This month, another celebrity has admitted to having gone under the knife. Recently, popular comedian So-young Park was busted on KBS2TV’s variety show, Vitamin; a popular show that focuses on the topic of health-related matters reveals her plastic surgery secret.

In the episode, X-ray and CT scans were taken, and for So-young Park, they found a peculiar object that had appeared in her CT scan. What looked to be a brown pole-shaped object was in fact an implant. Even Ms Park had stared at the object in confusion, then, a specialist remarked, “Plastic surgery can’t trick the CT scan.”

In an interview with Sports Chosun, she had stated, “I got double eyelid surgery in junior high school. My mom let me get it so I could become prettier. I also got my nose done, but that’s only because my nose was crooked during junior high.”
The fact that she had gotten Korean eye surgery and an Asian nose job done, two very popular procedures in Asia – may come as a shock to many a fan as she is often admired for her ”goddess-like looks”.

Then, she had revealed pictures of her elementary school days. Perhaps it may even be an admirable move, as she said, “I don’t think it’s a bad idea to truthfully state something as is. The past is important, but I hope people focus more on the current actress Park Min Young.”

Although Korea is one of the most popular destinations for cosmetic surgery in all of Asia, as well as boasting 1 in 5 South Korean women having had surgery, it is still not common for celebrities to publicize such a thing. For Ms Park, the way her secret was exposed was unexpected for her.

Things could be much worse, however, as “Korean celebrities and plastic surgery” has been a conflicting real-life issue for a long time now; there have been cases where Korean stars lose publicity lawsuit against plastic surgeon.

Disclaimer: (The picture above was derived from the blogosphere and is not associated with Seoul TouchUp)

The post So-young Park Admits to Asian Nose Job appeared first on Best Plastic Surgery Clinics in Korea | Korean Plastic Surgery Travel.

The Brown Eyed Girls have come a long way, debuted in 2006 – back then, the K-POP industry were worried that these girls weren’t cut out for K-POP; it was said that their looks did not meet up to idol standards. Fast forward to 2014, and now, they are known as K-POP’s sexiest girl group.

It used to be a secret as the topic of Korean celebrities and plastic surgery has its fair share of controversy, but both Narsha and Ga-in have openly admitted that they have received plastic surgery. Having come clean and perhaps comfortable with the idea of plastic surgery, they have even gone so far as to record a parody version of Lady Gaga’s “Poker Face”. If you haven’t seen it yet, check it out; it’s called “Plastic Face”.

Many people would remember PSY’s ’Gangnam Style’, but two or three decades ago, South Korea’s Gangnam district had remained one of the least developed in all of Seoul. Now, it is one of Seoul’s most affluent areas, and back then, plastic surgery was rarely on the list of wants or needs. Look at other Asian countries such as Singapore, a developed nation that reaches its 49^th birthday this year. Back then, it was not a cultural norm to follow what are duped vain pursuits such as plastic surgery – people just did not have the time or resources for such goals, as much as they do now!

Still, look closely – especially if you live in South Korea, Seoul, you’ll notice the game that everyone is playing; while it’s obvious that plastic surgery procedures such as Korean eye surgery and onto more extreme fads such as face contouring surgery has manifested everywhere, in subway advertisements to switching on your television, when someone admits to surgery — it is still greeted with surprise at best and abhorrence at worst.

Speaking of which, this exaggeration is even funnier when it comes to celebrities. Many a netizen would react in shock when a celebrity admits to having gone under the knife.

You can’t help but wonder, is it mock surprise, or are people really still getting surprised at the news of someone – especially a celebrity, having gone under the knife?

This is one thing that the Korean plastic surgery youtube viral video, ‘Plastic Face’ touches upon, that which is not said but everyone knows – “Is getting plastic surgery still such a big deal?”

Disclaimer: (The picture above was derived from the blogosphere and is not associated with Seoul TouchUp)

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If you’re an avid K-drama fan, then you must surely know of the drama series, ‘Miss Korea’! Set during the financial crisis in 1997, the series highlights the beauty scene of the past; in the drama series, beauty pageant candidates in swimsuits wearing thick make-up and a ‘lion mane’ for a hair-do graces the stage. Yup, that was back in the 90’s – which is at a stark contrast to modern-day Korea’s beauty standards.

In fact, the beauty standards have changed so much that people across Asia have opted for surgery; in Asia alone, an estimated 5.8 million procedures were done in 2010. However, it is not just in Korea but in Japan and Taiwan, where millions go under the knife each year – with these three Asian countries making it on top of the list for top 10 most plastic surgery dependent countries.

A decade or two ago, a roundish face that looked like a ‘full moon’ was considered beautiful. Now, a V-shaped jawline that is created through face contouring surgery, is the ideal. While procedures such as Korean eye surgery aka double eyelid surgery, is very commonplace, it is but a 20 minute procedure that is much less invasive than say, shaving the jawline. As a result, a worrisome trend is forming in Asia where Korean teens resort to DIY V-line face surgery enhancements, among other such ‘do-it-yourself’ alternatives. Haven’t heard of them? They are peculiar-looking devices such as the’ face slimmer’, ‘scalp stretcher’, ‘nose lift’, ‘anti-aging mask’, ‘double-fold eyelids’, ‘a nose slimmer ‘and the retainer-like ‘smile trainer’.

