Chinese tourists flock to South Korea for beauty treatments ahead of Lunar New Year
Korean dermatology clinics have seen a surge in Chinese customers of late and are courting them via Chinese social media
With Lunar New Year approaching, Beijing-based 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 says.
She flew to South Korea for a three-day trip earlier in February and opted for Thermage and ultrasound-based lifting treatments at a clinic in Seoul’s Myeong-dong neighbourhood, aimed at addressing signs of ageing and improving skin firmness.
“Some clinics in China may use uncertified devices, and prices here are more competitive,” Lu says.
The treatments cost around 10,000 yuan (US$1,450) in total, roughly 40 per cent cheaper than the quotes she received in China.
Lu is among a growing number of Chinese consumers travelling to South Korea for dermatology and skincare services, even as weak consumer confidence at home has kept overall spending subdued.