How much does laser treatment cost in Korea?
Laser treatment in Korea costs $40 to $400 per session depending on the device. Most foreign patients pay $60–$120 for a single laser toning or pico session at a Gangnam clinic.
Laser is not one thing, and this is where most price confusion comes from. A pigment laser and a resurfacing laser cost different amounts, do different jobs, and need different numbers of sessions. The table below is by device, because that is how clinics actually price it.
- Verified
- 2026-08-24
- Medically reviewed
- Pending
Prices in Seoul
| Option | Price (USD) | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Laser toning (Q-switched Nd:YAG) | $40–$90 | per session | Pigment, tone. Course of 5–10 |
| Pico toning | $60–$130 | per session | Faster pulse, fewer sessions than Q-switched |
| Pico fractional | $110–$240 | per session | Acne scars, texture |
| CO2 fractional | $130–$320 | per session | Resurfacing. Real downtime |
| Vbeam / pulsed dye | $90–$220 | per session | Redness, vascular |
| Genesis | $60–$140 | per session | Pores, mild redness |
| IPL / photofacial | $50–$150 | per session | Broad pigment and redness |
Ranges observed across Seoul clinics in August 2026. Package pricing typically brings the per-session figure down 20–40%.
Clinic-by-clinic prices are being collected. Clinics that decline to publish a price are not listed with one. Until then the table above is the market range we observed.
What the price does and does not cover
| Included | Not included |
|---|---|
|
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Compared with what you would pay at home
| Country | Typical price |
|---|---|
| United States | $300–$600 per session |
| United Kingdom | £150–£350 per session |
| Korea | $40–$400 per session |
The saving is real. It does not cover a flight on its own — people combine treatments to make the trip worthwhile.
What the days after look like
- Toning / GenesisNo downtime. Mild redness for a few hours. You can go out the same evening.
- Pico fractionalRedness and a sandpaper texture for 2–4 days. Makeup usually fine after 48 hours.
- CO2 fractionalReal downtime. Redness, crusting, peeling for 5–10 days. Do not book this at the end of a short trip.
- VbeamPossible purpura (bruise-like marks) for up to a week, depending on settings.
Plan your trip around this. Clinics will book you whenever you ask; they will not reorganise your holiday for you.
When to walk away
- You are tanned or have had significant sun exposure in the last two weeks. Pigment lasers on tanned skin cause more pigment, not less.
- You are on isotretinoin (Accutane) or stopped recently. Most clinics require a gap; ask before you fly.
- You want one session to fix melasma. Melasma comes back and needs a maintenance plan, not a single laser.
- You have a three-day trip and want CO2 fractional. You will fly home mid-peel.
- A clinic recommends the same laser for a friend with a completely different concern. That is a menu, not a diagnosis.
Questions people actually ask
How much does laser treatment cost in Korea?
$40–$400 per session depending on the device. Laser toning and pico toning, the two most commonly booked by visitors, run $40–$130 per session.
Why is laser so much cheaper in Korea?
Volume and competition. Gangnam has an unusual density of clinics running the same devices all day, and per-session pricing reflects that. The devices are the same models sold worldwide.
How many sessions do I need?
Toning is a course, typically 5–10 sessions spaced 1–2 weeks apart. That does not fit a one-week trip. Resurfacing lasers work in fewer sessions but carry downtime.
Can I do laser on the same trip as injectables?
Usually yes, but order and spacing matter. Most clinics will do laser first and injectables after, or space them by several days. Ask rather than assume.
Is package pricing worth it?
If you live in Korea or return often, yes — packages cut 20–40% per session. On a single trip you cannot use a 10-session package, and unused sessions are rarely refundable to a foreign patient.
What is the difference between toning and pico?
Both target pigment. Pico delivers energy in a much shorter pulse, which generally means fewer sessions and less heat in the skin. It costs more per session.