Does your skin keep feeling tight during your trip to Korea, with even your usual products stinging? If so, it is better to have a medical assessment of why your skin feels uncomfortable before booking a new facial. Please tell us first if the dryness comes with redness, cracks, a rash, or persistent burning when you apply skincare products.
You may be hoping that a facial will make your skin feel more comfortable. However, we need to understand what is causing the irritation before deciding which products and treatments may suit your skin. We will ask when the discomfort began, whether you recently changed any products or had a procedure, and then examine your skin with you.
How is simple dryness different from irritation that needs an assessment?
Dry skin can feel tight, flaky, itchy, or cracked. If even a moisturizer or cleanser continues to burn or sting, we need to consider causes other than dryness. Let us know if you also have redness, a rash, or oozing skin.
There are many reasons why skin may feel sensitive, including a damaged skin barrier, a skin condition, or a reaction to a particular ingredient. We will not decide on a cause from the word “sensitive” alone. We will look at when your symptoms began and how they have changed.
If you have severe pain, a rapidly spreading rash, or swelling around your eyes or mouth, do not wait for a cosmetic treatment appointment. Please seek medical care at a nearby medical facility.
Which recent products, medications, and procedures should I tell the medical team about?
Tell us when you started using a new product and when your skin began to feel uncomfortable. A photo of the packaging or ingredient list can help us identify the product.
- Cleansers, moisturizers, sunscreen, and any new cosmetics
- Retinoids, exfoliating ingredients, and acne medication
- Prescription medication and supplements you are taking
- Recent peels, laser treatments, injections, or lifting procedures, including the dates
- Allergies and previous diagnoses such as atopic dermatitis or rosacea
Do not stop a medication or change the way you use a prescribed product on your own. After considering your current symptoms and the reason for treatment, the medical team will advise whether to continue or adjust it.
Why do we check your skin before a glass skin treatment?
Even if you want a glass skin or sensitive skin facial, we first examine your current skin condition. We need to check whether the products and steps involved suit your skin. The level of irritation can differ depending on whether the treatment uses topical products only or also includes exfoliation, suction, or an energy-based device.
Before booking, ask which products and steps are used and whether areas that currently sting or have broken skin can be left out. Even if you are considering a hydrating recovery treatment or LED care, we will first check whether the products and devices involved suit your symptoms and current skin condition.
If your skin has become highly reactive and compromised, recovery comes before a new cosmetic treatment. The reason for the sensitivity and the condition of the skin differ from one patient to another, so the way we support recovery also differs.
At YJ Central Dermatology & Plastic Surgery Clinic, we decide during the consultation whether you need soothing care, light therapy, oral medication, topical medication, or an anti-inflammatory injection. Once your skin has recovered, we can examine it again and may recommend another cosmetic treatment, such as a glass skin facial.
What recovery considerations matter if I have a flight or photo shoot?
Tell us the dates if you have a flight, an important photo shoot, a long outdoor activity, swimming, or a sauna planned. After deciding what treatment you will receive, we will explain the expected skin response and when you can wash your face, wear makeup, use sun protection, and resume your usual skincare products.
Recovery time and when you can fly after a procedure depend on the treatment and your skin condition. If your skin is uncomfortable and your schedule is tight, it is fine to have a consultation only this time. We will examine your skin and discuss how and when to care for it.
Frequently asked questions
Does dry skin always mean sensitive skin?
Some people have dryness alone, while others also have a skin condition or irritation from a particular ingredient. We assess how long the symptoms have lasted and whether you also have redness or a rash.
Should I stop retinoids or exfoliating products on my own?
Do not adjust a medication or prescribed product on your own. Tell us the product name, how often you use it, when you last used it, and what symptoms you have now. We will examine your skin and advise you how to use it.
Can I have a glass skin treatment right away if I have no obvious symptoms?
We check your current skin condition even when you do not have obvious symptoms. If your skin has become highly reactive and compromised, recovery comes first. Because the cause and condition differ for each patient, we decide during the consultation whether soothing care, light therapy, oral medication, topical medication, or an anti-inflammatory injection is needed. Once your skin has recovered, we can assess it again and may recommend another cosmetic treatment, such as a glass skin facial.
Send YJ Central details of when your skin began to feel uncomfortable, the products and medication you use, any recent procedures, and your travel schedule. We will begin by discussing the possible cause and examining your skin. Enquire on WhatsApp · Enquire on LINE
References: Sensitive Skin & Redness Center · Dry skin guidance — American Academy of Dermatology · Sensitive skin guidance — Cleveland Clinic
Minjung Choi, M.D.
Medical Director · Board-certified Dermatologist
- Medical Director, YJ Central
- Internship and dermatology residency, Ewha Womans University Mokdong Hospital
- Author or co-author of five peer-reviewed dermatology papers