The facial in Korea price is set per session at most clinics, with the lowest listed visit on this page starting from ₩50,000 before VAT. A base session normally covers cleansing, a light acid or enzyme step, extraction and a calming mask; vacuum hydration, ampoules, LED light or a stronger peel are usually charged as upgrades. Many clinics also sell a course of three to five visits at a lower cost per visit. The table below compares current fees from 10 clinics, and every figure is shown before VAT, with 10% VAT added at payment. When you read a quote, check the steps listed rather than the name of the package.
Prices
Facials cost in Hongdae
Prices below come from the listed clinics' own price lists, before VAT. 10% VAT is added at payment.
Custom Care 1 Session (whitening/hydration/soothing + modeling pack)
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $36₩50,000 + VATCompare clinicsAqua Peel + Cryo Soothing Care + LED (struck list price)
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $109₩150,000 + VATCompare clinicsPrice factors
What changes the price
- Steps in the session: asking how much is a facial in Korea really means asking which stages are included; each added peel, vacuum pass or modeling mask raises the quote.
- Acid type and strength: salicylic, glycolic, lactic or mandelic solutions are priced differently; a 2023 review in Molecules by Măgerușan and colleagues noted the acid can be matched to each patient's tolerance.
- Device and consumables: sessions run on branded vacuum systems use single-use tips and serums, so they are listed higher than a manual protocol.
- Boosters and ampoules: hyaluronic acid, vitamin C or soothing serums added on top of the base session are often itemized one by one.
- Who is involved: a session that includes a doctor's skin check before the peel can cost more than one handled entirely by aestheticians.
- Single visit or course: buying several sessions lowers the per-visit figure, but unused visits may not carry over after you fly home.
- Area covered: listed fees normally cover the face only; adding the neck or back is charged as an extra area.
- VAT: every south korea facial treatment price on a clinic menu is written before VAT, and 10% VAT is added when you pay.
Compare
How the options compare
| Option | What it covers | Who it suits | What to ask |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic clinic session | Cleansing, light exfoliation, extraction, calming mask | Congested skin on a first visit | Is extraction included or charged separately? |
| Acid peel session | Salicylic, glycolic or mandelic solution with neutralizing and sunscreen | Oily or acne-prone skin, uneven texture | Which acid, what strength, and how long it stays on? |
| Vacuum hydration session | Device-based rinsing and serum delivery with fresh tips | Dull or dehydrated skin before an event | Are the tips and serums single-use and opened in front of you? |
| Combined protocol | Peel plus vacuum step, ampoule, LED and mask in one visit | Visitors with one free afternoon | Which items are optional and itemized? |
| Course of visits | Three to five sessions spaced about a week apart | People staying longer or returning soon | Can unused visits be moved or refunded? |
Evidence
Research behind this page
- A Comprehensive Bibliographic Review Concerning the Efficacy of Organic Acids for Chemical Peels Treating Acne VulgarisMolecules · 2023 · doi:10.3390/molecules28207219
Reviewed alpha- and beta-hydroxy acid peels for acne and concluded that organic acid peels are effective and well tolerated, with the acid chosen to match each patient.
FAQ
Questions about Facials in Hongdae
Are the listed facial fees before or after VAT?
Listed clinic fees are before VAT, and 10% VAT is added to the bill when you pay. This applies to the base session and to every add-on, so a quote with several upgrades rises by the same proportion. Ask the front desk to show the total including VAT before the session begins. That way the receipt holds no surprises when you check out.
How much is facial treatment in Korea once upgrades are added?
The final bill depends on how many upgrades you accept, since each extra step is usually priced as a separate line. Common add-ons are a vacuum hydration pass, an ampoule, LED light and a modeling mask. A combined visit can cost several times the base session. Ask for every add-on to be named and priced in writing so you can drop the ones you do not need.
Why do two clinics charge differently for a similar-looking session?
Differences usually come from the steps included, the acid and device used, and whether a doctor checks the skin first. One clinic's base session may include extraction and a mask, while another sells them as extras. Consumables such as single-use vacuum tips also raise costs. For a fair comparison, read the written list of steps side by side rather than the package names.
Is an affordable facial in Seoul still done with proper hygiene?
A lower fee can be perfectly reasonable when the session is simply shorter, but hygiene should never be what is cut. Watch for sterile extraction tools, fresh vacuum tips and masks opened in front of you. A low price that skips the skin check is a different matter. If the clinic cannot explain which acid it will use, consider another clinic on the list.
Is a cheap facial in Seoul a good idea for sensitive skin?
It can be, as long as the plan is gentle and someone looks at your skin before any acid is applied. Basic sessions with cleansing, hydration and a calming mask are often both lower priced and well suited to reactive skin. Strong peels at a low fee carry more risk of redness. Mention any recent retinoid use or irritation at check-in.
Do course packages make sense on a short trip?
Usually not, because clinics space acid sessions about a week apart, so a long course rarely fits a stay of a few days. A single session or two visits a week apart is more realistic for most visitors. Ask whether unused visits can be kept for a later trip before paying. Some clinics allow it, while others treat packages as non-refundable.
How do visitors usually pay at a skin clinic in Seoul?
Most clinics accept international credit and debit cards as well as cash, and payment is normally taken after the session. Some ask for a deposit when you book a course or a long combined protocol. Keep the itemized receipt, since it lists each step and the VAT. Check by message in advance whether foreign cards work for advance deposits as well.
Does a repeat session cost the same as the first visit?
Often it costs less, because a first visit can include a consultation or skin assessment that later sessions do not repeat. Some clinics also discount the second session if it follows within a set number of weeks. Ask both prices at the first visit. Writing down the steps you had makes it easier to request the same protocol next time.