Dr. Lim TV
Korean skin wellness: what running, saunas and cold showers really do to your skin
Dr. Sarang Lim · Head DoctorDr. Sarang Lim is the head doctor of Muse Clinic Myeongdong. After a counselor talks with you, Dr. Lim examines and treats you in the treatment room.This is for you if
- You run outdoors often and wonder what it is doing to your face
- You love saunas but worry about your skin or your scalp
- You rinse with cold water because you heard it closes pores
- You want a simple answer to what actually keeps skin healthy
Short answer
Running, saunas and cold showers are popular wellness habits, but Dr. Lim says they are not especially good for skin. For skin wellness, the basics are sleep and blood sugar: sleeping well and eating well.
Why popular wellness habits are not always good for skin
Running is very good for blood flow and in terms of inflammation, Dr. Lim says. But it is an exercise that comes with sun exposure. If you do not wear sunscreen and a hat, you cannot stop skin ageing.
Saunas are hard on both skin and scalp. They irritate the skin and raise heat on the scalp, so if you are worried about hair loss, Dr. Lim does not recommend them either.
Cold showers are not exactly harmful. But many people still believe cold water closes pores. In Dr. Lim's words, no matter how cold the water, it does not make pores tighter.
How Muse Clinic Myeongdong looks at skin wellness: sleep and blood sugar
So what is skin wellness? Dr. Lim's answer is sleep and blood sugar. Sleeping well and eating well are what matter.
That is not a treatment, and this video does not point to one. If you visit the clinic with a skin concern, a counselor talks with you first; then Dr. Lim examines your skin in the treatment room and you discuss whether anything needs treating at all.
For everyday routines you can keep at home, our guide to Korean glass skin naturally at home covers the basics.
What to expect if you keep your wellness routine
You do not have to give up running. The practical change is sun protection: sunscreen and a hat on every outdoor run. That is the part Dr. Lim says decides whether running ages your skin.
If you love saunas, be aware of the irritation and scalp heat, especially if hair loss is a concern. And treat cold showers as a refresher, not a pore treatment.
If sun exposure has already left marks, see Dr. Lim's video on tanning and Asian skin, or browse the clinic's skin care menu.
Why Myeongdong Muse for a skin check in Seoul
International patients pay from the same price list as Korean patients, and interpreters for English, Japanese and Chinese are on site.
The clinic is one minute from Myeongdong Station Exit 5, on the 3rd floor of Goryeo Daeyeongak Tower. It is open Monday to Friday 10:00 to 20:00 and Saturday to Sunday 09:00 to 15:00.
Planning skin wellness around your Seoul trip
Travel tends to cut into sleep and change how you eat, which are the two things Dr. Lim puts first. Protect your sleep where you can, and keep meals regular.
If you run along the Han River or the city trails during your stay, take sunscreen and a hat. If a Korean bathhouse is on your list, keep it short if your skin is sensitive. For more on routines in Korea, read skin care in Korea.
Key moments in the video
Tap a time to open the video at that point.
- 0:00Running, saunas and cold showers
- 0:03A wellness trend, but not great for skin; running helps blood flow
- 0:13Running means sun exposure: no sunscreen or hat, no stopping skin ageing
- 0:22Saunas irritate skin and heat the scalp
- 0:43Cold water does not tighten pores; so what is skin wellness?
- 0:50Sleep and blood sugar: sleep well and eat well
Questions people ask
Before you message us
Is running bad for your skin?
Dr. Lim says running is good for blood flow and inflammation, but it comes with sun exposure. Without sunscreen and a hat, you cannot stop skin ageing.
Is a sauna bad for your skin?
Dr. Lim says saunas irritate the skin and raise scalp heat, and does not recommend them if you are worried about hair loss.
Do cold showers close pores?
No. Dr. Lim explains that however cold the water, it does not make pores tighter.
What matters most for skin wellness?
Sleep and blood sugar. Dr. Lim's advice is to sleep well and eat well.
Ask before your trip
Send us your travel dates and what bothers you. We reply with the options and the prices from our list.
Ask on WhatsAppResults and maintenance period vary by individual. Every procedure carries the possibility of side effects, which are explained before you agree to treatment. Prices exclude 10% VAT and event prices may change. This article is general information from the clinic and is not a diagnosis; suitability is decided at the consultation.
