South Korea: Cosmetic Surgery Capital of the World

Medical Tourism in South Korea

South Korea is viewed as a friendly and joyous nation by people all over the world. Travelers from all over the world go to this nation to experience its stunning tourist attractions, mouthwatering cuisine, and extremely rich culture. Because of their top-notch medical services and cutting-edge facilities, South Korea has recently become one of the most popular destinations in Asia for medical tourists.

Korean Healthcare

The healthcare systems in South Korea are some of the best in Asia. The Ministry of Health and Welfare is the name of the nation's general health agency. This office collaborates with the government and other national health organizations to develop and implement public health and safety policies. Government-mandated healthcare insurance is provided to both public and private employees, and many hospitals in South Korea regularly update their facilities and infrastructure, which is a major appeal for medical tourists.

Finding ways to improve people's quality of life, promoting health in both adults and children, providing long-term care insurance for the elderly, and implementing preventative healthcare and treatment programs are all tasks that fall under the purview of South Korea's Ministry of Health and Welfare.

A South Korean Plastic Surgery Glance

South Korea presently executes 24% of all cosmetic procedures, earning it the moniker "Cosmetic Surgery Capital of the World." The ethnohistorical setting of South Korea, societal demands, economic opportunities, and cultural values have all influenced the development and evolution of this discipline.

The market for plastic surgery is enormous in South Korea. According to the International Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, 20 percent of women in South Korea have reportedly received some type of cosmetic surgery. This information has been covered by foreign media outlets like the Washington Post and the New Yorker.

Another lucrative sector is plastic surgery tourism. It makes up around a quarter of South Korea's medical tourists, and the South Korean government anticipates upwards of a million yearly medical tourists by 2020, according to the New York Times. In 2014, visitors who underwent plastic surgery brought in $107 million.

As the market grew, so did the number of new enterprises. In September 2017, there were 1414 plastic surgery clinics registered in South Korea, according to the National Tax Administration. The quantity of significant hospitals, dermatology practices, and dental practices in Korea that provide numerous different types of cosmetic surgery is not included in this figure. In Gangnam-gu, where the renowned Apgujeong plastic surgery district offers a bewildering assortment of clinics, 470 of these independent clinics are located. Despite the market scale, the industry has become so crowded that there is an increasing issue with unlicensed brokers sending foreign patients to clinics that are not permitted to treat foreign patients.

Procedures for Plastic Surgery in the United States and South Korea are compared.

Although the historical and cultural backgrounds for plastic surgery in the United States and South Korea are dissimilar, both nations exhibit comparable trends in the most popular treatments. The most often done procedures are noninvasive, like chemical peels with hyaluronic acid and botulinum toxin. The most popular invasive operations include rhinoplasty, lipoplasty, blepharoplasty, and breast augmentation. Nevertheless, lipoplasty and blepharoplasty are more popular in South Korea, whereas breast augmentation is more popular in the United States. It has been proposed that these variations could be the result of varying cultural ideals of beauty.

Popular and Innovative Techniques in South Korean Plastic Surgery

South Korea has emerged as a leader in the development of cutting edge advancements in the field of plastic surgery since its increase in popularity. The demand for particular characteristics that are associated with success and beauty in South Korea has had a significant role in driving these advancements. The maintenance and repair of youthful-looking skin is one such quality, which is not surprising. Stem cell therapies help with collagen remodeling and architecture to increase skin elasticity, and devices like the Ultraformer 3 HIFU and Ulthera thermodynamically induce collagen fiber contraction via focused, high-intensity ultrasound to achieve skin tightening. These are examples of cutting-edge, noninvasive modalities. Aegyo sal, which translates to "eye grins," is a very common procedure performed only in South Korea that involves fat grafting and injections under the eyes to make the patient look younger. A tiny face and jaw are also sought-after characteristics in South Korea, which has boosted the use of hitherto underutilized facial reshaping methods. The V-line operation, a type of mandibuloplasty that evolved from procedures used to address severe congenital malformations, is a well-known procedure that produces this small face and jaw appearance. The process involves shaving the mandible using oscillating saws and may involve the deliberate fracture and repositioning of the bone. With the exception of transgender facial feminization treatments, zygoma reduction is another popular method of narrowing the face in South Korea. South Korean plastic surgeons have created a new minimally invasive technique for this treatment that allows the surgery to be carried out by a single 5 mm intraoral stab incision on each side, cutting down on both operating time and postoperative edema. Also, this method has been demonstrated to lessen issues like malunion, facial nerve injury, cheek drooping, and temporomandibular joint injury. Patients can resume their normal daily activities three days after surgery, and results are more dramatic than conventional techniques. Finally, having huge eyes with double eyelids is regarded as attractive. In several Asian nations, including South Korea, the minimally invasive 3-point subcutaneous tunneling method for blepharoplasty has gained popularity. This technique has been shown to reduce complications like swelling, congestion, and post-operative pain in comparison to the conventional methods of upper blepharoplasty with tarsal fixation. Other advantages include a lower rate of conversion of double eyelids to monolids. The septoaponeurosis junctional thickening procedure, which was recently created and is exclusive to South Korea, has been shown to provide a more dynamic and natural double eyelid fold. In a large-scale study of the procedure that tracked over 900 patients, it was discovered that 95% of patients expressed satisfaction 2–8 years after the operation.

