“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. Scrubbed. All Over.
Using traditional Korean exfoliating mitts, your therapist will vigorously scrub away dead skin cells. The full-body exfoliation removes impurities, leaving your skin silky smooth and rejuvenated.
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.
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.
You need to be nude in the bathhouse; you can't wear a bathing suit or underwear. But that's part of the experience, and it's really not weird when everyone else around you is nude too and not paying attention to you. Also, the body scrub therapists are in their underwear. It's just what's comfortable for them.
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.
Overall, a Korean body scrub is an effective spa treatment that offers a variety of benefits for your skin and overall well-being. Whether you are looking to exfoliate your skin, reduce stress, or improve your overall skin health, a Korean body scrub is worth trying.
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.
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.
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.
WASH YOUR BODY
Soap won't be used during the scrub down – so wash up beforehand. I strongly urge you to use bar soap, rather than the shower gel variety – as the latter will make your body too slippery and smooth rather than leaving you with a squeaky clean and rubbery feeling.
The full body scrub treatment uses rich oils and natural exfoliants to let your skin breathe. The esthetician will apply an exfoliant scrub in circular motions from the neck down, to grind away stagnant cells and buildup on your epidermis.
Scrub your skin for no longer than 30 seconds. Rinse liberally with warm water. If you want to shave, shave afterwards (exfoliation lifts dirt and dead skin cells out of the way, allowing for the blade to glide more smoothly over the skin)
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.
Should you wash your body after Body Scrub? Make sure to rinse your body carefully to remove any dead skin cells or excess scrub particles.
The intense Korean cleansing process (called “seshin”) entails soaking the body in hot water, then rubbing it with a “Korean Italy towel” – a colorful, thin loofah with a sandpaper-like texture – to rid the body of all the gunk, dirt and layers of dead skin that accumulate naturally.
Exfoliating first will help you to get a closer shave by removing any clogging dead cells from the skin's surface. Now that you know how to use a body scrub, you can perform a body scrub massage to achieve soft, glowing skin, and make yourself feel pampered and relaxed.
They are abrasive, which is why they work so well for manual exfoliation. Korean towels are inexpensive, reusable, require no lotions, potions, or goo for results. Perfect for people with sensitive skin who react badly to chemicals in store-bought scrubs. Plus, they work better than any home-made or store-bought scrub.
A Korean body scrub rejuvenates your skin, refreshes your body, and calms your mind. Whether you're a skincare aficionado or just looking to try something new, this indulgent ritual is an absolute must-try.
We recommend allowing several hours between shaving and receiving any service that involves an exfoliation (body services, scrubs, facial) to decrease the risk of skin irritation or discomfort.
What do you wear for a body scrub massage? Your technician will ask you to disrobe for a full body scrub massage. We will provide you with a paper gown if preferred. If you feel more comfortable wearing undergarments, let your technician know — we can provide paper underwear during the treatment.
The 90-minute body scrub (there are 60-minute and 30-minute ones as well, mind you) involved not just a head-to-toe exfoliation, but also a shampoo, massage, and a cucumber facial (for $125, it's well worth it).
Normally, there is a wet area called Mogyoktang where you are completely naked, separated by gender. Then, there is also a dry area that both sexes use together. It consists of saunas, relaxation areas, gaming stations, cafeterias, and other facilities.
Simply put, the chemical exfoliant uses exfoliating acids to dissolve dead cells from our skin. Two super common ingredients in Korean-made chemical exfoliants are salicylic acid (BHA) and glycolic acid (AHA), true stars of K-Beauty.