Korea, known for its amazing and advanced plastic surgery, has become a top destination for areola surgery.
This procedure, which addresses issues such as the size, shape, and pigmentation of the areolas, is popular because of its cosmetic and medical benefits.
Our guide will give you all the necessary information about areola surgery in Korea, such as:
- Areola surgery cost in Korea
- Top areola surgery clinics in Korea
- Tips for saving money on areola surgery in Korea
- Much, much more
Additionally, we will explore why Korea stands out as a top choice for this procedure, going over things like low cost, experienced surgeons, and advanced technology used in Korean plastic surgery.
This article will have everything you need to make an informed choice about having areola surgery in Korea.
Let’s dive right in by first going over a few basics about areola surgery:
Table of Contents
ToggleWhat Is Areola Surgery
Areola surgery is a cosmetic procedure aimed at altering the size, shape, or pigmentation of the areolas,
It is commonly done to address different issues like:
- Overly large or asymmetrical areolas
- Changes due to aging breastfeeding,
- Significant weight fluctuations
This procedure is best suited for those who want to improve the look of their breasts or are undergoing reconstruction after mastectomy.
Additionally, it can correct congenital conditions or trauma-related deformities.
Areola surgery can enhance your self-esteem and body confidence by creating a more balanced and pleasing appearance of your breasts.
It can help both men and women since both can struggle with issues relating to the areola/nipple area of their breasts.
It’s becoming a popular procedure worldwide as it can address various issues and resolve them successfully.
Different Types Of Areola Surgery
Areola surgery includes several types to address different needs:
- Areola Reduction: Makes areolas appear smaller and more balanced
- Areola Reconstruction: Often done after mastectomy or traumatic injury to the area.
- Areola Pigmentation: Helps restore color to the area after it fades over time.
- Nipple-Areola Complex Surgery: Targets both the nipple and areola. Often done with other breast-related procedures to ensure the best results.
These procedures help achieve a more pleasing and better-looking appearance. You should always discuss the type of surgery you want with your plastic surgeon.
You can also combine areola surgery with other, complementary procedures, but more about that later in the guide.
Recovery After Areola Surgery
Recovery after areola surgery is not as difficult as some other breast-related procedures. However, there are still a few things you should watch out for.
Expect mild pain, bruising, and swelling for a few days after the surgery. You can manage that with over-the-counter pain medication.
Keep the area of your areola clean and bandaged for a few days at least. Your surgeon will give you a better estimate.
Avoid any strenuous activity for at least two weeks. That being said, we recommend you go for walks during recovery. This can help you have a more pleasant recovery process.
Lastly, you will need to get a special type of support bra. You will also be able to talk about this in more detail with your surgeon.
Follow-up appointments with your surgeon are also important – have at least one while in Korea. You can return to normal activities within a few days and expect a full recovery in a few months.
Results: When And What To Expect
It may take a few weeks for full results to show. This is because of the swelling and bruising. After it starts to go down, results will begin to show.
You should also expect to have a small but barely visible scar after the surgery. It usually fades away but you can have it treated with laser therapy, etc.
You will have stitches removed at least one week after the procedure. This can be your only visit to the doctor, but we do recommend having a few more appointments while in Korea.
Be patient after the surgery, as it may take time to see final results.
Complementary Procedures
If you’re considering areola surgery, you might also want to look into some complementary procedures to enhance your overall results. Some of our recommendations are:
- Breast augmentation with implants: Adding implants to increase breast size.
- Breast reduction: Making breasts smaller for better balance.
- Breast lift: Lifting and firming up sagging breasts.
- Nipple reduction: Reducing the size of large nipples.
- Areola tattooing: Adding color to faded or newly reconstructed areolas.
These procedures can enhance your overall breast appearance and are often done together for the best results.
Not only can these procedures get you better results overall, but having more done simultaneously can also lower the cost of your surgery.
Always consult with your selected surgeon about possible complementary procedures.
Areola Surgery Cost In Korea
On average, you can expect to pay around 3,130,000 KRW (= 2,250$) for areola surgery in Korea.
