Treatment Guide
Korean skin and cosmetic treatments explained by concern, treatment and comparison: time, pain, downtime, number of sessions and how long to stay in Korea.
Dermatology
DermatologyDehydrated Skin & Damaged Skin Barrier Guide — From Causes to Skin Boosters & Home CareHydrating-injection bumps about 1 day, Rejuran 1–2 days / if bruising occurs, about 1 weekDermatologyDull Skin & Lack of Glow — Treatment Guide by CauseToning/Aqua Peel: almost none / Skin boosters: bumps 1–3 days, about 1 week if bruising occursDermatologyFine Lines & Wrinkles — Identify Your Wrinkle Type First, Then Find the Right CombinationBotox almost none / skin booster bumps 1–3 days / non-ablative laser redness 2–3 days / ablative (CO2) scabbing 5–7 daysDermatologySkin Botox (Dermotoxin) Guide — Refining Oil, Pores and Fine TextureLittle to none — wheals for a few hours; if bruising occurs, a few days to about 1 weekDermatologyJuvelook in Seoul — The Complete Guide to the Gradual Collagen Skin BoosterSmall bumps for a few hours to 1 day, mild swelling 1–3 days (bruising about 1 week)DermatologyRejuran (Rejuran Healer) Complete Guide — What to Know Before You Get It in KoreaBumps for 1–2 days; if bruising occurs, around 1 weekDermatologyThe Complete Laser Hair Removal Guide — How to Plan It as a Visitor to KoreaAlmost none — redness and small bumps for a few hours to 1–2 daysDermatologySkin Boosters in Korea (Water-Glow, Rejuran, Juvelook) — The Complete GuideBumps 1–3 days; about 1 week if bruising occursDermatologyAcne Treatment Guide — Choosing the Right Method for Your Acne Type and Managing It While TravelingExtraction/scaling: red dots 1–3 days / follicle radiofrequency: 2–5 days / PDT: 3–7 days + light protectionDermatologyThe Complete Guide to Fraxel (Fractional Laser) — Non-Ablative vs Ablative (CO2)Non-ablative: redness and swelling for 2–3 days / Ablative (CO2): tiny scabs for 5–7 days, pinkness for 2–4 weeksDermatologyFacial Redness Treatment Guide — From Identifying Your Type to Laser and CareRedness and swelling 1–3 days / bruise-type settings 7–10 daysDermatologyDark Circles Treatment Guide — Start by Knowing Your TypeLaser: almost none / injections: 1–3 days (about 1 week if bruising) / surgery: swelling and bruising 1–2 weeksDermatologyLip Filler Guide — From Korean-Style Natural Lips to Checking Your Product Is GenuineSwelling is worst on days 2–3 and settles within 1–2 weeksDermatologyNasolabial Folds — Identify the Cause First, Then Soften Them NaturallyDevices: almost none / filler: swelling 2–3 days / collagen-stimulating injections: swelling and small bruises for several days / thread lift: 1–2 weeks / fat grafting: 1–2 weeksDermatologyEnlarged Pore Treatment Guide — Find the Method for Your Pore TypeToning and skin botox: almost none / fractional laser and RF microneedling: redness and tiny scabs for 2–7 daysDermatologyPotenza RF Microneedling in Korea — The Complete Guide for Pores, Scars and Skin TextureRedness and pinpoint marks 1–3 days; 4–5 days for sensitive skin or higher intensityDermatologyLaser Toning (Low-Fluence Q-Switched Laser) — The Complete GuideAlmost none (redness and warmth for 1–2 hours, no scabbing)DermatologyAcne Scar Treatment in Korea — The Complete Guide to Methods That Match Your Scar TypeLaser / microneedling: redness and tiny scabs for 3–7 days / Subcision: bruising and swelling for 3–10 daysDermatologyFreckles, Dark Spots & Mole Removal in Korea — From Telling Them Apart to Scab CarePigment laser: small scabs for 5–10 days / Mole removal: moisture bandage for 7–10 daysDermatologyBotox vs Filler — Which Is Right for Your Wrinkles?Botox: almost none / filler: swelling for 2–3 days, and about 1 week if bruising occursDermatologyRejuran vs Juvelook — Which Skin Booster Is Right for You?Rejuran: bumps 1–2 days / Juvelook: mild swelling 1–3 days (bruising about 1 week)DermatologySquare