Questions
253 questions this site answers, each linking to the page that answers it and cites its sources.
Treatments
- What does botox do, and how is it regulated in South Korea?
- How long does it last?— Botox in South Korea: how it works and what the Korean brands are
- Is botox the same as filler?— Botox in South Korea: how it works and what the Korean brands are
- What are the Korean brands, and are they safe?— Botox in South Korea: how it works and what the Korean brands are
- Will it work on the lines I have at rest?— Botox in South Korea: how it works and what the Korean brands are
- What about jaw slimming?— Botox in South Korea: how it works and what the Korean brands are
- What should I ask before the injection?— Botox in South Korea: how it works and what the Korean brands are
- Do chemical peels work for pigmentation, and which agent is best?
- Glycolic acid or TCA for melasma?— Chemical peels: the cheap agent that beat the aggressive one
- Are peels better than creams?— Chemical peels: the cheap agent that beat the aggressive one
- How long do the results last?— Chemical peels: the cheap agent that beat the aggressive one
- Are peels safe for Asian skin?— Chemical peels: the cheap agent that beat the aggressive one
- Peel or laser for pigmentation?— Chemical peels: the cheap agent that beat the aggressive one
- What should I ask a South Korean clinic?— Chemical peels: the cheap agent that beat the aggressive one
- What is dermal filler and what does it actually do?
- Is filler the same as botox?— Dermal filler in South Korea: what it is and what it does
- Can filler be removed if I do not like the result?— Dermal filler in South Korea: what it is and what it does
- How long does it last?— Dermal filler in South Korea: what it is and what it does
- What is the serious risk?— Dermal filler in South Korea: what it is and what it does
- What should I ask the clinic?— Dermal filler in South Korea: what it is and what it does
- How do I know the product is approved in South Korea?— Dermal filler in South Korea: what it is and what it does
- Do exosome treatments work, and are they regulated in South Korea?
- What is an exosome treatment?— Exosomes: promising evidence, and a regulatory question to ask first
- Does the evidence support it?— Exosomes: promising evidence, and a regulatory question to ask first
- Is exosome injection approved in South Korea?— Exosomes: promising evidence, and a regulatory question to ask first
- So should I avoid it?— Exosomes: promising evidence, and a regulatory question to ask first
- Is exosome the same as a skin booster?— Exosomes: promising evidence, and a regulatory question to ask first
- What exactly should I ask?— Exosomes: promising evidence, and a regulatory question to ask first
- Do fat-dissolving injections work, and which ones are approved in South Korea?
- Do fat-dissolving injections work?— Fat-dissolving injections: two licensed products, and everything else
- What is 윤곽주사?— Fat-dissolving injections: two licensed products, and everything else
- Is Kybella available in South Korea?— Fat-dissolving injections: two licensed products, and everything else
- How reliable is the evidence for the licensed version?— Fat-dissolving injections: two licensed products, and everything else
- What are the side effects?— Fat-dissolving injections: two licensed products, and everything else
- What should I ask before agreeing?— Fat-dissolving injections: two licensed products, and everything else
- Is ablative or non-ablative fractional laser better for acne scars?
- Is fractional CO2 better than a non-ablative laser?— Fractional laser: ablative or not, the trials came out level
- So why is ablative sold as the stronger option?— Fractional laser: ablative or not, the trials came out level
- Does it cause hyperpigmentation in Asian skin?— Fractional laser: ablative or not, the trials came out level
- Fractional laser or RF microneedling?— Fractional laser: ablative or not, the trials came out level
- How much downtime should I plan for?— Fractional laser: ablative or not, the trials came out level
- What should I ask a South Korean clinic?— Fractional laser: ablative or not, the trials came out level
- What is InMode, and how do Forma, FaceTite and Morpheus8 differ?
- Is FaceTite surgery?— InMode is a platform, not a treatment
- Is Morpheus8 the same as Potenza?— InMode is a platform, not a treatment
- Is InMode better than Thermage?— InMode is a platform, not a treatment
- What does the evidence show?— InMode is a platform, not a treatment
- So which handpiece should I have?— InMode is a platform, not a treatment
- What should I ask a Korean clinic?— InMode is a platform, not a treatment
- What is Juvelook and how is PDLLA different from filler?
