Beauty Bargains: Why New Yorkers Are Flying to South Korea

18 September 2025

Y. Lee before (left) and after one of her Korean getaways, during which she underwent numerous non-invasive procedures. In both pictures, she wears no makeup.

A growing number of people from New York are skipping local clinics and jetting off to South Korea for cosmetic treatments. They’re chasing lower prices, high tech procedures, and what many consider craftsmanship years ahead of what’s available in the U.S. The trend includes everything from Botox and lasers to facelifts and stem cell therapy. TikTok and influencer culture are helping fuel interest, with clients comparing both cost savings and quality of experience.

Influencers and celebrities are often the most visible players in this movement. One influencer known as “@taxinoodle,” a twenty-something who once worked in investment banking, went viral after sharing her Korean beauty trip. In one visit she had multiple non-invasive treatments including fat dissolving shots under chin and arms, “eye sizing,” lasers, tinted skin boosters, and more. She said many treatments cost significantly less there than in New York. For example, jawline Botox that might run about $700 stateside may cost close to $100 in Korea.

The full packages are another draw. For one New Yorker, a facelift, neck lift and stem cell therapy in Seoul cost around $35,000. That included nearly three weeks of hotel recovery, post-operative treatments like hyperbaric oxygen therapy, transportation between clinic and hotel, and even a skincare gift bag. When factoring in similar treatments in the U.S., the price was still tens of thousands higher even before luxury or travel add-ons.

The procedure process in Korea often feels more streamlined as well. Patients report being able to meet with a patient coordinator and surgeon quickly sometimes the same day. Pre-op testing bloodwork, EKG, imaging is done fast. Clinics tend to specialize narrowly in just a few procedures, which allows what some describe as cleaner workflows and faster scheduling. While “factory-clinic” models worry some, others say specialization results in greater expertise.

Still, it’s not all smooth. Language barriers can complicate matters, especially when discussing medical risks, details of procedures, or finding out who is responsible when something goes wrong. Patients advise doing thorough research checking clinic reputation, verifying credentials, reading reviews, asking about aftercare and what recovery will really look like. Some clinics offer multi-lingual staff or patient ambassadors, though their medical backgrounds are often limited.

Another risk area is recovery. Because many flights are long haul, patients are warned to allow adequate time for healing before flying home. They also caution about complications such as blood clots, post-operative infection, or unexpected results. The cheap cost in South Korea does not mean no risk. And while many clients report satisfaction, there are voices urging caution and respect for medical best practices.

Part of what’s driven demand is a perception that cosmetic medicine in Korea is “at least five years ahead” in terms of technology, aesthetic refinement and innovation. Social media amplifies that perception. Young people share their “glow up” trips online and see peers posting dramatic before-and-after results from treatments that are simply not available, or cost prohibitive in New York. That comparison inspires others to consider travel as part of the equation for beauty.

For clinics in Korea this trend brings economic benefit. Medical tourism is becoming a significant industry, with international patients spending not just on surgery or cosmetic work but on travel, housing, post-op care, boutique hotel stays, and luxury extras. Some clinics tailor “beauty travel packages” that include accommodations and recovery regimens, making the whole trip feel like wellness vacation.

Critics warn that such travel and procedures are not accessible to everyone. The cost savings are real, but so are the logistical, financial, and health-risk burdens. Not everyone has the ability to travel internationally, pay for supporting care, take time off work, or deal with unexpected outcomes far from home. They caution that what looks like luxury may hide trade-offs.

Still, for many who opt into these journeys the results are more than skin deep. People say they feel renewed confidence not just because of their appearance but because of the experience being cared for, having visible transformation, and the sheer novelty of combining travel with personal change. And when you can save tens of thousands while also getting ambitious treatments, the value proposition becomes compelling.

In the end this trend reflects wider cultural shifts around beauty, cost, global medical standards and what people expect from cosmetic care. The idea that someone might travel halfway around the world for a procedure once seen as purely cosmetic no longer seems so wild. For many, it looks like smart choice, combining aesthetic goals with economic calculation and a taste for new experiences.