Korean Skin clinic in Seoul: My Honest Experience at Pria
I had been so curious about Korean skin clinics for ages, because honestly, Korea is known for glowy skin, amazing beauty treatments and clinics that seem to be way ahead of the game. The first time I was in South Korea I was very overwhelmed and bought absolutely ZERO skincare AND visited 0 Korean skin clinics! Now I came more prepared!
For skincare recommendations, scroll down to see the best, craziest Korean skincare products that you can buy on amazon! Read my other posts on South Korea.
This blog post is sponsored by Pria Clinic, but as always, all thoughts, experiences and opinions are completely honest and genuine. This blog post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you and helps keep this website free.
Skincare I bought in South Korea
I was MEGA overwhelmed about what skincare products to buy when I first arrived as there’s SO MUCH and lots of it might not be in English. Here’s what you need to know and I just found out you can buy these on Amazon!
In order of importance I’d reccomend for any beginner:
- Sunscreen – Korean and Japanese sunscreen is unreal. I’ve been using it for 3 years and it’s like a gel serum that disappears into your skin FAST! It doesn’t smudge your makeup, it’s almost like putting water on your face.
- Retinoids – they LITERALLY force your skin to generate new healthy skin. It also improves texture, supports collagen and can be really helpful for acne, fine lines and keeping skin looking fresh.
- Vitamin C serum – the highest concentration of vitamin c I found on the market.
- Moisturiser – This one went mega viral for its glass skin properties and yes, it sold out EVERYWHERE in Korea! Plump, bouncy delicious skin!
- Ceramides – they are the ‘building blocks’ of your skin and this one has over 70 ceramides.
- Peptides – I have been using this one for 3+ years, it has 6 types of peptides. It feels like water and disappears into your skin super easy!
Morning Routine: Vitamin C & Sunscreen (moisturiser if you feel like it)
Evening Routine: Peptides & ceramides. Retinoids x 2-3 times per week. (and moisturiser if you feel like it).
Pria Clinic
While I was in Seoul, I visited Pria for two skin tightening treatments: Sofwave and Ultherapy.
I’m not overly keen on altering my face shape or look – I just want nice skin. I still wanted to look like me, just a little fresher, a little tighter and hopefully a little more snatched.
I’ve never had botox, fillers or any plastic surgery (genuinely no shade, but it’s good to be open so people know what results look like on my sort of face).
Treatments I HAVE had: microneedling, vitamin C facials… I had collagen once too (sorry I can’t remember the exact name of the treatment)!
This is my honest experience of what the clinic was like, how painful the treatments were, what the downtime was like and when you can expect to see results.
I’m not a doctor, so this is purely my personal experience. Always listen to your clinic and ask lots of questions during your consultation.
What Is Pria, a Korean Skin Clinic Actually Like?
Korean skin clinics are very efficient, which I personally love.
Pria is a Korean skin clinic in Seoul that focuses on skin care treatments for the face and body, with options that may include Ultherapy, Sofwave, skin booster treatments, laser, acne care, pigmentation & scar care and hair related treatments depending on your consultation. I liked that it felt more like a polished laser clinic than a rushed beauty appointment, and the whole experience was calm, clean and really easy to understand. You can usually book services depending on your skin concerns, whether that is lifting, glow, texture, acne, body, scar, care, hair or general skin maintenance, which makes it a handy choice if you are visiting Korea and want everything explained properly before committing to treatment.
Everything felt organised, clean and professional. The whole process was much smoother than I expected, and it did not feel intimidating once I was there.
At Pria, the clinic had a very calm, polished feel. You go in, have your consultation, chat through your skin concerns, then they recommend what they think is best for your face and goals. I did not feel pressured to get any treatments done (I’ve been to a clinic before where they push treatments on you!).
The thing I really liked was that it did not feel like a big dramatic treatment day. It felt more like popping in for a very high tech facial, except the results are aimed at deeper lifting and tightening rather than just surface level glow.
For me, the main focus was:
- Skin tightening
- Smile lines
- Helping with firmness
- Improving overall skin quality
- Keeping everything natural looking
Consultation Before Treatment
Before the treatment, I had a consultation where we spoke about my face, my skin and what I wanted to improve.
This part is really important because everyone’s face is different. Some people may need more lifting around the jawline, others might want help with cheeks, brows or general firmness.
During the consultation, they looked at my skin and explained which treatments would be best for me.
The two treatments I had were:
- Sofwave
- Ultherapy
Both use ultrasound energy, but they work at different depths in the skin. That is why some clinics recommend doing both, depending on what your skin needs.
I would definitely ask questions here, especially about pain, downtime, number of shots or pulses, and when you should expect to see results.
You Are Numbed Before Treatment
Before both treatments, numbing cream was applied to my face.
This makes such a difference. I would not say either treatment is completely painless, but being numbed first helps a lot.
The numbing cream was left on for a while before the actual treatment started, so your skin has time to feel properly numb.
I would also say this is the point where you start to feel a bit nervous, because you know the treatment is coming. But honestly, it was all very manageable.
Some areas of the face are naturally more sensitive than others, especially where there is less fat or where the bone feels closer to the surface.
