01 Mar
Korea may be one of the most famous places to get cosmetic procedures. Injections, laser treatments, and plastic surgery are just a fraction of the many medical procedures that are available in Korea. They actually have the highest rate of plastic surgery procedures in the world per capita!
As someone who has gotten many different types of treatments (both cosmetic and holistic) in South Korea, here are some of the reasons why Korea is one of THE BEST places to go for your cosmetic needs. Cosmetic procedures aren’t for everyone, but if it’s something you’re interested in, let me show you the way! Check out this video about my experience going to a clinic in Gangnam, Seoul!
Affordability Of Procedures
Korea has, without a doubt, some of the best prices for procedures compared to countries like America, the UK, and Canada! For example, the average cost of 30 – 40 units of Botox in the United States can range from $300 – $1000 depending on where you visit. In Korea, 30 – 40 units of Botox can range from 25,000 won ($17) – 200,000 won ($137). Again, this all depends on where you visit, which brand of Botox you wish to receive, and how many units you will need, but it is far cheaper to get Botox in South Korea than in the United States!
Another procedure that is extremely affordable in Korea is laser hair removal. As someone who does this myself, the results have been amazing, and I am paying a fraction of the cost I did for waxing. The results last longer, the pain is much less, and the rapid-fire process makes squeezing in appointments effortless.
On top of the already great normal prices of procedures in Korea, many clinics will have promotional deals that offer an even larger discount! Instead of paying 25,000 won ($17.22) for 5 sessions of armpit laser hair removal, I only paid 10,000 won ($6.89) during a promotion!
Customized Consultations
There are an unbelievable number of clinics and providers for the plethora of procedures you can get. With this in mind, most clinics will offer a free consultation with an English translator! If you have concerns, or wish to receive recommendations on what procedures you could do, these consultations are a game changer!
My favorite part of consultations is that most clinics will happily meet you where you are comfortable. Even if they recommend you undergo injections or more invasive procedures, they will modify your treatments so that you are always comfortable with what you are getting done. Make sure to do your own research on which clinics offer English translators, and what their customer service is like! I like to use Google Reviews to truly see which clinics are trustworthy. Here is also a Korean site that shows customer reviews about some top clinics in the Gangnam area.
Stigma Of Getting Work Done
While some people may think that Korea pressures you to look a certain way, I try to look at it from a different perspective. In many Western countries, getting cosmetic work done can be seen as taboo or an example of not loving yourself. Since cosmetic procedures are so common in Korea, nobody bats an eye if you decide to get work done!
For me, this mindset has eased my prior anxieties over deciding to visit skin clinics while in Korea. It’s very common to see people walking around Seoul with nosecasts, facial bruises, or bandages. While it does take some time to get used to, it truly helps destigmatize the societal judgement that we can deal with when contemplating getting cosmetic procedures done.
Korea is really a utopia for all types of cosmetic procedures. They are lightyears ahead of many other countries in terms of accessibility, affordability, and ingenuity. I would definitely check out the vast selection of skin clinics or dermatologists if you you’ve ever considered it!
Gabriel White, Marketing Assistant
Gabriel (Gabe) White is an English teacher in South Korea. He is a Korean, Puerto Rican-American from the Richmond, Virginia area and received a bachelor’s degree in English from Virginia Commonwealth University. Being involved in student organizations like Filipino Americans Coming Together at VCU (FACT@VCU) and VCU Globe during his college years, Gabe learned just how much he enjoys experiencing new cultures. In his free time, Gabe loves teaching local dance classes, spending quality time with his loved ones, exploring new cities, and watching nostalgic movies.
