Melasma treatment price in Gangnam is mostly set per laser toning session, with listed options starting from ₩100,000 before VAT. One session normally covers cleansing, a skin check, full-face passes with a low-energy 1064 nm laser and a calming mask or cream. Because melasma needs repeated visits, many clinics also sell courses of five or ten sessions at a lower rate per visit. The table below shows current prices from 10 clinics, all listed before VAT, with 10% VAT added at payment. Peels, light treatment or boosters added to the plan are usually charged as separate lines, so check what each row includes.
Prices
Melasma treatment cost in Gangnam
Prices below come from the listed clinics' own price lists, before VAT. 10% VAT is added at payment.
Melasma treatment · 1 sessions
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $145₩200,000 + VATCompare clinicsMelasma treatment · 3 cc
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $545₩750,000 + VATCompare clinicsLaser Toning
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $73₩100,000 + VATCompare clinicsOxygen toning
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $182₩250,000 + VATCompare clinicsPigment Laser (Toning + Custom Laser)
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $218₩300,000 + VATCompare clinicsOxygen toning + premium care
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $255₩350,000 + VATCompare clinicsClarity toning for melasma & pigmentation
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $291₩400,000 + VATCompare clinicsPico toning — full body
Price at 1 listed clinic · approx. $800₩1,100,000 + VATCompare clinicsPrice factors
What changes the price
- Number of sessions: a single visit costs more per session than a course, and melasma usually needs several visits spaced one to two weeks apart.
- Laser type: picosecond toning is often listed above Q-switched toning, partly because of device cost, even though both work at low energy on 1064 nm.
- Area treated: most toning is priced for the full face, while a single zone such as the cheeks may be cheaper and the neck or hands are added separately.
- Combined steps: adding a peel, intense pulsed light, a skin booster or an infusion of lightening serum raises the visit total.
- Aftercare products: take-home sunscreen, soothing creams or an LED add-on are usually billed on their own, along with any consultation or follow-up fee.
- Who performs it: some clinics price passes delivered by the doctor differently from care delivered by a nurse.
- What is included: soothing masks, sunscreen samples and review photos may be part of the price at one clinic and extra at another.
- VAT: prices are shown before VAT, and 10% VAT is added when you pay.
Compare
How the options compare
| Option | Area covered | Who it suits | What to ask |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single toning session | Full face | A first trial or a short trip with one free day | Is a consultation and skin check included in this line? |
| Five-session course | Full face | Visitors who can return or stay two to six weeks | Can unused sessions be transferred or refunded? |
| Ten-session course | Full face | Residents or repeat visitors with stubborn patches | When is progress reviewed, and can settings change mid-course? |
| Toning plus light treatment | Full face | Mixed melasma alongside redness or freckles | Is the light treatment priced per visit or per course? |
| Toning plus skin booster | Full face | Dull or dehydrated skin alongside patches | Is the booster priced per syringe, and how is it spaced from toning? |
Evidence
Research behind this page
- Long‐term results in low‐fluence 1064‐nm Q‐Switched Nd:YAG laser for melasma: Is it effective?Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology · 2016 · doi:10.1111/jocd.12253
In 34 patients treated with low-fluence Q-switched toning, severity scores fell after six to ten sessions, but recurrence was seen in 58.8% of patients one year later.
FAQ
Questions about Melasma treatment in Gangnam
Are listed melasma laser prices shown including VAT?
No, listed prices are shown before VAT, and 10% VAT is added to the bill at payment. This is standard for cosmetic treatment in Korea. When you compare clinics, add VAT to every quote in the same way so the totals line up. Ask the front desk for a written estimate that shows the VAT line, especially when a course is paid in advance.
Is a course cheaper than paying per visit?
A course of five or ten sessions usually lowers the price per visit compared with booking each session on its own. The saving only helps if you can actually return within the course validity, which is often several months. Read the terms on expiry, transfers and refunds before you pay. For a single short trip, a one-off session plus home care may make more sense.
Why do two clinics quote different totals for the same laser?
Totals differ because clinics bundle different steps into one line, such as a consultation, a peel, a mask or a review photo. The device version, the number of passes and whether the doctor performs them also change the figure. Ask each clinic to list what is included in the session. A slightly higher line that covers aftercare and review can work out similar to a lower line with extras added later.
How many sessions should I budget for?
Most people should budget for a course rather than one visit, since melasma improves gradually and tends to return. In a 2016 study in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology, Gokalp and colleagues treated 34 patients with a median of eight sessions at two-week intervals and saw severity scores fall by about half. One year later, recurrence was seen in 20 patients. Plan for maintenance visits and daily sun protection after the main course.
Are aftercare products included in the session price?
Usually only the basics are included, such as cleansing, a calming mask and a soothing cream on the day. Take-home sunscreen, extra soothing products or an LED add-on often appear as separate lines on the bill. Some clinics also charge a consultation fee on the first visit. Ask for a written breakdown before the first session, and check whether a course price covers the same extras at every visit.
Can I pay with a foreign card in Gangnam clinics?
Most clinics in Gangnam accept major international credit cards, and many also take cash in local currency. Some ask for a deposit when you book a course. Check whether the card terminal charges in local currency, since paying in your home currency can add a conversion margin. Keep the itemized receipt, which lists the VAT and each service, for your own records.
Do repeat visits cost the same as the first session?
Repeat visits within a course are already covered by the course price, so you pay once at the start. Single maintenance sessions after the course are often billed at the regular per-session rate. Terms for review visits also differ between clinics. Ask how follow-up and maintenance visits are priced before you commit, because melasma care usually continues for months. Keeping your earlier session notes also helps the next doctor.