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Specialty · 피부과

Dermatology Clinics in Apgujeong

Skin clinics in Apgujeong, Sinsa and Cheongdam for lifting devices, lasers, injectables and skin boosters, with notes on pricing and insurance.

At a glance
  • Korean: 피부과
  • Registered clinics nearby: 118 in Sinsa, Apgujeong, Cheongdam and Nonhyeon (HIRA, Sep 2026)
  • Treatments on this site: 55
  • Payment: Card or cash; foreigners without NHIS pay the full price

In Korea, 피부과 covers two kinds of work: medical dermatology (eczema, psoriasis, fungal infections, warts) and aesthetic procedures such as laser toning, RF and HIFU lifting, Botox, filler and injectable skin boosters like Rejuran. Most clinics in Apgujeong, Sinsa and Cheongdam focus on the aesthetic side and run several devices under one roof, often Thermage FLX, Ultherapy, Shurink, Oligio and one or more picosecond lasers.

A typical visit is a short consultation with a coordinator, a few minutes with the doctor, numbing cream for 20 to 40 minutes, then the procedure. Many people book lifting or toning on the same day as the consultation. Prices are usually listed per session or per shot count (for example 300 or 600 shots of Thermage), and clinics often sell packages of 5 or 10 laser sessions.

NHIS pays for medical skin treatment such as acne medication, eczema care or removal of a suspicious lesion with a biopsy. Cosmetic work, including lifting, toning, Botox, filler and skin boosters, is 비급여 (non-covered) for everyone, so an insured resident and a tourist pay the same listed price. Cosmetic fees include 10% VAT. The VAT refund for foreign patients ended on 31 December 2025, and bills to bring it back were still under review in late 2026, so ask the clinic before you count on it.

What to expect

  • Bring your passport. Clinics register foreign patients with passport details before the consultation.
  • Expect a coordinator to go over price and options first, then a short doctor consultation. Ask for the shot count or syringe count in writing.
  • Numbing cream takes 20 to 40 minutes for lasers and lifting. Injectables like Botox often need only ice or a short numbing period.
  • Payment is by card or cash before or right after the procedure. Foreign Visa and Mastercard cards are widely accepted.
  • Larger Apgujeong and Sinsa clinics have English, Chinese or Japanese coordinators. Smaller clinics may rely on a translation app, so ask when booking.
  • Most lasers leave redness for a few hours to 3 days. Fractional CO2 or deeper resurfacing can need 5 to 7 days before you look presentable.

Tips for international patients

  • Book Thermage, Ultherapy or a strong laser at least 3 to 4 days before your flight, so you can see how your skin settles while you can still return to the clinic.
  • Compare prices by shots or units, not by package name. 'Full face' can mean 300 shots at one clinic and 600 at another.
  • Ask whether the Botox brand is Korean (Botulax, Nabota, Xeomin is German) or Allergan; price differs by brand.
  • Avoid sun and saunas for a few days after lasers, and bring a sunscreen with SPF 50 for daily use.

Last reviewed October 2026. General information only, not medical advice. A doctor confirms what suits you at consultation.

Dermatology clinics near Apgujeong

Dermatology in Korea: questions

Can I have a lifting treatment and a laser on the same day?

Often yes. Many clinics combine a lifting device such as Shurink or Ultherapy with toning in one visit. The doctor decides based on skin sensitivity, and some will split stronger combinations across two days.

Does NHIS pay for acne treatment at a skin clinic?

Insured residents get coverage for consultation and standard acne medication. Procedures like acne lasers, scar treatment and peels are non-covered, so you pay the clinic's listed price in full.

How long do I need to stay in Seoul after a dermatology procedure?

For Botox, filler and toning, you can usually fly the next day. For fractional lasers or several treatments at once, plan 3 to 7 days so you can return if something needs checking.

Why are prices listed as 'event' prices on clinic websites?

Gangnam skin clinics run limited promotions, usually for first visits or off-peak months. The event price may only apply to one session, so confirm what the follow-up sessions cost.

Will a clinic give me a written record of what was injected?

You can ask for a treatment record or receipt listing product names and amounts. This is useful if a doctor at home needs to know what was used.

Can I get a prescription for tretinoin or acne pills as a tourist?

Yes, a dermatologist can prescribe after a consultation, and you fill it at a nearby pharmacy. Without NHIS, the visit and medicine are charged at full price, usually still modest for a short course.

Is tax included in the price I'm quoted?

Cosmetic fees in Korea include 10% VAT, so the quoted price is usually final. Medical treatment billed through insurance has no VAT.

Plan your visit

Get a quote before you fly

Send the treatment, your dates and any past procedures. We reply in English with options, prices and clinic locations near Apgujeong Station.