- Is Juvelook a filler?— Juvelook and PDLLA: a collagen stimulator, not a filler
- Can it be dissolved if I do not like it?— Juvelook and PDLLA: a collagen stimulator, not a filler
- What is the difference between PDLLA and PLLA?— Juvelook and PDLLA: a collagen stimulator, not a filler
- How strong is the evidence?— Juvelook and PDLLA: a collagen stimulator, not a filler
- What are the side effects?— Juvelook and PDLLA: a collagen stimulator, not a filler
- What should I ask a clinic?— Juvelook and PDLLA: a collagen stimulator, not a filler
- Does laser toning work for melasma, and what are the risks?
- Laser toning or pico laser for melasma?— Laser toning: the cheaper option that outperformed the expensive one
- What is mottled hypopigmentation?— Laser toning: the cheaper option that outperformed the expensive one
- How many sessions will I be offered?— Laser toning: the cheaper option that outperformed the expensive one
- Will the melasma come back?— Laser toning: the cheaper option that outperformed the expensive one
- Is it safe for darker skin?— Laser toning: the cheaper option that outperformed the expensive one
- What should I ask a South Korean clinic?— Laser toning: the cheaper option that outperformed the expensive one
- Does pico laser work better than older lasers for pigmentation?
- Is pico laser better than the older Q-switched lasers?— Pico laser for pigmentation: what the pooled trials actually found
- So pico lasers do not work?— Pico laser for pigmentation: what the pooled trials actually found
- What is melasma, and why is it different?— Pico laser for pigmentation: what the pooled trials actually found
- Can laser make pigmentation worse?— Pico laser for pigmentation: what the pooled trials actually found
- What is laser toning then?— Pico laser for pigmentation: what the pooled trials actually found
- What should I ask a Korean clinic?— Pico laser for pigmentation: what the pooled trials actually found
- What does Potenza do, and what is microneedle radiofrequency good for?
- Does it work for acne scars?— Potenza and microneedle radiofrequency: what it treats well
- Is it safe for darker skin?— Potenza and microneedle radiofrequency: what it treats well
- How does it compare with a fractional laser?— Potenza and microneedle radiofrequency: what it treats well
- What else is it used for?— Potenza and microneedle radiofrequency: what it treats well
- Is Potenza different from Sylfirm?— Potenza and microneedle radiofrequency: what it treats well
- What should I ask a clinic?— Potenza and microneedle radiofrequency: what it treats well
- Does Radiesse work, and is hyperdiluted Radiesse evidence-based?
- What is hyperdilute Radiesse?— Radiesse: what is licensed, what is hyperdiluted, and what cannot be undone
- So is hyperdilute Radiesse a bad idea?— Radiesse: what is licensed, what is hyperdiluted, and what cannot be undone
- Can Radiesse be dissolved?— Radiesse: what is licensed, what is hyperdiluted, and what cannot be undone
- Radiesse or hyaluronic acid filler?— Radiesse: what is licensed, what is hyperdiluted, and what cannot be undone
- Where is it actually licensed?— Radiesse: what is licensed, what is hyperdiluted, and what cannot be undone
- What should I ask a clinic?— Radiesse: what is licensed, what is hyperdiluted, and what cannot be undone
- What is Rejuran and how strong is the evidence for it?
- What actually is it?— Rejuran and polynucleotides: what the evidence actually shows
- Is it a filler?— Rejuran and polynucleotides: what the evidence actually shows
- How good is the evidence?— Rejuran and polynucleotides: what the evidence actually shows
- Does that mean it does not work?— Rejuran and polynucleotides: what the evidence actually shows
- What are the side effects?— Rejuran and polynucleotides: what the evidence actually shows
- What should I ask a clinic?— Rejuran and polynucleotides: what the evidence actually shows
- Does Sculptra work, and how likely are nodules?
- How long does Sculptra last?— Sculptra: long-lasting volume, and the nodule question
- How likely are nodules?— Sculptra: long-lasting volume, and the nodule question
- What makes nodules more likely?— Sculptra: long-lasting volume, and the nodule question
- When would a nodule appear?— Sculptra: long-lasting volume, and the nodule question
- Can Sculptra be dissolved?— Sculptra: long-lasting volume, and the nodule question
- Sculptra or ordinary filler?— Sculptra: long-lasting volume, and the nodule question
- What is a skin booster and does it work?
- Is a skin booster the same as filler?— Skin boosters: what the category means and what trials show
- What is actually in it?— Skin boosters: what the category means and what trials show
- What does the evidence show?— Skin boosters: what the category means and what trials show
- That study reported a 97.56% efficacy rate. Is that real?— Skin boosters: what the category means and what trials show
- How long does it last?— Skin boosters: what the category means and what trials show
- Is Rejuran a skin booster?— Skin boosters: what the category means and what trials show
- What does Thermage do, and how does it differ from the other RF devices?
