I had a great experience at this clinic! I came in for a Pico Laser treatment and a treatment to remove my freckles, and I also got Botox in two areas of my face. They gave me a discount, which was a really nice bonus. Everyone was incredibly kind, professional, and welcoming. One of the things I appreciated the most is that everyone speaks English, including the doctors, so I was able to fully understand the consultation, the treatments, and the recommendations without any language barrier. I highly recommend this clinic, especially for foreigners who don’t speak Korean but still want to have a treatment where they can communicate comfortably and understand everything clearly. I felt very well taken care of throughout the whole experience. I would definitely come back! ❤️
a month agoWhy Visitors Choose Skin Treatments in Korea
Last updated:
If you are planning a trip to Korea, you have probably heard that many visitors book a skin treatment while they are here. The numbers back that up. This page looks at the latest official data and 2026 spending figures, why skin treatment has become so popular with visitors, and how to plan it sensibly into your trip.
The short answer
Skin treatment has become one of the main reasons visitors use Korean medical care. In 2025, 1,312,700 foreign patients, 62.9% of the total, were treated at dermatology clinics, and 2026 spending data show the trend continuing. Official patient counts for 2026 have not been published yet.
How many visitors get skin treatments in Korea
According to Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare, 2,011,822 foreign patients visited Korea for medical care in 2025. Of these, 1,312,700, or 62.9%, were treated at dermatology clinics. Patients from the United States numbered 173,363, up 70.4%, and patients from Canada 23,624, up 59.1%.
Official foreign-patient counts are published once a year, so the 2026 figures are not available yet. The 2026 figures below come from card spending and arrival data. They show the direction of the trend, but they are not patient counts.
What the 2026 data show
| Period | Source | What it shows |
|---|---|---|
| First quarter of 2026 | Korea Tourism Organization | 4.74 million foreign visitors, up 22.6%, a first-quarter record |
| First half of 2026 | BC Card, about 3.3 million foreign cardholders | Medical card spending up 98%, the fastest-growing major category; dermatology spending up 109.8% |
| January to September 2026 | Korea Tourism Organization Tourism Data Lab | Medical spending of 1.8398 trillion won, up 57.9%; dermatology's share rose to 55.72% |
Within that spending, dermatology clinics took the largest share, while plastic surgery's share fell from 24.53% to 19.35%. In other words, the growth in visitors' medical spending is increasingly going to skin treatment.
Why skin treatments are popular with visitors
The data point to a few clear patterns.
- Treatment is part of a wider K-beauty trip. BC Card describes a shift from shopping alone toward combining medical care, K-beauty and cultural experiences. Visitors' pharmacy spending reached about 229.8 billion won from January to September 2026, up 196.1%, as they combine dermatology treatments and pharmacy shopping in a single itinerary.
- Younger travelers are leading the growth. An analysis of 2025 data found that dermatology grew about fivefold over two years, driven mainly by women in their 20s and 30s.
- Seoul is the center. Seoul accounted for 87.2% of foreign patients in 2025 and 92.8% of foreign visitors' medical card spending in the first half of 2026.
There is also a practical reason, though it is general context rather than data: many skin treatments involve little or no recovery time, so they can fit into a short trip. This varies by treatment, so ask about downtime before you book.
How to plan a skin treatment in Korea sensibly
- Choose a clinic where you know who will examine and treat you
- Get a diagnosis first, especially for pigment such as melasma
- Ask for the total price, including VAT, before treatment begins
- Book early in your trip and leave time before your flight
- Protect your skin from the sun after treatment and follow the aftercare plan
Read how Korean and US skin clinics differ, what US$1,000 can cover and how to plan melasma and pigment treatment as a visitor.
Skin treatment at Dami Skin Clinic
At Dami Skin Clinic in Yeouido, the doctor examines your skin and performs the treatment directly. English-fluent coordinators and interpretation support are available, and the clinic is on the 9th floor of ILEX Tower, about 205 m from Exit 2 of Saetgang Station.
Meet the doctor behind the clinic and read the first visit guide.
To plan your visit, request a consultation through the consultation page or message the clinic on WhatsApp.
