Gibbeum General Hospital
Acne scar treatment in the Republic of Korea typically costs from AUD $170 to AUD $170. Final pricing depends on the selected laser technology, the number of sessions required, and the clinic location, with Seoul hubs like Gangnam and Cheongdam being primary destinations. In Australia, similar treatments cost around AUD $3,600 on average, meaning patients can save approximately 95% by travelling. Standard Korean protocols often include a consultation, the procedure, and post-treatment soothing care.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Korea offers exceptional value through high-volume specialist centres. For example, Oracle Clinic Cheongdam treats 25,000 patients annually and holds accreditation from the Korean Society for Laser Dermatology and Hair Disorders. This scale allows clinics to offer advanced combinations, like laser paired with subcision, at lower rates than Australian private practices. Some clinics, such as Forena Clinic, also have doctors who have performed over 14,000 procedures, providing high expertise at competitive prices.
| Republic of Korea | Thailand | Turkey | |
| Acne Scar Treatment | from AUD $170 | from AUD $290 | from AUD $360 |
| Red Light Therapy | ≈ AUD $130 | from AUD $290 | from AUD $270 |
| Medication therapy for acne | from AUD $790 | from AUD $110 | from AUD $290 |
| Intense Pulsed Light (IPL) Skin Treatment | ≈ AUD $170 | ≈ AUD $210 | ≈ AUD $130 |
| Acne Laser Treatment (per session) | from AUD $170 | from AUD $110 | from AUD $720 |
Dr Yeom Jihye is a high-volume specialist who has performed over 14,000 laser and aesthetic procedures at Forena Clinic in Seoul.
Dr. Yeo In Gwon is a board-certified dermatologist at Lienjang Plastic Surgery & Dermatology Center in Seoul. He graduated from Chung-Ang University College of Medicine. He completed a dermatology residency at Chung-Ang University Hospital. He earned a Ph.D. in Dermatology from Chung-Ang University College of Medicine.
He is a member of the Korean Dermatological Association, Korean Acne & Rosacea Society, Korean Society of Dermatologic Laser Surgery, Korean Society for Dermatologic Surgery, and Korean Society for Anti-Aging Dermatology. His clinical focus is medical and cosmetic dermatology. Areas of interest include acne, rosacea, pigmentation disorders, and skin aging. He provides evidence-based care and uses laser and minimally invasive procedures.
Dr. Lee Woo Jin is a physician at Lienjang Plastic Surgery & Dermatology Center in Seoul. He completed his medical training at Kyung Hee University and Gyeongsang National University School of Medicine. His focus is aesthetic medicine and dermatology.
He is affiliated with the Korean Association for Laser Dermatology and Trichology and the Korean Filler Education and Research Academy. He is also a member of the Korean Academy of Facelift & Contouring and the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity. His practice centers on advanced laser therapies, injectables, facial contouring, and anti-aging procedures. He aims for personalized care and natural results.
Dr. Lee Seung Hyun is a board-certified specialist and an adjunct professor at Korea University Hospital. He holds advisory and KOL roles with Galderma (Restylane), Merz Aesthetics (Ultherapy, Belotero), PharmaResearch (Rejuran), VAIM (Juvelook), and Thermage FLX.
Memberships include the Korean Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and Laser Medicine and the Korean Association for Laser, Dermatology, and Trichology. He is also a member of the Korean Society for the Study of Obesity, The Obesity Society, and ESMO.
Publications include papers in PLOS ONE (2018), Medicine (2016, 2015), and the Korean Journal of Family Medicine (2018). Topics include BMI and mortality; GFR and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio with hearing loss in adults with diabetes; waist circumference and mortality; and ferritin in metabolically obese, normal-weight people.
When considering Acne Scar Treatment, it’s important to understand the different techniques and which is best suited for you. Here’s a concise comparison of popular options:
Utilizes laser technology to target and reduce acne scars effectively.
An advanced dermatology procedure using broad-spectrum light to treat skin issues like acne scars, hyperpigmentation, and aging signs.