While they come cheap, as compared to the price for surgery, cosmetic surgeons worry that these products can harm natural development in adolescents who are barely in their teens – yes, it’s not just teenagers, but elementary-aged school children who are using these gadgets.

As reported by the Daily Beast in “DIY Plastic Surgery: Can You Change Your Face Without Going Under the Knife?”, Dr Hong Jung Gon, of the Metro Plastic Surgery Clinic had revealed to the GlobalPost that his clinic has occasionally treated teenagers who have inflicted damage on themselves by using these face-shaping gadgets.

“We want to become pretty without spending all the money,” a 17-year-old South Korea teen told the GlobalPost. “We know that these methods aren’t approved of, but lots of our peers do it.”

Unfortunately, “These kinds of devices usually make claims that have no basis in studies or scientific fact,” according to Dr James Marotta, a Long Island facial plastic surgeon. “At the very best, you end up completely wasting your money. At the very worst, you can injure yourself resulting in infections, permanent scars, or other irreversible facial deformities.”

When will this Korean plastic surgery nightmare end? True, most surgery procedures are costly and invasive on some level, but these “Do-it-yourself” tools are not a very sensible alternative at all – don’t you think so? Disclaimer: (The picture above was derived from the blogosphere and is not associated with Seoul TouchUp)

The post A Korean Plastic Surgery Nightmare: The ‘Do-It-Yourself’ Alternative appeared first on Best Plastic Surgery Clinics in Korea | Korean Plastic Surgery Travel.

Knowing Your Limitations

The story of Hang Mioku, a fifty year old Korean former model who had injected cooking oil into her face, has been wide-spread over the years. She was deemed a plastic surgery addict at age 26, and the unfortunate cooking oil incident had left her severely disfigured. Television viewers knowing her plight, sent their donations to help her, but there was only so much that the doctors could do.

The debacle serves as a reminder to many that it is better to know your limitations, as well as the limitations of plastic surgery.

Risking it with a Relatively New Fad

On the other hand, underestimating the ability of modern day technology can also bring about dire consequences, as seen in the unfortunate case of the 23-year old college student who had committed suicide after undergoing double-jaw surgery in Korea. It was said that the procedure had left her unable to chew food, as well as having suffered nerve damage that left her crying uncontrollably.

In 2010, Seoul’s consumer protection agency had received a total of 89 complaints. Perhaps, even many more cases of post-operative problems have been left unreported. The thing is, double jaw surgery fad is a relatively new kind of facial contouring surgery; as said by a doctor who declined to be identified: “If we are seeing more complications, that’s largely because the sheer number of people getting the surgery has increased rapidly in such a short period of time.”

As it got popular, the procedure became more affordable for many. That sounds like great news, but as with new fads, there comes with an even greater risk. If a procedure is relatively new, the question to ask is: how many surgeons have been properly trained for this? It’s advisable to seek out only reputable sources to ensure best practices.

Cheap comes at a Price

That aside, extreme plastic surgery in Korea, as well as in other countries in Asia is still happening. A trend that is going on right now with Asian teenagers and elementary-aged school children is a Korean plastic surgery nightmare: The ‘Do-It-Yourself’ alternative, except that it is not a very wise alternative! If you haven’t heard, this ‘alternative’ is popular with those who do not want to spend the money on Korean eye surgery and many other procedures, and are choosing to buy these inexpensive gadgets.

While these gadgets promise face-altering results, there is no scientific evidence or data to back up its claims. Still, people are buying these things, using them and in extreme cases, only to hurt themselves. Ironically, they then find themselves back at clinics, seeking treatment. When it comes to cosmetic surgery, cheap does come at a price.

The post 3 Lessons to Learn from Extreme Plastic Surgery in Korea that Went Wrong appeared first on Best Plastic Surgery Clinics in Korea | Korean Plastic Surgery Travel.

So, this made the news lately: South Korean presenter ruins her looks with drastic jaw surgery. Apparently, she had reshaped her jaw into a pointy, dainty-looking one that looks eerily similar to a sailor moon character’s jawline. It’s even more peculiar when you look at the eyes of anime characters and then look to your average Asian girl’s “big eye” contact lenses and double-lidded eyes! Makes you wonder, why is Korean eye surgery so popular and where did its influence come from– anime, western beauty ideals or the age-old Asian cultural beliefs? Maybe it’s a combination.

(If you have no idea what a ‘sailor-moon’ anime character jawline looks like, look below!):

This is how the unnamed reporter looks, according to the Huffington Post:

Well, we’re not going to make any comment here but you know the 3 lessons to learn from extreme plastic surgery in Korea that went wrong; (1) Knowing your limitations, (2) Risking it with a new fad – and yes, double jaw surgery is a relatively new face contouring surgery, and (3) Cheap comes at a price.

