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Most people plan their Korea trip around shopping, food, cafes, and then squeeze clinic treatments somewhere in between. But Tbh the order of treatments matters more than you think.

If you are traveling for skin treatments, my general rule is simple: Anything that can cause swelling, bruising, bumps, peeling, or needs follow up should be done earlier in the trip.

Not the night before your flight.

1/ Injectables should usually be done earlier

This includes filler, Rejuran, Juvelook, skin boosters, Aqua Injection, and sometimes even Skin Botox.

These treatments can leave needle marks, bruising, swelling, small bumps, or uneven looking texture for a few days. It does not mean anything went wrong, but you probably don’t want to deal with that right before taking photos or getting on a plane.

For fillers especially, I would not leave it until the last day.

Filler needs time to settle. Sometimes swelling makes the result look bigger at first, and sometimes small asymmetry only becomes obvious after a few days. Also, in the rare case that something feels wrong, you want to still be in Korea to go back to the clinic.

So if you are planning filler, I’d do it early in the trip, not as a last-minute treatment.

2/ Skin boosters also need recovery time

People think skin boosters are light treatments, but Rejuran, Juvelook, Aqua Injection, and similar boosters still involve many tiny injections.

You can get redness, bumps, bruising, and that mosquito bite texture after.

For some people, it disappears the same day. For others, especially thin or sensitive skin, it can take 2-3 days or longer.

So if you want your skin to look nice during the trip, don’t do skin booster the day before your important dinner or photoshoot lol.

Do it earlier, let the bumps calm down, then enjoy the glow after.

3/ Strong lasers and resurfacing should not be last-minute

If you are doing fractional laser, CO2, Er:YAG, RF microneedling, strong pico, acne scar treatment, or anything that causes peeling or scabbing, please don’t do it at the end of the trip.

These treatments can make the skin red, dry, sensitive, flaky, or darker temporarily before it gets better.

Also, after stronger lasers, you need to avoid sun, heat, sweating, sauna, and heavy makeup. That’s hard when you’re traveling and walking around all day.

So if you really want stronger laser, do it early and give your skin time to recover.

4/ Lifting treatments can be done early or mid trip

Treatments like Ultherapy, HIFU, Thermage, Oligio, or RF lifting usually don’t have huge downtime, but some people still get swelling, tenderness, redness, or soreness.

The final result also takes time, so don’t expect to do it today and look lifted tomorrow.

I think lifting treatments are fine early or mid-trip, but I wouldn’t stack them too close with other strong procedures unless the doctor planned it properly.

5/ Botox timing is a little different

Botox does not usually have much downtime, but it also doesn’t work immediately.

Most people start seeing results in a few days, and full effect is around 2 weeks.

So if you want Botox to show during the trip, do it early. But if you only care about long term results after going home, timing is less stressful.

For masseter Botox, don’t expect instant jaw slimming. That one takes weeks to months.

6/ What can be done later in the trip?

Near the end of the trip, I’d keep things lighter.

Things like gentle facials, LED, calming treatments, light hydration care, mild laser toning, or simple maintenance treatments are usually safer choices before flying. Basically, if it has low downtime and low risk of swelling, it’s more suitable for the end of the trip.

Don’t try to do your most aggressive treatment on the last day just because you found a cheap promo.

If something causes bruising, swelling, peeling, or needs follow up, do it earlier. If something is calming, hydrating, or very gentle, it can be done later.

For a short Korea trip, the goal is not to do the most treatments possible!

Let’s talk about XERF because I think many people are starting to compare it with Thermage, especially for jawline lifting and marionette lines.

Thermage has been the classic RF lifting treatment for a long time. Most patients know Thermage as a treatment for skin tightening, collagen remodeling, and overall firmness. It is still a very reliable option, especially when the main concern is loose skin and loss of elasticity.

XERF is also an RF lifting treatment, but I would not explain it as simply a new version of Thermage. The reason doctors are paying attention to XERF is because the energy is designed a little differently.

The key point is depth

Thermage mainly focuses on tightening the dermis. XERF uses dual frequency, 6.78MHz and 2MHz. The lower frequency can deliver energy deeper, so it can be more useful when the concern is not only loose skin, but also lower-face heaviness.

This is why XERF is often talked about for the jawline. When the jawline starts to look blurred, it is usually not just because the skin is loose. The lower cheek, soft tissue, and fat layer can slowly shift downward together. This makes the mouth corner area look heavier and can also make marionette lines more obvious.

So if the treatment only tightens the upper skin layer, the result may not be enough for this type of lower face concern.

