I struggled for a long time over whether to go to Seoul for Thermage treatment. After comparing the costs in different places, I finally decided to book the Lumiin service at Lumiin. Is it still cheaper after the tax rebate in 2026?

At the beginning of the year, South Korea announced that tax refunds for medical beauty treatments would no longer be available. My first thought was, “Won’t it be even more expensive to go to Seoul for Thermage treatments?” Then a friend sent me a screenshot showing that after getting her treatment at Lumiin Dermatology in Seoul, including the round-trip airfare and two nights’ accommodation, the total cost was actually lower than if she had done it in Taiwan. I wasn’t convinced at first, so I carefully compared the prices in all three places and finally, I was persuaded. This article is a detailed comparison of the costs, meant to help those who are still hesitating.

After the tax refund policy was cancelled, is it still worth flying to Seoul for Thermage treatments? Let me state the conclusion first.

Starting from January 2026, South Korea officially abolished the tax rebate policy for medical beauty treatments for foreign tourists. This means that the previous 10% rebate benefit is no longer available. As a result, many people who had planned to travel to South Korea for medical beauty treatments decided to cancel their plans at this point. However, upon closer comparison, the actual price of Thermage FLX treatments in South Korea is still significantly lower than that in Taiwan and Hong Kong. The difference is so large that even after taking into account the 10% tax rebate, the cost in South Korea remains more competitive. Therefore, the actual impact of the abolition of the tax rebate policy is not as significant as initially anticipated.

Taking a Dermatology clinic in Gangnam District, Seoul as an example, the cost of a full-face treatment with the fifth-generation Thermage device ranges from 1.3 million to 1.8 million Korean won (equivalent to approximately NT$32,000 to NT$45,000). In contrast, similar services in Taipei generally cost between NT$55,000 and NT$80,000, while in Hong Kong the price is even higher, ranging from HK$28,000 to HK$38,000 (about NT$116,000 to NT$157,000). Even without taking tax deductions into account, the difference is still quite significant.

What is the background of Lumiin Dermatology? Why did I ultimately choose it?

Finding a Dermatology clinic in Gangnam, Seoul is not really difficult. The real challenge lies in identifying which one among the numerous clinics advertising their services is truly reliable. Lumiin Dermatology (루미인피부과) is located on the 3rd floor of the SH Building at 324 Seonyeong-ro, Gangnam. It is only about a 5-minute walk from Exit 8 of Yeoksam Station on the subway. Although its location is not in the most bustling area, this precisely demonstrates that its success does not rely on its geographical location, but on its reputation.

The most decisive factor in my choice was this: the clinic was headed by three physicians who all held the title of “Dermatology Specialist.” This is a highly prestigious qualification awarded by South Korea’s Ministry of Health, and only about 2% of dermatologists in the country possess it. The three clinic directors were actually a family—Representative Director Choi, who specialized in laser freckle removal; the vice director (his wife), who was expert in anti-aging radiofrequency treatments; and the third director, who focused on the treatment of sensitive skin. Such family-owned clinics generally have a very stable reputation and are less likely to engage in aggressive marketing tactics for the sake of increasing profits.

It is said that the director spends an average of over 30 minutes during in-person consultations. He uses professional equipment to carefully observe the layers of facial spots before deciding on a treatment plan. This is far different from the routine, procedural service where you are simply taken to the treatment room as soon as you enter the clinic and ask what treatment you want. For someone like me who is visiting an unfamiliar clinic for the first time, this approach definitely makes me feel much less secure.

Summary of Lumiin Thermage treatment costs in 2026: How much does the Korean version differ from the American version?

Let’s start with the most important aspect: the cost. According to information updated in April 2026, Lumiin’s Thermage treatment is available in two versions – Korean and American – and the prices differ accordingly.

Project	Korean won	Taiwan dollars (for reference)	Hong Kong dollar (for reference)
Oligio Full Face Treatment (Basic Package)	Starting from 1.35 million.	Approximately NT$33,750	Approximately HK$8,300
American version of Thermage (specifically designed for the eye area)	Starting from 1.48 million	Approximately NT$37,000	Approximately HK$9,100
Potenza (for the entire face)	Starting from 190,000	Approximately NT$4,750	Approximately HK$1,170
Ultrasonic lifting: 100 sessions	Starting from 300,000.	Approximately NT$7,500	Approximately HK$1,840
Thermage 600 emission	Starting from 800,000.	Approximately NT$20,000	Approximately HK$4,920

For the conversion rates mentioned above, I used the current reference rates of 1 Korean won ≈ NT$0.025 and HK$0.0061. It is recommended to check the actual exchange rates on the day of your trip. It is important to note that Lumiin clearly states that all prices include VAT and that the prices are the same in both China and South Korea, so there is no issue of foreigners paying a higher price. The transparency of fees is particularly important for overseas tourists.

South Korea vs Taiwan vs Hong Kong: This is how the costs of Thermage treatments should be calculated in these three regions.

