next, I looked at the timing of appointments, availability of services, pricing, and proximity to where I was staying plus transportation.
Top 3 Recommendations for K-Beauty Clinics in Seoul
How to Book Your Appointment
The 3 clinics I recommended all have foreign-friendly websites, so it’s easy to book directly online. However, if you choose another clinic based on your research and are finding it a bit difficult to navigate, I suggest searching for them on Instagram with the “clinic name” and “en” (for English) as many of them have a specific account for foreign customers. Send them a DM here and they are usually quite responsive.
I booked my K-beauty treatments directly through their website and they immediately sent me an email with information to prepare me for my appointment. Things like don’t forget your passport, how to find the location, arriving early (but not too early), etc. After this email, I received a WhatsApp message from a consultant at the clinic (they require a phone number or WhatsApp to contact you when booking).
Originally, the treatments that I booked were just Botox and filler. I knew that I wanted a facial but was a bit overwhelmed by the variety of facials offered. I also wanted to book a micro-needling session because I normally get a few sessions per year for my acne scars. However, I didn’t see this offered in the services list. When the consultant messaged me on WhatsApp, we had an in-depth conversation about exactly what I was looking for and she advised me on a few additional services but noted that when I arrive, I can add them on with an in-person consultant.
At the time, this seemed strange to me. In the US they book you for your service and only give you that allotted amount of time. If you want to add-on services, you usually have to return as there is someone in the timeslot right after you. This is not the case at all in South Korea!
One Major Difference in Service
Part of the reasons these K-beauty clinics are able to service SO many clients at one time and are a bit more organized is because of this one main difference. There’s nothing wrong with it but it’s important to know before your appointment, so you’re not feeling expectation vs. reality.
K-Beauty clinics in Seoul ARE NOT luxury spa experiences. They are efficient treatment centers – and the pricing definitely is reflective of that. You will wash your own face before starting any treatment and you’ll likely be in a shared space separated by a curtain. For certain treatments, like a laser treatment, you will be in a separate room.
What K-Beauty Treatments I Did & How Much It Cost
LDM Facial + Water Light + Vitamin Care
LDM (Local Dynamic Micro-Massage) is an ultra-gentle skin rejuvenation treatment for improving overall skin health and maintaining youthful skin. This improves conditions such as eczema, dermatitis, rosacea, and acne. It also helps with scar prevention and skin rejuvenation.
Water Light replenishes moisture in dry skin, brightens skin tone, and improves fine wrinkles for clear and transparent skin!
99,000 KRW ($75 USD)
Korean Botox
Botox injections are shots in specific areas that use a toxin to prevent a muscle from moving for a limited time.
The 3 areas I get injections are my forehead (horizontal rows that get worse when you raise the eyebrows), glabellar lines (frown lines or 11’s are vertical lines that appear between the eyebrows), and lateral canthal lines (crows feet are the fine lines that form on the outer corners of your eyes).
29,000 KRW ($22 USD) per area
Lip Filler with Korean Brand
Lip fillers are injections that add volume to your lips and consist of synthetic hyaluronic acid (HA) which is a natural substance in your body.
1cc for 100,000 KRW ($77 USD)
Pico Fraxel + Cryo Cell + Calming Mask
Pico Fractional Laser is a treatment suited to treat a variety of skin concerns such as dull skin, acne and acne scars, rosacea, pigmentations, sun-damaged skin, and melasma. Afterward, a cryo cell cooling facial is done to cool down your face from the inflammation and speed up recovery from the laser. Then a calming soothing mask is done to reduce redness and itchiness.
- 85,000 KRW ($65 USD)
Rejuran Healer
Rejuran Healer consists of biologically active molecules that stimulate regenerative processes and reduce inflammation. It’s particularly helpful to those with more pronounced effects of aging skin (uneven skin tone and texture, loss of elasticity, and fine lines) and those with skin damaged by acne scars.
Don’t Forget your Tax Refund!
Another major benefit to visiting a K-beauty clinic in Seoul is that you may be eligible for a tax refund. The Korean government offers a tax refund for tourists on purchases of goods and services over a certain amount. For skincare treatments, the minimum amount is 30,000 KRW (about US$24) and is typically around 10%.
To get a tax refund, you will need to present your passport at the clinic or spa where you receive the treatment. The clinic or spa will then give you a tax refund form. You will need to fill out this form and present it at the airport tax refund counter when you leave Korea.
Here are the steps on how to get a tax refund for K-beauty treatments in Seoul:
- Make sure that the clinic or spa you are going to participates in the tax refund program.
- Present your passport at the clinic or spa.
- Fill out the tax refund form.
- Keep the tax refund form and your receipts.
- Submit the tax refund form and receipts at the airport tax refund counter when you leave Korea.
You will receive a refund in cash or by check. The amount of the refund will depend on the total amount of your purchase and the exchange rate at the time of your refund.
Would you consider visiting a K-beauty clinic in Seoul?
If you have any questions about my personal experience with K-Beauty Clinics in Seoul, please feel free to DM me on Instagram or leave a comment below!
Read more about my skincare journey and product recommendations or click the images below.