Do you think she looks better now, or is there another lesson to be learned here? Is this another case of Korean plastic surgery gone wrong once again? Leave a comment below, we’d love to hear your thoughts!

Disclaimer: (The pictures above were derived from the blogosphere and is not associated with Seoul TouchUp)

The post Korean Plastic Surgery Gone Wrong appeared first on Best Plastic Surgery Clinics in Korea | Korean Plastic Surgery Travel.

The Canadian-born Korean actress, Sandra Oh who stars in the TV show, “Grey’s Anatomy” as Dr Cristina Yang has recently stated her thoughts on plastic surgery.  She told the international journalists at the Television Critics Association’s winter press tour, “How other countries see faces and how that in a very, very, deep, deep subtle way opens up acceptance, opens up equality, opens up many positive things that I would like to be a part of.”

Of course, this means no surgery for Sandra Oh who prides in the show for its rich, racially-diverse cast. Compared to the many pieces of news that has made headlines: from how 2ne1’s Minzy admits to getting Korean nose job, to various speculation pieces on other Korean celebrities who may have had surgery – Sandra Oh speaking her mind, is very refreshing!

You know, there has been a lot of news coverage on how “Asians opting for surgery, want to look Caucasian” which could be rather depressing to hear. Where is the Asian pride? Do Asians who choose to undergo the popular Korean eyelid surgery aka double eyelid surgery, do so because they want to look like another race?

That’s almost insulting, and besides that, how can such an unfair generalization be put upon an entire race?

She goes on to say: “I read this article recently on how K-pop has really influenced so much teen plastic surgery.”

“In Korea, a lot of the images of woman are images of women who have altered their face; just watch Korean dramas.”

So, what’s so bad about wanting to look like a celebrity? Nothing. Except if someone despises themselves and puts themselves down for “not measuring up” compared to their beloved celebrities. It’s healthy and normal to want to better yourself, to groom yourself, to look your best – but not if entire self-worth depends on it.

We all know about the unfortunate case of Hang Mioku, the former Korean model who had injected cooking oil into her face, resulting in horrible facial disfigurations. Apparently, she was addicted to plastic surgery.

“I felt, here I am in America but this show is being broadcast in Korea and how just that can affect a population.”

Yes, this! With so much influence and power as a celebrity, this is very refreshing wouldn’t you say? She is saying in a way, to stop for a second and take a look at yourself; take pride in your ethnicity, and what makes you different.

This doesn’t mean, don’t ever consider plastic surgery but rather, think about why you are doing this before even thinking about korean eye plastic surgery; you might think, preparing for surgery means understanding what the procedure is, how it is done, the before and after-care required, but that is not all!

Do you still feel good about yourself, without having done any surgery work? Is your worth as a person, dependent on your physical looks alone; if they are that is where problems may begin!

Disclaimer: (The picture above was derived from the blogosphere and is not associated with Seoul TouchUp).

The post No Korean Eye Plastic Surgery for Actress Sandra Oh appeared first on Best Plastic Surgery Clinics in Korea | Korean Plastic Surgery Travel.

You’ve probably heard about the reporter who ruined her face in another recent case of ‘Korean Plastic Surgery Gone Wrong’. But, hold on!

Why is this story being blown out of proportion here? Yup, there is statistical data from The Economist which states that 16 in 1,000 Koreans had undergone surgery in 2010 – but Korean Plastic Surgery is not what it seems; according to Korean newspaper Chosun.com, when you take a closer look, you’ll see that half of those procedures are actually non-invasive surgeries such as peeling and botox.

From her pictures, we’d say that it has a very bad angle to it. If you look at this video, you’ll see that this is how she actually looks:

Not quite as horrendously “ruined” as other media sources have made it out to be!  Remember when people mistakenly thought all the 2013 Korean beauty pageants looked the same (from surgery work)? Real before-after images (before the pageant and during the pageant) shown had displayed the truth: none of them had looked the same. Meaning, none of them had done extensive surgery. Ah, the power of make-up and photoshop can make a huge difference. The same could be said for this Korean reporter here.

The only reasons why so many people taken this case so seriously is because (a) There is this belief that Korea has an obsession with cosmetic surgery,  so whoever does surgery is immediately hounded upon (b) Bad photo angle and (c) Jumping to conclusions.

While it is obvious that she has done some work on her face, think about the U.S! Many Western countries are guilty for the same reasons; many have done extreme plastic surgery procedures as well! It’s definitely not just the “crazy” Asians with their Korean eye surgery obsessions aka double eyelid surgery! ‘Drastic’ case of Korean cosmetic surgery debunked!

Don’t believe that the West is just as ‘extreme’ as Korea can be when it comes to plastic surgery? Just look at these extreme plastic surgery cases from the West!

Tiger lady, anyone?

 Wow, real-life Ken!

And ofcourse, how about real-life Barbie?

Disclaimer: (The pictures above were derived from the blogosphere and are not associated with Seoul TouchUp).

The post Reporter who had ‘Drastic’ Korean Cosmetic Surgery Debunked appeared first on Best Plastic Surgery Clinics in Korea | Korean Plastic Surgery Travel.

