What to check before a cosmetic procedure in Korea
Surgery, transfusion and general anesthesia require written consent by law, and five items must be explained to you. Not choosing by testimonials and before-and-after photos matters just as much.
Last checked: Published:
A cosmetic procedure is still a medical procedure, so confirm the operator’s credentials and the expected side effects before deciding.
When written consent is legally required
Article 24-2 of the Medical Service Act requires an explanation and written consent for surgery, transfusion and general anesthesia — procedures that may cause serious harm to life or body. Cosmetic surgery involving incision falls inside this. Lasers and injectables often do not, which means the statutory written-consent process is not triggered. That is not the same as saying no explanation is owed.
The same article fixes five things that must be explained.
| What must be explained |
|---|
| The diagnosis of the symptoms present or expected |
| The necessity, method and content of the procedure |
| Names of the explaining doctor and the main doctor performing it |
| Complications or side effects typically expected |
| What the patient must observe before and after |
If the method, content, or the main doctor changes after consent is given, the clinic must notify you in writing with the reason. The case where the doctor you consulted is not the one who operates lands here.
Not choosing by testimonials and photos
Article 56(2) bans a list of advertising types, and several of them are exactly what people lean on when picking a clinic.
| Item | Prohibited content |
|---|---|
| 2 | Patient testimonials and similar content liable to mislead about treatment effect |
| 7 | Omitting important information such as serious side effects |
| 8 | Exaggerating objective facts |
| 13 | Misleading discounts or waivers of non-covered fees |
A violation carries up to one year in prison or a fine of up to 10 million won under Article 89. In other words, testimonials and before-and-after photos are material the law itself recognizes as potentially misleading. Individual variation is not the only reason to be careful with them.
Not choosing by price alone
Cosmetic work is mostly non-covered, so each clinic sets its own price. The spread reflects that pricing freedom, not a proportional difference in quality. Weigh the aftercare and what happens if something goes wrong.
Sources: Medical Service Act, Articles 24-2, 56(2) and 89. Last checked 2026-08-30.
Frequently asked questions
Does the consent have to be in writing?
For surgery, transfusion and general anesthesia, yes — Article 24-2 of the Medical Service Act requires written consent. Lasers and injectables usually fall outside that provision, so written consent is not legally mandated there, but asking for the explanation and keeping a record is still the safer course.
What must be explained to me?
Article 24-2 lists five items - the diagnosis, the necessity, method and content of the procedure, the names of the explaining doctor and the main doctor performing it, the typically expected complications and side effects, and what you must observe before and after.
Can I choose based on reviews and before-and-after photos?
Not advisable. Article 56(2) of the Medical Service Act prohibits patient testimonials (item 2), omitting serious side effects (item 7), and exaggerating objective facts (item 8). The law treats this material as capable of misleading you.