The Ultimate Guide to Laser Hair Removal in South Korea


The Ultimate Guide to Laser Hair Removal in South Korea

 

As you are probably aware by now, South Koreans put a great deal of effort into maintaining their appearance, so it should be no surprise that cosmetic surgery and other beauty treatments are popular and even considered normal! Equipped with the latest technology, any procedure or treatment you can think of can probably be done in South Korea. That includes hair removal! 

While most people either wax or shave to remove unwanted hair, the preferred method for permanent hair removal among South Koreans is by far laser hair removal. This is a popular hair removal method in the West as well, so chances are you have already heard or know a bit about it. However, if this is something new to you or you simply want to know more about how the process works in South Korea, keep reading for everything you need to know about getting laser hair removal in South Korea! 

 

Am I a suitable candidate for laser hair removal?

 

Laser hair removal is not a treatment that is suitable for everyone. It proves most effective if you have pale skin and dark hair. The lighter the skin and darker the hair the more contrast there is, allowing the light from the laser to find and target the roots of the hair follicles easier. If you have blonde or light hair, or dark skin you might want to reconsider the effectiveness of laser hair removal and look into other alternatives. If you are still curious, a skilled practitioner will be able to advise you better on how effective the treatment will be for you personally! 

The other thing to remember is that even though laser hair removal produces permanent results, it is not a one-time treatment. In order to see visible results you need to be willing to commit to regular sessions, which could be up to 10 times for one area (depending on your hair thickness and the type of laser used). If you only have a limited time in South Korea, consider how long you will be here in relation to the amount of sessions you will require for the area you want treated before paying for a package. Make sure to take into account the waiting time between each session, which can range between 4 - 8 weeks depending on the clinic’s policies and how sensitive your skin is. 

 

Why do laser hair removal in South Korea?

South Korea is a medical, beauty, and health destination for people around the world. This is in part thanks to the efficiency, incredible attention to detail, technology and of course, the cost. 

The technology of the lasers used in South Korea also differs from those used in other countries. Having had laser hair removal done in both Canada and South Korea, I preferred the experience I had here! I found it to be faster, less invasive, and less expensive. The most common type of laser technology used in South Korea is called the Alexandrite laser

Treatments in South Korea are almost always less expensive than in North America, including laser treatments. The price varies depending on the clinic you visit, the size of the area you want treated, and the number of sessions you require. As an example, at the clinic I visited I had various areas treated, one of them being underarms. I paid for a package of 5 sessions which cost me 114,000 KRW total (approximately $96 USD). This same treatment in North America would cost approximately $100 per session. PER SESSION! You can see why I took advantage of these prices and got multiple areas treated. 

There are many clinics in South Korea, especially in the Gangnam area that offer laser hair removal services, so it might be worthwhile to do a bit of research to compare the different clinics to find out exactly what they offer and at what price point.  

 

What is the procedure like for laser hair removal?

 

In terms of actually contacting a clinic, most can be contacted through phone, over email, or sometimes through open chat via KakaoTalk – if you are new to Korea and don’t know what that is, take a look at this article for some apps you need to make your life easier while living in South Korea. There is always someone who can speak English that you can communicate with and you can ask to book a consultation or make your first appointment right away. They might ask you some questions such as if this is your first time doing laser, or how long ago your last appointment was. Upon arrival at the clinic they might ask you some additional questions such as if you have sensitive skin or had reactions to treatment in the past! 

You will also be asked to shave the area you are having treated before arriving at the clinic for your appointment. This is standard and done so the light can penetrate into the hair shaft and retain its energy to kill the root. They will take you into a private room and instruct you on what to do and the technician will give you protective eye goggles before starting the treatment to prevent any damage. 

The treatment isn’t painful, but you might feel an uncomfortable prickling sensation in some areas that are more sensitive and you may smell some burning as the hairs and roots are being destroyed! One of the reasons I preferred having laser hair removal done in South Korea was because of the type of machine used. In North America the treatment process included putting a cooling cream on my skin during the treatment so the laser would not burn me since the machine came in direct contact with my skin and was hot! This meant showering after my treatments and having extra product on my skin which I didn't enjoy. In Korea however, they blow very cold air on your skin as the laser is used and the machine never actually comes in direct contact with your skin, which means no extra creams or gels and no potential damage to your skin from the heat!

Depending on the area being treated, appointment times can range from 10 minutes to 1 hour. Although, you would have to have many areas done in one session for the time to reach 1 hour. The maximum amount of time I spent at a clinic for laser hair removal was 45 minutes – this is from the moment that I stepped in the clinic to the time that I left – and I had 3 areas treated in one session!

 

What is the recovery time for laser hair removal?

After your treatment your skin might be a bit red, but it should fade after about 10 minutes or at most 30 minutes. Often clinics will offer you ice packs for your face so you don't walk out looking rosy if you had laser treatment somewhere visible to others. If the technicians think you might need after care, they should provide you with soothing creams and instructions for how to use them. 

You should be hair-free and smooth immediately after the treatment. Hair might begin to grow back but should fall out after about a week with some exfoliation since the root has been burned. After this, results will last approximately 4-6 weeks (the time of your next treatment) depending on your hair thickness and growth rate. 

You will notice that as you continue the treatments eventually the hair that grows back will be finer until it barely comes back at all! It is also worth mentioning that if you must, shaving in between treatments is okay, but you should never wax or pluck the areas being treated since that will undo the effects of the laser treatment. 

Besides the excellent level of service and great technology in South Korean clinics, the price difference is also an incredibly lucrative factor in deciding to get laser hair removal treatments done in South Korea. If you are unsure or still have any questions about the process, make sure to ask the doctors at your clinic before proceeding with any treatment to make sure you are receiving the services that are best for you!