However, the actual price of your surgery can vary a lot because of different factors. Some of the more common ones are:
- Type of surgery: Simpler ones like areola pigmentation will usually cost less than the reconstruction
- Surgeon and clinic: If the clinic or the surgeon you pick is more reputable or famous, then you might pay more for your surgery
- Complexity of the surgery: A more complex surgery usually costs more. This largely depends on the results you want and the complexity of your issues
- Additional fees: These usually include anesthesia fees, consultations, medication, etc.
It’s hard to set an exact price for areola surgery because it differs from person to person. Always keep in mind that the cost can be higher or lower than the average.
Nevertheless, Korean prices are on the more inclusive side. They usually don’t have any hidden fees or fees that are added in the end. Clinics are typically very upfront with the price of the consultation.
In Other Countries
It’s well known, that Korean prices are among the lowest in the plastic surgery industry. This is true for areola surgery as well.
Here is what you can expect to pay for areola surgery in some other popular plastic surgery destinations:
- Around 4,850,000 KRW (= 3,500$) in the US
- Around 5,540,000 KRW (= 4,000$) in the UK
- Around 4,570,000 KRW (= 3,300$) in Australia
As you can see, the prices in Korea are at least 40% lower than in some other popular plastic surgery destinations.
This is mostly because of the advanced technology Korean clinics use, high competition between clinics, and government support for medical tourism.
Lowering The Cost: Areola Surgery
Korea is already on the cheaper side when it comes to areola surgery. However, you can lower your cost even more.
We came up with these tips through personal experience, interviewing locals, and research. Feel free to use them to shave off a little of your final areola surgery cost.
Paying In Full
Clinics prefer if you pay in full instead of in monthly installments.
Doing so can get you a discount of up to 10%. You can even ask about this option before paying, so you can guarantee yourself a discount.
Combining Procedures
Even though combining procedures increases the cost, it can also secure you very nice discounts in the end.
You are not only getting a discount, but better results as well. Lots of procedures complement each other, and this is true for areola surgery too.
We already gave you a few recommendations under the ”Complementary Procedures And Alternatives” section of this guide.
Tax Refund
As a foreigner having plastic surgery in Korea, you are eligible for a VAT refund when leaving Korea.
This is a nice way to get a chunk of money back. It’s also very easy because the only requirement is that you are not a Korean citizen.
Make sure to keep an eye out for tax refund machines across Seoul.
Why Does Korea Stand Out For Areola Surgery
Korea is known across the globe as the plastic surgery capital of the world. They are a top choice for many plastic procedures, including areola surgery.
They stand out for areola surgery because of their advanced technology, experienced surgeons, and very competitive and low prices.
Korea offers advanced, minimally invasive techniques resulting in quicker recovery and natural-looking results.
Many clinics offer packages for foreign patients, which include surgery, and post-operative care with translators at a lower price.
Korea’s focus on precision, affordability, and patient-centered care makes it a top destination for those wanting high-quality areola surgery.
Cost
Korea is a top choice for areola surgery due to its significantly lower costs compared to other countries.
This affordability is a result of :
- High competition among clinics,
- Advanced technology reducing operational expenses
- Government support for medical tourism.
Patients can receive high-quality care at a fraction of the price found in countries like the US, UK, and Australia.
C.inics also commonly offers special packages for plastic surgery. These often include consultations, surgery, and post-operative care, providing excellent value for money.
This cost-effectiveness makes Korea an attractive option for those seeking affordable and high-quality areola surgery.
Advanced Technology
Koreans invest a ton of money into plastic surgery, to have only the latest and most advanced equipment and technology available.
This helps them give the best possible service and perform surgeries under the best conditions.
Such equipment guarantees precision, so they can get you the results you want, by using minimally-invasive procedures.
Korean clinics have state-of-the-art facilities that provide a safe and comfortable environment for patients. Almost every clinic also has after-care facilities with rooms and necessary equipment.
Surgeon Experience
Korean surgeons are very skilled and have plenty of experience. This is true for areola surgery too.
They have extensive experience using advanced techniques and perform a lot of procedures every year – over 1,000,000.
Because of their expertise and skill, patient satisfaction is very high in Korea, as their surgeons can achieve optimal results for patients.
