PRE-TREATMENT CHECKLIST: WHAT TO DO 7 DAYS BEFORE YOUR SEOUL VISIT

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.