According to Dr Rhee Do-young, the biggest trend in aesthetics now is the focus on prejuvenation, which emphasises treatments that delay visible ageing as a preventative measure.
At the same time, the patients he sees in his clinics have increasingly gotten younger over the years.
“In Korea, women typically begin visiting dermatology clinics in their 20s or 30s and continue throughout their lives as part of their skin care routine,” said Rhee.
“Preventative skincare regimens with retinoids, peptides, niacinamide, and antioxidants are being incorporated earlier, reinforcing the shift toward proactive skin maintenance rather than reactive treatments.”
Rhee has nearly two decades of experience and is considered an authority in advanced dermatological treatments.
He is the director Heal House Dermatology, the academic director of KOREADERMA, and an international key opinion leader for Alma Lasers.
Skin care and medical aesthetics used to exist in separate spheres. The former was a daily routine, the other a medical procedure.
But the line between both realms is blurring as the way people care for their skin is changing.
Rhee said that that today’s patients are more inclined to seek treatments involving energy-based devices (EBD) at medical clinics, rather than just rely on topical cosmetic products or facial treatments at beauty salons.
The trends and developments in aesthetic medicine has greatly influenced how skin care products designed.
Post-treatment skin care is becoming just as crucial as the procedures themselves, with the goal of enhancing and prolonging results.
Ingredients such as PDRN (polydeoxyribonucleotide) or PN (polynucleotide) are rising in popularity for this very reason as they can accelerate healing, reduce inflammation, and reinforce the skin barrier.
“One popular product gaining traction is PDRN or PN which is often used to enhance skin regeneration and post-treatment recovery. We are currently brainstorming innovative ways to incorporate PDRN or PN into new treatment protocols to further optimise results,” said Rhee.
This has led to a greater demand for alliances between aesthetics and skin care to create products that can meet this growing need.
“Collaborations between topical cosmetic companies and device manufacturers could play a significant role in developing effective post-procedure solutions tailored to meet patient needs,” said Rhee.
For these patients, skin health is the priority, and it is driving demand for PN injectables, exosomes, and skin boosters as they can enhance long-term skin health, improve dermal density, and prevent fine lines.
“Rather than focusing solely on lifting or volumisation, there is a growing emphasis on maintaining overall skin quality—texture, hydration, elasticity, and glow—starting at an early stage… Natural, subtle enhancements with no downtime align with the prejuvenation trend, as younger patients prioritise skin health over dramatic aesthetic changes,” said Rhee.
At the same thime, these demands are pushing innovation in aesthetic treatments, such as the latest Titanium Lifting treatment, which Rhee helped to develop.
“Titanium Lifting was developed in response to the growing demand for non-invasive skin tightening and lifting treatments with no downtime. Traditional lifting methods like HIFU and RF deliver effective results, but they often come with discomfort.”
This is a mild energy-based treatment, which helps preserve collagen levels and prevent early skin laxity.
“Unlike other laser lifting treatments, Titanium Lifting not only improves skin laxity and firmness but also enhances skin radiance and refines facial contours in a single session. This combination of fast, effective, and natural-looking results makes it a top choice among Korean women.”