- Thermage or Ultherapy?— Thermage and monopolar radiofrequency: what depth buys you
- Is Oligio the same as Thermage?— Thermage and monopolar radiofrequency: what depth buys you
- How deep does it actually go?— Thermage and monopolar radiofrequency: what depth buys you
- What does the evidence show?— Thermage and monopolar radiofrequency: what depth buys you
- Is it safe?— Thermage and monopolar radiofrequency: what depth buys you
- What will it not do?— Thermage and monopolar radiofrequency: what depth buys you
- What is a thread lift and how long does it last?
- Is a thread lift the same as a facelift?— Thread lift in South Korea: what it is and how long it lasts
- How long does it actually last?— Thread lift in South Korea: what it is and how long it lasts
- Do the threads dissolve?— Thread lift in South Korea: what it is and how long it lasts
- How common are complications?— Thread lift in South Korea: what it is and how long it lasts
- Thread lift or an energy device like Ultherapy?— Thread lift in South Korea: what it is and how long it lasts
- What should I ask before agreeing?— Thread lift in South Korea: what it is and how long it lasts
- What is Ultherapy and how well does focused ultrasound work?
- Is Shurink the same as Ultherapy?— Ultherapy and Korean HIFU: what focused ultrasound actually does
- How well does it actually work?— Ultherapy and Korean HIFU: what focused ultrasound actually does
- How satisfied are patients, really?— Ultherapy and Korean HIFU: what focused ultrasound actually does
- Is it painful?— Ultherapy and Korean HIFU: what focused ultrasound actually does
- Ultherapy or Thermage?— Ultherapy and Korean HIFU: what focused ultrasound actually does
- What will it not do?— Ultherapy and Korean HIFU: what focused ultrasound actually does
Concerns
- What is the best treatment for acne scars in South Korea?
- Can acne scars be removed completely?— Acne scars: what South Korean clinics use, and what the evidence supports
- Does RF microneedling actually work?— Acne scars: what South Korean clinics use, and what the evidence supports
- Which is better for darker skin?— Acne scars: what South Korean clinics use, and what the evidence supports
- How many sessions will I need?— Acne scars: what South Korean clinics use, and what the evidence supports
- What about pico laser for scars?— Acne scars: what South Korean clinics use, and what the evidence supports
- Should I treat active acne first?— Acne scars: what South Korean clinics use, and what the evidence supports
- Can enlarged pores be treated, and what actually works?
- Can pores be permanently closed?— Enlarged pores: the thinnest evidence base on this site
- How good is the evidence?— Enlarged pores: the thinnest evidence base on this site
- Does RF microneedling work for pores?— Enlarged pores: the thinnest evidence base on this site
- What about botulinum toxin for pores?— Enlarged pores: the thinnest evidence base on this site
- Why do pores look bigger as I get older?— Enlarged pores: the thinnest evidence base on this site
- What should I expect from a course?— Enlarged pores: the thinnest evidence base on this site
- What is the best treatment for pigmentation in South Korea?
- How do I know which kind I have?— Pigmentation: four different problems that share one word
- Does laser work for melasma?— Pigmentation: four different problems that share one word
- What is tranexamic acid?— Pigmentation: four different problems that share one word
- Is oral tranexamic acid safe?— Pigmentation: four different problems that share one word
- Why does it keep coming back?— Pigmentation: four different problems that share one word
- Does sunscreen actually make a difference?— Pigmentation: four different problems that share one word
- What are the non-surgical lifting options for sagging skin in South Korea?
- Does HIFU actually lift?— Sagging skin: tightening, repositioning, and telling them apart
- Thread lift or an energy device?— Sagging skin: tightening, repositioning, and telling them apart
- How long does any of it last?— Sagging skin: tightening, repositioning, and telling them apart
- When is surgery the honest answer?— Sagging skin: tightening, repositioning, and telling them apart
- What if the problem is hollowness rather than sagging?— Sagging skin: tightening, repositioning, and telling them apart
- Can they be combined?— Sagging skin: tightening, repositioning, and telling them apart
- What does "skin quality" mean, and which treatment improves it?
