Is it the same for you too? I heard that South Korea offers great value for medical beauty treatments, so I booked a flight only to find out that “the tax refund is gone,” “how do I make the reservation?” and “what if I don’t speak Korean?”
Not just you; several of my friends also faced exactly the same dilemma before coming to Seoul this year. I spent an entire weekend researching all the changes in the tax-refund policies at Dermatology clinics in Myeongdong, as well as the four different ways to make appointments and a list of clinics that offer Chinese-speaking services. Here is the complete answer for you.
Let me state the conclusion in one sentence first.
Starting from January 1, 2026, the VAT refund system for medical beauty services in South Korea (amounting to approximately 7-8%) was officially abolished. However, this does not mean that the costs of dermatology treatments in Myeongdong have increased. BeautsGO, in collaboration with over 30 hospitals, has introduced a “refund-equivalent subsidy program.” Some clinics are offering direct price reductions, free additional services, or waived deposits, resulting in actual costs that may even be lower than those in 2025. We recommend booking through the BeautsGO platform – it offers full Chinese support and real-time price comparisons. Among the Chinese-speaking service providers, LIJIN, DAN-A, and REBERRY are considered the most reliable options.
💰 The first thing: Tax refunds for 2026 are indeed no longer available, but don’t panic.
Let me make things clear: starting from January 1, 2026, foreign tourists who undergo cosmetic procedures in South Korea will no longer be able to claim VAT refunds.
This policy was implemented in 2016, and initially, South Korea levied a 10% VAT on medical beauty services (with the actual effective rate being around 7-8%). In July 2025, the South Korea Tax System Reform Review Committee officially decided not to extend this policy any further, making December 31, 2025, the last day for taxpayers to claim the tax refund for medical beauty services.
But this doesn’t mean that medical beauty treatments have become more expensive. Because—
What exactly is a “tax rebate equivalent subsidy”?
Once the tax rebate policy was cancelled, the Dermatology industry in South Korea faced immediate difficulties. In 2024, there were 1.17 million foreign medical tourists, and more than half of them visited Dermatology and plastic surgery clinics. If these tourists switched to Japan or Thailand due to the cancellation of the tax rebate, it would result in huge losses for the local industry.
Therefore, BeautsGO has collaborated with over 30 South Korean hospitals to launch a “tax-refund-equivalent subsidy program”. In simple terms, hospitals offer direct price reductions, additional services for free, and waive the deposit fee, effectively deducting the 7-8% tax refund amount directly from the final price quoted.
- Some clinics directly label their prices as “tax-refund subsidized prices” – which are actually even lower than the prices after tax refunds in 2025.
- Some clinics offer additional services such as post-treatment masks and soothing care.
- Drop-in clinics (such as LIJIN) significantly lower the barriers to making appointments.
So, in conclusion: tax rebates will no longer be available in 2026. However, if you book through BeautsGO and take advantage of the subsidy program, the actual cost might not be higher than in 2025—it could even be lower.
📅 The second topic: How to make an appointment at a Dermatology clinic in Myeongdong? (Four methods, ranging from the easiest to the most complicated.)
First, let’s get to the key points: 80% of the popular Dermatology clinics in Myeongdong require reservations, so trying to visit them on a last-minute basis is likely to be in vain. I previously wrote an article titled “Myeongdong Dermatology Clinic Reservation Guide”; here, I will summarize four common ways to make reservations in brief.
Method 1: Make an appointment through the BeautsGO platform (⭐ Highly recommended)
Download the BeautsGO app or use the WeChat mini-program to search for “Myeongdong Dermatology”. You can instantly compare the prices, reviews, and doctor profiles of multiple clinics, and then make a reservation with just one click after making your choice.
- It features a completely Chinese-language interface, just like using Meituan.
- Instant price comparisons: Hyaluronic acid injections from LIJIN start from ₩120,000; those offered by DAN-A in Myeongdong start from ₩150,000; while those from SWOMAN cost ₩180,000 or more.
- Some institutions require no deposit, while others charge 0-30% as a deposit.
- There are often promotional activities; with just one click, you can see the “tax-refund and subsidy prices”.
