A Beauty Trip to Seoul: Ten Days, A Few Lasers, and a Very Full Itinerary

For anyone interested in the future of beauty, Seoul sits at the center of the conversation. The city has long been the epicenter of skincare innovation, where dermatology, aesthetics, and everyday beauty culture intersect with remarkable precision.

So when I decided to travel there for treatments, I approached the process the same way one might approach any major beauty decision: with research.

Months before boarding a plane, I began consulting with clinics and doctors across Seoul. Planning aesthetic treatments abroad can feel daunting – especially when you’re considering procedures you’ve never tried before—so clear communication became my top priority. I asked endless questions, compared recommendations, and paid close attention to how responsive each clinic was.

In the end, I chose clinics that were patient, transparent, and highly experienced with international patients. Interestingly, they also turned out to be among the more affordable options. Great reviews, excellent communication, reasonable pricing – it felt like all the right boxes were checked.

With the plans set, the itinerary became what can only be described as a beauty enthusiast’s dream: ten days in Seoul filled with dermatology appointments, aesthetic procedures, and just enough exploring in between to experience the city itself.

After an eleven-hour flight from Los Angeles we landed in Seoul and checked into the Mondrian Seoul Itaewon, tucked into the hillside of Itaewon. Itaewon turned out to be an ideal base for the trip. It’s centrally located with easy access to most neighborhoods across Seoul, yet still maintains a quiet, relaxed atmosphere – exactly what I needed for recovery evenings after treatments.

The hotel itself was also refreshingly affordable at around $200 per night (roughly $2,000 for the full stay). The first evening was intentionally simple: dinner with friends and a quiet night to settle in before the real beauty itinerary began.

The following morning, the treatment schedule officially began at Lamiche Dermatology, a clinic
recommended by an industry friend.

From the moment I arrived, it was clear why the clinic had such a strong reputation. Everything was spotless, efficient, and remarkably organized. It was also extremely welcoming to international patients, which immediately put me at ease.

My contact there, Dave, patiently answered what must have been dozens of questions. Since this was my first time receiving laser treatments abroad, I arrived very prepared – and very curious.

At Lamiche, the process begins with a comprehensive facial scan.
The technology maps everything happening beneath the surface of the skin: sun damage, pigmentation, clogged pores, texture irregularities. Seeing the results is both fascinating and slightly humbling.

After reviewing the scan with the doctor, he recommended a series of lasers designed to address sun damage, pigmentation, and overall skin clarity. The treatment began with an incredibly thorough facial cleanse, followed by numbing cream before the laser sequence started.

Over the course of roughly three hours, I received seven treatments:
• InMode (FX mode) to reduce fat cells under the chin
• Skin Botox using the Korean toxin Liztox to tighten and contour the jawline
• BBL IPL for pigmentation and age spots
• Accolade Laser to improve overall tone
• Excel V targeting red and brown pigmentation
• Fraxel Dual to treat deeper layers of the skin (arguably the least comfortable step)
• Omnilux Red LED to calm inflammation and stimulate collagen

Afterward, the clinic provided a prescription for antibiotics, which I filled at the pharmacy directly across the street. The pharmacist spoke English and the entire process took about two minutes—another reminder of how efficient Seoul’s medical ecosystem can be.

The cost for everything was around $3000.00

The next morning my skin felt slightly tight and sensitive, though nothing uncomfortable. Post-laser care is fairly simple: heavy moisturiser and diligent sunscreen.

My freckles and sun spots began to darken, which the clinic had warned me would happen as pigmentation surfaces before flaking away.

I spent the day exploring Seongsu-dong, one of Seoul’s most creative districts. Former warehouses now house fashion boutiques, design studios, and minimalist cafés, making it a perfect place for slow wandering.

The next day brought a consultation at Dream Clinic in Gangnam for a non-incisional eyelid procedure.
As I’ve gotten into my 40s, I began noticing that one eyelid had slowly become slightly droopier than the other. It was subtle, but noticeable enough that I wanted to address it.

A friend in the Korean music industry recommended Dream Clinic – mentioning that it’s one of the clinics frequently trusted by K-pop performers. The clinic was large, modern, and extremely busy. January, I learned, is peak season because many university students schedule procedures ahead of graduation photos.

The translators were incredibly kind and communicative, answering every question through WhatsApp before my visit. I was paired with medical director Dr.Tony YangSoo Park, who was both reassuring and highly experienced.

The following day was surgery day.

I underwent Non-incisional Double Eyelid Surgery, a technique that creates a natural eyelid crease using sutures rather than incisions. The procedure is done under local anesthesia and took only about 30minutes.

While I was understandably nervous beforehand, the experience itself was surprisingly straightforward. Afterwards I felt fine, though swollen slightly sensitive. The rest of the day was reserved for rest.

The total cost of the procedure was $1,400.

The following days were mostly dedicated to recovery. Swelling and bruising were expected (I bruise easily), but everything progressed normally.

Meanwhile, the lasers from earlier in the week were beginning to take full effect. The sun damage darkened, scabbed, and gradually flaked off. It was definitely a sunglasses-and-hat phase.

Since aesthetic treatments are significantly more affordable in Korea, I decided to do some
additional maintenance while I was there.

Through a beauty concierge (K Beauty Concierge) I was introduced to Day One Clinic in
Gangnam.

During the visit I received:
• Botox in my forehead and crow’s feet
• Trap Botox
• Chin and jaw filler
• Ultherapy on my double chin

The total cost was about $1,000. In Los Angeles, the same treatments could easily have cost
close to $5,000

By the final days of the trip, most of the pigmentation from the lasers had flaked away—and the results became visible.

My skin looked brighter, smoother, and dramatically more even. My pores appeared almost non existent, and the overall texture felt incredibly refined. The eyelids were still bruised and swollen but healing beautifully

And just like that, the trip was over.

Ten days in Seoul brought new beauty discoveries, innovative treatments, and a deeper appreciation for the city’s philosophy around skincare.

In Seoul, beauty isn’t treated as a quick fix. It’s approached as a real craft. One that evolves slowly, thoughtfully, and with remarkable precision. And perhaps that is the real secret behind the glow.