Continuing Upward Trend of Plastic Surgery Market in South Korea

Plastic surgery is a huge market in South Korea, where double eyelid surgery is a common graduation gift and operations are not limited to just women. Many patients visit South Korea for cosmetic procedures, especially since treatment care can be much less than US costs.

With a revised Medical Service Act earlier this year, hospitals can promote medical services to foreign patients. In addition, a medical tourist visa was introduced so that foreign patients can easily enter South Korea. In fact, the number of foreign patients at several leading Korean hospitals has jumped over 40 percent in a year. The number of plastic surgery clinics has also doubled from 2004 to 2007. With increased demand, there is a growing need for cutting edge, innovative medical technology in the plastic surgery field.

The types of services available range from rhinoplasty to liposuction to breast augmentation. Other areas include facial reconstruction and burn care.

Some of the major clinics include Samsung Medical Center, Seoul National University Hospital and the Yonsei University Health System.