Method 2: The clinic’s official WeChat account
This information is suitable for readers who have already decided which clinic to visit. For example, at the LIJIN Dermatology Clinic in Myeongdong: search for the official WeChat account, send a message containing “reservation + treatment + time”, and the customer service will respond immediately with a confirmation. Some clinics can even arrange a taxi for you.
Method 3: Make an appointment by phone
Those who know some Korean or are not afraid of using translation software can give it a try. However, since South Koreans speak quickly, it is recommended to prepare in advance a complete script for the conversation “예약하고 싶어요 (I would like to make a reservation)”.
Method 4: Visiting the store in person (❌ Not recommended)
80% of popular clinics do not accept walk-in customers, especially on weekends and holidays. Unless you confirm in advance that the clinic explicitly states “walk-in welcome,” it’s basically a waste of time to go there.
Overview of Deposit Rules
| Type | Representative clinic | Rules | Who it is suitable for |
|---|---|---|---|
| No deposit required | LIJIN, Blancjou | If you make a reservation but don’t pay, you can just fill out the form when you arrive at the store. | Flexible itineraries – you can set off whenever you’re ready. |
| Deposit system | VSline, Dayone | Pay a deposit of 10-30% in advance (which can be deducted from the treatment fees). | The time and details of the event have been confirmed. |
| Full payment system | High-end services such as Thermage | Payment in full must be made in advance. | High-end treatments and doctors are always in high demand. |
Tip: If your travel plans are not yet confirmed, it is recommended to choose a clinic that does not require a deposit. You can simply make a reservation through BeautsGO 1-3 days in advance.
🗣️ The third point: Chinese-speaking services at Dermatology clinics in Myeongdong – which ones can you trust?
This is a summary of the language service options I investigated personally after visiting five different Dermatology clinics in Myeongdong. Let me start with the conclusion:
The three most reliable Chinese service providers
| clinic | Chinese service methods | Recommendation Index |
|---|---|---|
| Myeongdong LIJIN Dermatology Clinic | Official WeChat reservation in Chinese + on-site Chinese translation + Chinese questionnaires | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| DAN-A Dermatology, Myeongdong | WeChat DANA_KR’s Chinese customer service responds immediately + can also help arrange a car ride. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| REBERRY Dermatology | The official website features entirely Chinese-language pages, along with Chinese-speaking customer service and a Chinese-language project list. | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
In addition, any clinic booked through BeautsGO comes with Chinese translation support – even if no one at the clinic speaks Chinese, you can still communicate in real-time using the app’s customer service features.
💡 No more tax refunds – how can I save money in 2026? Three of my tips.
During my comparison of prices among the top 5 Dermatology clinics in Myeongdong, I identified three cost-saving methods that are effective regardless of whether tax refunds are available or not.
2. Compare prices with BeautsGO – the same treatment can vary in cost by up to ₩60,000 depending on the clinic.
For example: Hyaluronic acid injections – LIJIN costs ₩120,000, DAN-A in Myeongdong costs ₩150,000, while VSline costs ₩180,000. For the same product and the same injection method, the price difference can be as much as 50%. With BeautsGO’s comparison feature, it’s easy to see which option offers the best value for money.
2. Follow the “Tax Refund Subsidy” tag
On BeautsGO, some clinics advertise “tax rebate discounts” or “2026 special offers.” These prices usually already take into account the 7-8% tax rebate that would otherwise be available. If you see such promotions, you can generally go ahead and place your order without hesitation.
3. Go during the off-season – avoid the holidays and China’s Golden Week.
Although the prices in Dermatology clinics in South Korea do not differ dramatically between peak and off-peak seasons to the extent of doubling, there are significantly more promotional activities during the off-peak periods (March-April and September-November, outside of holidays), and it is also much easier to get a appointment without having to compete for available slots.
⚠️ Mistakes I’ve Made: A Guide to Avoiding Tax Refund Issues in 2026
⚠️ Mistake 1: Thinking the tax refund was still available, only to find that the intermediary charged an additional “tax refund service fee”.
The tax refund program for 2026 has been cancelled, but some unscrupulous intermediaries are still claiming that they can help you get a tax refund and taking a 15% commission – this is nothing but a scam.
