Basic acne care in Korea generally costs between ₩50,000 and ₩200,000 per session. Laser, PDT, Gold PTT, and medical acne programs commonly range from ₩150,000 to ₩700,000. Acne-scar treatments such as Potenza, subcision, fractional laser, and Juvelook may cost ₩300,000 to ₩1,500,000 per session.

What Does Korean Acne Treatment Include?

Korean skin clinics offer different treatments according to the type and severity of acne.

A basic acne program may include:

• Skin cleansing
• Chemical peeling
• Blackhead and comedone extraction
• Acne injections
• LED light therapy
• Soothing care
• Oil-control treatment

More advanced programs may include:

• Acne laser treatment
• PDT or photodynamic therapy
• Gold PTT
• Vascular laser
• Prescription medication
• Hormonal evaluation
• Potenza RF microneedling
• Subcision
• Fractional laser
• Skin boosters

Active acne and acne scars should be treated differently. Controlling inflammation is usually the priority before beginning aggressive scar treatment.

Acne Consultation Cost

Some Korean skin clinics offer a free consultation when the patient receives treatment on the same day. Dermatologist-led clinics may charge separately.

Typical consultation fees include:

• Basic consultation: Free to ₩30,000
• Doctor consultation: ₩20,000 to ₩70,000
• Specialist dermatologist consultation: ₩30,000 to ₩100,000
• Detailed skin analysis: ₩20,000 to ₩100,000

Medication, laboratory testing, and follow-up appointments may be charged separately.

Acne Extraction Cost

Professional extraction removes selected blackheads, whiteheads, and clogged pores. It should be performed carefully to reduce unnecessary inflammation and scarring.

Expected prices include:

• Small-area extraction: ₩20,000 to ₩50,000
• Full-face acne extraction: ₩30,000 to ₩100,000
• Extraction with Aqua Peel: ₩50,000 to ₩150,000
• Extraction with chemical peel: ₩70,000 to ₩200,000
• Extraction with calming care: ₩70,000 to ₩200,000

Extraction may leave temporary redness or small marks. It does not prevent new acne unless the underlying oil production, inflammation, skincare routine, or hormonal factors are also addressed.

Acne Injection Cost

An acne injection is commonly used for large, painful, inflamed pimples. It may reduce swelling more quickly than waiting for the lesion to settle naturally.

Typical prices include:

• One acne lesion: ₩10,000 to ₩30,000
• Several acne lesions: ₩20,000 to ₩50,000
• Large-area treatment: ₩50,000 to ₩100,000

Overuse or incorrect injection depth can cause temporary skin indentation or color changes. The treatment should be performed by an experienced medical provider.

Chemical Peel Cost for Acne

Chemical peels may help reduce clogged pores, oiliness, mild inflammatory acne, and superficial post-acne pigmentation.

Common prices include:

• Salicylic acid peel: ₩50,000 to ₩150,000
• Glycolic acid peel: ₩50,000 to ₩150,000
• LHA peel: ₩50,000 to ₩150,000
• Mandelic acid peel: ₩50,000 to ₩150,000
• Acne peel with extraction: ₩70,000 to ₩200,000
• Premium acne peel program: ₩100,000 to ₩300,000

Patients using prescription retinoids or strong exfoliating products should inform the clinic before receiving a peel.

Aqua Peel Cost for Acne-Prone Skin

Aqua Peel is frequently used for blackheads, excess oil, and congested pores.

Expected prices are:

• Basic Aqua Peel: ₩30,000 to ₩70,000
• Aqua Peel with extraction: ₩50,000 to ₩150,000
• Aqua Peel with LED care: ₩70,000 to ₩180,000
• Aqua Peel acne package: ₩100,000 to ₩250,000

Aqua Peel may help with congestion, but it is not a complete treatment for moderate or severe inflammatory acne.

Acne Laser Treatment Cost

Laser and light-based treatments may help with inflammation, oil production, bacteria, redness, and post-acne marks.

Typical prices include:

• Basic acne laser: ₩80,000 to ₩250,000
• Acne laser with extraction: ₩100,000 to ₩300,000
• Oil-control laser: ₩100,000 to ₩300,000
• Red acne-mark laser: ₩150,000 to ₩500,000
• Combination acne laser: ₩200,000 to ₩600,000
• Multi-session package: ₩500,000 to ₩2,000,000

The exact device should be confirmed because “acne laser” is a broad term rather than one standardized treatment.

PDT Acne Treatment Cost

Photodynamic therapy, commonly called PDT, uses a photosensitizing solution followed by a light source. It may be recommended for inflammatory acne and excessive oil production.

