What You Must Check Before Buying a 10-Session Pico Toning Package in Hongdae

Hello, I’m Dr. Jo Won-jin, and I have been providing dermatology care in Hapjeong, Hongdae for 10 years.

Pico toning was cheap, so I bought a 10-session package

and tried it, but this is what happened...

Some people have received package-based procedures that were put together cheaply at other places.

One person came to see me because their melasma had actually become darker.

I understand this, because I also consider cost-effectiveness when buying things.

But since I know the downside of low-cost pricing, it’s unfortunate to see people come in with worsened symptoms like this.

Today, under the topic of “What You Must Check Before Buying a 10-Session Pico Toning Package in Hongdae,”

I’ll explain step by step the downsides of buying pico toning based only on price,

how to choose a skilled, good clinic, and how to improve treatment results.

• Step 1: How to choose a Hongdae pico toning clinic and consultation tips

• Step 2: Treatment decision and procedure tips

• Step 3: Aftercare tips

• Step 4: A long-term mindset

• Remember these 3 things about Hongdae pico toning

Step 1: How to choose a Hongdae pico toning clinic and consultation tips

The first step is the most important.

1. Look for diagnosis, not the machine.

"Do you have the PicoSure device here? I heard that’s the best."

Yes, we do.

But the question that is 100 times more important than that in pico toning is:

“What exactly is the pigment on my face?”

Melasma, freckles, lentigines, age spots, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation...

As their names differ, their causes, how deep they are in the skin, and the wavelengths and devices that suit them all differ too.

Of course, the treatment methods must also differ.

The worst-case scenario is,

thinking it is freckles and treating it aggressively, only for the melasma hidden deep in the skin to worsen

and come up even darker.

That is how important an accurate diagnosis is.

2. Make sure the doctor who will perform the procedure has enough time to explain it in detail.

"Have you had any other procedures within the past 6 months (peels, injections, etc.)?"

"Are you currently taking any medication or applying any ointment (retinol, steroids)?"

These are some of the questions I ask during consultations.

If laser is used on skin that is already sensitized,

unpredictable side effects can occur.

But if you tell this only to the coordinator instead of the person performing the procedure,

or if the information is shared with medical staff other than the doctor who will do the treatment,

the person performing the procedure may not fully consider your skin condition and proceed with treatment.

The photo above shows a consultation. Before the consultation, we first take a MarkVu image and then diagnose the pigmentation in detail.

Step 2: Treatment decision and procedure tips

You need to make a wise decision and receive it consistently.

1. Pico toning is a marathon. Especially when treating melasma or deep pigmentation,

it is better to think that there is no such thing as “removing it all at once.”

It is similar to a marathon.

Only after consistently going at 1–2 week intervals for at least 10 sessions will you feel that it has lightened a little.

That is why 10-session packages are so common for pico toning.

In particular, light melasma is harder to treat.

(On the other hand, superficial blemishes or freckles with clear borders are sometimes removed by creating a scab with 1–2 strong treatments.

You need to understand the treatment interval that matches your pigmentation.)

2. Clinics that suggest combination treatment are a good choice. Most people have a mix of melasma, blemishes, and freckles on their faces.

The PicoSure device is also sometimes used for treatment by switching between three modes.

In addition to this, there are separate devices that work well depending on the type of pigmentation.

So combination treatment can be a way to safely address a variety of pigmentation concerns.

The right side in the photo above shows pigmentation laser devices. ▶The reason so many devices are brought in like this is that pigmentation does not go away just by doing everything roughly with one laser. Since pigmentation differs from face to face, the skin becomes clearer only when various devices are combined for treatment.

Step 3: Aftercare tips

50% of treatment results come from diagnosis and the procedure, and the other 50% comes from home care.

1. Apply sunscreen even indoors. The skin after treatment is extremely sensitive.

It is also irritated by UVA rays that pass through windows.

Sunscreen is essential even on cloudy days and indoors.

Reapply several times a day at intervals of 2–3 hours.

2. Rejuvenation cream helps with care. Laser temporarily weakens the skin barrier.

At this time, it is good to apply plenty of recovery cream and moisturizer

to help the skin barrier recover strongly.

The photo above shows triple pico toning being performed. You can see that although there are various types of pigmentation, they have become overall lighter.

3. Avoid heat for one week immediately after the procedure. If heat builds up in the skin, the inflammatory response becomes more severe and pigmentation may recur.

Saunas, steam rooms, intense exercise, drinking alcohol, and washing your face with hot water.

Please hold off for just one week.

Step 4: A long-term mindset

Lastly, as a doctor, I’d like to ask you to keep two things in mind.

1. Melasma is managed, not cured. The unfortunate truth is that melasma recurs very often.

This is because the causes are complex, including hormones and more.

If it has lightened after 10 sessions, that is not the end—it is time to start managing it now.

Ongoing maintenance care is needed afterward as well.

2. Do not compare yourself with others. "My friend cleared up after just 3 sessions, so why am I..."

Such comparisons are meaningless.

Everyone’s skin thickness, pigment depth, and recovery speed are different.

Trust the treatment plan from the doctor that fits your skin condition and follow it consistently—that is the fastest way.

A photo of triple pico toning being performed.

Now, some people have received pico toning 20 times and it is still the same.

Why is that?

It is highly likely that the energy itself was not delivered in a way that matched their pigmentation.

I wrote more about energy adjustment in detail in the post below.

Hongdae pico toning: Remember these 3 things

Did I say too much?

If it feels complicated, just remember these 3 things.

• Accurate diagnosis: Meet a doctor who can diagnose what your pigmentation actually is.

• Customized treatment: Have a combination treatment plan, and make sure soothing/brightening care is included.

• Consistent care: Understand that melasma is managed, not cured, and stay persistent.

There is a reason prices are low.

This is about entrusting your precious skin to someone.

I hope you meet a doctor who will properly diagnose, carefully perform the procedure,

and stay with you through the whole management process.

Please save this post and read it once before getting pico toning.

Thank you for reading this long post. This was Jo Won-jin.