Yes, now that I’ve got your attention: this article is not about the magic of plastic surgery in Korea. “Magic”. There is enough sensationalism on that around the web. Many articles talk about the horrors and unhealthy cosmetic surgery obsessions — backlashes against Asians – this is not another one of them! These sorts of “Korean woman ruins natural beauty through extensive surgery”, or “Asians obsessed with plastic surgery” articles really do get old — don’t you think?

As it is with plastic surgery news, there is two of its kind: (a) Sensationalized news or (b) humane news. Today, we’re talking about the second kind.

It is a fact that cosmetic surgery is not just for the vain; it also helps people who were born with facial or bodily deformities. This is exactly what is happening right now, bullied teens gets free cosmetic surgery from New York, thanks to a non-profit by the name of ‘Little Baby Face Foundation’. A better way to put it, as Little Baby Face Foundation have claimed, is that they are providing surgery to correct birth defects, rather than “cosmetic” surgery.

One of these teens or children, who applied to the Little Baby Face Foundation, is Renata, a fifteen year old homeschooler who could no longer take the cruel comments from her former classmates. See the picture above? That’s her. She was diagnosed with hemi-facial microsomia which left her with an undeveloped face, as well as a nose that leaned towards the left.

“Parents correct kids’ teeth with braces to make their teeth straighter,” Renata’s mother said, “They’re still the same kid on the inside, but, unfortunately, people are judged on how they look.” Next to cleft lip, hemi-facial microsomia is the second most common facial birth defect. As many as 1 in 5000 newborns in the United States are afflicted with this condition.

Renata’s mother is right here. When it comes to understanding facial cosmetic surgery – the reasons why anyone would want it are pretty simple: It is very common that we associate all kinds of ideas about someone we just meet, just by what they wear, their possessions and mannerisms – most cruel of all; we judge what they did not choose at birth, their faces. Perhaps it isn’t so surprising then that Korean eye surgery is so common in Asia. Media figures like Julie Chen had once admitted that she had gotten her eyes done, in order to fit in with the Western culture – she was afraid of being judged for her natural, ethnic eyes. In fifteen year old Renata’s case, she also doesn’t like to be judged. No one does.

Disclaimer: (The picture above was derived from the blogosphere and are not associated with Seoul TouchUp).

The post On The Magic of Plastic Surgery in Korea, Only Kidding – In Other News, New York Teens Are Getting Free Surgery! appeared first on Best Plastic Surgery Clinics in Korea | Korean Plastic Surgery Travel.

Last year, the Economist had pointed out in their daily chart that 16 in 1,000 Koreans had done some sort of plastic surgery procedure – this number does not take into account the tourists who come into South Korea for procedures.

It is a little known fact that since the early 2000’s, the popularity of the Korean Wave had soared where many from other Asian countries are very much influenced by the Korean culture and media; people from Taiwan, China, Singapore and Malaysia, to name a few, have chosen to revamp their appearance over at South Korea.

As you may know, the beauty standard in Korea as well as in Asia is one of a youthful appearance; procedures such as Korean anti-aging procedures and double eyelid surgery are commonly done. This isn’t surprising, as the beauty norm is that of fair skin, a nose with a high bridge, big, double-lidded eyes and a V-shaped jawline.

According to 19 year old Woori, “Koreans are obsessed with how we look. Before my surgery, if I had about 10 job interviews, I didn’t get any calls back, but now, I get a lot of calls.”

In a sense, the youth are getting surgery in Korea to have a “Warren Buffett” nose. His nose has a very high bridge, and has a lot of fat around it.

Whatever does that mean? You may be thinking, “Warren Buffett? Isn’t he an old, balding grey-haired businessman?” What in the world am I getting at? Well, that’s exactly it! There is this prevailing belief in Korean culture, and perhaps other Asian countries that by changing one’s appearance, you are also changing one’s fortune.

As Woori’s doctor, Cho Soo-young had said, “Korea is a very competitive society, if you look old, you’ll lose out to the competition, so people try to change their face and their bodies.”

Can you blame them? Most job and school applications in Korea require a photograph, so we can assume that to succeed in their society, looks do matter.

What is concerning , however, Is that instead of going under the knife, Korean teens resort to DIY V-line face enhancements as well as other “Do-it-yourself” facial enhancements. Though no official statistics for how many are hurting themselves from these unwise alternatives have been found, it is still a worrisome issue as children as young as elementary-aged are tinkering around with these dubious devices.

Do you live in Korea, or other parts of Asia? How about the rest of the world? How far would you go, to change your looks, to change your life (if you believe in that sort of thing, or at least your culture does)?

Disclaimer: (The pictures above were derived from the blogosphere and are not associated with Seoul TouchUp).

The post Youth Getting Surgery in Korea to Have Warren Buffett’s Nose appeared first on Best Plastic Surgery Clinics in Korea | Korean Plastic Surgery Travel.

