Listed prices at Korean skin clinics do not always match what you pay at the desk. This guide explains VAT after the 2026 refund change, consultation fees, add-ons and other costs international visitors should check before booking in Seoul.
Most Korean skin clinics, including Dernia Clinic Myeongdong, list prices in Korean won before 10% VAT, which is added when you pay. Since January 1, 2026, tourists can no longer claim a VAT refund on cosmetic procedures, so budget for the full 10%. Other costs to check are consultation fees, numbing, soothing add-ons, extra shots or cc, and how unused course sessions are handled. At Dernia, a doctor confirms the plan and final price in English before any treatment, so you know the total, including VAT, in advance.
Prices are in Korean won, exclude 10% VAT and are confirmed by a doctor at consultation.
Do foreigners pay different prices at Korean skin clinics?
Korean clinic prices are generally the same for everyone, but international visitors often end up paying more than they expected because they are unfamiliar with how prices are quoted. The main reasons are VAT, pricing units that differ from home, and add-ons that are not included in a headline price. Understanding these before you arrive makes it much easier to compare clinics and budget accurately.
At Dernia Clinic Myeongdong, prices on our website are the same for every patient. They are listed in Korean won and exclude 10% VAT. You can see them on our prices page, and a doctor confirms the final price with you in English before treatment.
How does VAT work at Korean skin clinics in 2026?
Cosmetic procedures in Korea are subject to 10% value-added tax (VAT). Many clinics, including Dernia, list prices before VAT, so the amount you pay at the desk is the listed price plus 10%.
| Example treatment at Dernia | Listed price (excl. VAT) | What changes at payment |
|---|---|---|
| Korean toxin Botox, one area | ₩39,000 | 10% VAT is added |
| Pico toning, one session | ₩69,000 | 10% VAT is added |
| Rejuran Healer, 2cc | ₩259,000 | 10% VAT is added |
| Thermage FLX, 300 shots | ₩990,000 | 10% VAT is added |
All Dernia prices exclude 10% VAT and are confirmed at consultation. See payment and tax and what currency are prices in.
Can tourists still get a VAT refund on cosmetic procedures?
No. The tourist VAT refund on cosmetic procedures in Korea ended on January 1, 2026. Previously, eligible foreign visitors could claim back VAT on certain cosmetic treatments. That scheme no longer applies, so you should budget for the full 10% VAT on top of listed prices. If you see older blog posts or forum threads mentioning the refund, they are out of date. Read the full explanation in VAT refund on cosmetic procedures in Korea (2026) and can I get a tax refund on treatments.
Do Korean skin clinics charge consultation fees?
Practices vary across Korea. Some clinics include the consultation in the treatment price, some charge a separate fee, and some deduct the fee if you go ahead with treatment. Because this differs between clinics, ask before you book. At Dernia, any consultation fee is confirmed when you book, so there are no surprises on the day.
More important than the fee is who you consult with. In some clinics, the first conversation is with a coordinator rather than a doctor. At Dernia, every plan is made by a licensed doctor, and you can meet our medical team before deciding. Read how long a consultation takes.
What hidden costs should you check before booking?
A low headline price is only useful if you know what it covers. These are the most common gaps between the advertised price and the final bill in Korea:
- VAT. Check whether the price includes or excludes 10% VAT.
- Units and coverage. Lifting devices are priced by shots or lines, injectables by cc, Botox by area. A cheap quote may cover fewer shots or a smaller area. See shots, lines and cc explained.
- Brand. Korean and imported toxins and fillers have very different prices. Confirm the exact product.
- Numbing. Some clinics charge separately for numbing cream. At Dernia it is included where the treatment needs it, for example with Potenza and pico fractional.
- Soothing add-ons. LDM, masks or boosters after lasers are often optional extras.
- Disposable tips and cartridges. For devices such as Thermage, ask to see the new tip and final shot count.
- Course terms. Multi-session packages save money only if you complete them. Ask what happens to unused sessions.
- Follow-up. Ask whether review visits or touch-ups are included.