This is where XERF can make sense

Because XERF can send heat deeper and cover a wider area, it may be more suitable for patients who want lower-face contouring, jawline refinement, and mild jowl improvement. It is not a surgical lifting treatment, but it can be a good option when the sagging is still mild to moderate.

I also think marionette lines are often misunderstood. Many people think the line beside the mouth should be filled directly. But if the marionette line is coming from lower cheek sagging, adding filler around the mouth can sometimes make the lower face look heavier. In that case, lifting the surrounding area first can look more natural than filling the crease immediately.

The pain level is also different

Thermage can be painful for many patients, especially when enough energy is used. XERF has stronger cooling and a tip structure that spreads the heat more evenly, so the treatment can feel more tolerable.

But I would not call it painless. If the energy is delivered properly, patients will still feel heat and pressure. With RF lifting, the goal is not to make the treatment completely comfortable. The goal is to deliver enough energy safely without overheating the skin.

So is XERF better than Thermage?

I would not say that. Thermage still has a longer history and more clinical experience behind it. For overall skin tightening and elasticity, Thermage still makes a lot of sense. XERF becomes more interesting when the main concern is the lower face, especially jawline blurring, mild jowls, lower cheek heaviness, and early marionette lines.

For very thin or hollow faces, strong lifting devices should be used carefully. For severe sagging, RF lifting will not replace surgery. For deep volume loss, RF alone may not be enough.

A lot of people ask if Botox is really cheaper in Korea, or if it only looks cheap because of clinic promotions.

The short answer is: yes, it is usually cheaper than the U.S., UK, Singapore, and a lot of other countries. But the longer answer is: it depends on the brand, the area, how many units you need, and whether the clinic is charging per area or per unit.

Also, small note when people say botox in Korea, they often mean botulinum toxin in general, not always the Allergan Botox brand.

Why Botox feels cheaper in Korea

Korea has a lot of aesthetic clinics, especially in Seoul and Gangnam. Because there are so many clinics, prices are very competitive. Another reason is that Korea has local toxin brands, like Botulax, Nabota, Letybo, and other Korean made options. These are usually cheaper than imported Allergan Botox, so the base price on clinic menus can look very affordable.

That doesn’t mean cheaper automatically means bad. It just means the pricing system and market are different.

Per area vs per unit

One thing that can confuse foreigners is that many Korean clinics price Botox by area.

So instead of saying 12,000 won per unit, they may list prices like forehead, frown lines, crow’s feet, or masseter.

This is easier for first timers because you know the total price before treatment. But if you already know your usual dose from another country, per unit pricing may be easier to compare.

For example, forehead Botox and crow’s feet Botox usually cost less because they need fewer units. Masseter Botox costs more because the jaw muscle is much stronger and needs a higher dose.

Korean brands vs Allergan Botox

Most clinics will offer a cheaper Korean brand as the basic option, then imported Allergan Botox as the premium option.

Korean brands are common and widely used in Korea. Allergan Botox usually costs more because it is imported and has stronger brand recognition internationally.

I don’t think everyone needs to automatically choose the most expensive brand. But I do think you should ask exactly which brand is being used, especially if the price seems extremely low.

Rough price idea

For minor wrinkle areas (forehead, frown, crow's feet), Korea is highly affordable. Domestic Korean brands average 15,000 to 40,000 KRW (~$11 to $26 USD) per area, while imported brands (Allergan/Xeomin) run 60,000 to 120,000 KRW (~$45 to $90 USD). Masseter (jaw) Botox requires far more product, typically costing 35,000 to 70,000 KRW (~$26 to $52 USD) for local brands and 120,000 to 250,000 KRW (~$90 to $185 USD) for imports. Skin Botox is entirely different bc it is a full face, superficial micro injection technique averaging 70,000 to 150,000 KRW (~$52 to $112 USD) for local brands and up to 250,000 to 450,000 KRW (~$185 to $335 USD) for imports.

How many units do people usually need?

Exact dosing depends entirely on your muscle strength and goals, but a rough baseline includes:

• Forehead: 8 to 15 units.
• Frown lines: 10 to 20 units.
• Crow’s feet: 12 to 24 units total (split between both eyes).
• Masseter (Jaw): 40 to 60 units total (up to 80 units for severe teeth-grinders).

This wide variance in unit requirements and brand selection is exactly why one person’s simple forehead touch up can cost under $30 USD, while another person's jaw slimming treatment costs significantly more.

What to expect after Botox

Botox does not work immediately! Most people start seeing changes after a few days, with the full effect around two weeks. For wrinkles, the result usually lasts around three to four months.

Masseter Botox can take longer to notice because the muscle slowly relaxes and shrinks over time. Some people need a few sessions before they see a clear slimming effect.

