117-Fold Surge in Foreign Dermatology Patients Over 15 Years
Dermatology Accounts for 56.6% of Foreign Patients in Korea Last Year
The number of foreign patients visiting dermatology clinics in Korea has surged 117-fold over the past 15 years. The recent visit of prominent American celebrity Kim Kardashian to Korea for skin treatments has further highlighted the popularity of Korean dermatology clinics among foreigners, with this trend now reflected in concrete statistics.
According to the "2024 Statistical Analysis Report on Attracting Foreign Patients" released by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute on August 28, a total of 705,044 foreign patients received dermatology treatment in Korea last year. This figure is nearly three times higher than the previous year's 239,060 patients.
Compared to 6,015 patients in 2009, when the initiative to attract foreign patients began, the number has skyrocketed by 117 times over 15 years. While the overall number of foreign patients visiting Korea increased about 19 times during this period, the growth rate for dermatology patients was significantly steeper.
By medical specialty, dermatology stands out as the clear leader. In 2009, dermatology accounted for only 9.3% of all foreign patients, but last year it surpassed half, reaching 56.6%. As of 2024, dermatology is followed by plastic surgery (11.4%), integrated internal medicine (10.0%), and health screening centers (4.5%) in terms of foreign patient visits to Korea. Among primary clinics, dermatology accounted for 72.6% of all foreign patients.
Even over the past five years, in 2019, integrated internal medicine-which combines general internal medicine, gastroenterology, and cardiology-had the highest share among foreign patients at 19.2%, followed by plastic surgery (15.3%) and dermatology (14.4%). However, since 2023, dermatology has risen to the top spot.
Among foreign patients who received dermatology treatment last year, Japanese nationals made up the largest proportion at 43.7%, followed by China (24.4%), Taiwan (9.6%), the United States (5.7%), and Thailand (3.5%). With relatively affordable costs, highly effective procedures, and well-known aftercare services, "dermatology tourism" has long become a major part of traveling to Korea, beyond just receiving treatment.
Recently, American influencer Kim Kardashian drew attention by posting on Instagram about her dermatology treatments during her visit to Korea. Kardashian reportedly visited several dermatology clinics in Yongsan-gu and Gangnam-gu, Seoul, together with her sister Khloe Kardashian.
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