Uses prescription medications to treat acne by reducing inflammation and bacteria.
Acne scar treatment in South Korea is highly safe when performed by board-certified dermatologists at clinics like Forena or BIOFACE. Specialists prioritise low-trauma multimodal approaches such as Potenza RF microneedling and Pico Fraxel. This helps prevent hyperpigmentation. Government-recognised facilities in Seoul maintain university-grade safety standards and advanced laser technology.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Bookimed data shows that leading Korean dermatologists often avoid aggressive CO2 lasers common in Australia. They prefer gradual protocols using Pico Fraxel and Juvelook. This shift significantly reduces the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation for patients with ethnic or sensitive skin tones.
Patient Consensus: Patients in Seoul appreciate the conservative, low-trauma approach that prevents discolouration. They highlight that significant improvement requires 4–10 sessions with results surfacing naturally over several weeks.
South Korea uses multimodal combination therapies to treat acne scars. Clinics frequently pair subcision with RF microneedling and picosecond lasers. These treatments target atrophic scars and pigmentation at the same time. They also prioritise low-downtime regenerative boosters like Juvelook or Rejuran S. These boosters speed up skin healing and collagen production.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Many patients expect a single aggressive laser session. However, Seoul's leading clinics like Oracle Clinic Cheongdam and Forena Clinic focus on incremental sessions. Performing 3–6 treatments every 3–4 weeks reduces the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation. This is a common issue with traditional CO2 lasers.
Patient Consensus: Patients in Seoul suggest requesting a combo package that includes subcision for the best results on deep scars. Most people appreciate how quickly redness resolves. It often fades within 1–3 days, allowing them to continue their holiday.
Patients typically need 3 to 6 sessions of acne scar treatment in South Korea to see visible results. Initial smoothing often appears after 1 or 2 sessions. However, reaching optimal collagen remodelling generally requires a full course. Sessions are spaced 4 to 6 weeks apart.
Bookimed Expert Insight: South Korean clinics like Forena Clinic and Oracle Clinic Cheongdam treat over 20,000 patients annually. They use combination therapy. Data suggests mixing RF microneedling with skin boosters or exosome therapy. This yields faster results than single-laser approaches. Choosing these bundled protocols can reduce the total session count needed for deep scars.
Patient Consensus: Patients in the Republic of Korea see smoothing after one visit. However, they suggest planning 8–10 sessions for deep ice-pick scars. Combination therapy and scheduling six months ahead give the best results for Australian travellers.
Downtime for laser acne scar treatment in South Korea depends on the intensity applied. It typically lasts 2 to 14 days.
Clinics in Seoul use PicoFraxel, which requires 2–7 days of recovery. Ablative CO2 lasers for deep scarring need 7–14 days for redness and peeling to subside.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Data from high-volume Seoul clinics like Forena and Oracle shows a shift towards sub-ablative and Pico-MLA technologies. These methods allow patients to resume light activities within 48 hours. This trend serves the 20,000+ annual patients who prioritise rapid recovery over intensive single-session results.
Patient Consensus: Clinics in South Korea often focus on gradual, low-trauma sessions to avoid pigmentation issues. Patients recommend waiting at least 1 week for scabbing to clear before applying makeup safely.
Subcision is a minor surgical procedure where a specialist uses a needle or cannula to sever fibrous tethers beneath the skin. This releases depressed acne scars, allowing the surface to rise. South Korean clinics specialise in air subcision, which uses high-pressure air for faster healing.
Bookimed Expert Insight: South Korea’s innovation lies in multimodal sessions. Clinics like Forena or RE:BERRY often combine subcision with exosome therapy or Juvelook boosters. This dual approach fills depressions while simultaneously improving texture. Leading doctors, including Dr. Yeom Jihye, have performed over 14,000 procedures using these methods.
Patient Consensus: Requesting the multimodal approach provides better lifting than subcision alone. Expect two days of redness and prepare for strict sunscreen use. The procedure may be uncomfortable, but results for deep rolling scars are significant. Many patients find Korean packages are much more affordable than individual treatments in Australia.