Our Korean counterparts know what’s up when it comes to skincare. Not only did they pioneer the use of sheet masks (alongside the Japanese) but they’re also behind many a trend, from skin flooding to skip-care. They love trying new treatments, tricks and trends, and it shows – they are known for their luminous skin.
Want to know what treatments they’re loving right now? Vogue spoke to Dr Jinah Yoo, a Korean UK-trained consultant dermatologist, about the treatments to look for now. “When it comes to beauty trends, Korea is light-years ahead of the West,” she notes. “They use advancements in technology and treatments to create glowy, even and healthy skin.”
Stem cell therapy
“Part of a new field known as regenerative medicine, stem cell therapy is extremely popular. Stem cells are known as the ‘mother cell’ and they help regenerate new cells in the area in which they’re injected. As bloods or fat (which is where you find them) are harvested from each patient’s own body, the risk of complication is minimal and much more advanced than exosome therapy, which is gaining popularity in the UK right now. It can be administered through an IV or as an injectable. If you opt for the former, it can strengthen the immune system, anti-age, boost energy levels and revitalise the liver and intestines for optimised wellbeing too. Alternatively, by injecting concentrated stem cells directly into the areas that need intensive regeneration, you can boost collagen regeneration, reinforce the skin barrier, improve skin elasticity and even out skin tone. I highly recommend it for patients suffering from conditions such as psoriasis and alopecia.”
Titanium lifting
“A cutting-edge Korean method that focuses on skin tightening, Titanium lifting uses infrared light energy to deeply heat the collagen layer in the skin, which helps to tighten it. It’s one of my tried and tested favourites as it’s pain-free, there’s no downtime and it offers many benefits, including improvements in facial contouring, skin tightening, pore reduction and overall skin tone enhancement.”
Skin boosters
“Skin boosters are widely used in Korea as they improve skin texture, elasticity, hydration and overall skin appearance. JuveLook is one of my preferred brands – it uses a combination of hyaluronic acid and poly d-lactic acid to provide a dual effect of intense hydration and collagen stimulation. It also improves fine lines and wrinkles, skin elasticity and texture, while reducing pore size. Skin boosters are great for long-term skin rejuvenation. In fact, there’s a big focus in Korea on combining different types of treatment to optimise results. Skin boosters that combine exosomes with polynucleotides, for example, are incredibly popular, plus I also offer a combination of Sofwave, Ultherapy and Thermage, all of which are non-invasive aesthetic treatments that when used together, offer amazing facial contouring and lifting results.”