Plastic surgery can no longer be said to be a luxury for many in developed countries such as Singapore, America and the United Kingdom, to name a few. People still come from all walks of life, but in general, it can no longer be said to be a pursuit only for the well-off; the number of tourists entering Korea for plastic surgery has soared since the onset of the popular Korean Wave.

Still, different procedures are trending towards different crowds. In the US, influenced by Hollywood and Western media, muscular, alpha-male men are stereotypically seen as desirable. This is in stark contrast to how it is in Asia: feminine, flower-boys that have a resemblance to K-POP stars are the desirable ones.

For instance, UK cosmetic surgery statistics show that the most popular procedures for women in the UK are breast augmentation and blepharoplasty. As for the men, rhinoplasty as well as blepharoplasty n are the most commonly requested procedures. The procedure with the biggest increase in demand was liposuction!

But, even with these figures, it does not tell what the “trending look” is! Those who are not into the whole K-POP scene, Korean drama or their culture, may have no idea what this trend is, either. They may ask, “What is the famous plastic surgery in Korea?”

With plastic surgery in Korea, in general, it is these facial traits (that are so frequently seen in K-POP stars and Korean media) , and their respective procedures:

1. Big double-lidded eyes from double eyelid surgery
2. V-shaped jawline from jawbone surgery
3. Fair skin from non-invasive skin treatments such as Ultherapy
4. Raising nose bridge through rhinoplasty

These are considered to be the ideal look. A few decades ago, a large, poofy “lion-mane” styled hair and a roundish face was said to be beautiful. For one thing, fair skin has always been considered beautiful for a long time now, even before the Korean Wave. But for the most part, times change, and perhaps in a few decades, the trends will be re-invented, or reestablished!

Knowing what is trending is one thing, but what about the lessons and cautionary tales on cosmetic surgery that have happened throughout history? To end off, here are 3 lessons to learn from extreme plastic surgery in Korea that went wrong. Better to be well-informed before making a decision as big as going under the knife!

The post Famous Plastic Surgery in Korea: 4 Quintessential Procedures appeared first on Best Plastic Surgery Clinics in Korea | Korean Plastic Surgery Travel.

Young and Ambitious

Where a poster movement expands to gender discrimination and where all beauty pageant contestants were accused of getting extensive plastic surgery (in reality, they looked alike in the pictures because of photoshop and not surgery), South Korea can be said to be one of the most aggressively competitive and image-conscious societies in modern times. Not just the men, but the young women have a very competitive streak as well.

Research done by the Korean Educational Development Institute can prove it: there is a striking gap in employment rates between young Korean women and the older, 30-something year old Korean women. While 62.9 percent of women in their 20’s are employed, only 56 percent of women in their 30s are employed.

For men, a whooping 93.3 percent in their 30’s are employed. What about the young men in their twenties? Well, this is where it gets interesting: 62.9 percent of women in their 20’s are actively seeking or are employed, while the number is 62.6 percent for men in their 20’s. This is amazing because the women have slightly surpassed the men here – compared to the middle-aged folks, these women are raging with ambition!

“Kimchi Women” and Plastic Surgery

In the poster movement as mentioned above, it is claimed that women are forced to prove to society that they are not “kimchi women”. This is a derogatory term for a woman who is financially dependent on a man and wastes her days away with making herself pretty. Remember all those media reports on how, “Korean woman wants to look like a Westerner”? Remember those tweets from twitter that go along the lines of, “Poor Korean women and their low self-esteem, if only someone could tell them how beautiful they really are!” All that pity and presumptuousness from outsiders! One cannot help but wonder, could the price of plastic surgery in Korea for women be their dignity? As written on the poster in the movement:

“No Korean woman is free from being labeled kimchi woman, because the frame itself is based on the wide-spread culture of detesting women,” it said, “How are you really doing in such a society?”

The funny thing is that both the employed and unemployed could be seen as “kimchi women”; the unemployed woman has no choice but to be financially dependent on a man, whereas an employed, image-conscious woman could still be seen as a “kimchi women” – if she earns less than a man.

Why Would Korean Women Still Get Surgery?

Put yourself in the shoes of a young Korean woman; are cosmetic procedures a sensible investment? Even if you’re not a Korean woman, we would say that it could still be a sensible decision. See, the 20 minute double eyelid surgery is still trending with both Asian men and women; double lidded eyes is culturally perceived to be beautiful on both genders.

As the common saying goes,

“In order for you to insult me, I would first have to value your opinion.”

If you’re someone who is considering surgery, at some point, someone is going to tell you not to do it. Someone is going to say that you’re an idiot. This doesn’t just have to be about surgery, it could be about your career choices or a relationship. A mentally strong person knows that they are in control of their destiny, where the consequences and responsibilities fall on them — so, they wouldn’t care what anyone else had to say!

This is why there are still Korean women who decide to undergo the knife, because they do it for themselves and not to please anyone else. To conclude, we think that with the right mindset, Korean women can keep their dignity and the price of plastic surgery in Korea is simply money and nothing else.

The post The Price of Plastic Surgery in Korea For Women appeared first on Best Plastic Surgery Clinics in Korea | Korean Plastic Surgery Travel.

