[Exclusive] K-Beauty Powerhouse Status Soars, Yet Consultations on Plastic Surgery-Related Harm Surge 38%

Complaints about harm involving dermatology and plastic surgery services are rising
Dermatology complaints increase every year... up 65% in three years
Lee Sohee: "Responsibility for harm and redress must be clarified"

As the domestic market for plastic surgery and medical aesthetic services has grown and South Korea has strengthened its standing as a K-beauty powerhouse, consumer consultations related to such services have surged by about 38% in three years.

Rep. Lee Sohee of the People Power Party, a member of the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee. Provided by Rep. Lee Sohee's office.

Data from the Korea Consumer Agency provided to the office of Rep. Lee Sohee of the People Power Party, a member of the National Assembly Health and Welfare Committee, show that the number of consultations received by the agency regarding plastic surgery and medical aesthetic services (dermatology and plastic surgery) rose 37.74% in three years, from 5,599 in 2022 to 7,712 in 2025. A total of 6,814 consultations had been received through September 2026.

Dermatology consultations have continued to rise each year, surging 64.91% to 4,672 in 2025 from 2,833 in 2022. Their share of all consultations also climbed to 60.58% in 2025. A further 4,544 consultations had been received through September 2026, already approaching the full-year 2025 figure.

Cases resulting in actual consumer remedies, rather than consultations alone, have also increased. The number of cases receiving consumer redress rose 2.5-fold, from 241 in 2022 to 604 in 2025. The total reached 693 from January through September 2026, exceeding the full-year 2025 figure. Refunds, mediation requests and compensation payments are now being pursued as a result.

Consultations about consumer harm involving medical aesthetic platforms such as Gangnam Unni, Yeoshin Ticket and Babitalk have also continued. A total of 20 consultations were received through September 2026. Although the number remains relatively small, it has doubled from 10 in 2025, showing a steep upward trend.

Rep. Lee said, "Patient and consumer harm must not be obscured by the growth of K-beauty." She added, "The government must check whether consumer protections are working properly throughout the advertising, contracting and refund processes of medical aesthetic platforms and medical institutions, and clarify where responsibility lies and what remedies are available when harm occurs." She said, "Even after the parliamentary audit, I will continue to check whether improvements to the management and oversight system lead to harm prevention and remedies."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.