Do Koreans scrub in the shower?

Author: Elva Miller I  |  Last update: Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Korean body scrubs, known in Korea as “seshin,” are a distinctive type of body treatment that involves a deep exfoliation process. During this treatment, you're typically in a wet room or shower area where a therapist uses a special scrubbing mitt made from viscose fabric to scrub your entire body vigorously.

Does body scrub go on in the shower?

Begin with wet skin in the shower—warm-to-hot water is ideal to soften the skin. Allow the shower to run for 5-10 minutes and let the warm water soften the skin and prepare for exfoliation. Pause the running water while you exfoliate. Apply the sugar or salt scrub in a circular motion.

How painful is Korean body scrub?

The only thing that wasn't scrubbed was the inner layers of my lady parts and palms of hands. Otherwise, she got into every crevice of my body. The scrub was not painful at all (make sure to soak in the baths for a while prior and use bar soap when you shower). I felt so clean afterward and relaxed.

How to use Korean shower scrub?

Directions:
  1. Start by wetting your skin in the shower, bath or sauna. ...
  2. Take the Korean Bath Towel and wet it with warm water. ...
  3. Using gentle, circular motions, begin to scrub your skin with the towel. ...
  4. Pay special attention to areas that tend to be rough or dry, like your elbows, knees, and heels.

What is a Korean body scrub like?

A Korean body scrub, or seshin, is a traditional exfoliation treatment performed in Korean bathhouses. Using textured mitts, the skin is vigorously scrubbed after a steam or soak to remove dead skin cells and reveal smooth, rejuvenated skin.

7 TOXIC Skincare Trends That Need To DIE!

How often should you do Korean scrub?

To see improvements in the areas listed above, you should get a scrub once a week to keep your skin healthy or at least once a month. Regular weekly scrubs improve skin appearance, blood circulation, and muscle relaxation. To book an appointment with our experienced professionals, click here.

What do you wear to a Korean body scrub?

Scrubs are done in a semi-private station in the bath house. While we do encourage you to go completely nude, you are allowed to wear a bathing suit bottom, should you wish. You'll leave with softer skin than you ever could imagine.

Can I wear a tampon to a Korean spa?

You can come to the bathhouse on your period as long as you use a tampon or menstrual cup. Best to leave your jewelry at home so it doesn't fall off while you're in the bath or getting scrubbed. Bring face moisturizer and maybe body lotion too to apply after the scrub since your skin will be quite dry after.

Should I shave before a Korean body scrub?

However, you should wait at least 24 hours after shaving before getting a body scrub. This is because shaving can cause microscopic abrasions and irritation to the skin, and exfoliation could make it worse.

What happens if you dont scrub your body in the shower?

What if you don't exfoliate? Well, your skin naturally sheds dead skin cells on its own, but sometimes they can pile up on the surface, which can cause a handful of skin irks like dullness, dryness, and clogged pores.

Can you use body scrub on your private area?

Use a gentle exfoliating scrubs for your bikini line and pubic area prior to shaving. We recommend staying away from harsh chemicals or exfoliants that are too aggressive for the sensitive skin in your pubic area. Typically a sugar based scrub with natural oils is common to use.

What are the disadvantages of body scrubs?

If you have a sensitive skin one can also have allergic reactions to the chemicals present in the synthetic scrubs as well. 2. Over scrubbing can result in open pores which are exposed to pollution and UV rays at the same time. It also leaves your skin more prone to infections and tanning.

What makes Korean skin so flawless?

Koreans take skincare very seriously, and that is evident from their beautiful glowing skin. Not all of that is genetic. It's the result of an extensive skincare routine and naturally sourced hydrating extracts present in almost all Korean skincare ranges.

Do Koreans exfoliate everyday?

Another Korean skin care classic is exfoliation and, even though this step can be performed every day *unless you want to tear and dry out your skin*, it's a crucial time-to-time step that you shouldn't skip. Koreans typically exfoliate their skin 2-3 times per week using either a physical or chemical exfoliator.

How is Korean skin so glowy?

In ancient times, Koreans used natural water-rich ingredients like cucumber, tomatoes, and watermelon to tone and prep their skin. So, while buying a toner, you can look for these ingredients to minimise the appearance of pores and brighten the skin tone.

Do Korean girls use pads or tampons?

Chapter 8 shows that, compared to women in Western countries, women in South Korea slowly adopted disposable sanitary pads and other feminine-hygiene technologies. In fact, many women continued to use self-made sanitary napkins, and for a long time they rejected the use of tampons as a Western invention.

What are the unspoken rules of a Korean spa?

If you're going to the baths, you need to remove all your clothing, bringing only a small towel and toiletries with you (wear your locker key on your wrist). If you're going to the sauna, change into the pajamas provided. The cardinal rule here is that you need to wash before getting into the baths.

What is a Korean bath?

It's a wellness experience featuring various saunas, hot baths, cold plunges, and body scrubs that promote detoxification and improve circulation. Many Korean spas also include amenities such as heated rooms with clay, salt, or jade, designed to relieve stress and boost overall wellness.

Are Korean spas coed?

A Korean spa is comprised to two main elements. Saunas that are coed and for everyone, and the women and men only sections that are for bathing.

Do you shower with body scrub?

A body scrub should be used one to three times a week during your shower. You can use it before or after washing the body. Consider the pros and cons of both approaches to decide which is better for you.

How much to tip at Korean spa?

Tipping at a spa in South Korea

Although in many places around the world it is appropriate to leave a small tip to your therapist, in South Korea there will be no such expectation. Instead, be polite and respectful to the staff, and thank them at the end of the session.

What happens during a Korean body scrub?

“Seshin” is an intense Korean cleaning process that entails soaking in hot water then getting VIGOROUSLY scrubbed with a thin, sandpaper-like loofah mitt to rid the body of all the gunky dirt and layers of dead skin that accumulate naturally.

What is a Korean full body massage?

What Is Korean Relaxation Massage? Practised on a futon or mat on the floor, this ancient technique follows a sequence of vibrations, rotations and gentle muscle stretching across the entire body.

How often should you get a Korean facial?

Depending on the specific treatments and products used, you might undergo a Korean Glass Facial every 2-4 weeks. However, for intensive treatments, it could be once a month or even longer between sessions.

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