One of the things Seoul is famous for is beauty. K-Beauty is renowned worldwide for its focus on a youthful appearance, clear skin, and a dewy glow. So it’s no surprise that beauty products from Korea are in high demand. However, sometimes it takes a little extra help to achieve this look. Seoul has such a high concentration of quality beauty treatments and plastic surgery clinics that it’s become a Mecca for those seeking to enhance their appearance.
Although I’m aware of various plastic surgery holiday packages, I’ve yet to experience them myself. This blog solely focuses on non-invasive skin treatments.
I started with a S-Energy facial at Shangpree Spa in Gangnam, a favourite among many influencers. This is a female-only Spa, with its own beauty line.
This relaxing facial uses massage techniques and premium products to rejuvenate tired skin. Booking was straightforward via email in English, and the confirmation included the spa’s address in both English and Korean (helpful for showing to taxi drivers). When I arrived at the spa, I was greeted by the staff and given a locker for my belongings along with a pair of slippers. I was then taken to a waiting room to fill out a consultation form about my skin condition and problem areas.
Next, I was asked to pay for the treatment. While paying upfront may feel unusual for Westerners, where payment is typically made after the service, it’s common practice in Korea. Afterward, I was taken to the treatment room to get comfortable. Before the facial began, the therapist reviewed my consultation form, and we discussed my skin needs (I also received a mild reprimand for not using enough sunscreen). This facial was not only more thorough than others I’ve had in the UK and the US, but it was also much more cost-effective. For 120,000 WON (about 77 GBP / 90 USD), I had one and a half hours of skin cleansing, exfoliation, extractions, two masks, a highly skilled face massage with lymphatic drainage, and a head and shoulder massage. I not only felt 10 years younger but also looked the part. The radiant glow lasted for quite a while.
Next, I had a microblading appointment. I already touched base on this in my previous post about tattoos in Korea, which you can find HERE.
I had my brows microbladed once before in the UK, and wasn’t happy with the results. Therefore, for the last five years, I made do with my scraggly brows. Knowing how much attention to detail is placed in treatments in Seoul, I felt confident to give it another try. Indieface was a name highly praised in a blog about getting eyebrows done as a foreigner. I checked out her Instagram, and indeed, the work spoke for itself. I sent her a message and was immediately asked to send a picture of my natural brows. Communication was quick, efficient, and within a day, I had my appointment set and paid a $30 deposit via PayPal.
Upon arrival at the studio, I was once again given slippers and a space for my belongings. Next, Lina offered me some traditional Korean tea while she was setting up.
My brows were measured and guidelines drawn on my face. Initially, I wanted thicker brows, but the artist recommended a thinner style to suit my face, and I trusted her expertise. After applying numbing cream and waiting for about 10 minutes, the procedure began. The process was relaxing enough that I fell asleep during the lengthy session. Once finished, I checked my brows in the mirror, and we made some minor corrections. I was then given care instructions and an ointment, booked the follow-up appointment, and left the studio four hours later, feeling happy. Now, almost a year later, my brows are still stunning!
I heard about the Theme Dermatology clinic in an article about a so-called Glass Skin Facial. One of the doctors was interviewed about this procedure in an online article, in which the clinic was named as one of the leading experts. The procedure is also known as Skin Scaling and it uses a combination of ultrasonic waves, and a chemical peel to give the skin a more nourished, and youthful appearance. The amazing thing about this treatment is, that the skin keeps on improving for another few month.
I had not heard of this treatment before, but was intrigued, so I checked out the website. Everything was in English, but was priced rather high, compared to other clinics. Nevertheless, compared to London prices, everything was still more than reasonable. In addition to the Glass Skin Facial, I booked my very first Botox session to get rid of the frown line between my brows, my first time trying Botox.
I was asked to send them pictures of my skin, answer a few basic questions, then the clinic explained the various treatments and offered suggestions. There would be a final consultation when I arrived at the clinic, but the cost was estimated at 400,000 – 500,000 WON (about 235 – 293 GBP / 293 – 366 USD). Because this was among their cheapest treatments, the clinic did not require a deposit.
On the day of my appointment, I received an email to reconfirm my attendance. Since my Korean wasn’t great, a translator would be with me throughout the process. This service is commonly offered to foreign guests and is automatically added to the overall cost.
The clinic itself looks very impressive. The reception staff didn’t speak English, but immediately called the translator to assist with the forms, payment, and tax return. I was then lead to lush leather armchairs where the translator provided company. It only took a few minutes to be called into the doctors office, where the doctor consultation took place. Here, the doctor evaluated the frown line, and decided how many shots I would need. I could also express any concerns I still had. Once everything was clear, I was asked to return to the waiting area. In addition the treatments booked, I also had a complimentary face massage, extractions and my white spots were removed. Overall, I felt really well looked after.
Once I was done, I had the option of refreshing myself in a cutely decorated washroom, where various beauty and styling products were on offer to ensure I looked human again as I stepped back onto the busy streets. (Botox injections look like tiny snakebites to your forehead.)
The last treatment I booked rather spontaneously during my last two weeks in Seoul. Anyone staying in Seoul for extended period, will notice a lot of advertisements for beauty treatments, along with special offers. The Ocean Clinic which is also located in Gangnam had an offer for an Aqua Peel at only 20,000 WON (about 12 GBP / 15 USD) This 30-minute procedure uses water and oxygen to cleanse the skin of impurities, offering a more radiant appearance. I hadn’t heard of this treatment before, but decided it was something I wanted to try. It was a bit harder to find the English booking system, which was set up via WhatsApp (Korean language bookings are made via Kakao Talk). They implement a bot to assist with the booking, so the process was very straight forward and simple.
While not quite as impressive as Theme Dermatology, Ocean Clinic also offers a luxurious and chic ambiance. The reception staff was just as nice, but it turned out, that they didn’t have an English translator that day. Seems, that bookings made via the English booking system do not automatically highlight that in their system. On the other hand, I didn’t have to pay a surcharge.
The kind receptionist asked if I wanted to reschedule, but I declined, having decided to test my language skills instead. And surprisingly, after only 8 weeks worth of language school and a few Language Exchange meet-ups with Seoulshare, I managed to complete the consultation and paperwork on my own!
A Korean skincare experience wouldn’t be a Korean skincare experience if they didn’t go the extra mile. In addition to the peeling, there was a nourishing facemask and a short face massage, before sunscreen was applied and I was done. Although this treatment was short and simple, my skin looked lush and radiant afterwards.
Conclusion:
Is it worth getting beauty treatments in Korea? Absolutely! The procedures are of extremely high standard, with a great attention to customer service.
Out of all the treatments I had, I would recommend the Glass Facial the most. Its shaving a number of years off the skin, adding a radiant glow and decreasing large pores and offers long-lasting effects—from what I’ve heard, it’s also a favorite among K-pop stars!
