An aesthetic clinic in Korea is a doctor-run outpatient practice that treats skin, contour and early signs of aging without surgery, using lasers, ultrasound or radiofrequency devices and injectables. A visit starts with a consultation, then numbing cream for 20 to 40 minutes, and the procedure itself rarely runs past an hour. Downtime ranges from a few hours of redness after toning lasers to several days of swelling after filler. Toxin shows its effect within about two weeks, while device tightening develops over two to three months. Clinics charge per unit, such as lines, shots, toxin units, syringes or sessions. This page sets clinics side by side with their listed prices.
Is it for you?
Who Med spa care in Gangnam suits, and who should wait
Visitors who gain the most are those with a specific, moderate concern: early jowling, sun spots, uneven tone, frown lines, a wide jaw from strong chewing muscles, or dull texture. These respond to non-surgical tools, and a short stay is usually enough for the procedure plus a day of settling. People who arrive with a clear goal and realistic photos tend to get a sharper plan.
Some concerns sit outside what a non-surgical clinic can deliver. Heavy skin excess on the neck, deep nasolabial folds from major volume loss, or eyelid hooding generally need a surgeon. Active acne flares, eczema or infection on the treatment zone should settle first. A careful doctor will say so rather than stacking more device passes.
Usually a good fit
- Mild to moderate laxity along jaw or neck
- Sun spots, freckles or uneven tone
- Dynamic frown or crow's feet lines
- Dull texture or fine dryness lines
May be better to wait
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Active infection, eczema or acne on the area
- Metal implants or pacemaker near device zone
- Heavy skin excess that needs surgical lifting
Clinics in Gangnam
10 aesthetic clinics in Gangnam
Every clinic below is an aesthetic clinic in Gangnam. Message a clinic directly.
1Dear Clinic
2Pixelab Beauty Clinic
3RE:BERRY Clinic Gangnam
4VandS Clinic Gangnam
5
6
7ADO Clinic
8Muse Clinic Gangnam
9Rewind Plastic Surgery
10ENTER Plastic Surgery
How it works
How a Med spa care session runs
Clinics in Korea work with three energy families and two injectable groups. Focused ultrasound (HIFU) delivers heat to points at set depths, commonly 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 mm, to contract deeper support layers. Monopolar radiofrequency heats a broader volume of skin through a treatment tip. Lasers target pigment, vessels or water in the skin, and the wavelength decides which. On the injectable side, botulinum toxin relaxes muscle and hyaluronic acid filler restores volume. In a 2017 randomized evaluator-blinded trial in Dermatologic Surgery, Jones and colleagues treated twenty people with neck laxity using either subsurface monopolar radiofrequency or microfocused ultrasound; both groups improved by day 90 and held it to day 180, with no statistically significant difference between the two, and side effects were mild and short-lived.
Dose sets both the effect and the cost. Ultrasound sessions are measured in lines or shots per area, radiofrequency in shots, toxin in units, filler in syringes or cc, and lasers in passes or sessions. For filler, imaging adds a safety layer: Schelke and colleagues, writing in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology in 2018, described how ultrasound can reveal earlier filler deposits, map vessels before injection and guide hyaluronidase straight into a problem deposit if a complication occurs.
Pigment treatment rests on a growing evidence base. A 2025 systematic review in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology by Mardani and colleagues covered 41 clinical trials with 3,234 patients treated for solar lentigines and reported success rates of 67.9% to 93.02% for picosecond laser and 74.6% to 90% for intense pulsed light, with most adverse events mild and transient.
Assessment
Photos, a skin examination and a talk about goals, past procedures and medicines. Expect 10 to 20 minutes, sometimes with a skin scanner.
Preparation
Makeup removal and cleansing, then numbing cream for 20 to 40 minutes. Some injections use only ice or a cream already mixed with the product.
Procedure
Device passes or injections, usually 10 to 60 minutes depending on area and dose. Ask to see the product or cartridge first.
Calming and handover
A cooling mask or soothing cream for about 15 minutes, then written aftercare and a contact route for questions.
Med spa care compared with other options
| Feature | Focused ultrasound | Monopolar radiofrequency | Laser | Hyaluronic acid filler |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Energy or product | Ultrasound heat at points | Radiofrequency bulk heat | Light at set wavelengths | Injected gel |
| Working depth | Deep layers, set by cartridge | Dermis, broad volume | Surface to mid dermis | Placed by the injector |
| Main effect | Lifting and tightening | Tightening and texture | Pigment, redness, tone | Volume and contour |
| Sensation | Deep heat, pricking | Warmth, brief heat pulses | Snapping or warmth | Pressure and sting |
| Typical downtime | Mild redness | Mild redness | Hours to a week | Swelling, possible bruising |
At a glance
Med spa care facts
| Treatment groups | Energy lifting, lasers, botulinum toxin, filler, skin boosters |
|---|---|
| Energy classes | Focused ultrasound (HIFU), radiofrequency, laser |
| Common ultrasound depths | 1.5, 3.0 and 4.5 mm cartridges |
| Price units | Lines, shots, toxin units, syringes or cc, sessions |
| Numbing | Topical cream for 20 to 40 minutes |
| Procedure time | About 10 to 60 minutes |
| Downtime | Hours of redness up to several days of swelling |
| When results show | Toxin about two weeks; lifting over two to three months |
| Earliest flight home | Next day for most devices; two to three days after filler |
Prices
Med spa care cost in Gangnam
Prices below come from the listed clinics' own price lists, before VAT. 10% VAT is added at payment.