Clinics Are Plentiful

New to the Korean culture or haven’t got a clue on what South Korea medical tourism is all about?

If you’ve ever been down the streets of Seoul, you’ll notice a cluster of unremarkable gray buildings, but a closer look at the bathhouse aka jijimbang will show you South Korea’s truly unique culture; just put yourself in the hands of an ajumma and you’ll have a taste of the country’s ceaseless sense of self-improvement and at the same time, their quest for absolute relaxation.

Over two decades ago, the affluent Gangnam district was one of the least developed areas in Seoul. Now, in this area alone, there are more than five hundred plastic surgery clinics!

Even so, the South Korean society is very competitive, and only the top 1% in medical schools becomes qualified and certified surgeons. Travelers you have been warned, not every clinic or surgeon out there is legit – looks can be deceiving.

The Beauty Standard is Less Tolerating

Yet, looks may also change one’s destiny – and this belief of empowerment through surgery is greatly shared amongst many in Korea as well as other parts of Asia.

It is not uncommon to find a K-POP fan in or outside of Korea requesting to look like their favorite Korean idol. Some of the hallmark traits of what is conventionally beautiful  (as seen on many Korean celebrities)  are the appearance of large lidded eyes through the popular double eyelid surgery, a nose with a high bridge, fair skin and a V-shaped jawline.

With that said, the beauty standard can be said to be rather narrow and is less tolerating of individual quirks – you’ll definitely want to reconsider bringing an obese friend on your next trip to Korea.

Still Regarded As Top Destination

A look at Korean plastic surgery statistics will tell you that more than 80,000 travelers have entered South Korea in 2010. By 2015, it is estimated by the Korea Tourism Organization that the number will soar to 400,000. Without a doubt, South Korea has been getting a lot of media coverage related to cosmetic surgery: remember what happened earier this year? a  Gangnam plastic surgery clinic builds tower of chin bones is one fine example of the hype surrounding South Korea’s plastic surgery industry.

There are many more where that came from, but as usual, fame does not equate to reliability. It is advisable for anyone who is interested in Korean cosmetic surgery to do their own research before making a well-informed decision!

The post Introduction to South Korea Medical Tourism appeared first on Best Plastic Surgery Clinics in Korea | Korean Plastic Surgery Travel.

These days, there is a strong association between Western culture and the popularity of double eyelid surgery among Asian women; many news and media sources claim that many Asians (especially South-east Asians) are getting Korean plastic surgery, to look more “White”.

See, everyone’s been talking about Korean celebrities and plastic surgery – associating Asia’s “cosmetic surgery obsession” to distaste for their own ethnicity. But how true is this? Do Asians really want to look like another race?

Today, we bring you a different perspective: What if, subconsciously, this has nothing to do with de-racialisation, but some just want to look Peranakan?

What is Peranakan? They are descendants of interracial marriages between immigrant Chinese men and the local Malay women in Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia. They were wealthy families and were called the “King’s Chinese”, as they were loyal to the British crown back then. After World War 2, many had lost their wealth – still, it is said that they have very distinct facial features that sets them apart from the regular “Chinese” look.

Some notable examples are celebrities who are of Peranakan descent:

Pierre Png – A Singaporean comedian and actor who in his younger years, had made many hearts flutter!

Godfrey Gao – The first Asian male model to serve as the face of Louis Vuitton.

Agnes Monica – A famous Indonesian singer.

Notice anything common among their faces? That’s right: All of them have double eyelids, a high nose bridge (no button nose), distinct jawlines, high cheekbones and pronounced brow bones!

Is it a coincidence that the beauty standard in South Korea includes these physical traits?

• Double eyelids
• V-shaped jawline
• A high nose bridge

The next time someone says that Asians who get double eyelid surgery or an Asian nose job, just want to look more “White” – feast their mind on this other fact, tell them about Peranakan!

Disclaimer: (The pictures above were derived from the blogosphere and are not associated with Seoul TouchUp)

The post Getting an Asian Nose Job to Look White or Peranakan? appeared first on Best Plastic Surgery Clinics in Korea | Korean Plastic Surgery Travel.

These days, we hear about “Korean plastic surgery” all the time; but, these reports are usually negative or sensationalized. Yes, South Korea is famous for its endorsement of cosmetic surgery, where advertisements are plastered and shown all over subway stations.

It is famed for its double eyelid surgery, a uniquely Asian procedure amongst other surgeries, but the country is also famous for their “unhealthy obsession”. You might have already heard these stories, on how Korean teens resort to DIY v-line face surgery enhancements, to how the 2013 Korean beauty contestants had all looked alike – some news sources, well, many in fact were hinting that these women had all done the worst: underwent plastic surgery to look the same, to fit the narrow standard of beauty.

While it is true that there is a standard of beauty, what is not mentioned, is the positive impact that the cosmetic surgery industry has brought for South Korea’s economy. They focus on the country’s “obsession”, making them out to be loose cannons, but the fact is that there are just as many patients that are actually from overseas.