Jaw Botox (Masseter Botox) in Korea — The Complete GuideAlmost none — needle marks for a few hours; if bruising occurs, 1–2 weeksDermatologyPico Toning vs Laser Toning — Which Melasma Toning Is Right for You?Almost none for either (redness for 1–2 hours, which may last a little longer with laser toning)DermatologyHyaluronic Acid Fillers in Korea — The Complete Guide, From Results by Area to Verifying the ProductSwelling is greatest on days 2–3; if you bruise, about 1 weekDermatologyBotox in Korea (Botulinum Toxin) — The Complete GuideAlmost none — needle marks fade in a few hours; if you bruise, it lasts 1–2 weeksDermatologyMelasma Treatment Guide — From Diagnosis to Preventing RecurrenceToning: almost none (1–2 hours of redness) / if spot lesions are treated at the same time, scabs for 5–10 daysDermatologyPico Toning in Korea: The Complete Guide to Melasma & Dark Spot LaserToning: almost none (1–2 hours of redness) / Spot removal: scabs for 5–10 days
Lifting
LiftingShurink Universe Lifting in Korea: The Complete GuideAlmost none (redness and slight swelling for a few hours to a day)LiftingThermage FLX — Complete Guide to Firming, Fine Lines & Eye Area LiftingVery little (redness and mild swelling for about a day; varies by person)LiftingUlthera — Ultrasound Lifting for a Sagging Jawline: What to Know Before Having It in KoreaAlmost none (redness and mild swelling for about a day; numbness in rare cases)LiftingShurink vs Ulthera — Same Ultrasound Lifting, So What's Different?Almost none for either (redness and mild swelling for about a day)LiftingSagging Jawline & Double Chin: Identify the Cause First, Then Choose the Right TreatmentDevices and Botox: almost none / injection swelling: 2–5 days / thread lift: 1–2 weeks / liposuction swelling and bruising: 1–2 weeksLiftingThread Lift vs Ulthera — Which Lifting Suits Your Sagging?Thread lift: swelling and tightness for 3 days–1 week (usually looks natural by 2 weeks) / Ulthera: almost noneLiftingThread Lift in Korea: The Complete Guide — Types, Recovery & Schedule for International PatientsSwelling and pulling peak between day 3 and week 1; most people look natural by 2 weeksLiftingInMode Lifting in Korea (FX & Forma) — The Complete GuideAlmost none (redness and warmth for a few hours to a day; bruising or swelling is rare)LiftingUlthera vs Thermage — Which Lifting Treatment Is Right for You?Almost none for either (redness and mild swelling for about a day)
Plastic surgery
Plastic surgeryLow Nose in Korea — The Right Method for Your Type & How Long to StayFiller swelling 2–3 days / surgery major swelling & bruising 1–2 weeks; splint & stitches about 5–7 daysPlastic surgeryNose Tip Surgery in Korea — When You Only Want to Change the Tip, Not the BridgeMajor swelling 1–2 weeks; splint and stitches about 5–7 daysPlastic surgeryPtosis Correction in Korea (Droopy Eyelid Surgery) — The Complete Guide for International Patients: Diagnosis, Methods, Recovery & ScheduleMajor swelling about 1 week for non-incisional / 1–2 weeks for incisional, stitches removed on day 5–7Plastic surgeryRhinoplasty in Korea — The Complete Guide for International PatientsMajor swelling & bruising 1–2 weeks; splint & stitches about 5–7 daysPlastic surgeryDouble Eyelid Surgery in Korea — The Complete Guide for International Patients: Methods, Recovery & ScheduleMajor swelling: buried suture 3–5 days / incisional 1–2 weeks; stitches out on day 5–7Plastic surgeryEpicanthoplasty in Korea — The Complete Guide to Inner, Outer & Lower Eye Corner Surgery, Recovery & Stay for International PatientsMajor swelling & bruising 1–2 weeks, stitches out on day 5–7, scar redness for several monthsPlastic surgeryBuried Suture vs. Incisional — Which Double Eyelid Surgery Suits Your Eyes?Major swelling: buried suture 3–5 days / incisional 1–2 weeks; incisional stitches come out on day 5–7Plastic