Estimated prices include:

• Basic PDT session: ₩150,000 to ₩350,000
• Premium PDT treatment: ₩250,000 to ₩500,000
• PDT with extraction and calming care: ₩300,000 to ₩600,000
• PDT multi-session package: ₩700,000 to ₩2,000,000

PDT may cause redness, dryness, peeling, and temporary light sensitivity. Patients should follow the clinic’s instructions regarding sunlight and skincare after treatment.

Gold PTT Cost

Gold PTT is a popular acne treatment in Korea that combines specially formulated particles with laser energy. It is generally intended to target sebaceous glands and reduce acne-related oil production.

Typical prices include:

• Basic Gold PTT: ₩200,000 to ₩400,000
• Gold PTT with extraction: ₩250,000 to ₩500,000
• Gold PTT combination treatment: ₩300,000 to ₩700,000
• Multi-session Gold PTT package: ₩800,000 to ₩2,000,000

The total cost depends on the treatment area, product, laser device, and included aftercare.

Prescription Acne Medication Cost

Prescription treatment may be recommended for patients with persistent, widespread, hormonal, or cystic acne.

Possible costs include:

• Doctor consultation: ₩20,000 to ₩70,000
• Topical acne medication: ₩10,000 to ₩50,000
• Oral antibiotics: ₩20,000 to ₩100,000
• Oral isotretinoin: approximately ₩30,000 to ₩150,000 per month
• Laboratory testing: ₩30,000 to ₩150,000 or more

Medication costs vary according to dosage, duration, insurance status, and pharmacy.

Oral isotretinoin requires medical supervision and is strictly contraindicated during pregnancy because of the risk of severe birth defects. Patients should discuss pregnancy prevention, side effects, laboratory monitoring, and other medications with their doctor.

Hormonal Acne Treatment Cost

Acne concentrated around the jawline and chin may be influenced by hormones, although location alone cannot confirm the cause.

Possible costs include:

• Medical consultation: ₩20,000 to ₩100,000
• Hormonal blood tests: ₩50,000 to ₩300,000
• Gynecology or endocrinology consultation: ₩30,000 to ₩150,000
• Prescription medication: Varies by medication and duration

Patients with irregular periods, excessive facial hair, sudden severe acne, or other hormonal symptoms may need additional medical evaluation.

Red Acne Mark Treatment Cost

Red post-acne marks may be treated with vascular lasers rather than pigment-focused lasers.

Estimated prices include:

• Basic redness laser: ₩100,000 to ₩300,000
• V-beam laser: ₩200,000 to ₩600,000
• Excel V treatment: ₩200,000 to ₩600,000
• Genesis treatment: ₩150,000 to ₩400,000
• Combination redness program: ₩300,000 to ₩1,000,000

Several sessions may be required. Active acne should also be controlled to prevent new red marks from forming.

Dark Acne Mark Treatment Cost

Brown or gray post-inflammatory pigmentation may be treated with laser toning, pico laser, chemical peels, or topical medication.

Typical prices include:

• Chemical peel: ₩50,000 to ₩150,000
• Laser toning: ₩50,000 to ₩200,000
• Pico toning: ₩100,000 to ₩350,000
• Pico spot treatment: ₩100,000 to ₩500,000
• Combination pigmentation program: ₩300,000 to ₩1,000,000

Aggressive treatment can worsen pigmentation, particularly in deeper skin tones. Conservative settings and sun protection are important.

Acne Scar Treatment Cost

Acne scars are more expensive to treat than active acne because they often require several procedures.

Expected prices include:

• Microneedling: ₩100,000 to ₩300,000
• RF microneedling: ₩250,000 to ₩800,000
• Potenza: ₩300,000 to ₩1,000,000
• Fractional laser: ₩200,000 to ₩700,000
• Fractional CO2 laser: ₩300,000 to ₩1,000,000
• Pico fractional laser: ₩200,000 to ₩600,000
• Subcision: ₩200,000 to ₩800,000
• TCA CROSS: ₩100,000 to ₩400,000
• Scar filler: ₩300,000 to ₩1,000,000
• Combined scar treatment: ₩500,000 to ₩2,000,000

The correct treatment depends on whether the patient has rolling, boxcar, ice-pick, or raised scars.

Potenza Cost for Acne and Scars

Potenza uses RF microneedling to improve acne scars, enlarged pores, skin texture, and active acne in selected patients.

Typical prices include:

• Basic Potenza: ₩300,000 to ₩600,000
• Potenza with premium tip: ₩400,000 to ₩800,000
• Potenza with Juvelook: ₩500,000 to ₩1,200,000
• Potenza with Rejuran: ₩600,000 to ₩1,500,000
• Potenza with exosome application: ₩500,000 to ₩1,200,000

Ask which tip will be used, how many passes are included, and whether the product is injected or applied topically.

Subcision Cost

Subcision is used primarily for rolling or tethered acne scars. A needle or cannula is inserted beneath the scar to release fibrous attachments.