Notable South Korean Tourist Destinations and Events

South Korea takes pride in both its man-made and natural wonders:

Historical sites and palaces in Seoul, Buyeo and Gyeongju

Mountain peaks of Seorak-san and Jiri-san

Danyang and Hwanseongul Caves

Haeundae and Mallipo beaches

Thousands of medical tourists also travel to South Korea for its well-known festivals:

Take part in their famed snow crabs during the Yeongdeok Snow Crab Festival (February to March), which honors the king who historically received these priceless treasures as a unique gift.

Jindo Sea-Parting Festival (March) – In Jindo, the seas part once a year, exposing a 2.5 kilometer road, around 50 meters wide, and visitors are able to walk from the mainland to a nearby island.

One of Seoul's most well-liked holidays, the Lotus Lantern Festival (May), honors the birth of Buddha. The "Jangeomdeung" (Grand Light) is lit at Seoul Plaza, and there are also lantern exhibitions and a parade across the city. Also, visitors have the opportunity to take part in creating their own lotus-shaped lanterns.

The Boryeung Mud Festival (July) is held on the beaches of Daecheon and draws more foreign visitors than any other festival in the nation. People participate in activities like mud wrestling, mud sliding, and swimming in the enormous mud mega tub because of the mud's famed medicinal properties. The celebration continues throughout the night, when there are more parties and firework shows.

October's Incheon Ceramic Festival - Incheon hosts this festival to display their exquisite works of art and their over a thousand years of history in the ceramic arts business.

Korea-Inspired Cuisine

The staples of Korean cuisine are rice, noodles, a variety of veggies, tofu, and several kinds of meat. Short-grain rice that has been steam-cooked is typically served with a wide selection of savory side dishes. The well-known Korean salad kimchi is typically offered with every meal.

Best Places In South Korea To Visit

Gyeongju

Gyeongju, which is perched on the south-east coast, is one of the top destinations in South Korea to visit if you enjoy history. Visit the Bulguksa Temple, which dates all the way back to the eighth century, if temples are your thing. Having said that, you can also visit the Seokguram Grotto to see one enormous Buddha. It also offers some breathtaking city vistas. Most importantly, if you want to see the sunrise, this is a terrific location. After exploring these temples and the grotto, proceed immediately to the Gyeongju National Museum, which is filled with historical artifacts. Yeah, but if visiting museums isn't your thing, head over to Gyeongju National Park, which is nearby. The scenery and vistas are breathtaking. Visit Cheonnyeon Hanu Bomun for some of the best Korean beef in the area if you're looking for a delicious bite to eat.

Seoul

One of the top tourist destinations in South Korea is without a doubt Seoul. In addition to being extremely large, it also has a ton of interesting history, neighborhoods, and cultural influences. Since roughly 600 years ago, Seoul has served as the nation of Korea's capital. All of this indicates that many significant historical structures are located here, making it the ideal destination for a long weekend getaway. When you arrive, be sure to check out some of Seoul's top attractions and spend some time strolling through the city's stunning neighborhoods. After some time spent exploring, stop by Changdeokgung Palace, then proceed to Myeongdong for a major shopping area before arriving at Bukchon.

Jeju City

Jeju City, which is located on Jejudo Island, is among the top destinations in South Korea to combine with a trip to the island. It is also well-liked by South Koreans as the city that is the furthest south in South Korea. Visit Dongmun Market, a traditional Korean market selling everything, as soon as you arrive. Go to Jejumok Gwana if it isn't your thing. The former central government office, which is made up of about seven ancient homes and dates all the way back to the 14th century, is an amazing sight to behold.

Suwon

Suwon, located in the northwest of the country and located in the Gyeonggi Province, is one of the top places to visit in South Korea. Currently, the Fortress and the enormous gates with the towering pagodas are among the most well-known sights to visit. The palace of Hwaseong Haenggung, which is simple to visit following the stronghold, is also not too far away. So be sure not to overlook the magnificent banquet room.

Busan

To be honest, Busan is one of the best places in South Korea to visit due to its location. Perched on the south-east coast, it’s the perfect spot to visit if you want a little city life, but also embrace South Korea’s amazing beaches and mountains. After you're here, be sure to check out the energetic Haeundae Beach and travel to the Haedong Yonggungsa seaside temple, which dates back to the 14th century. If you don't like beaches, take a hike (or the automobile) to Taejongdae. It is a sizable coastal park with stunning views of the surrounding area. Just remember to bring your hiking shoes, as some of the paths can be challenging. 

Hwaseong

One of the top day trip destinations in South Korea is Hwaseong, which is not too far from Seoul. See the UNESCO World Heritage sites while you're here, including the Hwaseong Fortress and the Yongjusa Temple. If you enjoy an adrenaline rush, visit Everland and ride their enormous wooden rollercoaster. Moreover, Bonsuwon Galbi has delicious Korean BBQ, and their kalbi is to die for.

Gwangju

Gwangju, which is in the south of the nation, is one of the top tourist destinations in South Korea because of its hip blend of the old and the contemporary.

When you arrive, be sure to check out the Jeungsimsa Temple and its stone pagoda, the Mudeungsan Mountain National Park, and Mahanji Gorge. They offer some of the city's greatest Korean barbecue. You'll roll back to your bed because you'll be so full. Just be sure to sample their pork ribs—they are delectable.