VG Plastic Surgery
VG Plastic Surgery
Republic of Korea, Seoul
Im Young Min
20 years of experience
accreditations :
Clinic is certified :
Hair transplant surgery in the Republic of Korea typically costs from AUD $4,600 to AUD $10,000. Final pricing depends on the extraction technique, the number of grafts required, and the clinic's location. Australian patients save approximately 35% compared to domestic rates, where the average cost is AUD $11,100. High-grade clinics in Seoul often include airport transfers and multilingual support in their service fees.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Seoul offers exceptional value for patients seeking high-tech precision. While Gangnam clinics may charge 20% more, they provide unmatched security. Severance Hospital, for instance, holds JCI accreditation and appears in Newsweek’s best hospitals lists. Many patients choose MOAMAN Hair Transplant Clinic for its specialised ISHRS-member surgeons. Remember to claim your 10% VAT refund at the airport before departing Korea.
| Republic of Korea | Thailand | Turkey | |
| Hair transplant | from AUD $4,600 | from AUD $3,400 | from AUD $2,100 |
| Sapphire FUE hair transplant | ≈ AUD $5,700 | ≈ AUD $3,700 | from AUD $2,600 |
| Organic hair transplantation | ≈ AUD $5,000 | ≈ AUD $4,300 | from AUD $2,300 |
| No Shave Hair Transplant | from AUD $8,800 | from AUD $5,400 | from AUD $2,600 |
| Neograft Hair Transplant | ≈ AUD $6,000 | from AUD $6,400 | from AUD $3,100 |
Dr Yong Woo Kim is a board-certified plastic surgeon who achieved the top score on the Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons resident board exam. He leads surgical care at Returning Plastic Surgery in Seoul.
Dr. Im Young Min is the board-certified chief physician at VG Plastic Surgery in Seoul. He specializes in facial and body procedures, with a focus on natural, balanced outcomes. Dr. Im has appeared on the TV show Dream Come True.
Dr. Inho Bae is a board-certified plastic surgeon at AB Plastic Surgery in Seoul. He specializes in eyelid surgery and lifting procedures. He has performed over 7,000 aesthetic procedures. Dr. Bae graduated from the prestigious Seoul National University College of Medicine.
Dr. Yun Chang Woon is a plastic and reconstructive surgeon. He is a former professor at Soon Chun Hyang University and a former department head at Armed Forces Capital Hospital.
Professional memberships: Korean Medical Association; Korean Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (lifetime member); Korean Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery; Korean Association for Maxillofacial Contouring Surgery; Korean Association for Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery; Korean Society for Microsurgery; IPRAS. He is the Academic Chair of the Minimal Invasive Plastic Surgery Society.
Publications: Co-author of Neomajou: The 18 Korean Masters in Plastic Surgery. First author of “The Understanding and Stability of Insertion Layers in Thread Lift” (Journal of Surgery, 2023; 8:1903). Also published “Effectiveness of Botulinum Toxin A in Treatment of Frey’s Syndrome” (Arch Craniofac Surg, 2009; 10(2):114-119).
When considering Hair transplant, it’s important to understand the different techniques and which is best suited for you. Here’s a concise comparison of popular options:
Follicular Unit Extraction involves removing individual hair follicles from a donor area and implanting them into balding or thinning areas.
Direct Hair Implantation involves using a specialized pen to implant hair follicles one by one directly into the scalp.
Follicular Unit Transplantation involves removing a strip of scalp to harvest hair follicles for implantation.
Utilizes advanced robotic technology for precise follicle transplantation to restore hair.
Uses a special serum derived from the patient's own fat to enhance hair growth and healing.
Hair transplant side effects in the Republic of Korea are usually mild. They include temporary swelling, itching, and hair shedding. Korean techniques like robotic FUE and DHI reduce tissue damage. However, patients may still face shock loss, minor folliculitis, or scalp numbness during early recovery.
Bookimed Expert Insight: While many centres focus on graft volume, leading Seoul clinics like Banobagi integrate stem cell injections into their transplants. This enhancement speeds up scalp healing and increases follicle survival rates compared to standard FUE. It also reduces the duration of the visible recovery phase for international patients.
Patient Consensus: Expect temporary forehead swelling, scabbing, and itching during the first week. Many patients in Korea combine surgery with medication like Finasteride. However, confirm your personal tolerance for these drugs locally before flying.
The best hair transplant clinics in the Republic of Korea are concentrated in Seoul. Specifically, they are in the Gangnam and Seocho districts. These areas host facilities accredited by KOIHA and KAHF. They specialise in techniques like FUE, robotic ARTAS, and non-shaven procedures for natural-looking results.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Many centres serve thousands of patients annually. However, hair transplant specialists in Seoul, such as Dr Kimchangjoo, often manage 5+ restoration centres personally. Seoul clinics maintain such high graft survival rates. This is due to the concentration of surgical experience at the director level. They achieve this despite performing complex non-shaven procedures.
Patient Consensus: Seoul clinics provide exceptional results for FUE, especially for patients requiring meticulous hairline design. Those with non-Asian hair textures should confirm the surgeon performs extractions personally.
Non-residents do not receive special tax rates for medical services in the Republic of Korea. As of 1 January 2026, the VAT refund program for foreign patients has been abolished. It previously covered aesthetic procedures and cosmetic surgery. All international patients now pay standard consumer rates including applicable taxes.
Bookimed Expert Insight: Tax refunds have ended, but Seoul remains highly competitive. This is because specialised clinics like AB Plastic Surgery maintain a double-industry-average anaesthesiology ratio. Clinics with high international patient volumes often provide better value. Seoul National University Hospital, for instance, offers bundled services. These offset the loss of tax incentives.
Patient Consensus: Expect to pay full private rates in South Korea. Medical services do not offer special non-resident discounts. Confirm all-inclusive quotes early to manage out-of-pocket costs and avoid unexpected foreigner premiums.