FAQ
How many foreign patients get skin treatments in Korea?+
In 2025, 1,312,700 foreign patients were treated at dermatology clinics in Korea, 62.9% of all 2,011,822 foreign patients, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare.
Are there official 2026 numbers yet?+
Not yet. Official foreign-patient counts are published once a year. For 2026 so far, card spending data show foreign visitors' medical spending and dermatology spending growing strongly.
Why are skin treatments in Korea popular with visitors?+
Visitors increasingly combine skin treatment with K-beauty and pharmacy shopping in one trip, growth is led by travelers in their 20s and 30s, and Seoul is the center of this demand.
Is dermatology more popular than plastic surgery with visitors?+
Yes, by the data. In 2025, 62.9% of foreign patients were treated at dermatology clinics, and from January to September 2026, dermatology took 55.72% of visitors' medical spending while plastic surgery's share fell to 19.35%.
Which treatments can fit a short trip?+
Many skin treatments involve little or no recovery time, but this varies by treatment and by person. Ask about downtime before booking and leave time before your flight.
How do I choose a clinic in Seoul?+
Look for a clinic where you know who will examine and treat you, get a diagnosis first, ask for the total price including VAT, and make sure you can communicate clearly about aftercare.
Book a Consultation
Planning a skin treatment during your trip to Korea? Dami Skin Clinic's consultation includes:
- Personalized skin assessment
- Custom lifting & skin booster plan review
- Multilingual coordinator support
Address: 9th Floor, ILEX Tower, 375 Yeouidaebang-ro, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul (near Saetgang Station)
Phone: +82-2-364-3323
WhatsApp: message the clinic on WhatsApp
Website: damiseoulskinclinic.com
Instagram: @damiclinic_yeouido
What Our Customers Say
The staff via whatsapp was friendly and responsive to accommodate last min change request to my appointment. The place was clean and comfortable and the lady doctor was helpful to suggest what’s good for me based on my needs. I find the procedures reasonably priced as there were some promotional offers. I managed to get there by 5.30pm for a last consultation and finished my treatments by 7:30pm (clinic closes at 7pm) yet besides the lady doctor who performed the procedures, the lady assistant who helped to clean and prep my face and the male interpreter who stayed with her to explain in English to me step by step what she’s doing— were patient and thorough, I didn’t feel rushed at all. I feel very pampered. I’ll certainly come back again the next time I’m in Seoul!
4 months agoWhile getting ready for my wedding, I started looking into different skin treatments and ended up getting a skin booster injection along with Pico toning. My skin is naturally very thin and sensitive, so I was worried because it tends to react easily if a treatment doesn't suit me. But they carefully checked my skin condition first during the consultation, which made me feel a lot more comfortable. There was a little redness on the day of the treatment, but once I put on makeup the next day, it was barely noticeable. I was especially happy during my wedding photoshoot because my makeup went on so well My skin just looked healthy and fresh without needing heavy coverage!
5 months agoLove this Clinic! My husband got lifting and his skin looks amazing now, plus they have some snaks and English translator for your consultation 🫶🏻.
11 months agoI recently visited Dami Clinic and had a really great experience! The staff were extremely kind and welcoming, which made me feel very comfortable from the beginning. The doctor was not only kind but also very professional, explaining everything clearly and carefully. I especially enjoyed my Sylfirm X treatment, which helps with redness and pores. The whole process was smooth. I would definitely recommend Dami Clinic to anyone looking for professional skin care with a warm and friendly atmosphere! 🌸
a year agoWhat are you interested in:
Working Hours:
Monday/Wednesday/Thursday : 10:00 – 19:00
Tuesday/Friday : 10:00 – 21:00
Saturday : 10:00 – 15:00
Lunch Break : 13:00 – 14:00
Last appointment is one hour before closing.
When using the subway
From Saetgang Station (Line 9 or Sillim Line)
Walk straight out of Exit 2 until you reach a corner. It is the building on the other side of the street on your left. Got to the black door on the left of the Mammoth Coffee place and go up to 9TH FLOOR.