If you are reading this you probably are wondering if it’s worth it.

By the time you’ve come across this post you have already done countless hours of scrolling Korean beauty (K-beauty) hair scalp therapy and dermatological treatments like XERF or Ultherapy.

You have been bombarded by countless K-beauty ads and specials and feel totally overwhelmed. You’re thinking to yourself, “Am I really going to fly to South Korea for K-beauty and wellness? Why can’t I just do these treatments at home? Is it safe to have these beauty and wellness treatments done overseas? What about the language barrier?”

Yes, those were all questions I asked myself this past summer. I have been to Korea countless times, but never with the idea of going to a Korean beauty salon or dermatology clinic. I thought, “I don’t need this. I am fine just the way I am.”

But in all honesty, it was okay to admit that sometimes we all need a wellness reset. Everyone needs to take time to pamper themselves and Seoul is one of the best places to do that.

I had the fortune of being in Korea for an extended summer stay. I would recommend that if you want to get a lot of beauty treatments, that you stay at least 2 weeks – if not longer – so you can combine your wellness with a little bit of travel.

What I tried

  • Hair cut and color,
  • scalp therapy treatment, and
  • XERF.

I knew I didn’t want anything invasive. So I focused on these three experiences. The great thing is that for all three you don’t really need much downtime.

There are many hair salons and dermatology clinics in Seoul. Instead of listening to influencers, I would reach out to friends and family to see who does their treatment.

Where to stay

Wellness-focused: If this trip is centered around wellness and beauty, then I recommend that you stay near Gangnam or Hongdae. Luxury hotels in Gangnam include the Signiel, Josun Palace, and the Park Hyatt.

If, on the other hand, you want to do more sightseeing, then I recommend you stay near Gwanghwamun (the Four Seasons Seoul is the best luxury hotel in the city center). The reason I don’t recommend Gangnam for a sightseeing trip, is that most of the historic sights in Seoul are north of the river; so staying in Gangnam has you traveling an extra hour or so to your experiences.

Another hotel that is off the radar is the Conrad Seoul. This 5-star hotel is located on the island of Yeoido – on the Han River and well-appointed with two subway lines. It’s not the most lively place at night, unless you are there in the summer when people come to picnic at the river. It is, however, closer to Incheon airport and the city center if you want to do more sightseeing.

That being said, I didn’t go to Gangnam for any of the wellness treatments as Seoul is inundated with salons and dermatology hospitals in every corner.

Where I ate

Seoul has become more popular in recent years due to shows like Netflix’s Culinary Class Wars. This show has highlighted more than 100 restaurants and chefs in South Korea – many of these places have months-long waitlists.

One of the more famous restaurants is Mosu, spearheaded by celebrity chef judge Sung-Jae Anh. If Michelin-starred restaurants aren’t your thing, then I would head over to Euljiro (the new happening area) and dine at Yong Sam Sikdang – a hip joint that serves Korean BBQ. I would recommend downloading the Catch Table app to reserve a table.

Disclaimer: We are not medical professionals. Do what feels right for you. Everything we did was non-invasive and required little to no downtime.