It is meaningless to compare the prices offered by different clinics individually; instead, the total cost of the entire trip should be taken into account. For example, consider the situation of a Taiwanese person flying to Seoul for a Thermage treatment:

Cost categories	Seoul Lumiin (South Korea)	Taipei Tongcheng Clinic	Equivalent clinics in Hong Kong
Cost of Thermage for the entire face	Approximately NT$33,750	Approximately NT$60,000	Approximately NT$115,000
Round-trip flight ticket (Taipei ↔ Seoul)	Approximately NT$8,000	—	—
2 nights of accommodation	Approximately NT$5,000	—	—
Total	Approximately NT$46,750	Approximately NT$60,000	Approximately NT$115,000

Overall, the cost of undergoing Thermage treatment in Seoul, including airfare and accommodation, is approximately NT$13,000 cheaper than in Taipei and NT$68,000 cheaper than in Hong Kong. Of course, this is under the most ideal circumstances; if airfare prices are higher or accommodation requirements are more stringent, the cost difference may decrease, but overall, South Korea still offers a significant price advantage. If you can combine this treatment with other activities in Seoul, such as shopping or sightseeing, the cost-effectiveness will be even greater.

On the day I went to Lumiin for Thermage treatment: How long did it take approximately from entering the clinic until leaving?

According to the information gathered, the consultation process at Lumiin is roughly as follows: Upon arrival, a 10-minute skin examination is conducted (free for first-time clients), followed by a face consultation lasting more than 30 minutes. The director will determine the final treatment plan and energy settings based on the condition of the skin. After confirmation, local anesthetic is applied for approximately 30 minutes before the Thermage treatment begins; the entire procedure for the face usually takes 40–60 minutes. After the treatment, cold compresses are used to soothe the skin, and you will be given a post-treatment care kit containing a medical mask and sunscreen. The reception staff will record your get in touch information, and a dedicated specialist will follow up on your recovery within 3 days. The entire process takes approximately 2.5–3 hours.

What is particularly friendly towards foreign tourists is that the clinic offers English/Chinese translation services, and the front desk staff are accustomed to dealing with overseas patients seeking cosmetic treatments. So, there is no need to worry about communication issues. Upon arrival at the clinic, you can simply request to see the Chinese price list and the doctors’ qualification certificates, and the clinic will be more than happy to provide them for you.

How do foreigners make an appointment with Lumiin? It’s easy in just three steps with BeautsGO.

For people who don’t speak Korean and are making their first appointment at a Dermatology clinic in South Korea, the biggest concerns are usually booking the wrong time, selecting the wrong treatment option, or realizing too late that there are misunderstandings. Using BeautsGO for booking can save a lot of trouble – with a Chinese-language interface and Chinese-speaking customer service, you will receive assistance in confirming the appointment details before going to the clinic, and translation services will also be available upon arrival.

The reservation process is very simple: open the BeautsGO app or mini-program → search for “Lumiin Dermatology” → select the treatment you wish to undergo (such as Thermage FLX) and the approximate date of your visit → enter your name and get in touch information → you will receive a confirmation notice within 24 hours. On the day of your appointment, just present the confirmation screenshot. It is recommended to make a reservation 3–5 days in advance, as the slots are usually more limited on weekends.

Frequently Asked Questions: Must-read before undergoing Thermage treatment at Lumiin

Q1: How long does it take for the effects of Thermage to become visible, and how long do they last?

Generally, it takes 1 to 3 months after the treatment to notice significant Lifting effects. This is because the principle of Thermage is to stimulate the regeneration of Collagen, and this process requires time. The results usually last for 1 to 2 years, and the duration depends on an individual’s ability to regenerate Collagen as well as their lifestyle habits (such as sun protection and regular sleep patterns).

Q2: After the cancellation of tax refunds in 2026, is it still worth going to South Korea for medical beauty treatments?

From a cost perspective, even without the tax rebate, the prices of Thermage treatments in South Korea are still 40–50% lower than those in Taiwan and even much lower than in Hong Kong. The 10% tax rebate is merely a marginal factor that further reduces the already low cost of Thermage treatments in South Korea; it has little impact on the overall cost-performance ratio. If you are already planning to travel to Seoul, taking the opportunity to undergo a Thermage treatment there is still a great deal of value for your money.

Q3: What precautions should be taken before and after undergoing Thermage treatment?

Avoid excessive sun exposure 2 weeks before the treatment; avoid high-temperature environments (such as saunas or strenuous exercise) within 48 hours after the treatment; and enhance moisturization and sun protection in the first week after the procedure. Lumiin will provide a post-treatment care kit, and the clinic also offers follow-up consultation services 3 days after the treatment.

Q4: Can I still receive treatment normally if I don’t understand Korean?

No problem at all. Lumiin provides Chinese-speaking reception services, and the Taiwanese Chinese customer service on the BeautsGO platform will also assist throughout the process. When you arrive at the clinic, simply indicate that you made the appointment through BeautsGO, and the clinic staff will follow the Chinese communication procedures.

Finally, I would like to share my personal thoughts: The greatest benefit of this whole experience was not the amount of money saved, but the realization that the assumption that “not getting a tax refund makes it not worth it” is actually not quite correct. South Korea’s medical beauty market is mature and highly competitive, and this is precisely the reason why prices remain competitive in the long run. Tax refunds are merely an added bonus. If you are still hesitating, you can set aside concerns about costs for now – what you really need to consider are your schedule and the choice of doctor.