Five new minimally invasive anti-ageing treatments from Korea, world capital of innovative skincare
The multipronged approach to anti-ageing in South Korea has resulted in a wide range of innovative non-surgical treatments for patients. We look at some of the most popular in a country trying desperately to hide its wrinkles
Seoul is currently the world’s undisputed capital for all things skincare and cosmetics.
The South Korean capital is renowned for popularising trends such as BB creams, strobing (highlighting) and the 10-step skincare routine – not to mention more dramatic plastic surgery procedures including V-line (jaw reduction) surgeries, double eyelid surgeries and a range of other operations.
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It has now also become a global mecca for anti-ageing innovations and is pioneering some of the most advanced treatments in the world. This reflects the needs of the country’s rapidly ageing population – there are more senior citizens than young people, while the median age stands at 41.8 years compared to the global average of 30.4.
“In the early days [of plastic surgery], people wanted to change their eyes or noses to become more beautiful. Nowadays, Koreans want to look younger, on top of becoming prettier,” said Hwang Jang-Ik, a dermatologist at ID Hospital in Seoul. “We can make them look five to 10 years younger.”
While the range of anti-ageing procedures available in South Korea is astounding – both surgical and non-surgical – what sets Korean anti-ageing procedures apart from the rest of the world are the innovative and minimally invasive new methods doctors have developed for otherwise common procedures.
