What aesthetic treatment costs in Korea
Aesthetic treatment in Korea is priced per procedure, and the figure you are quoted is the figure you pay — Book Korea Medical adds no markup. Non-surgical procedures such as botulinum toxin, fillers, and skin boosters typically start from the low hundreds of US dollars, while energy-based lifting and thread procedures range higher depending on the area and the number of shots or threads. Value-added tax is already included in the price, and note that the former foreign-patient VAT refund on cosmetic procedures ended on 31 December 2025 and does not apply in 2026.
How pricing works for foreign patients
Korean clinics quote a price for each procedure rather than a bundled package, so you can see exactly what each item costs. Book Korea Medical earns a commission from the clinic, never a markup added to your treatment — the written quote you receive is the price you settle at the clinic.
A quote reflects the scope of the treatment: the product or device used, the treated area, and the number of units, shots, or threads. The same named procedure can sit at different price points because the plan behind it differs, which is why we send an itemized quote rather than a single headline number.
Because consultations are free and in your language, you can compare two or three plans before committing — without paying for the comparison and without pressure.
From-price ranges by treatment category
Indicative starting ranges for common procedures in Seoul. Actual prices depend on the clinic, the product or device, and the scope of your plan — your quote will be exact.
| Treatment category | Typical from-range (KRW) | Approx. (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Botulinum toxin (single area) | ₩99,000 – ₩300,000 | $75 – $230 |
| Filler (per syringe) | ₩300,000 – ₩600,000 | $230 – $460 |
| Skin booster (per session) | ₩200,000 – ₩500,000 | $150 – $385 |
| Glass-skin glow program (per session) | ₩150,000 – ₩400,000 | $115 – $310 |
| HIFU / ultrasound lifting (per session) | ₩600,000 – ₩1,500,000 | $460 – $1,150 |
| Thread lifting | ₩1,000,000 – ₩3,000,000 | $770 – $2,300 |
Ranges are indicative starting points for foreign-patient pricing in Seoul, not quotes. USD figures are approximate and move with the exchange rate.
Compiled from participating-clinic transparent rate cards. Your written quote is the binding figure.
VAT is included — and the foreign-patient refund has ended
Every price you are quoted already includes Korea's 10% value-added tax, so there is nothing to add on top at the counter.
Important 2026 change: the foreign-patient VAT refund on cosmetic and aesthetic procedures (Special Tax Treatment Control Act, Articles 107-3 and 107-4) expired on 31 December 2025 and was not extended for 2026. As of 2026, VAT on these procedures is not refundable to foreign patients — the transparent price is your effective, out-of-pocket cost, with nothing to reclaim afterward.
Be cautious of older clinic pages and listings that still advertise a 'VAT refund at the clinic' for cosmetic treatment; that scheme no longer applies to aesthetic procedures in 2026. We quote the real 2026 figure so there are no surprises.
FAQ
Is the quoted price the final price?
Yes. The written quote reflects the clinic's transparent rate, and we add no markup. The only changes would come from you choosing to adjust the plan after consultation — for example, treating an additional area.
Why do prices vary so much for the same treatment?
Because the plan behind a named procedure varies. Price tracks the product or device, the treated area, and the number of units, shots, or threads. An itemized quote shows you exactly what drives the figure.
Can foreign patients get a VAT refund on cosmetic treatment in 2026?
No. The foreign-patient VAT refund on cosmetic and aesthetic procedures expired on 31 December 2025 and was not extended for 2026. The 10% VAT is already included in the price you are quoted, and there is nothing to reclaim afterward for these procedures this year.
Do I pay Book Korea Medical anything?
No. Our consultation and matching are free to you. We earn a commission from participating clinics, so the patient never pays us and never pays a markup.
When and how do I pay the clinic?
Some bookings are secured with a deposit, which we disclose up front; the balance is usually settled at the clinic on the day of treatment, at the clinic's transparent rate.
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