surgeryBreast Augmentation in Korea — The Complete Guide for International PatientsMajor swelling 1–2 weeks, stitches out in 7–10 days, back to daily life in about 1 weekPlastic surgeryFacial Contouring in Korea — A Guide to Cheekbone, Jaw & Chin Surgery and Recovery for International PatientsMajor swelling 2–4 weeks, liquid diet 1–2 weeks, compression band for several weeksPlastic surgeryNose Filler vs Rhinoplasty — Which Nose Job Is Right for You?Filler: swelling 2–3 days / Surgery: major swelling and bruising 1–2 weeksPlastic surgeryUnder-Eye Fat Repositioning in Korea — The Complete Guide to Surgery, Recovery & Schedule for International PatientsMajor swelling and bruising for 1–2 weeks; stitches out in 5–7 days with a skin incisionPlastic surgeryLiposuction in Korea — The Complete Guide for International Patients: Areas, Recovery & ScheduleMajor swelling and bruising 2–3 weeks; compression garment usually 4–8 weeksPlastic surgeryFacial Fat Grafting Guide — From Survival Rate to Swelling Timeline & Stay PlanMajor swelling and bruising 1–2 weeks, shape settles in 1–3 months
Dental
DentalGum Contouring in Korea — The Complete Guide to Gummy Smile Diagnosis, Schedule & Recovery for International PatientsLaser: gums settle in 1–2 weeks; crown lengthening: stitches out at about 1 weekDentalVeneers vs Crowns — Choosing What Suits Your Teeth, a Guide for International PatientsNormal daily life right away with both; 1–2 weeks to get used to your new teethDentalRoot Canal & Cavity Treatment in Korea — The Complete Guide to Schedule and Travel Dental Emergencies for International PatientsYou can go about your day right away; avoid chewing on a temporarily sealed toothDentalAll-Ceramic Crowns in Korea — The Complete Guide for International Patients: Materials, Schedule & Aftercare at HomeYou can return to normal daily life right away; 1–2 weeks to get used to the biteDentalClear Aligners in Korea — The Complete Guide for International Patients: Diagnosis, Visit Schedule & Care After You Go HomeBack to daily life right away; speech may feel a little awkward for the first few daysDentalTeeth Whitening in Korea — The Complete Guide for International Patients: Methods, Schedule & AftercareNone, you can go back to normal life right away. Be careful with staining foods for about 48 hoursDentalPorcelain Veneers in Korea — The Complete Guide for International Patients: Diagnosis, Schedule & Aftercare at HomeNormal daily life right away; 1–2 weeks to get used to your new teethDentalDental Implants in Korea — The Complete Guide for International Patients: Diagnosis, Schedule & Aftercare at HomeSwelling peaks at 2–3 days and settles in about 1 week; stitches out at 7–10 days
Ophthalmology
Korean medicine & check-ups
Korean medicine & check-upsWomen's Health Checkup in Korea — A Guide for International VisitorsNone (if you also have a sedated endoscopy, rest for the rest of that day)Korean medicine & check-upsBasic vs Comprehensive Health Checkup in Korea — Choosing the Right Package for YouNo driving or alcohol on the day of a sedated endoscopy; back to normal life the next dayKorean medicine & check-upsHeart & Brain Checkup in Korea — The Complete Guide for International PatientsNone — back to normal life right after; drink plenty of water after contrast testsKorean medicine & check-upsCancer Screening in Korea — A Guide for International VisitorsNo driving or alcohol on the day of sedated endoscopy; back to normal routine the next dayKorean medicine & check-upsGastroscopy & Colonoscopy in Korea — The Complete Guide for International PatientsAfter sedation: no driving, alcohol or important decisions that day; most people are back to normal the next dayKorean medicine & check-upsHealth Checkup in Korea — The Complete Guide for International VisitorsNo driving or drinking on the day of a sedated endoscopy; back to normal the next day