They are always on top of all the new medical equipment and techniques and attend learning seminars in Korea and in other countries – even in the US.
Their experience and skill, along with attention to detail and precision, are often important factors when deciding to have areola surgery in Korea.
Top Areola Surgery Clinics In Korea: How To Find Them
This brings us to the last part of this guide and also the most important one – finding a top clinic for your areola surgery in Korea.
There are over 500 clinics in Seoul and not all are a good choice for your surgery, Combing through all the clinics is the hard part.
It’s important you don’t pick at random or simply go for the cheapest one. Such decisions can be the difference between good results and a botched surgery.
We already did the difficult part and came up with some great recommendations for areola surgery and breast surgery in general.
These clinics are all verified and we did so by:
- Doing quality checks and visiting
- Research (reviews, surgeons, specializations, …)
- Background checks
- …
However, we won’t just give you the clinics, We will also go over the two very important factors you should consider when looking for clinics – specialization, facilities, and reviews.
We have a ton of experience with Korean plastic surgery clinics and believe that these tips can help you a lot with your selection:
Reviews
First, let’s talk about the importance of reviews and how to research them.
For areola surgery, we like to look at reviews about breast surgery, since this procedure falls under the same category. We recommend you do the same when researching.
Korean clinics have a lot of reviews and we recommend you comb through all. You won’t find everything in one single review.
Here is what you should look for in reviews:
- Information about how the patient was treated
- Results (whether they are good or bad)
- Which surgeon performed the surgery
- Information about consultations, follow-up visits, …
- Cost of the surgery (rarely mentioned)
Finding information about the above things is the best way to get some insight into how the clinic works.
However, you have to watch out for fake reviews. Unfortunately, clinics are starting to use types of reviews to attract customers.
Fake reviews usually only praise the clinic and do not share any information about the surgery or the experience.
Facilities
Next, we want to emphasize that clinic facilities are also quite important when researching.
Clinic facilities are important when researching clinics for areola surgery because they ensure a safe and comfortable environment.
Advanced, well-equipped facilities show that a clinic has high standards of care and hygiene, reducing the risk of complications. Modern equipment and technology mean better surgical outcomes and quicker recovery.
Plus, clean and welcoming facilities enhance the overall patient experience, making you feel less stressed and comfortable.
Make sure you pick a well-equipped clinic that has everything necessary for breast surgery. Usually, clinics have everything posted on their websites.
Specialization
Lastly, the specialization of the clinic and its surgeons play an important part in searching for a clinic.
For areola surgery, we recommend a clinic specializing in breast surgery, even better if they have a separate breast surgery center available.
You should also always check their surgeons and their credentials. Make sure that a surgeon specializing in breast surgery will be doing your surgery.
Specialized clinics with specialized surgeons are your best options to avoid a botched surgery.
You can check this on the clinics’ website or by doing some research yourself (reviews, checking other websites, etc.).
Conclusion
To sum it up, Korea is a great option for areola surgery due to its low cost, specialized clinics and surgeons, and highly advanced facilities.
Korean surgeons are among the most experienced and skilled in the world, so you are in good hands while in Korea for areola surgery.
Another thing to keep in mind is that plastic surgery, including areola surgery, is quite cheaper in Korea compared to other popular destinations.
Lastly, since there are a lot of clinics in Korea, picking the right one is important. You can use our list of recommended areola surgery clinics in Korea for help.
Write to us at info@seoul.clinic if you have any more questions. Our experienced team can help you have a stress-free areola surgery in Korea.
FAQ
How much is areola surgery/areola reduction?
On average, you can expect to pay around 3,130,000 KRW (= 2,250$) for areola surgery in Korea.
However, the actual cost depends on a lot of different factors like the type of procedure (reduction, reshaping, etc.), complexity, additional procedures, etc.
We recommend demanding a full-price quote before opting for a clinic.
How long does it take to heal from areola surgery?
It can take a few months to fully heal from areola surgery – recover and notice final results.
However, you will start noticing a difference in your areolas as soon as the swelling and bruising subsides. You ca also return to normal activities, excluding strenuous activity, after just a few days.