Why package deals can be misleading for visitors
Many Korean clinics promote multi-session packages with a lower price per session. These can be genuinely good value for residents, but they are often less useful for visitors. If a course of five toning sessions is cheaper per session but you can only attend two before flying home, you may have paid more than two single sessions would have cost. Before buying a package, check whether sessions must be used within a time limit, whether they can be transferred or refunded, and whether the spacing between sessions fits your trip. Read what if I cannot finish a treatment series.
Why the cheapest quote is not always the lowest cost
A very low price can reflect fewer shots, a smaller area, a different product or a less experienced operator. If a treatment needs to be repeated or corrected, the total cost rises. Choosing a clear, doctor-led plan at a fair price is usually cheaper in the long run than chasing the lowest headline number.
How to compare clinic prices fairly
- Write down the exact product or device. Brand, model and generation, such as Thermage FLX rather than an older system.
- Match the unit. Compare shots with shots, cc with cc, and the same area with the same area.
- Add VAT. Convert every quote to a VAT-inclusive total.
- List add-ons. Include numbing, soothing care and any extras the plan requires.
- Check who treats you. A licensed doctor should assess you and set the plan.
Paying at a Korean skin clinic: currency and payment
Clinic prices in Korea are in Korean won. Payment methods vary by clinic, and card fees or currency conversion charges depend on your own bank or card provider. If you pay by an overseas card, your bank may apply a foreign transaction fee or an exchange rate set by the card network. Paying in won, rather than accepting conversion into your home currency at the terminal, often avoids an extra conversion margin. Check details with your bank before you travel and see our payment and tax page for what Dernia accepts.
Who should be careful when booking on price alone?
Price comparison works well for
- Standardized treatments such as wrinkle Botox per area
- Lasers priced per full-face session
- Devices priced by a clear shot or line count
- Repeat treatments you have had before
Look beyond price for
- Under-eye or nose filler, where risks are higher
- Thread lifts and other procedures with downtime
- First-time treatments where diagnosis matters
- Melasma and darker skin types, where settings matter
Flying home soon after treatment? Factor recovery time into your budget as well as cost. A cheaper treatment with more downtime can affect your trip more than a slightly more expensive gentle option. Our aftercare guide lists typical recovery times.
Planning your Seoul skin clinic budget
- Get a plan before you fly. Send your concerns, photos and travel dates through our consultation form for an initial view of options and prices.
- Avoid your arrival day. Book treatment for day two or later.
- Keep a buffer. Set aside about 10% extra for VAT and a little more for optional add-ons.
- Getting here. Dernia is in Myeongdong, near Myeongdong Station (Line 4) and Euljiro 1-ga Station (Line 2).
Frequently asked questions
Do Korean skin clinic prices include VAT?
Often not. Many clinics, including Dernia, list prices before 10% VAT, which is added at payment.
Can I get a tourist VAT refund on skin treatments in 2026?
No. The tourist VAT refund on cosmetic procedures in Korea ended on January 1, 2026.
Do foreigners pay more at Korean skin clinics?
Prices are generally the same for everyone. Dernia's listed prices are identical for all patients, but visitors should check VAT and add-ons when comparing.
Is there a consultation fee at Dernia?
Any consultation fee is confirmed when you book, and a doctor agrees your treatment plan and price before treatment.
What currency are prices in?
Prices are in Korean won (KRW). Your bank may apply its own exchange rate and fees if you pay by an overseas card.
How can I avoid hidden costs?
Confirm the exact product, units, area, VAT and any add-ons in writing before treatment, and ask how unused course sessions are handled.
Want a clear price before you fly?
Send us your concerns and travel dates. We will outline suitable options and prices in English, and a doctor confirms the final plan and total before any treatment.
Book a consultation View 2026 pricesRelated reading
This article is for general information and does not replace a medical consultation. Results vary between individuals, and suitability, treatment plan and final price are confirmed by a licensed doctor after an in-person examination. Dernia Clinic Myeongdong does not publish patient testimonials or before-and-after claims.