PRE-TREATMENT CHECKLIST: WHAT TO DO 7 DAYS BEFORE YOUR SEOUL VISIT
A practical 7-day countdown for your first Korean aesthetic appointment, what to stop, what to start, and what to bring on the day.
By Editorial
How well your Korean aesthetic appointment goes is partly determined the week before you walk in. Here's the 7-day countdown most experienced patients follow, what to stop, what to start, and what to bring.
7 DAYS BEFORE, STOP BLOOD THINNERS
Stop any non-essential blood thinners that increase bruising risk. This includes: aspirin (unless prescribed), ibuprofen and other NSAIDs, fish oil, vitamin E supplements, garlic supplements, ginkgo biloba, ginseng. If you're on prescribed anticoagulants, do NOT stop without your prescribing doctor's approval.
Reducing blood thinners 7 days out cuts injection bruising by ~50% in most patients. The difference is visible, bruise-free filler is the difference between social confidence on day 3 and a turtleneck for two weeks.
5 DAYS BEFORE, ALCOHOL OFF
Stop alcohol consumption. Alcohol acts as a vasodilator and increases bruising risk on injection day. Five clear days is the standard recommendation; three days minimum if five isn't practical.
3 DAYS BEFORE, GENTLE SKINCARE ONLY
Pause active skincare ingredients: retinols/retinoids, AHAs/BHAs, vitamin C in high concentrations, exfoliating treatments. Switch to gentle hydration and SPF only. Aggressive actives in the days before injection can sensitise the treatment area and amplify post-procedure redness.
24 HOURS BEFORE, SLEEP AND HYDRATE
Hydrate aggressively the day before. Get a normal night's sleep, fatigued skin shows more bruising. Don't do an intense workout the morning of (raised cortisol increases inflammation response). Skip caffeine if you're sensitive to it.
“Bruise-free filler is the difference between social confidence on day 3 and a turtleneck for two weeks.”
MORNING-OF CHECKLIST
- 01Wash your face with a gentle cleanser, no makeup before the appointment.
- 02Bring your passport, Korean clinics scan it for the procedure record.
- 03Bring a printed or screenshot list of any allergies, current medications, and previous aesthetic treatments with dates.
- 04Wear a hat and sunglasses for the post-clinic walk back, fresh injection sites are sun-sensitive.
- 05Arrive 15 minutes early, paperwork takes longer than at a Western clinic.
- 06Do not take ibuprofen for the headache you might have. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) is fine; ibuprofen thins blood.
WHAT TO SKIP
Don't schedule a facial, peel, or laser treatment in the 7 days before injection. Don't book a flight that lands the same day as your procedure (cabin pressure can increase post-injection swelling for the first 24 hours). Don't plan an intense gym session for the day of or day after.
THE 24-HOUR-AFTER RULE
For 24 hours post-procedure: no makeup on injection sites, no exercise, no saunas or hot showers (cool water is fine), no sleeping face-down. Most clinics will give you written instructions; follow them precisely for the first 48 hours.
First-timer · 6 min · Apr 14, 2026
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