In South Korea, the medical cosmetic industry is fiercely competitive and prices are low, attracting beauty enthusiasts from Taiwan. However, basic medical risks are often overlooked.
While sharing a meal with friends recently, I heard one mention that his daughter would be going to South Korea for a cosmetic skincare procedure. I felt a twinge of unease at the time, but seeing as it was just a casual conversation among friends, I simply reminded him to prioritize safety.
I never thought that, not long after, I would actually encounter a patient in my clinic with a similar situation. She had gone to South Korea for an undereye bag surgery with injections, but upon returning to Taiwan, her eyes were so swollen and red that they looked like turtle-shaped cakes, and she could barely open them. It was difficult for her to seek help from another South Korean doctor, so she was left with no choice but to turn to Taiwan’s medical system for help.
As a dermatologist, but not a practitioner, perhaps I am in no position to comment on the correctness of various cosmetic procedures. However, I am genuinely concerned about the phenomenon of Taiwanese pursuing affordability while disregarding medical risks. Medical care is not like average commodities — comparing prices does not guarantee quality. Once something goes awry, the cost is often not just monetary, but health-related and might even result in irreparable harm.
The unfortunate reality is that such cases are not uncommon. Some people choose to have procedures performed by those who lack professional training to save money, while others travel abroad believing they can obtain the same quality of care at a lower price. However, when complications arise and there is no follow-up care or accountability, it falls on Taiwanese doctors and the National Health Insurance system to handle the aftermath.
The pursuit of beauty is not inherently wrong, but the mistake lies in treating medical care like your average consumer price comparison and ignoring the associated risks. Medicine and medical care are not simply cost-performance ratio matter, and choosing a doctor with complete professional training who can provide long-term care is ultimately the safest approach. While opting for the cheapest option might sound great, it could potentially exact far greater costs.
Lu Chun-wei is a dermatologist and an assistant professor at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital.
Translated by Kyra Gustavsen
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