Why South Korea is the Plastic Surgery capital of the world

Cosmetic Surgery in South Korea is surging. Today, South Korea performs almost 1 million cosmetic surgeries per year, about 20 surgeries per 1,000 people, with 1 out of 5 women having had some form of cosmetic surgery. Since 2009, South Korea has lead every other country in per-capita. It also ranks third in the world for the number of plastic surgeons (2,330), according to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.

Less Invasive Procedures

Even though major surgeries are still very popular, minimally-invasive cosmetic procedures such as Botox, fillers and lifting are becoming even more popular. People prefer non-invasive procedures because they are cheaper with less side effects, thanks to medical improvements over the past few years. More doctors are also able to perform minor surgeries. Any doctor with a medical license can branch out and provide cosmetic procedures related to their fields to increase their profits.

Gangnam Beauty

An affluent suburb in Seoul, The Gangnam District has over 500 plastic surgery clinics alone. It is a popular destination for women from other Asian countries who want to improve their appearance and for procedures such as eyelid surgery or chin augmentation.

Koreans go mostly for facial surgeries. The sough-after “Gangnam beauty” has more Caucasian-like features like a defined nose and plump lips. Those seeking these procedures are mostly women between 20 and 30. But recently, the number of male patients wanting cosmetic surgeries are also on the rise. Now, about 15-20% of cosmetic surgeries are done for men.

K-Pop Image

Even before the K-pop boom, young Koreans were already going for minor cosmetic procedures. Parents not only allow them, but encourage them. Most parents do not want their children to be the “ugly one.” Cosmetic surgery is a common graduation present.

K-pop stars are constantly undergoing cosmetic surgeries, even if they don’t admit to it. Now the K-pop image is the standard for beauty. Cosmetic surgeries to look like your favorite K-pop star is so common. Many of the K-pop idols even act as spokespeople for surgical companies.

Beauty and Success

In South Korea and other Asian countries, a personal photograph is often included with your resume. Surveys shows that Korean women equate beauty with professional and economic success. South Korean employers looks of the applicants who are physical attractive in addition to their professional qualifications.

The Department of Health (DOH) specially has increased its collaborations with national government agencies and private sector organizations involved in quality healthcare and patient safety. Its other objectives are also to increase the generation of jobs, institutions with advanced medical utilities, and tourism overall.

Most Common Cosmetic Surgeries in South Korea

  • Eyelid Surgery
  • Jaw Augmentation
  • Rhinoplasty
  • Body Contouring
  • Hair Transplant