A stem cell injection in Korea at an aesthetic clinic is almost always the patient's own fat, harvested under local anesthesia and placed in the face through a blunt cannula, with swelling that can last one to two weeks. Exosome and culture products are cosmetics in Korea and are applied to the skin, never injected. Safety depends on technique, injection site and the doctor's emergency plan.
Stem cell processingClinics in Korea
5 clinics for Stem cell therapy in Korea
| # | Clinic | Devices & products | Area | Languages | Listed price | Google rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | RE:BERRY Clinic Gangnam | Stem cell therapy · PRP · Rejuran Healer · Juvelook | Gangnam Station | English · 中文 · 日本語 · Español | ₩5,000,000 | 4.9 (1,155) |
| 2 | RE:BERRY Clinic Myeongdong | Stem cell therapy · Rejuran Healer · Juvelook · Re2O | Myeongdong Station | English · 中文 · 日本語 · Español | ₩4,000,000 | 4.9 (1,091) |
| 3 | Cellon Dermatology Clinic (Cheongdam) | Stem cell therapy · PRP · Rejuran Healer | Cheongdam Station | English · 中文 · 日本語 | - | - |
| 4 | Cellis LAB CLINIC | Stem cell therapy · PRP | Korea | - | - | - |
| 5 | ADO Clinic | Stem cell therapy · Rejuran Healer · Juvelook | Korea | - | ₩2,100,000 | 5.0 (659) |
11. RE:BERRY Clinic Gangnam
★ 4.91,155 Google reviewsRE:BERRY Clinic Gangnam is a 2-minute walk from Gangnam Station Exit 10, a skin and aesthetic clinic with a 4.9 average from 1,155 Google reviews. Its menu covers stem cell therapy as well as HIFU lifting, RF lifting and Botox. Staff consult in English, Chinese, Japanese and Spanish, and listed stem cell therapy prices start at ₩5,000,000 + VAT.
Gangnam Station skin clinic built around five-language care
- Five-language desk
- Gallery-style interior
- Regenerative skin menu
- Location
- Gangnam Station (Line 2) Exit 10, 2 min walk
- Languages
- English · 中文 · 日本語 · Español
- Listed price
- From ₩5,000,000 + VAT
22. RE:BERRY Clinic Myeongdong
★ 4.91,091 Google reviewsRE:BERRY Clinic Myeongdong is a skin and aesthetic clinic near Myeongdong Station, rated 4.9 from 1,091 Google reviews. Stem cell therapy is offered here together with HIFU lifting, RF lifting and Botox. Consultations are available in English, Chinese, Japanese and Spanish, and its listed stem cell therapy price starts from ₩4,000,000 + VAT.
Myeongdong flagship for lifting, glass skin and stem cell
- Flagship space
- Open every day
- Six languages
- Location
- Myeongdong Station (Line 4) / Euljiro-ipgu Station (Line 2)
- Languages
- English · 中文 · 日本語 · Español
- Listed price
- From ₩4,000,000 + VAT
33. Cellon Dermatology Clinic (Cheongdam)
Cellon Dermatology Clinic (Cheongdam) sits a 5-minute walk from Cheongdam Station, a skin and aesthetic clinic. It offers stem cell therapy alongside HIFU lifting, RF lifting and Botox. Consultations are available in English, Chinese and Japanese.
Stem cell and regenerative aesthetics clinic in Cheongdam
- Regenerative focus
- Cheongdam boutique
- Private rooms
- Location
- Cheongdam Station or Apgujeong Rodeo Station, about 5 minutes by taxi
- Languages
- English · 中文 · 日本語
44. Cellis LAB CLINIC
Cellis LAB CLINIC runs a skin and aesthetic clinic in Korea. Stem cell therapy is on its menu.
Stem cell-based regenerative anti-aging clinic in Seocho
- Regenerative care
- In-house cell lab
- Hotel-suite recovery
- Location
- Korea
55. ADO Clinic
★ 5.0659 Google reviewsADO Clinic is a skin and aesthetic clinic in Korea, rated 5.0 from 659 Google reviews. Stem cell therapy is offered here together with Botox, fillers and skin boosters. Stem cell therapy is listed from ₩2,100,000 + VAT.
Filler- and lifting-led clinic near Sinnonhyeon Station
- Injectables & lifting
- Late weekday hours
- Station-front
- Location
- Korea
- Listed price
- From ₩2,100,000 + VAT
Guide
Three menu items, only one of them a real injection
Before comparing safety, confirm which item is on the quote. Korean health authorities have warned against putting cosmetic products into the skin with a syringe, so a clinic offering to inject an exosome vial is a reason to pause.
| Menu item | Is it injected? | What to confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Own fat, microfat or nanofat | Yes, with a cannula | Donor site, volume per area, who performs it |
| Fat with separated stromal cells | Yes, after extra processing | Why the extra step is proposed and what it adds |
| Exosome or culture product | No, applied after needling or laser | Product name, maker, sealed vial |
Guide
Eye and blood vessel complications after facial fat injection
Fat placed in the face can, rarely, enter a small artery and travel toward the eye. A 2022 systematic review and meta-analysis in Aesthetic Plastic Surgery by Mortada and colleagues gathered 34 published reports of ophthalmic problems after cosmetic fat injection. In the Mortada data, the forehead was the most common single injection site among affected patients, at 55.36%, and periorbital swelling was the most frequent first symptom, seen in 92.7%.