After treatment, I would avoid heavy workouts, sauna, facial massage, or lying flat right away for the first day. Nothing too dramatic, just don’t irritate the area.

Is it worth getting Botox in Korea?

If you are already in Korea, then yes, it can be very worth it.

The prices are usually better, there are many experienced clinics, and it is easy to combine Botox with other treatments like skin boosters, lasers, or facials.

But I probably wouldn’t fly to Korea only for Botox. The money you save may not be enough to cover flights and hotels.

I think it makes the most sense if you are already visiting Korea and want to do a few treatments together.

Botox in Korea can be cheaper, but don’t choose only based on the lowest price. A good result still depends on the injector, the dose, the brand, and whether the treatment plan actually fits your face.

Cheap Botox is only a good deal if it is done safely and naturally.

Wrinkles are not all the same. This is where a lot of people get confused when they come to Korea for anti aging treatments.

Some wrinkles are made by muscle movement. Some are caused by volume loss. Some are actually from skin quality getting thinner, drier, or less elastic.

So here’s how I usually break it down

Forehead lines: Botox
If the lines show up when you raise your eyebrows, this is usually a muscle movement problem. Botox relaxes the forehead muscle so the skin creases less. In Korea, most patients do not want the frozen look, so the goal is usually soft movement, not zero movement.

Frown lines / 11 lines: Botox
These are the vertical lines between your brows. If you look angry or tired even when you are not, this is often the area. Botox works really well here because the lines are caused by repeated frowning. If the lines are already deeply etched at rest, some people may need additional skin treatment or a tiny amount of filler later, but Botox is usually the first step.

Crow’s feet: Botox
These are the smile lines around the eyes. Botox can soften them nicely, but this area needs conservative dosing. Too much can make the smile look strange or make the under-eye area feel heavier, so small precise doses are better.

Bunny lines: Botox
These are the little nose scrunch lines that appear when you laugh or smile. Very quick treatment, very small dose. Not everyone needs it, but it is common in Korea for people who notice nose wrinkles in photos.

Pebbled chin / chin dimpling: Botox
If your chin looks bumpy or orange peel like when you talk or close your mouth, Botox can relax that muscle. This is one of those tiny treatments that can make the lower face look smoother without changing your whole face.

Neck bands: Botox
If you see vertical neck bands when you speak, smile, or tense your neck, Botox can help soften them. But if the issue is loose skin or crepey texture, Botox alone will not fix everything.

Nasolabial folds / smile lines: Usually filler or lifting support
This is where people often make mistakes. Smile lines are not always just wrinkles. A lot of the time, they happen because the cheek area has lost support and the midface starts casting a shadow. In Korea, many clinics look at cheek support first instead of just filling directly into the fold.

Marionette lines: Filler, sometimes with Botox
These are the lines that run downward from the corners of the mouth. If the area looks folded or shadowed, filler may help restore support. If the mouth corners are being pulled down by muscle, small dose Botox around the DAO muscle may also be used.

Under eye hollows: Careful assessment first
Under eyes are tricky. If the issue is hollowing, filler may help. If it is puffiness, poor skin texture, fluid retention, or thin crepey skin, filler can sometimes make it worse. In Korea, doctors may suggest skin boosters, lasers, or collagen treatments instead depending on the under eye type.

Temple hollowing: Filler
When the temples lose volume, the face can look more tired or aged even if you cannot explain exactly why. Temple filler can soften that hollow look, but it needs an experienced injector because the anatomy is delicate.

Lip lines: Usually a combination
For vertical lip lines, it is often not just one thing. Tiny Botox doses may reduce puckering movement, fine filler may soften etched lines, and skin treatments can improve texture. Overfilling the lips is not the answer if the goal is natural anti-aging.

Cheek volume loss: Filler
This is one of the biggest anti aging areas. Good cheek support can make the face look lifted and rested, and it can indirectly improve smile lines. The goal is not big cheeks. The goal is restoring the structure that used to hold everything up.

Jawline / chin support: Filler
For some people, chin or jawline filler improves lower-face balance and makes folds look less obvious. It does not remove wrinkles directly, but better structure can make the lower face look cleaner and more youthful.

In Korea, anti aging is usually not about choosing only one thing. A very common strategy is:

Botox first to relax strong movement
Filler only where volume or support is actually missing
Skin treatments to improve glow, elasticity, and fine texture

This is how you get a softer, more natural result without looking frozen or overfilled.

For timing, Botox usually starts working in a few days and peaks around 2 weeks. Filler looks visible right away but settles over 1-2 weeks. Botox usually lasts around 3-4 months, while filler can last around 6-12 months depending on the area and product.