Aqua Peel
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $36₩49,000 + VATCompare clinicsTank IV Drip 1 Session
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $36₩49,000 + VATCompare clinics3-Type 500 IV Drip 1 Session
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $36₩49,000 + VATCompare clinicsLala Peel
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $56₩77,000 + VATCompare clinicsExosome add-on (with laser)
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $58₩80,000 + VATCompare clinicsLDM Lifting 12min
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $58₩80,000 + VATCompare clinicsHangover IV Drip 1 Session
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $65₩90,000 + VATCompare clinicsPeel (Black/Yes/Lala/Milk)
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $72₩99,000 + VATCompare clinicsRecovery
What the days after look like
Redness, warmth or small injection bumps; most people go out the same evening.
Swelling peaks after filler and may bruise; skip saunas, alcohol and hard exercise.
Laser crusts lift away and bruises fade; toxin begins to soften movement.
Toxin reaches full effect; filler settles into its final shape.
Tightening from ultrasound or radiofrequency becomes clearest.
Safety
Med spa care risks and limits
- Redness, swelling and tenderness are common and short-lived.
- Bruising after injections, more likely with blood thinners or some supplements.
- Temporary darkening after lasers, especially on darker or tanned skin.
- Nerve irritation or numb patches after deep ultrasound, usually resolving.
- Rare filler vessel blockage, which needs immediate treatment with hyaluronidase.
- Non-surgical tools improve mild change but cannot match surgery for heavy laxity.
Evidence
Research behind this page
- A Randomized Evaluator-Blinded Trial Comparing Subsurface Monopolar Radiofrequency With Microfocused Ultrasound for Lifting and Tightening of the NeckDermatologic Surgery · 2017 · Jones I, Guiha I, Goldman M, Wu D · doi:10.1097/dss.0000000000001216
In twenty people with neck laxity, both subsurface monopolar radiofrequency and microfocused ultrasound improved laxity by day 90 through day 180, without a statistically significant difference.
- Ultrasound to improve the safety of hyaluronic acid filler treatmentsJournal of Cosmetic Dermatology · 2018 · Schelke L, Decates T, Velthuis P · doi:10.1111/jocd.12726
Described ultrasound imaging to locate previous filler, map vessels before injection and guide hyaluronidase into filler deposits when complications occur.
- Treatment of Solar Lentigines: A Systematic Review of Clinical TrialsJournal of Cosmetic Dermatology · 2025 · Mardani G, Nasiri M, Namazi N, Farshchian M, Abdollahimajd F · doi:10.1111/jocd.70133
Reviewed 41 clinical trials on solar lentigines and found lasers and intense pulsed light effective, with mostly mild and transient adverse events.
FAQ
Questions about Med spa care in Gangnam
What does an aesthetic clinic in Seoul actually do?
It offers non-surgical medical procedures for skin and facial contour, carried out or supervised by a licensed doctor. The menu usually covers lasers for pigment and redness, ultrasound or radiofrequency tightening, botulinum toxin, filler and skin boosters. Larger practices may add body contouring devices. Surgery such as eyelid or facelift work belongs to plastic surgery clinics instead.
How long does one appointment take?
Plan for about one to two hours from arrival to leaving. Consultation and photos take 10 to 20 minutes, numbing cream another 20 to 40, and the procedure 10 to 60 minutes depending on the area. Calming masks add about 15 minutes. Combined treatments or a busy afternoon can stretch the visit, so avoid booking anything tight right afterward.
Does treatment at a Korea aesthetic clinic hurt?
Most people describe the sensation as tolerable, ranging from warmth to sharp pricking depending on the procedure. Deep ultrasound passes over bony areas tend to feel strongest, while toning lasers feel like light snapping. Numbing cream, cooling and adjusted energy settings help. Tell the operator early if a pass feels too strong, since settings can be lowered.
How should I read Seoul aesthetic clinic reviews?
Treat reviews as hints about service and communication, not as proof of medical results. Photos online rarely show lighting, timing or the dose used. Look for repeated comments on explanation quality, waiting time and aftercare follow-up. Results vary from person to person, so the consultation itself is a more reliable test of how carefully a clinic works.
When can I fly home after treatment?
The next day is usually fine after lasers, toxin and energy devices. After filler, two to three days allow early swelling or bruising to show while you can still return for a check. Laser spot crusts need about a week to fall off. Drink water on the flight and avoid pressing or massaging treated areas.
Who performs the procedure, the doctor or a staff member?
The doctor should give injections and set the energy and dose for device sessions, and clinics differ in how much hands-on work assistants do. Ask before payment who will be in the room for each step and who decides the settings. Getting a clear answer keeps responsibility visible. If the reply is vague, that is useful information when comparing clinics.
How do I check that the toxin or filler is genuine?
Ask to see the sealed box, label and lot number before injection starts. Filler syringes come with tracking stickers, and toxin vials carry brand and batch details. Device cartridges or tips often show a shot counter. A clinic willing to open the package in front of you usually records doses clearly as well.
Are prices shown before or after VAT?
Listed prices are usually before VAT, and 10% VAT is added at payment. Packages may exclude numbing, soothing masks or follow-up sessions, so check what each line covers. Some menus round prices or show first-visit offers with conditions. Ask for an itemized total including VAT before the procedure to avoid surprises at the desk.
Can I combine several procedures in one visit?
Yes, combining is common, but order matters. Devices and lasers usually go first, then injections, because heat right over fresh filler is avoided. Combining also adds swelling and makes it harder to know which step caused a reaction. A clear plan lists each procedure, its dose and the reason, and leaves out anything that adds little.
Will the clinic explain aftercare in English?
Many clinics that see international visitors provide aftercare in English, either from staff or as a printed sheet or message. Quality varies, so confirm before treatment that you can read the instructions and reach someone afterward. Keep a note of the products used and doses given. This helps if a doctor at home later needs to know what was done.