Last fact-checked: 16 January 2020

Smooth away skin imperfections with a chemical peel. In South Korea, cosmetic treatments are almost a way of life, and visiting a clinic for a minor procedure is about as normal as going for a haircut!

A professional chemical peel removes damaged outer layers of the skin and is an effective treatment for age-related problems, such as wrinkles or age spots, as well as for scarring and blemishes. 

Part of South Korea’s modern-day culture is to do everything you can to look your best. You’ll find beauty and surgical clinics on practically every block, so there’s no shortage of places to go for any kind of cosmetic treatment.

Chemical peels are available in different strengths, which is why you should do some research before you decide on a treatment. It’s important to note that:

• Light and medium chemical peels can be carried out in beauty salons

• A deep chemical peel is a very different procedure and must be done under surgical conditions as it usually requires general anesthesia

It’s always important to do your own research before you have any cosmetic treatment. While there are a lot of places offering cosmetic treatments in South Korea, it is difficult to know which ones are any good (especially with many only having Korean language websites). 

What is clear is that plastic surgery is extremely popular in South Korea, both for nationals and internationals. Medical Departures looks at a number of areas and includes our findings on our website for you to check yourself. This includes doctor qualifications, professional memberships, patient testimonials and criminal records checks. We also conduct onsite visits at clinics to check out the facilities ourselves, and we publish high-definition photos and clinic virtual tours on our site so you can get an idea too, enabling you to make an informed decision.

One of the oldest skincare techniques in the world, chemical peels (in some form or another) have been in use for centuries by the ancient Egyptians and Greeks. Modern peels consist of a combination of acids that are administered onto the skin. These effectively remove the outer layers of dead skin, revealing newer, blemish-free skin underneath.

The procedure for a deep chemical peel is quite different from the light and medium peels. For a deep peel, you will be given a general anesthetic before the doctor applies the chemicals to the skin in small sections. After a few moments, the product is removed before the doctor applies it to the next section.

For light and medium peels, the chemicals are applied all at once. You may experience some tingling before the product is removed. After the treatment is finished, cream or cold presses may be applied to soothe your skin.

Deep chemical peels need between two and three weeks’ recovery. Redness, swelling, skin crusting and peeling are normal after-effects. It could take up to three months before your face is fully healed and the full effects of the peel can be seen.

Light and medium peels have minimal side effects in comparison – a little redness, and maybe a little skin shedding, but nothing too much.

The results from a deep peel are very noticeable and can last for up to 10 years. Your skin will look better from the milder peels, but it may take around three treatments to see the best results, and it won’t have the same effect as the deep peel.

Chemical peels in South Korea are around 50% cheaper in South Korea than they are in Australia.

For prices, as well as clinic photos, surgeon profiles, patient reviews and other information, take a look at our three of our most popular partner clinics in South Korea for chemical peels: 

Oracle Clinic (Cheongdam)

Imageup Plastic Surgery

Eureka Dermatology

[Note: All of the above clinics are located in the capital, Seoul]

Discover our full list of quality-checked clinics for peels of Korea here.

To book, see below for ways to make a free appointment, or if you’ve any questions about chemical peels in South Korea speak to our Customer Care Team.

Sources:

Chemical Peels Are Most Popular Cosmetic Procedure. WebMD. Website accessed: 16 January 2010. https://www.webmd.com/beauty/news/20000509/chemical-peels-are-most-popular-cosmetic-procedure

Absolute Perfection: South Korea’s Obsession with Plastic Surgery. Breaking Asia. 23 May 2019.
https://www.breakingasia.com/360/absolute-perfection-south-koreas-obsession-with-plastic-surgery/

Chemical Peels. Mayo Clinic. 24 May 2018.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/chemical-peel/about/pac-20393473

(Image by: Travel Oriented)