- What does skin quality actually mean?— Skin quality: four categories, and why most packages only treat one
- Why did my treatment not change anything?— Skin quality: four categories, and why most packages only treat one
- Which treatment improves skin texture?— Skin quality: four categories, and why most packages only treat one
- What is glass skin?— Skin quality: four categories, and why most packages only treat one
- Do I need a package?— Skin quality: four categories, and why most packages only treat one
- What about creams and sunscreen?— Skin quality: four categories, and why most packages only treat one
- What is the best treatment for wrinkles in South Korea?
- What is the difference between dynamic and static wrinkles?— Wrinkles: which lines move, which lines stay, and what each one answers to
- How effective is botulinum toxin really?— Wrinkles: which lines move, which lines stay, and what each one answers to
- Do creams actually work on wrinkles?— Wrinkles: which lines move, which lines stay, and what each one answers to
- Will an energy device get rid of my lines?— Wrinkles: which lines move, which lines stay, and what each one answers to
- What if my "wrinkle" is actually a fold?— Wrinkles: which lines move, which lines stay, and what each one answers to
- Can wrinkles be prevented?— Wrinkles: which lines move, which lines stay, and what each one answers to
Comparisons
- Rejuran vs Juvelook: what is the difference?
- Which has better evidence?— Rejuran vs Juvelook: two different bets on your own collagen
- Can either be dissolved if I do not like it?— Rejuran vs Juvelook: two different bets on your own collagen
- Are they both skin boosters?— Rejuran vs Juvelook: two different bets on your own collagen
- Can I have both?— Rejuran vs Juvelook: two different bets on your own collagen
- How fast does each show?— Rejuran vs Juvelook: two different bets on your own collagen
- Which should I choose?— Rejuran vs Juvelook: two different bets on your own collagen
- Thermage vs Ultherapy: which is better for lifting?
- Which one is better?— Thermage vs Ultherapy: heat spread wide, or focused deep
- Which hurts more?— Thermage vs Ultherapy: heat spread wide, or focused deep
- Can I have both?— Thermage vs Ultherapy: heat spread wide, or focused deep
- How reliable are the satisfaction figures?— Thermage vs Ultherapy: heat spread wide, or focused deep
- Is Shurink the same as Ultherapy?— Thermage vs Ultherapy: heat spread wide, or focused deep
- What if my problem is sagging rather than laxity?— Thermage vs Ultherapy: heat spread wide, or focused deep
Visit Guide
- What happens if there is a problem after I leave South Korea?
- What records should I take home?— After you fly home: aftercare, follow-up, and going wrong at a distance
- Who treats a complication once I am home?— After you fly home: aftercare, follow-up, and going wrong at a distance
- Can I contact the Korean clinic from abroad?— After you fly home: aftercare, follow-up, and going wrong at a distance
- Can I use the Korean dispute agency if I have left the country?— After you fly home: aftercare, follow-up, and going wrong at a distance
- Is the clinic insured?— After you fly home: aftercare, follow-up, and going wrong at a distance
- What if the problem is with the agency rather than the clinic?— After you fly home: aftercare, follow-up, and going wrong at a distance
- What do I need to arrange before booking a skin clinic in South Korea?
- Do I need insurance or a Korean ID to be treated?— Booking a skin clinic in South Korea: what to settle first
- Do I need a medical visa?— Booking a skin clinic in South Korea: what to settle first
- Will the doctor speak English?— Booking a skin clinic in South Korea: what to settle first
- Can a clinic charge me more than the price it advertised?— Booking a skin clinic in South Korea: what to settle first
- How soon can I fly after treatment?— Booking a skin clinic in South Korea: what to settle first
- What should I keep?— Booking a skin clinic in South Korea: what to settle first
- How should I search for a skin clinic in South Korea?
- Does "skin clinic" in a clinic's name mean a dermatologist?— How to look for a skin clinic in South Korea
- So do I need a board-certified dermatologist?— How to look for a skin clinic in South Korea
- How do I check?— How to look for a skin clinic in South Korea
- Why do English searches show me different clinics?— How to look for a skin clinic in South Korea
- What should make me walk away?— How to look for a skin clinic in South Korea
- What about clinic ranking sites and agencies?— How to look for a skin clinic in South Korea
Official Resources
- Is it legal for an agency to take a fee for referring me to a Korean clinic?