Please do not let any clinic convince you that every wrinkle needs filler. That is how people end up puffy. And also do not expect Botox to fix deep folds or hollow areas. That is how people end up disappointed.

So today let’s talk about the absolute biggest anti-aging trend in longevity and skin care right now: NAD+ injections and IV drips.

Not long ago, there was this viral video of Hailey Bieber talking with her friends, and she literally said, "I feel like I won't age for the rest of my life because I'm getting NAD." Kendall Jenner and the Kardashians talk about it all the time too. To keep it very simple, NAD+ is like the ultimate fuel for your cells.

Inside our body, we have tiny energy factories called mitochondria. When we eat, these factories convert nutrients into energy. But for the factory engine to actually start and run, it needs NAD+.

It also does 2 huge things for anti aging:

• DNA Repair: We have an enzyme called PARP that fixes cells damaged by UV rays, stress, and pollution. But PARP uses NAD+ as raw material. If you run out of NAD+, your body stops repairing your DNA properly.
• Inflammation Control: Another enzyme called Sirtuin controls the whole aging process and suppresses inflammation, but it only wakes up if NAD+ is present.

This is exactly why your body changes after your 20s. Remember when you could stay up all night partying on the weekend and feel completely fine on Monday? Once you pass 30, even if you sleep for 8 hours, your body feels heavy, your skin looks dull, and your brain feels foggy. Research shows that after age 20, your NAD+ levels steadily drop, and by the time you hit your 40s, it's cut completely in HALF. You are literally running your cellular factory on half a tank of fuel.

How is this different from a regular vitamin IV drip??

The easiest way I explain it in clinic is that vitamin drips mainly replenish nutrients. NAD+ is a little different because it's involved in cellular energy metabolism itself. Also because it's given through an IV, it goes straight into the bloodstream instead of having to go through digestion first.

When people get this done, the feedback is usually pretty consistent:

• It feels like the brain engine just completely reboots, wiping out that heavy, chronic mental exhaustion.
• Waking up in the morning actually feels effortless again instead of your body feeling like lead.
• Even from a skin perspective, because it kicks cellular turnover back into high gear, that dull, tired gray tone disappears and the skin regains a firm, well rested radiance.

But let's talk about the side effects and limitations, because I always want to be honest with you guys.

If it's your first time getting an NAD drip, or if you get it on an empty stomach, it can feel pretty uncomfortable. As the NAD enters your blood, it causes sudden capillary dilation (your tiny blood vessels open up quickly). You might feel chest tightness, your heart racing (palpitations), a heavy feeling in your stomach, or sudden nausea.

Don't panic! A good clinic knows exactly how to manage this. The IV drip just has to be run incredibly slowly, adjusting the speed based on how your body reacts. If a clinic tries to rush your NAD drip just to get you out the door faster, find a different clinic.

Also, a quick reality check: NAD injections are not magic. If you are sleeping 4 hours a night, eating junk food, and totally stressed out, the results won't last. It works best when you combine it with healthy habits.

Obviously we're all going to age 😭 but anti aging is becoming less about chasing wrinkles after they appear and more about supporting how the body functions behind the scenes before those changes become obvious.

Let’s talk about something almost every tourist asks for when they visit a clinic in Seoul whitening injections, or what we officially call antioxidant IV drips.

In Korea, you’ll usually hear it called the Cinderella injection (Sindella joosa). Because of the name, patients come in expecting a literal fairy tale transformation, hoping to go up three skin shades after sitting under a drip for 20 minutes.

First of all, the true Cinderella injection is based on Alpha Lipoic Acid (Thioctic Acid), and we almost always cocktail it together with Glutathione (which is called the White Jade drip) and Vitamin C. These are super powerful antioxidants that our bodies naturally use to fight off aging and fatigue. It doesn’t actually bleach your skin. What it does biochemically is inhibit melanin synthesis and sweep out the free radicals that make your skin look exhausted and gray.

But here is the catch that a lot of clinics won't tell you. If you are naturally born with a darker skin tone, a Cinderella injection will NOT change your DNA and turn you pale white. What it really does is clear out dullness, fix uneven skin tone caused by sun damage, and give you a very healthy, bright radiance. Think of it like turning on a lightbulb inside a room, the room is the same color but it's much brighter.

"Can I just buy glutathione or alpha lipoic acid pills online instead? It's so much cheaper."

To be completely honest with you, pills are mostly a waste of money if you want fast results. When you swallow an antioxidant capsule, your stomach acid and liver break down most of it before it ever hits your bloodstream. The absorption rate is incredibly low. Lately, those melting films you stick to the roof of your mouth are popular because they bypass the stomach, but the dosage is still very tiny compared to what we can give you in the clinic.

