K-ClinicSauna & Alcohol After Skin Treatment in Korea: ADO Clinic
ADO Clinic in Seoul states in its preparation notes that you should avoid saunas, alcohol and strenuous exercise for a few days after treatment; brief redness or mild swelling is possible, and most people can resume normal activity the next day. The exact number of days depends on the treatment and the doctor's instructions. K-Clinic suggests putting jjimjilbang, drinking and hiking before the treatment or after you get home, scheduling the treatment in the middle or later part of your trip, and asking us first.
What you most want to do on a trip is exactly what to avoid after treatment
When traveling in Korea, the things people most want to do are the jjimjilbang, Korean barbecue with soju and hiking. These three happen to be exactly what ADO Clinic's preparation notes say to avoid: saunas, alcohol and strenuous exercise.
The clinic's wording is "avoid for a few days after treatment", but the exact number of days is not stated uniformly and depends on the treatment and the doctor's instructions. So this article is about how to plan your itinerary so you do not have to give up the fun of the trip for the treatment.
What does "normal activity" mean?
ADO explains that after treatment there may be brief redness or mild swelling, and with most treatments you can resume normal activity the next day; aftercare notes are explained after the treatment.
"Normal activity" here means everyday plans such as shopping, taking the subway and eating out. It does not mean you can use a jjimjilbang, drink alcohol or hike. Treat the two separately.
K-Clinic suggests keeping two lists: the everyday plans you can do, and the heat, alcohol and strenuous exercise to avoid.
How to swap your Seoul plans
- Jjimjilbang and saunas: schedule them before the treatment, or after you return home.
- Dinners with drinks: have them before the treatment, and for a few days afterward use tea or non-alcoholic drinks instead.
- Hiking, gym and running: exercise before the treatment, and switch to walking for a few days after.
- Shopping, cafes and exhibitions: most can go ahead as usual after the treatment.
Which day is best for the treatment?
If your trip is 5 days, K-Clinic suggests scheduling the treatment in the middle or later part: enjoy baths, dinners and exercise in the first days, then spend the days after the treatment shopping, at cafes and at exhibitions.
The order is: early part of the trip (jjimjilbang, dinners, exercise), then the treatment in the middle or later part (weekdays until 21:00), then avoid saunas, alcohol and strenuous exercise afterward, and recovery time after you get home follows the doctor's instructions.
If you only have one day left, you can also schedule the treatment on the last day and resume exercise and saunas after you get home as the doctor instructs. ADO is open weekdays until 21:00, so having the treatment in the evening of your last day and then heading to the airport is another option; please confirm flight timing with the doctor first.
Before you go: bare face, medication, skincare
ADO's preparation notes have two more points: you can come with a bare face on treatment day, or remove makeup at the clinic; and if you are taking blood thinners or similar medication, tell them first.
Both fit well with travel: you do not need to put on makeup specially, or worry about running out of time. Take a photo of your prescription first and send it with your booking request.
ADO Clinic is at RDL Tower, floors 3-4, 110 Bongeunsa-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul, about a 1-minute walk from Exit 4 of Sinnonhyeon Station, with valet parking in the building. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 10:30-21:00, Sat and public holidays 10:30-19:00, closed Sunday.
Frequently asked questions from international patients
Q. Can I fly after treatment?
Please confirm with the doctor, rather than deciding yourself.
Q. Can I drink the night before treatment?
ADO says to avoid alcohol after treatment. For restrictions before treatment, ask when you book.
Q. If I avoid these for a few days, what about after I get home?
The exact number of days depends on the treatment and the doctor's instructions, and recovery after you return home follows the doctor's explanation.
Booking ADO Clinic through K-Clinic
To fit your treatment and itinerary together, have a free consultation through K-Clinic using the Request booking button or live chat.
Please tell us the number of days in your trip, the treatments you want and the activities you want to avoid giving up. We will confirm the time slot and aftercare notes with the clinic, and send you the arrival time and address once booked.
Prices are before tax and 10% VAT is added at checkout; choosing the head director adds 20%. Actual treatment depends on the examination result.
Frequently asked questions
What should I avoid after a treatment at ADO Clinic in Seoul?
ADO's preparation notes say to avoid saunas, alcohol and strenuous exercise for a few days after treatment. The exact number of days depends on the treatment and the doctor's instructions, so confirm after your treatment.
Does a jjimjilbang count as a sauna after skin treatment?
A jjimjilbang is a hot, sweat-inducing activity, so K-Clinic suggests treating it like a sauna and avoiding it for now. Whether it is allowed should be confirmed with the doctor before your treatment.
Can I go sightseeing normally the day after treatment?
ADO explains that most treatments allow normal activity the next day, with possible brief redness or mild swelling. Normal activity means everyday sightseeing, and does not mean you can use a jjimjilbang, drink alcohol or exercise hard.
How do I book ADO Clinic through K-Clinic?
Use the Request booking button or live chat to tell K-Clinic your itinerary and the treatments you want. We confirm the time slot and aftercare notes with the clinic, and send the arrival time and address once booked.
Clinics in this article
About 1 min walk from Sinnonhyeon Station Exit 4
