Patient case · in the doctor's own words
A One-Day Toning Package in Seoul: Majid's PicoSure Visit and the Honest Bit About Pain, From His Doctor
Majid (@ranamajid007) did a skin scan, then a one-day toning programme for pigment, uneven tone and dullness. His doctor walks through every step, why some lasers sting, and what it costs.
Explained by
Dr. Hyunji Kim
Director · Lead Physician · Lifting, Laser & Anti-aging
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I'm grateful when a patient posts the uncomfortable part too. I'm Dr. Hyunji Kim, director of Delphic Clinic by Sinnonhyeon Station in Gangnam; I trained at Korea University Medical Center and personally consult and treat our international patients, a growing number of them men. Majid asked for the “glass skin” result he'd seen online and admitted on camera that some lasers hurt. Both deserve a straight answer. Here is what each step of his one-day programme does, why it stings, what the components cost on our menu, and whose skin I would not treat this way.
Medically reviewed · Dr. Hyunji Kim ·
In her own words
first, they did a 3D Meta-View skin scan and later while having consultation with the doctor, they told me what my skin actually needed 👀 … now the honest downside… some of those lasers definitely HURT. 😂🔥 but afterwards? My skin looked hydrated, brighter, and seriously glowy. ✨
Why the scan decided his programme, not the hashtag
“Glass skin” is a look, not a diagnosis. Under the scan, the same dull-looking skin can be mostly surface pigment, mostly redness from dilated vessels, or simply dehydration. Each needs a different laser setting, and getting it wrong wastes a session.
Majid's scan and consultation pointed to pigment and uneven tone first, with some redness on top. That is why his programme layered several steps instead of a single toning pass. I explain what the scan shows in more detail in my note on Seoul skin analysis and the consultation.
Six steps, one visit: what each one is for
- 1
PicoSure toning
A 755nm picosecond laser that breaks up melanin in very short pulses while sparing the surrounding tissue. This is the step aimed at pigment.
- 2
Genesis toning and the redness laser
On our menu this work runs on the GV laser, which uses 532nm and 1064nm wavelengths and different modes for vessels, tone and texture.
- 3
LDM
High-density ultrasound used here to calm the skin after the lasers, with a mode chosen for hydration or redness.
- 4
Vitamin infusion and modeling pack
Vitamin C pushed into the skin with ionto, then a cooling pack to finish. These support brightness and comfort rather than doing the heavy lifting.
“Some of those lasers definitely hurt”: he's right, and here's why
Pigment lasers deliver energy in short bursts, and many people feel them as quick snaps, like a rubber band on the skin. Redness modes heat the small vessels, which can feel hotter than toning. Areas with thinner skin or more pigment tend to feel it more.
I adjust the energy as I go and pause whenever you ask. It's a short discomfort, not a reason to push through silently. The soothing steps at the end of Majid's programme exist partly for exactly this.
What the core steps cost on our menu
We publish prices and there is no separate list for foreigners, something Majid noticed too. The package itself is priced at the consultation; the table shows the first-visit menu prices of its main laser and soothing components.
- Pico Sure Toning + 1 Session of Mask (First-visit trial)₩40,000≈ $30
- session 1 session of GV Laser (one mode) (First-visit trial)₩89,000≈ $60
- LDM 6min (Choose 1 mode: Hydration/Acne/Redness) (First-visit trial)₩39,000≈ $30
VAT excluded · identical for Korean and international patients · these are first-visit menu prices for the main components, not the package price Majid paid · regular prices: PicoSure toning + mask ₩50,000, GV laser ₩120,000 · the final programme is set at the free consultation.
Toning is usually a course, not a single visit, and repeat sessions follow the regular menu. For the full arithmetic, see what PicoSure toning really costs in Korea and how a glass skin treatment bill adds up visit by visit.
The glow you see the same day, and the change that takes longer
- Same day: hydrated, brighter skin is common after the soothing and infusion steps, which matches what Majid described.
- Days after: mild redness or fine flaking can appear and usually settles within a few days.
- Over weeks: pigment fades gradually across a series of sessions, typically spaced 1–2 weeks apart for PicoSure.
- Sunscreen is part of the treatment. Without it, pigment tends to come back.
Planning it into a Seoul trip
- 1
Before you fly
Message us on WhatsApp with a photo in daylight and your dates. I'll say whether a one-day programme fits or whether your pigment needs a slower plan.
- 2
On the day
Scan, consultation with me, then treatment. Interpretation is available in English and Chinese, a short walk from Sinnonhyeon Station Exit 3.
- 3
After
No scrubs, peels, retinol or whitening products for a few days; plenty of moisturiser and sunscreen.
Is this for you?
Who this combination genuinely suits
Signs it may be time
- Your skin looks dull even with a good routine
- You see uneven patches or spots in daylight photos
- Redness and pigment seem to overlap on your cheeks
- You want to start a toning course while you're in Seoul
A good fit if
- Your main concerns are pigment, uneven tone and dullness rather than sagging
- You want several concerns addressed in one visit during a short trip
- You can wear sunscreen consistently afterwards
- You accept some brief discomfort during the laser steps
Not the right first step if: you have an active skin infection, a fresh sunburn or deep tan, are using strong retinoids or recently had a peel, or your main issue is sagging; I'll recommend a different starting point in those cases.
“Send me a daylight photo before your trip. I'll tell you whether a one-day toning programme makes sense for your pigment or whether a gentler, slower plan is wiser.”
Questions patients ask me about this
How much is PicoSure toning in Korea?
At Delphic Clinic, PicoSure toning with a mask is ₩40,000 at the first-visit price and ₩50,000 regularly (VAT excluded). International patients pay the same as Korean patients.
Does pico toning hurt?
Many people feel quick snapping sensations, and redness modes can feel hotter. The doctor adjusts the energy as treatment goes and can pause at any time, and soothing steps like LDM help afterwards.
Can PicoSure, Genesis toning and LDM be done on the same day?
Yes, they are often combined in one visit: PicoSure targets pigment, laser modes on the GV laser address redness and tone, and LDM calms the skin. The order and settings are decided at the consultation.
Is there downtime after a toning package?
Usually you can return to normal plans the same day. Mild redness or fine flaking can appear for a few days, so moisturiser and sunscreen are important.
How many toning sessions do I need for pigmentation?
Pigment usually fades over a series of sessions rather than one. PicoSure is typically spaced 1–2 weeks apart, and the number depends on the type and depth of the pigment.
Do foreigners pay more at Korean skin clinics?
At Delphic Clinic, no. International patients pay exactly the same published prices as Korean patients, and English and Chinese interpreters are available.
Get a free 1:1 consultation
Message our English-speaking team — same price as locals, no pressure.
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