Chinese tourists walk through Myeong-dong in Seoul, Sept. 29, 2025, the first day of visa-free entry. Korea Times photo by Hong In-ki
With China’s Spring Festival approaching, Lu Xiao decided to try dermatology treatments for the first time, hoping to look her best for family gatherings during the break.
“I’ve seen a lot of posts on social media about the effects of dermatology treatments recently, and they looked quite appealing, so I wanted to try it myself,” Lu said.
She flew to Korea for a three-day trip earlier this month and opted for Thermage and ultrasound-based lifting treatments at a clinic in Myeong-dong, aimed at addressing signs of aging and improving skin firmness.
“Some clinics in China may use uncertified devices, and prices here are more competitive,” Lu said.
The treatments cost around 10,000 yuan ($1,444) in total — roughly 40 percent cheaper than quotes she received in China.
Lu is among a growing number of Chinese consumers traveling to Korea for dermatology and skin care services, even as weak consumer confidence at home has kept overall spending subdued.
According to Korea’s Ministry of Health and Welfare, the number of inbound medical patients from China surged by 132 percent in 2024, making China the second-largest source after Japan.
Meanwhile, a report released by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute in December showed that dermatology accounted for the largest share of inbound Chinese consumers’ credit card spending on medical services in 2024, at 57.5 percent, totaling 61.7 billion won.
Official data for 2025 has yet to be released, but industry insiders said demand from Chinese consumers continued to rise over the past year.
Source: Korea Times News