With an IV drip, it goes 100% directly into your vein. No stomach acid filtration first. It gets fully absorbed instantly.

Here are the most common questions I get about this treatment at the clinic:

How often do I need it? If you are just visiting Seoul for a week and get it once, it’s mostly going to feel like a really good hangover cure or a fatigue booster because it detoxifies your liver. Your skin might look a bit glowy the next day, but it won't last long term. In Korea, locals get this once a week for about 10 sessions to get that visible, lasting brightening effect. It’s a commitment.

Side Effects & Safety

Since it’s a mix of natural antioxidants and vitamins, it is generally very safe. But you have to be careful with the dosage speed. If a clinic pumps too high a concentration of the drip too fast, you can get nauseous, dizzy, or get mild stomach cramps. Always make sure you are going to a proper clinic where a real doctor prescribes the fluid mix and adjusts the drip rate, not a random beauty salon.

If you just do the Cinderella drip alone, the pigmentation results can be a bit slow. In my clinic, I love pairing the IV drip with a gentle laser toning treatment. The laser mechanically breaks down the surface dark spots, and the IV drip brightens the overall canvas from the inside out.

Hey guys, it’s me again ^^

A lot of you asked for a master list rating the skin boosters we actually use in Korea. Patients come into my clinic every day asking for glass skin, but the truth is that a booster that works amazingly for your friend might do almost nothing for you.

They all do different things anatomically.

So let’s talk about the major ones honestly. I’ll explain what they are usually good for, who I would recommend them to, and how I personally rate them from a doctor’s perspective.

1. Rejuran

I know I already wrote a whole post about this, but I want to summarize it here so it’s easier to compare with the others.

Rejuran is purified salmon DNA, or PN.

I usually think of Rejuran as a healing treatment. It is really nice when the skin barrier is weak, when the skin is red, stinging, breaking out, or just looks irritated and unhealthy. It helps calm the skin and repair it from the inside.

But I don’t see Rejuran as a pure hydration booster.

Only about 35% of my patients get that crazy water glow from regular Rejuran Healer. Some people get it, some people don’t. So if your goal is only that watery glass skin look, Rejuran might not always give you the exact result you imagine.

Also, the original Rejuran Healer is painful. The black box one is really not a comfortable treatment. If you want more glow and less pain, Rejuran HB is usually a better option because it has hyaluronic acid and lidocaine mixed in.

My rating is 4.5/5. I only take off half a point because the pain of the original black box is honestly disrespectful.

2. Exosomes

Exosomes are very popular in Seoul right now.

They are basically signaling molecules derived from stem cells. They help tell your skin cells to calm down and start regenerating.

I like exosomes a lot for acne-prone skin, strong redness, rosacea, or skin that is in a very angry breakout phase. When someone comes in with inflamed, irritated skin, I often think of exosomes, especially with treatments like Potenza or MTS.

They can also help pores a little because they help control sebum.

But one thing I want people to know is that in Korea, pure exosomes are legally approved as cosmetics, not drugs for direct intradermal injection. So we usually apply them through Potenza, which is microneedling RF, or MTS, which is microneedling roller.

So if someone says they are going to hand inject pure cosmetic grade exosomes all over your face with a syringe, I would be careful and ask more questions.

For acne and redness, I would rate exosomes 4/5.

But if you just want anti-aging or volume, maybe 2/5.

3. Juvelook

Juvelook is my personal favorite right now.

It is a hybrid skin booster made with PDLLA and hyaluronic acid.

The PDLLA particles slowly stimulate your own fibroblasts to produce collagen over time, while the HA gives some hydration. This is why I really like Juvelook for pores, texture, fine lines, stretched-out pores, and thin skin.

It gives a very soft and natural improvement.

But Juvelook takes time. You will not walk out of the clinic looking suddenly different. Usually, you need about 3 sessions spaced around a month apart. Then around week 6 to 8, many patients start noticing that their skin texture looks smoother, almost like there is a filter on the skin.

I also like it for the under eye area because the skin there is very thin.

My rating is 5/5.

I do this on myself too. It is very versatile.

4. Sculptra vs. Radiesse

I’m grouping these two together because they are not really traditional skin quality boosters.

They are more like liquid collagen stimulators.

Sculptra is PLLA, and Radiesse is CaHA, which is calcium hydroxylapatite.

These are more for deep structural hollowness, not surface glow. For example, remember my post about smile lines? If you fill air in your mouth and the area next to your nose still stays hollow, these are the kind of treatments we use to rebuild that deeper tissue foundation.

They are injected deeper, not superficially just to make the skin shiny.

