6 Month Update Experiencing Beauty Tourism in Korea
Last Updated on June 21, 2025 by Erin Donahue
Not to be dramatic, but I may have ruined my skin getting five cosmetic procedures in one day during my first experience with beauty tourism in Korea. Six months later, I’m finally sharing the full, unfiltered update, including what actually worked, what flopped hard, and the things I wish I had known before booking that flight. Let’s break it down.
Why I Chose a Factory-Style Clinic for Korean Beauty Tourism
As mentioned in my first post sharing my experience of beauty tourism in Korea, I went to Abijou, a factory clinic in Seoul. These types of clinics shuffle you in and out with barely a glance from the doctor. I knew that going in, and was totally fine with that at the time. The reason I chose Abijou was because it was a word-of-mouth referral, and I didn’t trust the countless clinics on social media pushing influencer partnerships and not disclosing them. Everything I paid for was out of pocket because I wanted unbiased care.
What Worked: Excel V Laser for Freckles
Out of all my experiences with beauty tourism in Korea, getting Excel V was the highlight. I wanted to remove my freckles I developed from sun damage over the years, so I got the Excel V laser because it’s less painful than other options like Fraxel. I’ve been wanting Fraxel, but I simply can’t commit to the pain! Before the laser, I paid a couple of bucks extra for a prep facial, which many clinics include in their base pricing. The charge was nominal, and their upsell was part of the skin prep before microneedling.
I know some people want to look like they get punched in the face when they go to Korea, because it’s literally halfway around the world, but I travel to Asia regularly, especially for medical tourism, so I wasn’t in a rush to go extreme my first time. I want gradual improvement. The Excel V laser targeted my darkest freckles, and while I wish they had been more aggressive across the entire face, the pain was manageable, and downtime was minimal. I was happy with the results!
A month later in Taiwan, I got a second round of laser, this time an ND laser at a local dermatologist in Hsinchu. Unlike the Excel V laser, this time I got numbing cream, I guess because that treatment was stronger. With the numbing cream, though, it just felt like a tingle when your limbs lose circulation. Excel V without numbing cream was about a 4 out of 10 on the pain scale for me. While the ND laser was a more aggressive procedure, targeting over 100 freckles on my face, it came with nearly two months of unplanned downtime! It was supposed to only be two weeks, though, so that was initially alarming. I looked like a leper the whole time. If you’re debating between mild vs. aggressive, know your threshold and travel schedule.
What Went Wrong: Microneedling Regret
Now, here’s where things get messy. I chose to get microneedling because collagen-boosting is all the rage these days. However, I’m only in my early thirties, and not to toot my own horn, but naturally have fabulous skin. It’s literally my biggest flex that everyone compliments me on, but this part of my beauty tourism in Korea journey completely backfired. I’m being a little dramatic, but I did have the worst acne I’ve ever had in my life. While it was siloed to just my right temple, I developed some comedonal acne that took months to clear. Initially, it was extracted by the dermatologist in Taiwan, only to come back discolored with a hard cyst feeling under my skin. I’ve been treating the lingering dark spots with Hero Micropoint for Dark Spots, which worked for a bit… until I re-aggravated it, and the cycle started again.
Even six months later, I’m still treating the aftermath, and I had to go to another dermatologist in NYC. This experience taught me that just because a procedure is trendy doesn’t mean it’s worth doing at a high-turnover clinic. I’ve never had my skin take so long to rebound!
What Disappeared Fast: Lip Filler That Didn’t Last
Getting lip filler is what had me the most excited… and the most disappointed. The clinic used Restylane Kyss, made specifically for lips and known for looking super natural. For about three weeks, I was still getting used to the feeling, and my lips felt like puffy bricks. Then, literally overnight, it just disappeared and felt like nothing was there anymore. For something that’s supposed to last a year, that felt like a massive letdown.
I was pretty conservative since it was my first time, and I don’t know how much I got if I’m being honest. (I had two syringes, but no idea how much went into my lips.) A core memory, though, was when the first needle broke in my face while I was being injected lol. Or, maybe my body metabolised it way too quickly. Either way, I’m getting more CC’s next time!
What Half-Worked: Botox in Korea
I also got Botox in two areas: my crow’s feet and forehead. The crow’s feet treatment worked well, smooth and natural. But they only injected the upper half of my forehead, which didn’t give me the full lift I expected. Later, that same dermatologist in Taiwan told me it’s better to do small doses over time to avoid eyebrow drooping. It was a good reminder that for long-term injectables like Botox is best done by someone you can see regularly, not a one-and-done while on vacation.
How Much Did It All Cost?
Even though some things didn’t go as planned, I have no complaints about pricing. These procedures cost significantly more in the U.S., even when factoring in flights and accommodations.
Here’s a basic price comparison of what I paid in Korea vs. general NYC MedSpa pricing:
Total with round-trip flight and hotel: ~$1,750
Total in NYC for same procedures: ~$2,330
So yes, even with a few flops, it’s still a value. Just be intentional with where you go and what you get done.
Would I Do Korean Beauty Tourism Again?
You’re probably wondering, would I go back for beauty tourism in Korea? The answer: hell yes! While this post might sound like a disaster, it wasn’t all bad. I would go back to Abijou for superficial procedures, and I was careful not to do anything too invasive and stuck to treatments with a low risk profile. That decision saved me from potential issues, especially after hearing horror stories like the woman who went blind from a botched Juvelook procedure at a different clinic.
Next time, I plan to opt for a clinic that offers real consultations with a dermatologist for more complex treatments like Rejuran, where salmon DNA (read: sperm) is injected into your face 600 times.
Is Beauty Tourism in Korea a Good Idea?
Is Korean beauty tourism worth it? Yes, if you do your homework.
- Don’t book blindly. Go to a reputable clinic or doctor. Referrals > Undisclosed TikTok Partnerships.
- Start small. Try low-risk procedures first, especially if it’s your first time.
If you’re considering beauty tourism in Korea, take the time to research and map out your skincare goals. Know your budget, your downtime tolerance, and your risk level.
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