- So every agency in South Korea is illegal?— What Korean law says about brokers, referral fees and clinic ads
- How do I tell a registered agency from an unregistered one?— What Korean law says about brokers, referral fees and clinic ads
- Why does this site have no booking links or clinic rankings?— What Korean law says about brokers, referral fees and clinic ads
- A platform offered me a discount for booking through them. Is that a problem?— What Korean law says about brokers, referral fees and clinic ads
- Where can I read the law myself?— What Korean law says about brokers, referral fees and clinic ads
- How can I check whether a treatment device or injectable is approved in South Korea?
- The clinic says the device is "FDA approved". Does that count in South Korea?— How to check whether a device or injectable is approved in South Korea
- Are the portals in English?— How to check whether a device or injectable is approved in South Korea
- What if the product is approved but used for something else?— How to check whether a device or injectable is approved in South Korea
- Does approval mean the treatment works?— How to check whether a device or injectable is approved in South Korea
- Why does this matter more in South Korea than at home?— How to check whether a device or injectable is approved in South Korea
- Are Korean clinics required to publish their prices for cosmetic treatment?
- What does 비급여 mean?— What a Korean clinic must post about its prices — and cannot exceed
- The clinic quoted me more than the price on its list. Is that allowed?— What a Korean clinic must post about its prices — and cannot exceed
- Does the government control what clinics charge?— What a Korean clinic must post about its prices — and cannot exceed
- How current is the published data for a small skin clinic?— What a Korean clinic must post about its prices — and cannot exceed
- Is the published price data in English?— What a Korean clinic must post about its prices — and cannot exceed
- Does this apply to a package deal?— What a Korean clinic must post about its prices — and cannot exceed
- How do I check whether a Korean clinic is registered to treat foreign patients?
- What exactly is a "foreign patient attraction institution"?— Is your Korean clinic registered to treat foreign patients?
- Does registration mean the clinic is good?— Is your Korean clinic registered to treat foreign patients?
- What happens if a clinic is not registered?— Is your Korean clinic registered to treat foreign patients?
- Is the register available in English?— Is your Korean clinic registered to treat foreign patients?
- The clinic showed me a certificate. Is that enough?— Is your Korean clinic registered to treat foreign patients?
- What is KAHF accreditation and how is it different from registration?
- Does my clinic need KAHF accreditation to treat me legally?— KAHF accreditation: the tier above registration in South Korea
- Why are so few institutions accredited?— KAHF accreditation: the tier above registration in South Korea
- Most skin clinics are small. Does this help me at all?— KAHF accreditation: the tier above registration in South Korea
- How long does accreditation last?— KAHF accreditation: the tier above registration in South Korea
- Where is the list of accredited institutions?— KAHF accreditation: the tier above registration in South Korea
- What can a foreign patient do if a medical procedure in South Korea goes wrong?
- Can a foreigner use this, or is it only for Korean nationals?— If a Korean clinic goes wrong: the official dispute route
- Do I have to be in South Korea to apply?— If a Korean clinic goes wrong: the official dispute route
- What is the difference between mediation and arbitration here?— If a Korean clinic goes wrong: the official dispute route
- How much does it cost?— If a Korean clinic goes wrong: the official dispute route
- Does this replace going to court?— If a Korean clinic goes wrong: the official dispute route
- What if my problem is with the agency that booked the clinic, not the clinic?— If a Korean clinic goes wrong: the official dispute route
- Do I need a medical visa to have treatment in South Korea?
- Do I need a medical visa for a day procedure like botox or a laser?— South Korea's medical visas: C-3-3 and G-1-10
- Why does the visa require the clinic's registration certificate?— South Korea's medical visas: C-3-3 and G-1-10
- Can my spouse or parent come with me?— South Korea's medical visas: C-3-3 and G-1-10
- What if I need to stay longer than I planned?— South Korea's medical visas: C-3-3 and G-1-10
- Where is the authoritative answer for my country?— South Korea's medical visas: C-3-3 and G-1-10
- Can foreign patients still get a VAT refund on cosmetic procedures in South Korea?
- I had a procedure in South Korea in 2025. Can I still claim?— South Korea's VAT refund on cosmetic procedures ended on 1 January 2026
- Why does the Korea Tourism Organization page still say the refund exists?— South Korea's VAT refund on cosmetic procedures ended on 1 January 2026
- Does this mean cosmetic treatment in South Korea is now 10% more expensive?— South Korea's VAT refund on cosmetic procedures ended on 1 January 2026
- Are non-cosmetic medical services affected?— South Korea's VAT refund on cosmetic procedures ended on 1 January 2026
- A clinic is still promising me a tax refund. What should I do?— South Korea's VAT refund on cosmetic procedures ended on 1 January 2026