Sculptra gives a soft, diffuse volume over the whole face, so it is nice for sunken cheeks or a deflated looking face.

Radiesse is firmer. When hyper-diluted, it is really nice for lifting the jawline or defining the chin.

But these are not treatments for someone who is 22 and just wants glowing skin.

Also, please be careful with who injects these. If Sculptra is injected too superficially or not diluted properly, you can get nodules or lumps. You really need someone who understands anatomy.

For volume and anti-aging, I would rate them 4/5.

But if your goal is just glowing skin, honestly 0/5.

5. Elravie RE20, Volite, Revive, Skinvive

These are more like pure hyaluronic acid micro fillers or hydration boosters.

Skinvive by Juvederm and Belotero Revive are popular globally, and in Korea we also use local options like Elravie RE20.

These are the treatments that pull water into the skin like a sponge.

So if your goal is that literal watery glass-skin finish, where the light reflects nicely off the forehead and cheeks, this is usually the type of booster you are thinking about.

But they don’t fix acne.

They don’t really stimulate a lot of collagen.

They mainly hydrate.

And that’s not a bad thing. If your skin is dry, dull, or makeup sits badly because of dehydration, this type of booster can be really satisfying.

The nice thing about modern options like Skinvive or Revive is that they are cross-linked enough to last around 6 to 9 months from one treatment, unlike old-school water shine injections, or Mulkwang, that disappeared in around 3 weeks.

For pure dryness and glow, my rating is 4/5.

It gives nice instant gratification.

6. Skin Botox

Skin Botox, or dermotoxin, is not regular Botox that freezes your expressions.

We take Botox, dilute it heavily, and inject it very superficially into the outer layer of the skin all over the face.

It gives an instant tightening effect.

Because it works on the tiny muscles attached to your pores and also affects sweat and oil glands, it can shrink the look of pores, reduce oil production, and give the skin that tight, smooth, glass-like look.

It can also help a bit with minor facial flushing.

The result is very pretty, but it is temporary. Usually it lasts around 2 to 3 months max.

Also, because we have to do so many tiny micro-injections all over the face into the tight dermis layer, yes, it hurts. A lot.

My rating is 3.5/5.

It is perfect before a big event or wedding, but kind of annoying to maintain.

If you guys are confused about which ones can be mixed together, leave a comment or DM my Insta. We love cocktailing skin boosters in Korea, but the right combination really depends on your skin.

Stay safe and don’t let clinics overcharge you!!

A lot of patients come in regularly for simple non invasive treatments like LDM, Aqua Peel, Lhala Peel or modeling packs just for general skin maintenance.

Especially office workers, celebrities before filming, brides before weddings, patients with sensitive skin, or honestly just people who want their skin to look maintained without downtime.
And these treatments seem simple but Korean patients are very consistent with them.

One of the most common ones is LDM. I feel like international patients almost never know what LDM is before coming to Korea

LDM uses ultrasound waves and honestly the treatment itself feels very relaxing. Most patients almost fall asleep during it.

I personally like LDM a lot for:

• sensitive skin
• redness
• damaged skin barrier
• post laser irritation
• inflamed acne
• very dehydrated skin

The effect is not dramatic lifting or anything like that. Usually patients just say their skin feels calmer, less hot, less irritated and more hydrated after.

In here a lot of clinics combine LDM after stronger procedures because it helps calm the skin down.

Then there is Hydrafacial / Aqua Peel / Lhala Peel type treatments.

Patients always think these are all exactly the same but actually the goals can feel a little different.

Hydrafacial and Aqua Peel are more focused on cleaning the pores, removing sebum and giving that fresh smoother skin feeling immediately after.

A lot of patients love doing it before events because makeup sits better afterward.

But I also think clinics sometimes overdo extraction too aggressively, especially for sensitive skin patients.

Lhala Peel became VERY popular recently in Korea because it gives that smoother brighter skin effect without being as aggressive as some traditional peeling treatments.

Patients who are scared of stronger peels usually tolerate Lhala Peel pretty well.

I notice patients usually like it for dull skin, rough texture, small bumps, mild acne and oily skin

Then there is modeling packs.

International patients sometimes laugh at this treatment because it looks so simple, but Korean clinics use modeling packs ALL the time.

Usually after lasers, extractions, lifting treatments or skin boosters.

And honestly depending on the ingredients they help more than people think.

Especially cooling/calming modeling packs after aggressive lasers. Patients usually leave looking much less red compared to skipping it.

I also noticed Korean patients LOVE the feeling of these treatments because they are relaxing. Sometimes patients just want to feel like their skin is being maintained regularly instead of constantly doing aggressive procedures.

