After a skin treatment you leave the clinic and carry on travelling: you put on makeup, visit a sauna or jjimjilbang, swim, fly home. Clinics give different answers because the right advice depends on the treatment and on your skin. This guide gives no numbers on purpose. It gives you the questions to ask and a way to get the answers in writing before you leave.
Ask before you leave the clinic
| Situation | Ask the doctor |
|---|---|
| Makeup and sunscreen | When can I put on makeup? Which sunscreen should I use, and from when? |
| Hot baths, sauna, jjimjilbang (찜질방) | Is heat safe for my skin after this treatment? When can I go back? |
| Swimming pools and the sea | Can I swim? What about chlorine, salt water and shared hot tubs? |
| Flying | Is it fine to fly on the day I plan? Is there anything to do about dry cabin air? |
| Sun and outdoor plans | How careful must I be outdoors, and for how long? What if I am hiking or at the beach? |
| Exercise and alcohol | When can I exercise? Do I need to avoid alcohol? |
| Skincare products at home | Which products should I pause, such as acids, retinoids or scrubs, and which are safe to keep using? |
| Another treatment on this trip | Can I have another treatment during this stay, and how far apart should they be? |
| If it looks worse | Who do I contact, by what app or number, in which language and during which hours? |
Get it in writing
- Ask for an aftercare sheet in English. If there is none, ask the doctor to write the answers in your visit notes.
- Take a photo of the sheet and of the treated area before you leave.
- Save the clinic’s contact details and the doctor’s name in your phone.
- If you flew in for the treatment, tell the doctor your travel dates. Our trip planner helps you place treatments so there is room to recover.
Phrases to show or say
| English | Korean | Romanised |
|---|---|---|
| When can I wear makeup? | 화장은 언제부터 해도 되나요? | hwajang-eun eonje buteo haedo doenayo? |
| Can I go to a sauna or jjimjilbang? | 사우나나 찜질방에 가도 되나요? | saunana jjimjilbange gado doenayo? |
| Can I swim? | 수영해도 되나요? | suyeonghaedo doenayo? |
| Is it OK to fly? | 비행기 타도 되나요? | bihaenggi tado doenayo? |
| Who do I contact if it looks worse? | 더 나빠 보이면 누구에게 연락하나요? | deo nappa boimyeon nugu-ege yeollakhanayo? |
| Can I get an aftercare sheet in English? | 영문 주의사항 안내문을 받을 수 있나요? | yeongmun juuisahang annaemuneul badeul su innayo? |
Warning signs
- Increasing pain, pus, a bad smell or fever.
- Blisters or crusted areas that are not healing.
- Swelling or redness that spreads or gets worse instead of better.
Contact the clinic first, and read what to do if a skin treatment goes wrong.
Treatment guides with more detail
- Ultherapy, Thermage, Botox, dermal fillers
- Laser toning, pico laser, laser hair removal, acne scar treatment
- Skin boosters, hair loss treatment
Frequently asked questions
How long should I avoid the sun, heat or swimming?
It depends on the treatment and on your skin, so we do not give a number. Ask your doctor and get the answer in writing.
What if I only realise I have a question after I leave?
Message the clinic first. Keep the quote, receipts, photos and messages together.
General information, not medical advice. Confirm details with the licensed doctor who treated you. See the About page for our sources and corrections policy.