Sofwave
Sofwave was definitely the spicier treatment for me.
It was not unbearable, but I could absolutely feel it. It felt hot and intense in certain areas, especially around the more sensitive parts of my face.
Pain Rating: 6 to 7 out of 10
For me, Sofwave was around a 6 to 7 out of 10 for pain.
Some parts were totally fine, then other parts were a bit more intense and I had to breathe through it.
It has a burning feeling, but then you get a stinging electric shock kind of pain. I would describe it as quick bursts of heat and pressure. Not awful, just spicy.
What Does Sofwave Do?
Sofwave is used for skin tightening and lifting.
It targets the mid dermis layer of the skin and helps stimulate collagen production. Collagen is what keeps the skin looking firm, bouncy and youthful, so the idea is that your skin gradually improves over time.
It is commonly used to help with:
- Fine lines
- Skin laxity
- Firmness
- Lifting
- Overall skin texture
It is not an instant facelift, so do not expect to walk out looking completely different. It is more of a gradual freshening and tightening treatment.
How Deep Does Sofwave Penetrate?
Sofwave usually targets around 1.5 mm deep in the skin.
This means it works more in the mid dermis, where it can help encourage collagen without going as deep as some other ultrasound treatments.
Your clinic should explain the exact settings they use, because this can vary depending on your skin and treatment area.
Downtime: A Few Hours
My downtime after Sofwave was very minimal.
My skin looked a little red afterwards, but this only lasted a few hours.
I could have easily gone out later that day. I probably would not plan a big event straight after, just in case your skin stays red for longer than expected, but overall it was very easy.
By the next day, there was nothing obvious on my face.
Ultherapy
Ultherapy was much easier than I expected.
I had heard people say Ultherapy can be really painful, so I was prepared for the worst, but for me it was actually less painful than Sofwave. I could have fallen asleep during this treatment.
It still felt strange in some areas, especially where the energy felt deeper, but it was very manageable.
Pain Rating: 3 out of 10
For me, Ultherapy was around a 3 out of 10 for pain.
There were a few zappy, deep sensations, but nothing too intense. I found Sofwave much stronger in terms of the electric stinging.
Obviously, pain is so personal. Some people might find Ultherapy more painful, especially around the jawline, forehead or bony areas. I only had my jawline done.
What Does Ultherapy Do?
Ultherapy is used for lifting and tightening.
It uses focused ultrasound energy to target deeper layers under the skin, which can help stimulate collagen and support a firmer look over time.
It is often used on areas like:
- Jawline
- Chin
- Neck
- Brow area
- Cheeks
The goal is to help lift and tighten without surgery, which is why it is so popular.
Again, this is not an instant dramatic result. It is more about gradual improvement as your skin starts producing more collagen.
How Deep Does Ultherapy Penetrate?
Ultherapy can target different depths depending on the area being treated.
It commonly works at depths such as 1.5 mm, 3 mm and 4.5 mm.
The deeper settings are one of the reasons Ultherapy is often used for lifting and tightening, especially around the lower face and jawline.
Your practitioner will choose the depth based on your face, skin thickness and treatment goals.
Downtime: A Few Hours
The downtime after Ultherapy was also very minimal for me.
Straight after the treatment, my skin looked a little flushed, but nothing dramatic.
By the next day, I could not see anything on my face at all. No bruising, no obvious swelling, no marks.
The only thing I noticed was soreness. My face still felt tender around 3 to 4 days later, especially when I touched certain areas.
It was not painful enough to bother me during the day, but if I touch it I can feel it being a bit sore.
When Will I See Noticeable Effects?
You can see some tightness quite soon after treatment, but the more noticeable results usually come later.
I was told to expect visible changes after around 1 month.
This is because the treatment works by stimulating collagen, and collagen takes time. Your skin needs weeks to start rebuilding and firming.
Results can continue improving over the following months, so it is not something where you judge everything the next morning.
Personally, I think this is why these treatments are so popular. The results can look natural because they appear gradually.
How Long Does Treatment Last?
Results usually last around 6 to 12 months, depending on your skin, age, lifestyle and the treatment plan recommended by the clinic.
Some people may do maintenance treatments once or twice a year, while others may wait longer.
Things like sun exposure, skincare, sleep, stress and general health can all make a difference to how long your results last.
For me, I liked that there was barely any downtime and I could still go about my trip in Seoul afterwards. I was filming the following day so couldn’t have anything with a longer down time!
FAQs
Is Sofwave more painful than Ultherapy?
For me, yes. Sofwave was around a 6 to 7 out of 10, while Ultherapy was around a 3 out of 10.
Can you see results straight away?
You might notice a little tightness, but the proper results usually appear gradually. I was told to expect noticeable effects after around 1 month.
Is there downtime?
For me, downtime was only a few hours. My skin was a bit red afterwards, but by the next day there were no visible signs.
Was your face sore afterwards?
Yes, especially after Ultherapy. My face still felt sore 3 to 4 days later, but there was nothing visible.
How long do the results last?
Results usually last around 6 to 12 months, depending on your skin and lifestyle.
Would I do it again?
Yes, I would. I liked that it felt natural, there was hardly any downtime and it was more about gradual tightening rather than a dramatic change.