I think this is actually one of the biggest differences in Korean skincare culture.

A lot of patients here do smaller maintenance treatments very consistently instead of waiting until their skin becomes severely damaged first.

Of course these treatments alone will not replace lifting lasers, fillers or surgery but they are good supportive treatments and honestly not every patient needs something aggressive all the time ☺️

I feel like a lot of people think all aesthetic treatments need like 5-10 sessions before you see anything

And honestly for some concerns that is true. Especially pigmentation, acne scars, redness, skin texture etc. Those things usually take time. But there are also treatments where patients usually notice a difference pretty fast after just 1 session.

1. Botox

Botox is still one of the highest satisfaction treatments in clinics. Not because it makes dramatic transformations but because it is very predictable.

Forehead lines, frown lines, jaw botox, shoulder botox, calf botox. These are all treatments where patients usually notice the effect quite clearly after one session.

But I think the most underrated botox in Korea is actually skin botox. Especially for oily skin and pores. The problem is people think more units = better result. But overly frozen botox honestly looks very strange in real life especially under strong lighting.

2. Ultherapy / Thermage

I am putting these together because patients always compare them

Honestly patients usually see SOME lifting after one session especially if they have mild sagging. But if you have a lot of facial fat or heavier skin, one session will not suddenly make you look snatched like tiktok edits.

Ultherapy gives more of that tighter/deeper lifting feeling because it targets the SMAS layer. Thermage gives more skin tightening and smoother skin texture in my opinion.

And the biggest difference is often the doctor technique and number of shots rather than the machine itself. I have seen advertise "300 shots full face" and honestly for some patients that does almost nothing.

3. Fillers

Filler is probably the treatment with the MOST immediate visible change.

Especially:

- chin filler

- lip filler

- under eye filler

- nasolabial folds

Patients love filler because they leave the clinic already seeing the result. But filler is also the treatment I dissolve the most

Too much filler, wrong placement, filler migration, overfilled cheeks. I see this so often now especially patients who clinic hop too much.

4. Radiesse

Radiesse is becoming much more popular again in Korea recently. Especially for patients who want structure and tightening without looking too filled.

It's interesting because patients usually see a little improvement immediately due to the volume itself, but the collagen stimulation effect continues later. I personally like Radiesse more for lower face support, jawline, and sometimes smile lines depending on the cause.

But PLEASE Radiesse should not be injected like normal soft filler everywhere!! I feel like social media makes biostimulators look way simpler than they actually are.

The best results are usually not from the most hyped treatments online. Sometimes patients get more satisfaction from simple botox than spending thousands on lasers that were not even necessary for their face

This is honestly one of the most confusing things for patients coming to Korea

Technically they’re all PN (salmon dna), so same family… but the way they behave in the skin is quite different like texture, how deep we inject, how much it spreads, even how long the bumps last after

Rejuran Healer (the original one)

This is the most pure version, just PN, no HA, no lidocaine

Texture wise it’s thicker and a bit sticky, so when inject it, it doesn’t spread quickly. It stays in the upper dermis for a bit before absorbing

I use this for patients who want real skin repair like barrier damage, chronic redness, skin that became thin after lasers or overuse of actives

You’re not going to get instant glow from this. The effect is more delayed, around 2-4 weeks when the skin becomes less reactive and more stable

One important thing patients always notice is the papules (bumps) after injection
because it’s more viscous, they usually stay around 24-48 hours. If they disappear too quickly, most of the time the injection depth was too deep

PAIN is still the highest with this one!!

Rejuran HB / HB Plus

This one is PN + HA + lidocaine. You can feel the difference immediately when injecting much smoother, spreads faster, less resistance

I use this a lot for patients who want both repair and hydration or for first timers who are worried about pain because of the HA, you’ll see some early hydration and glow compared to healer so the result feels more immediate

But clinically, because it’s diluted compared to the original healer, the repair effect is slightly softer so for more damaged skin, you may need more sessions

Pain is significantly lower, usually tolerable for most patients around 4/10

Rejuran S (scar type)

This one is much more viscous than the others

It’s designed to stay exactly where it’s injected, not spread out
so I only use this for localized areas, not full face

Main indications are:

• depressed acne scars
• deeper uneven texture

Usually I combine it with subcision, break the scar underneath first then place this in
otherwise honestly just injecting it alone doesn’t do as much

And if you try to do this everywhere your face will feel bumpy in a bad way

Rejuran I (eye ver)

Under eye skin is very thin, so we need something much lighter

This one is more fluid, less dense, it spreads softly without sitting in one spot

I use it for fine lines, crepey texture, or when the under eye looks a bit thin and tired