Expected prices include:

• Small treatment area: ₩200,000 to ₩400,000
• Both cheeks: ₩300,000 to ₩800,000
• Full-face subcision: ₩500,000 to ₩1,000,000
• Subcision with filler: ₩600,000 to ₩1,500,000
• Subcision with laser or skin booster: ₩700,000 to ₩2,000,000

Bruising and swelling are common after subcision. International patients should allow sufficient recovery time.

TCA CROSS Cost

TCA CROSS is a focal chemical technique commonly used for narrow ice-pick scars.

Typical prices include:

• Small number of scars: ₩100,000 to ₩200,000
• Both cheeks: ₩150,000 to ₩300,000
• Full-face treatment: ₩200,000 to ₩400,000
• TCA CROSS combination program: ₩300,000 to ₩800,000

Temporary crusting and redness are expected. Patients should avoid picking at treated areas.

Acne Scar Skin Booster Cost

Skin boosters may be combined with lasers or RF microneedling to support improvements in texture and collagen production.

Estimated prices include:

• Rejuran S: ₩300,000 to ₩800,000
• Juvelook: ₩300,000 to ₩800,000
• Juvelook with Potenza: ₩500,000 to ₩1,200,000
• Rejuran with scar treatment: ₩500,000 to ₩1,200,000
• Premium scar combination: ₩800,000 to ₩2,000,000

Skin boosters cannot release deep tethered scars or completely replace subcision and resurfacing procedures.

How Many Acne Treatment Sessions Are Needed?

The number of sessions depends on the condition.

A general treatment schedule may include:

• Extraction and peel: Every two to four weeks
• Acne laser: Three to six or more sessions
• PDT or Gold PTT: Three or more sessions
• Redness laser: Three to five sessions
• Pigmentation laser: Five to ten sessions
• Potenza: Three to five sessions
• Fractional laser: Three to six sessions
• Subcision: One to three or more sessions
• TCA CROSS: Three to six sessions

Severe or recurrent acne may require several months of treatment.

One-Day Acne Treatment for Tourists

Travelers with limited time may receive:

• Medical consultation
• Acne extraction
• Chemical peel
• Acne injections
• LED therapy
• Soothing treatment
• Prescription medication

A basic one-day acne program may cost between ₩100,000 and ₩400,000.

More advanced treatment with Gold PTT, PDT, or lasers may cost between ₩300,000 and ₩800,000.

One visit may reduce current inflammation, but it cannot complete a long-term acne treatment course.

Is VAT Included?

Aesthetic acne treatments are generally subject to 10% VAT. Medical consultations and prescription treatment may be billed differently depending on the service.

Ask the clinic:

• Is VAT included?
• Is the advertised promotion available to foreigners?
• Are extraction and aftercare included?
• Is medication charged separately?
• Is the treatment eligible for any current refund process?
• What is the final payment amount?

Refund rules and clinic participation may change, so eligibility should be confirmed before treatment.

Possible Additional Costs

Extra fees may include:

• Doctor consultation
• Skin analysis
• Acne extraction
• Numbing cream
• Prescription medication
• Laboratory testing
• Premium laser tips
• Skin boosters
• LDM recovery care
• Follow-up appointments
• English interpretation

An inexpensive acne package can become more costly when several add-ons are recommended.

How Much Should Foreigners Budget?

For a basic extraction and peel, budget approximately ₩70,000 to ₩200,000.

For active acne treatment with laser or PDT, budget approximately ₩200,000 to ₩600,000 per session.

For redness or pigmentation treatment, budget approximately ₩150,000 to ₩600,000.

For acne-scar treatment with Potenza, fractional laser, subcision, or skin boosters, budget approximately ₩500,000 to ₩1,500,000 per session.

A comprehensive scar program may cost ₩1,000,000 to ₩3,000,000 or more.

Questions to Ask Before Treatment

Before booking acne treatment in Korea, ask:

• Do I have active acne, pigmentation, redness, or scars?
• What type of scars do I have?
• Which treatment is the priority?
• What device or product will be used?
• Is extraction included?
• How much downtime should I expect?
• How many sessions are recommended?
• Is medication necessary?
• Is 10% VAT included?
• What is the final estimated cost?

A good clinic should explain why a treatment is appropriate instead of offering the same acne package to every patient.

Final Thoughts

Acne treatment costs in Korea vary considerably according to whether the goal is controlling active breakouts, fading post-acne marks, or improving permanent scars. Basic acne care can cost under ₩200,000, while advanced scar programs may exceed ₩1,000,000 per session.

International patients should first identify the type of acne and scarring they have. Treating active inflammation before beginning aggressive scar procedures can reduce new damage and create a safer, more effective treatment plan.