Taking a look at South Korea medical tourism in 2012: more Chinese than Americans enter the country for beauty purposes. It is a fact that 32,503 tourists had come from China alone, which is only 20.4% of the total medical tourists to have entered South Korea. Furthermore, Korean plastic surgery statistics show that many of the procedures done were the non-invasive kinds such as hair and skin treatments.

What you hear about is the sensationalism; you hear about how crazy the nation is, with their v-line jaw surgery and women ruining their faces through excessive surgery. Putting things into perspective here, what the statistics on Korean plastic surgery show us can be better understood if we put things into perspective.

Back in the 1980s, the Gangnam district was one of the least developed areas in the country. But by 2012, the cosmetic surgery industry had brought in revenue of 487 billion won ($453 million), according to estimates from the Korea Tourism Organization. From an economic perspective, their image-driven culture has contributed to their wealth.

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  Getting cosmetic surgery done is no longer seen as a luxury or a taboo, in some cultures, especially in say, South Korea. But with so  many options to choose from, not just in a single country alone,  where should you go?

It really depends on a number of things:

- What kind of surgery work do you want to get?
- What is your race?
- What is your budget?
- Do you plan on a trip solely for cosmetic surgery purposes, or you also want to explore?

Should you travel to Asia and find an Asian plastic surgeon for your cosmetic surgery needs?

Specialization

While many countries offer the same standard procedures such as liposuction, there are certain methods that only some surgeons can offer. Take the nose job for instance, also known as rhinoplasty – this term is so broad!

In Asia, rhinoplasty includes nose implants – this is much more commonly requested in Asia than in say, the United States. Another example here would be double eyelid surgery. Unlike Caucasians, the typical Asian nose usually does not have a distinct nose bridge, and many Asians are born with oriental-looking eyes.

Certified Asian plastic surgeons have the skills and specialized techniques in moulding the Asian body to its desired form.

Vacation

If you love Asian culture and want to experience their authentic sights, smells, music and food, you might want to put ‘vacation’ and ‘cosmetic surgery trip’ together. Travel to any part of Asia and chances are, your surgeon will be Asian.

But where to?

The top destinations for beauty-related purposes in Asia include South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and India. All the countries in the list has their perks, quirks and amazing things to offer.

Singapore may have its magnificent sky-rise buildings in a clean and green city,  but South Korea, too, has modern shopping complexes. On top of that, South Korea has massive lip emporiums, wildly popular markets s  (i.e. Dongdaemun and Myeongdong), and jijimbangs — where you can bear witness and soak up on what’s truly part of the Korean lifestyle.

Getting Your Money’s Worth

So, at this point, you’ve decided that an Asian plastic surgeon is probably the right choice for you.

But, are you getting the bang for your buck? Sometimes, getting your money’s worth is not just about ensuring the quality of service. This is not to say that you should put money before your well-being!

A few years ago, say in 2009, there were much more Japanese tourists flocking to Korea than there are now. This graph by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute shows just that:

Things are different now; lately, the weak yen hits Seoul money changers. According to The Korea Times, an 18-year-old Japanese student who would only be named Mai, had exchanged a 10,000 yen into 105,000 won ($97). Back in 2012, she could have gotten 143,400 won for her 10,000 yen.

Even still, there are 3 reasons why South Korean Plastic Surgery is exceptionally popular in Asia. Looking at Korean plastic surgery statistics, it is estimated that by 2015, the number of medical tourists entering Korea will reach 400,000.

The post 3 Reasons Why You’ll Want an Asian Plastic Surgeon appeared first on Best Plastic Surgery Clinics in Korea | Korean Plastic Surgery Travel.

Do you like pictures? We love pictures! Here, we have a lovely info-graphic on Global Plastic Surgery Statistics.
If you have ever been curious to know where South Korea stands in terms of face, fat, breast, skin and face, as well as procedures for the rest of the body, you can find them all here!

Enjoy!

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When we think of cosmetic surgery, we know that it’s not something we necessarily need, in order to survive. So, are cosmetic procedures a sensible investment?

When it all comes down to it, getting something widely regarded as ‘cosmetic’, such as botox is not always necessarily about vanity. It has been found that a new treatment that uses botox, could help those who suffer from cluster headaches.

Possible Cure for ‘Suicide’ Headaches

As Tronvik, who is also affiliated with the Norwegian National Headache Centre at St Olays Hospital in Trondheim, had put it, “This is the most extreme form of a headache, and the intensity of the pain is worse than what migraine patients experience. I’ve had patients tell me that they bang their head against the wall because of the pain. Others say that they put their thumb in a pair of pincers while they pull with all their might, all in a desperate attempt to deflect the intense pain.”

These are no ordinary migraines; they are called ‘suicide’ headaches, because the excruciating pain actually drives patients to consider suicide. Wherever you are now, it is possible to use botox to treat ‘suicide’ headaches.

Sometimes, the line between cosmetic surgery and medical surgery is blurred – take cleft lip surgery for example, is it necessary? These are some questions that only you can answer for yourself, based on your own attitudes, values and beliefs. Where can you get botox to treat migraines or suicide headaches? South Korea is one such place.

