Doubt the magnitude of Korea’s beauty allure? Consider this: the Korean cosmetics market surged to a whopping US$6.57 billion in 2023, and is expected to reach US$9.05 billion by 2029. And yet, these figures only scratch the surface of South Korea’s beauty industry—especially when you enter the realm of beauty tourism in South Korea.
Following the global surge of K-beauty products, another trend is swiftly sweeping through social media platforms — beauty treatments in Korea. Attributable to the beauty tourism boom, the number of foreign tourists visiting Korea in 2023 exceeded 11 million, reaching 63 per cent of the pre-COVID level, with over 1 million arrivals monthly — a 245 per cent increase from 2022.
These are the hottest beauty treatments sweeping across the global stage:
Personal Colour Analysis
Without a single doubt, personal colour analysis is the biggest trend to come out of South Korea. Used by politicians and chief executive officers for decades, personal colour analysis aims to assign individuals flattering colours that inform their choices about clothing, makeup, and accessories based on their complexions and skin tones. Colour consultants drape hundreds of fabric swatches across clients’ to examine what makes their faces light up. With origins from the four-season colour theory, colours are categorized into tones and further divided into Spring, Autumn, Summer, and Winter colours — so you can decide whether you’re a Vivid Winter or a Calm Summer.
Some of the famous personal colour analysis labs are Dustmoth Stography, Cocory Personal Colour, Meime Colour and Beauty, and Colour Wings. Prices in Korea can range anywhere between $100 to $300 USD.
15-Step Scalp Treatment
You might be thinking, do I really need to spend hours getting a deep cleanse for my scalp when the hair spa at my next-door salon works perfectly fine? Yes, you do.
Indulging in this 15-step hair spa in Seoul is a journey into ultimate relaxation and rejuvenation. From the moment you sit into that salon chair, every step is a meticulous ritual designed to pamper your scalp and your hair. The hair spa broadly consists of a consultation session with a therapist, a scalp analysis, exfoliation, massaging, and hair treatment.
One of the trending hair spa spots in Seoul, Eco Jardin by Park Jun, have their 15 steps listed out on their website—including galvanic LED scaling, steam mist session, deep neck massage, this hair spa oozes luxury and wellness for your hair.
Skincare Procedures
Korean beauty treatments are the holy grail of skincare. Boasting the most sophisticated aesthetic market in the world, it is the destination if you’re looking to get skin treatment procedures done over the weekend — only to return back to work on Monday.
Beauty tourism is booming in the country for two reasons. First, Korean skincare treatments aren’t just trends, but backed up by science and technology that have stood the test of time and are constantly becoming more advanced. Secondly, beauty procedures that can cost you an arm and a leg in your home countries are much more affordable and accessible in South Korea. The country even issues a cosmetic surgery tax refund to non-Korean passport holders.
These are some of the most well-known and sought-after skincare treatments in the country:
● Aqua peels: Used to treat skin texture, this is a chemical peeling process that exfoliates and hydrates the skin at the same time. The treatment uses a device that applies a vacuum to a skin’s surface and infuses it with AHA, BHA, and hydration solutions.
● Skin Botox: Different from your regular, old botox that makes you shudder, skin botox is actually quite common in South Korea. Unlike traditional botox that is injected into the muscles, skin botox injections are injected into the outer layer and lifts the skin, giving your face that instant glass skin look. Korean dermatologists use Skin Botox to target pores to create an all-over smoothing effect.
● Derma fillers: Less daunting than botox, fillers are hyaluronic injections done to fill up wrinkles and make the skin look more plump. Completely subtle, it’s commonly used to add volume and enhance facial features.
PPEEUM Clinic, Muse Clinic, and Lienjang are some of the most famous clinics in Seoul.
AI-Analysis for Your Skin
Before you splurge on K-beauty products, Korean dermatologists are now using artificial intelligence to detect and diagnose your skin’s strengths and weaknesses. The unique technologies can determine the state of fine lines, wrinkles, and pores and can recommend the exact beauty products you need to buy.
So, without further ado, book your tickets to South Korea for a wellness treat for yourself.