Mortada and colleagues found that ophthalmic artery occlusion accounted for a pooled 50.4% of the complications reviewed, and in their review most patients were managed conservatively, with 80.57% improving completely. The authors still stress that blindness, though uncommon, is a devastating outcome. They describe facial fat injection as having a favorable safety profile overall, which is why the details of technique matter so much.
Guide
Does separating the stromal vascular fraction make a difference?
Some clinics propose spinning or digesting part of the fat to concentrate the stromal vascular fraction, the cell-rich portion often marketed as the stem cell element, and mixing it back before grafting. In a 2016 commentary in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Swanson questioned whether this separation actually improves how much facial fat is retained over time.
For a patient, the practical point is that the extra step adds time and handling without settled proof of a better result. Ask the doctor what outcome the separation is meant to change, how it would be measured, and whether a plain graft would meet the same goal.
Guide
Questions that reduce risk at the consultation
A careful answer to each of these says more about safety than any brochure.
- Which cannula size and type will be used in the forehead, brow and nose area?
- How much fat goes into each zone, and is it placed slowly in small amounts?
- What does the clinic do if vision changes or skin turns pale during injection?
- Is the treating doctor present for the whole procedure, including the harvest?
- Which written aftercare and contact details come with you after discharge?
Evidence
Research behind this page
- Ophthalmic Complications Following Facial Autologous Fat Graft Injection: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisAesthetic Plastic Surgery · 2022 · doi:10.1007/s00266-022-02924-5
A review of 34 reports found the forehead was the most common site in eye complications after cosmetic fat injection, with ophthalmic artery occlusion making up about half of cases.
- Does Separating the Stromal Vascular Fraction Improve Facial Fat Retention?Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery · 2016 · doi:10.1097/prs.0000000000002142
A commentary questioning whether isolating the stromal vascular fraction before grafting measurably improves facial fat retention.
FAQ
Questions about Stem cell therapy in Korea
Which clinics offer Stem cell therapy in Korea?
Clinics offering Stem cell therapy in Korea include RE:BERRY Clinic Gangnam (Gangnam Station), RE:BERRY Clinic Myeongdong (Myeongdong Station), Cellon Dermatology Clinic (Cheongdam) (Cheongdam Station), Cellis LAB CLINIC (Korea) and ADO Clinic (Korea). Each lists Stem cell therapy on its own menu; message the clinic directly to confirm the doctor, product and current price.
Which symptoms after a facial fat graft need urgent care?
Sudden vision change, eye pain, a drooping eyelid or skin that turns white or dusky near the injection site need immediate medical attention. These can signal fat blocking a blood vessel, and in the 2022 review by Mortada and colleagues, swelling around the eye was the most frequent first sign. Ordinary bruising and puffiness fade gradually; worsening pain does not. Keep the clinic's emergency number saved before you leave.
Is the forehead a riskier area for fat grafting?
Yes, the forehead and the area between the brows are commonly treated with extra caution because of the vessels that connect to the eye. In the Mortada review, the forehead was the most frequent single site among patients with eye complications. That does not mean it is never treated, only that cannula choice, depth and small volumes matter there. Ask the doctor how they approach that zone.
Do I need general anesthesia for a fat-based facial injection?
Usually not; most aesthetic fat grafting is done under local anesthesia at the donor site and the face, sometimes with light sedation. You stay awake, which also lets you report unusual sensations during the procedure. Expect pressure and tugging during the harvest rather than sharp pain once numbing works. Ask beforehand whether sedation is offered and whether someone should accompany you afterward.
Why might a doctor advise against the cell-separation add-on?
Because the added processing has not been shown to give a reliably better result, some doctors prefer a well-placed plain graft. Swanson's 2016 commentary in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery raised exactly this question about facial fat retention. Extra handling also lengthens the procedure. A doctor who explains why they would or would not separate the cells is giving you a fair basis for comparison.
How long should I stay in Korea after the procedure?
Plan to stay at least several days, because swelling and bruising peak early and a follow-up check is useful before a long flight. Fat grafting involves a donor site that can feel sore when sitting or bending, so give yourself time to rest. Tell the doctor your departure date at the consultation, and keep the written aftercare sheet and clinic contact details in your hand luggage.
Can an exosome vial be injected instead of fat?
No, exosome and culture-derived products in Korea are classed as cosmetics, so they are applied to the skin after needling or laser, not injected. Health authorities have specifically warned against injecting cosmetics with a syringe. If the goal is volume, the injectable options are fat or filler; if the goal is skin texture, a topical session is the usual route. Ask which route the quote actually describes.