But remember:

• It is very important to consider whether a practitioner is qualified and approved for administering such procedures.
• Botox, which is used as a treatment for overactive bladders, smooth wrinkles, and relieve migraine headaches, is made from botulinum toxin. At large doses, it can cause paralysis.

According to plastic surgery statistics, South Korea is 1.7 times more experienced than surgeons in Taiwan, 6.9 times more experienced than those in Thailand and 17 times more experienced than those in China. Where would you want to get cosmetic surgery? If you are someone who suffers from migraines, would you give it a shot and get plastic surgery in Korea botox for migraines?

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World-renowned champion figure skater Yuna Kim is loved by many; her South Korean fans adore her so much so that they have dubbed her as “Queen Yuna” – showing how much respect they have for the celebrity athlete. It’s not just her skills, but the fact that she is one of the only celebrities to have never gotten plastic surgery in Korea or elsewhere, ever. It is old news that many Korean celebrities and plastic surgery have had a long-standing secret affair going on for a while now.

For a country with a rate of 13.264 per 1,000 population having gone under the knife, Miss Yuna Kim goes against the grain here.  This figure was derived from global plastic surgery statistics, as reported by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery in 2011. That’s not to say that Yuna Kim isn’t blessed with good looks to begin with – she has the kind of eyes that many Asian girls would die for, or at least make them want to undergo the popular 20-minute double eyelid surgery.

While some cringe at the thought of cosmetic surgery, it seems that plastic surgery makes people happy, or at least some people.

In a study by Dr Jurgen Margraf, a Alexander von Humboldt Professor for Clinical Psychology and Psychotherapy, the psychological effects of cosmetic surgery was investigated in 550 patients. The results: To begin with. most did not have unrealistic expectations, and there were long-term improvements in their psychological health; they felt less anxious, felt healthier and had developed better self-esteem. They felt attractive.

What does unrealistic expectations mean? Something that goes along the lines of “All my problems will be gone.” Or “I’ll be a completely different, new person!” This is unrealistic because cosmetic surgery has its limitations, and is not the solution to all of our problems. However, we can safely say that cosmetic surgery can help us with feeling more physically attractive.

Disclaimer: (The picture above were derived from the blogosphere and is not associated with Seoul TouchUp).

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In recent years, the rate of global poverty has fell and one country that has risen from tough times is South Korea, who now thrives in comparison to how it was a few decades ago. Our age of globalization has brought the nation’s kimchi to your local Korean grocery store, but that’s not all.

In the South Korean culture, cosmetic surgery is heavily promoted and there is a prevailing belief in empowerment through surgery. With films like 200 Pounds Beauty, a story about an overweight girl who undergoes extreme plastic surgery and becomes a pop sensation, many fans of Korean entertainment

Here are 6 before and after Korean Plastic Surgery dramatic shots, highlighting South Korea’s beauty standard.

Notice that for some, minor changes can make for a very dramatic transformation!

Though South Korea has earned a reputation for being “obsessed” with cosmetic surgery, this isn’t actually the case: according to plastic surgery statistics, most procedures that were performed in Korea back in 2011, were non-invasive skin and hair treatments.

Whether it be the 20-minute double eyelid surgery or the more invasive jaw-shaving surgery, this is a nation that cares a lot about image. There have been tragic times where people have been unable to look away from the mirror, as was in the case of a South Korean dating show contestant’s shock suicide.

Disclaimer: (The pictures above were derived from the blogosphere and are not associated with Seoul TouchUp).

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South Korea is said to be the most cosmetically enhanced country, and its plastic surgeons are 17 times more experienced than that of China, according to plastic surgery statistics.

Now, according to South Korea medical tourism in 2012: more Chinese than Americans enter the country for beauty purposes, and the appeal is even higher by the fact that wealthy Chinese visitors are getting perks. How much is plastic surgery in Korea for the wealthy Chinese?

We’re not entirely sure, but as reported by The Korea Times, “Wealthy Chinese tourists coming to Korea will gain multiple-entry visas, exclusive immigration services at the airport, discounts for shopping and many other benefits, if they hold a debit card issued by Woori Bank, according to the bank and related ministries.”

How wealthy are we talking about?

“Chinese citizens eligible for the cards are those who have more than 50 million won deposited at Woori Bank’s local branches. Those who have purchased items worth over $30,000 in Korea over the last five years or other VIPs, such as high-ranking officials or celebrities, can have the card issued as well if approved by the justice ministry and Korea’s financial authorities.”

Here comes the highlight, “Discounts are also available at hospitals because a growing number of Chinese receive medical services in Korea, including plastic surgery.”

Last year, a total of 4.32 million Chinese visitors had entered Korea – an increase of 52.5 percent from the year before. The total number of Chinese visitors has exceeded the Japanese, as well as Americans. With the popularity of procedures like double eyelid surgery, and the strong K-POP fan-base that plays a part in South Korea’s cosmetic surgery industry, the rate of visitors will not be dying down anytime soon.

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