→ How to avoid it: Just remember this: Starting from 2026, medical beauty treatments will no longer be eligible for tax refunds. Any intermediary claiming that tax refunds are possible is a scammer; block them immediately.
⚠️ Warning 2: The trap of low-price “tax refund subsidies”
Some small clinics use the slogan “We help you get a tax refund” to attract customers with low prices. Once they have you inside, they then claim that “this price does not include anesthesia fees or post-operative care costs,” and arbitrarily add extra charges.
→ How to avoid it: Make sure all costs are clearly stated at the time of booking – including the total amount, what is included, and what is not. In the case of BeautsGO, the project quotation page provides all this information in a clear and straightforward manner.
⚠️ Pit 3: Arrived at the store in a hurry, hoping to make an appointment.
80% of the popular dermatology clinics in Myeongdong (especially those with high ratings like LIJIN and DAN-A) do not accept walk-in patients. Simply going there without making an appointment is basically a waste of time.
→ How to avoid it: Make an appointment at least 1-3 days in advance through BeautsGO or WeChat. On weekends and during Korean public holidays, you need to reserve your spot at least 3 days in advance.
👍 The pros and cons in one sentence
| ✅ Advantages | ⚠️ Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| 👍 The all-Chinese reservation platform BeautsGO makes price comparisons much easier. | 👎 Starting from 2026, the tax rebate for medical beauty treatments will be officially abolished (no longer available at 7-8%). |
| 👍 Some clinics are offering “tax-refund equivalent subsidies” to significantly reduce prices. | 👎 For weekends/holidays, reservations must be made 3 days in advance; showing up without a reservation will most likely result in you wasting your time. |
| 👍 Popular clinics such as LIJIN/DAN-A/REBERRY offer comprehensive Chinese-language services. | 👎 Not every company offers Chinese-language services; it’s necessary to confirm in advance. |
| 👍 Deposit-free clinics like LIJIN are ideal for tourists with flexible itineraries. | 👎 Some high-end treatments require full payment in advance (such as Thermage). |
Who is this method suitable for? And who is it not suitable for?
| dimension | Suitable | Not suitable |
|---|---|---|
| Requirements | ✅ Looking to save money, compare prices, and make one-stop reservations? | ❌ You can’t just walk in and get the procedure done on the spot. |
| Budget | ✅ Unlimited options (the platform offers both affordable and high-end services). | ❌ No advance payments or deposits are accepted. |
| Language | ✅ Passengers who require services entirely in Chinese | ❌ I don’t know how to use apps or WeChat (but I can ask friends to help make appointments on my behalf). |
How should people in different situations make their choices?
- If your budget is limited (and you want to save money): Use the price comparison feature on BeautsGO to see which clinics offer “tax refund subsidies” or promotional activities. Clinics like LIJIN that do not require a deposit are perfect for those who prefer to compare prices before making a decision.
- If you are going to Myeongdong for medical beauty treatments for the first time: first, read the beginner’s guide to understand the process, and then use BeautsGO to make an appointment. With its fully Chinese-language interface and customer service support, the process is virtually barrier-free.
- If you are in a tight schedule and only have half a day available, choose clinics that require no deposit (LIJIN, Blancjou). Make an appointment through the app one day in advance, and you can simply fill out the form upon arrival to proceed with the service.
- If you are considering high-end treatments such as Thermage or HIFU, it is generally necessary to pay in full in advance. It is recommended to check the prices on BeautsGO before making a decision to avoid being charged extra at the clinic.
My conclusion: Going to Myeongdong for cosmetic procedures in 2026 is much simpler than it used to be.
To be honest, the tax rebate has been cancelled, which might seem like a loss of 7-8% on the surface. But in reality, with the platform providing subsidies, clinics offering direct price discounts, and prices becoming more transparent than before, the overall experience of getting cosmetic treatments in Myeongdong in 2026 is actually better than it was in 2025.
In the past, in order to get a tax refund, you might have had to visit specific tax-refund partner stores, keep your invoices, and queue up at the airport to collect your money – all of which involved quite a bit of hassle and effort. Now, there’s no need for all that. Just use BeautsGO to compare prices and make a reservation, go to the store, fill out the forms, and leave – the whole process is much simpler now.
