The Blurb
Dr Jinah Yoo Dermatology brings ‘innovative Korean aesthetic, laser, and medical dermatology services, along with cutting-edge treatments’ to London. I’m what they’d call an average bloke, so my knowledge of this area is basic. However, I’m married to a skincare enthusiast, so I’ve heard a lot about Korean skincare. As someone who has been curious about more advanced treatments than my 2-step nighttime routine, Dr Jinah Yoo Dermatology felt like the right place to start. I went along for a treatment at their brand-new location in Mayfair, just a stone’s throw from The Ritz, not knowing what to expect…
The Consultation
I think that, for myself and many who are unfamiliar with skincare treatments, the whole process can be a little daunting. Before arriving, I had studiously asked my wife a litany of questions: “When I get there, what should I ask for?” “Do I need to moisturise before I go?” “What do they mean when they ask for my concerns?” Apparently, I need not have worried.
I was welcomed in and brought through what felt like a very trendy art gallery to the appointment rooms downstairs. When I got downstairs, I was met by Niamh, who ran me through the whole process. Once I’d filled in a form (checking for things like allergies and whether I’d had any previous treatments), I was met by Andrea – my skincare technician – who took me through a vast list of treatment options, complete with images. I told Andrea I felt I looked permanently tired at the moment and that I wanted my skin to feel firmer and softer. We agreed that my skin was quite dry (I have very mild hyperhidrosis, so it’s often hard to keep it moist!).
Andrea very helpfully described and detailed everything I didn’t understand about the options. She walked me through them; there were options available that would treat my skin more deeply with longer-lasting results, but today, to get me started, we decided on RF microneedling. This is a great option, helping to renew the skin’s surface, with an array of additional laser treatments available to further boost the skin’s rejuvenation.
The Process
Once I was taken into my treatment room, it was all very straightforward. I was given a cupboard for my belongings, lay down on a treatment bed, and had numbing cream applied to my face. I’ve never had that before, so it was definitely an unusual sensation, but I was very happy to be left to relax to calming music. After a short while, my face had gone numb, and Andrea returned to do the treatment.
I had three rounds of needles (which I couldn’t feel, save for a tiny few sensations on the last round). Andrea applied the microneedling – including a hydrating BNV serum – to my whole face and then, once fully applied, I was given a 10-minute LED mask. I must admit I almost fell asleep whilst the mask was on; I was so blissed out. When we finished, we discussed aftercare and also that, whilst I would see results after one session, the treatment would show long-term results, especially if it was undertaken semi-regularly.
Andrea mentioned that when some people visit, they expect immediate results, but the process of microneedling (and similar treatments) doesn’t work like that; it’s more gradual. This is a good thing, especially for someone like me who has quite sensitive, reactive skin.
The Results
Immediately afterwards, I was able to go home. I was told to avoid the sun for a while and that my face might be a bit red. It was indeed red, but only for the rest of the day. I’d just recommend that, if you’re a client-facing kind of person, then maybe schedule your treatment in the afternoon! The next day, the redness had diminished, and my face felt smoother, more alive, and – crucially – more moisturised.
The next few weeks were when I started to notice the difference. I did have a few days of flaky skin at the start (pretty standard as the skin is renewing), but nothing my standard moisturiser didn’t alleviate. What I noticed in terms of improvement was that I looked well-rested when I woke up in the morning, and it carried on throughout the day. I also felt my trusty 2-step skincare routine was more effective, as if my skin was absorbing it more easily. In fact, right up to me writing these words, my skin feels progressively tighter and fresher than it was. I don’t know why I was so nervous to try it before. I feel like I’ve uncovered a secret, and I can go back and use it whenever I need to.
The Details
RF Microneedling starts from £700