Important thing… it improves skin quality only and it won’t fix eyebags or hollowing. Those are structural issues, different approach

Pain is low, and downtime is usually easier compared to the others

In practice we almost never treat the whole face with just one type anw. It’s usually adjusted by area…

Potenza is the one I reach for when I want to go deeper and actually change the structure of the skin

It can do monopolar and bipolar RF, which basically means the heat can go wider and deeper into the dermis compared to most devices so for acne scars (especially rolling / boxcar), rough texture, bigger pores… it just gives more impact

There’s also that tiger tip thing where it hits 2 depths in one pass, so you’re remodeling more of the skin without having to keep going over the same area

https://preview.redd.it/ooo30x8e6jzg1.png?width=652&format=png&auto=webp&s=1c6a2ec69487c3b1758950e1461fa1211909be6b

But yeah… because of that, it’s not gentle 😖 most patients are red for like 2–3 days and the skin feels a bit rough after (like sandpaper-ish for a few days)

Sylfirm x feels very different

It has 2 modes (CW + PW), but the pulsed wave is the one I actually care about

Instead of continuous heat, it sends short bursts of energy so it can target abnormal blood vessels and the basement membrane without overheating everything around it. That’s why it works really well for redness (PIE), rosacea, even melasma cases where you have to be careful with heat

Also it uses non insulated needles, so the energy spreads more evenly through the skin instead of just one point which mean less aggressive, more controlled

Downtime is much easier too, usually just pink for like a day

So when people ask me which one is better, I usually don’t answer straight away bc it really depends on what I’m actually seeing on your skin and tbh.. most people have a mix! like acne patients rarely come in with just scars or just redness, it’s usually both together

So in clinic we don’t always stick to one device. Sometimes I’ll start with potenza to break down the scar tissue, then switch to sylfirm later to calm the redness and smooth everything out and if someone is more prone to PIH or has thinner / reactive skin, I’ll usually lean toward sylfirm first and go more gentle

Also quick reality check because I repeat this all day 🥲 these are not 1 session treatments
Both rely on collagen remodeling, so it takes time.. usually 3–5 sessions before you notice that ok it’s actually working

Idk if this makes it less confusing or more lol but yeah they’re really not interchangeable

If you’re not sure which one fits your skin just comment, easier to explain case by case

Many patients become concerned when they first notice early jowling, a softer jawline, or heaviness in the lower face. This is a very common concern, especially in the 30s and 40s. Fortunately, mild sagging does not usually mean surgery is necessary right away. In many cases, early changes can be managed effectively with non-surgical treatments when the correct cause is identified.

The first step is understanding that not all “sagging” is the same. Some patients are experiencing true skin laxity, where collagen and elastin have gradually declined. Others have volume loss, often after weight reduction or natural aging, which can make the cheeks look flatter and the lower face appear heavier. Some patients have enlargement of the masseter muscles, lower-face fullness, or poor skin quality that creates the impression of sagging even when tissue descent is minimal.

If the primary issue is mild skin laxity, Korean doctors often recommend collagen-stimulating tightening treatments such as Ultherapy, Thermage, Onda, or HIFU/RF-based devices. These treatments do not replace surgery, but they can improve firmness, support, and contour when changes are still early. Results are typically gradual and depend on skin thickness, age, and treatment planning.

If the face appears tired, hollow, or deflated rather than loose, lifting alone may not be the best solution. In these cases, restoring structural support often gives a better result. Treatments such as Rejuran, Juvelook, biostimulators, or carefully placed filler may improve the midface and indirectly soften early jowling. This is especially common after weight loss, where volume depletion is mistaken for sagging.

If the jawline looks broad or heavy, the cause may be muscular rather than laxity. Patients with prominent masseter muscles often benefit from masseter Botox, sometimes combined with tightening treatments. Reducing lower-face width can improve facial proportions and make the jawline appear sharper.

Another important point is that lifestyle factors should not be overlooked. Repeated weight fluctuation, poor sleep, smoking, chronic stress, and sun exposure can accelerate collagen loss and worsen early laxity. Treatment outcomes are generally better when these factors are addressed alongside in-clinic procedures.

The most common mistake I see is patients requesting the strongest lifting treatment without a proper assessment. More energy does not always mean a better result. In thinner faces, aggressive treatment may lead to an over tightened or volume deficient appearance. In other patients, the issue is not laxity at all, but imbalance.

For early sagging, the best outcomes usually come from individualized treatment plans rather than one aggressive procedure. Sometimes this means light tightening. Sometimes it means collagen support. Sometimes it means contour correction. And sometimes, the most appropriate recommendation is simply observation and maintenance.