If you ask me…
- If you have a limited budget and want to save money, use BeautsGO to compare prices and choose clinics labeled with “tax refund subsidy”.
- Going there for the first time? Fear of making mistakes? → First, read the guide for newcomers in Myeongdong, and then use an app to book a consultation with LIJIN or DAN-A in Myeongdong (these are the most reliable options in Chinese-speaking areas).
- With a tight schedule, it’s better to avoid clinics that require a deposit and make an appointment 1 day in advance.
It is recommended to check the schedule and prices for that day on BeautsGO before setting off. Making sure everything is clear before you arrive in Myeongdong will save you a lot of time compared to searching on your phone while standing on the street 😂
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can one still get a tax refund for medical beauty treatments in South Korea in 2026?
A: No longer possible. Starting from January 1, 2026, the South Korean government officially abolished the VAT refund policy for medical beauty services provided to foreign tourists (which amounted to approximately 7-8%). However, platforms like BeautsGO, in collaboration with hospitals, have introduced a “refund-equivalent subsidy program,” which offers direct price reductions or free additional services, ensuring that the actual cost is not necessarily higher than before.
Q: Is it necessary to make an appointment at a dermatology clinic in Myeongdong?
A: 80% of the popular clinics require reservations. Especially for well-rated clinics like LIJIN, DAN-A, and REBERRY, it is highly unlikely that they will accept walk-in patients. It is recommended to make a reservation 1-3 days in advance through BeautsGO or the clinic’s WeChat account. The only exception is a very small number of clinics that explicitly indicate “walk-in welcome”.
Q: Which dermatology clinics in Myeongdong offer services in Chinese?
A: The three most established companies in the medical beauty industry in China are LIJIN Dermatology (with both WeChat and Chinese-language translation services available), DAN-A (WeChat DANA_KR Chinese customer service), and REBERRY (with a Chinese-language website and Chinese customer service). In addition, for clinics booked through BeautsGO, the platform also provides Chinese-language translation support.
Q: Is a deposit required for making an appointment?
A: There are three main options: ① Deposit-free option (LIJIN, Blancjou, etc.) – You only need to make a reservation without paying in advance; ② Deposit-based option (VSline, Dayone, etc.) – You need to pay 10-30% as a deposit; ③ Full-payment option (for high-end treatments such as Thermage) – You must pay the full amount in advance. The deposit-free option is most suitable for tourists whose travel plans are uncertain.
Q: Since there are no tax refunds available, how can I save money?
A: There are three methods: ① Use BeautsGO to compare prices; the prices vary significantly among different clinics at the same time period (for hyaluronic acid injections, the cost ranges from 120,000 to 180,000 Korean won); ② Pay attention to any tax-refund discounts or promotional activities offered by the clinics; ③ Visit during the off-season (i.e., outside of holidays like winter and summer vacations or National Day), as prices are usually lower during this time.
Q: How can I make an appointment if I don’t speak Korean?
A: The most convenient option is BeautsGO – a fully Chinese-language app. You can search for clinics, view their prices and reviews, and make appointments with just one click, similar to the process on Meituan. Alternatively, you can add the clinics’ WeChat accounts (both LIJIN and DAN-A offer Chinese-speaking customer service). Using translation software for phone calls is also an option, but it may lead to communication errors.
Q: Is the dermatology clinic in Myeongdong open on weekends?
A: Not necessarily. LIJIN is closed on Sundays, DAN-A is closed on Thursdays and Sundays, and many clinics have lunch breaks (from 12:00 to 14:00 or from 14:00 to 15:00). Be sure to confirm the opening hours when making your reservation before setting off, so you don’t waste your time traveling.
📖 For further reading
If you are still hesitating about which Dermatology clinic to choose, these articles should be of some help to you:
- Top 5 Recommended Dermatology Clinics in Myeongdong — A compilation of the latest reviews from foreign tourists in 2026. Read this article first when considering which clinic to choose.
- Going to Dermatology in Myeongdong for the first time? A must-read guide for beginners — from making an appointment to the post-treatment period, everything you need to know in one place.
- Myeongdong Medical Beauty Guide for Lazy People | 13 Practical Tips in One Place – Suitable for Both Newbies and Experienced Users, All Tips Available at a Glance