I entered the spa feeling like any other day, but when I left, I felt renewed. This is how I can best describe the Korean scrub, which I can’t stop talking about. I had been hearing about the Korean body scrub for several months now. My TikTok was filled with videos of people high-legged in gray tubes made of dead skin while they were receiving a scrub from someone wearing a bra and panty in what seemed to be a rather different aesthetic. I decided to try the Korean body scrub, and the experience was literally out of this world.
What is Korean Body Scrub
The Korean body scrub is a full-body exfoliation treatment that sheds dead skin layers and deeply cleanses dirt from the skin. Originating in the luxurious Korean jjimjilbang (Korean scrub treatment that exfoliates with the use of a mitt), or bathhouses, this treatment removes dead skin to reveal the vibrant, healthy complexion hidden beneath layers of accumulated dullness.
The key to the ‘Korean scrub‘ is the Italy towel – a rough-textured glove that appears ordinary but is unlike anything available in Western spa centers. This mitt removes dead skin without irritation, often combined with natural ingredients like sea salt, green tea, or rice powder that nourish while cleansing deeply
The individual carrying out the scrub (Seshinsa) employs an exclusive technique involving a whipping motion that has been perfected through generations. The highly-trained Seshinsa members perform a special kind of whipping action meant to raise dead skin while assuring that the healthy skin remains unharmed.
A Seshinsa with many years of experience can often determine the hydration state of their client’s skin along with their emotional state and the condition of the skin they are working with.
It must be obvious to you that this process is not comparable to the methods used at home.
How Korean Scrubs Are Different
In reality, most of the scrubs only achieve rejuvenated skin. You simply massage your sugar or salt scrub for one minute, rinse it off, and you feel that your skin is slightly softer. A Korean body scrub, on the other hand, acts on a different level.
There are many advantages, which surpass having skin that is just smooth. The deep exfoliation gets rid of dry, stiff, and lifeless skin at a much deeper level than the one achieved by simply applying creams or scrubs.
- It unclogs pores, thus preventing ingrown hairs from forming.
- The enhanced blood circulation, resulting from the scrubbing motion, leads to rosy and healthy glowing skin with better oxygenation of the skin cells.
- The lymphatic stimulation with the help of a strong massage technique promotes the drainage of the lymph from the body and eliminates the swelling of the skin while activating the detoxification process.
Korean scrubbing removes the accumulated layers of skin from your body, which have not allowed your skin to breathe for weeks and have blocked the moisture absorption.
After your skin is scrubbed, there is no layer that can get in the way of the moisturizers, serums, and oils from reaching their maximum effect.
I applied my regular body lotion the night after my first seshin and genuinely thought I had bought a different product. It absorbed completely in 30 seconds. I’ve been using the same lotion for two years.
Skin Renewal Treatment
At a Spa
You invariably take a shower beforehand to ensure cleanliness before using any pool or steam room. Then immerse yourself in a jacuzzi for 10 to 15 minutes — this makes the skin softer and ready for exfoliation. The Seshinsa goes systematically from the back side to the front side, your arms and legs too, using the Italy towel mitt while applying strong and rhythmic movements. The entire process lasts for 30-45 minutes, then you rinse your body, and your skin has changed enormously.
At Home
You won’t get a full seshin procedure at home, yet you could do something worthwhile if applied correctly. Soak yourself in warm water for at least 10 minutes before scrubbing — this is essential. Without proper skin condition, exfoliation won’t work the way you want it to. Use an Italy towel mitt (you can buy it on Amazon for less than $10) on wet skin with or without any products.
Scrub from ankle to hip and wrist to shoulder. Do the procedure no more than once a week.
The Best Korean Body Scrubs — Spa and At-Home Options
Here is a short description of important steps of Korean Body scrubs that will help you understand why they are unique and effective.
1. Italia Towel MIT (Exfoliating Mitt)
Italia towel is actually an exfoliating washcloth for whole body originated in Korea. It is an important and innovatory step that makes exfoliation very easy. Considered a foundation element of every real seshin, it comes in many textures, ranging from gentle green to intense yellow, so it is better to start with the gentler one.
2. Ellemental Exfoliating Body Scrub
It is an exfoliating body scrub from Korea based on rice bran and green tea, one of the best-selling Korean scrubs for texture and scent.
3. Scrubber Natural Rice Exfoliator
It is an organic body scrub based on fermented rice water and natural grains. It is a good option for maintaining one’s look in between spa visits.
4. Anua Heartleaf Quercetinol Pore Deep Cleansing Foam+ Italia Mitt combo
The combination of Anua Cleansing and Exfoliating Foam and Italia Mitt is a well-known at-home routine that is a favorite of the K-beauty enthusiast and offers a mild yet effective weekly body peeling. For those who are looking for a scrub that follows the Western tradition, coffee body scrub and sugar body scrub, for instance, Frank Body Original Coffee Scrub and Tree Hut Sugar Scrub may offer adequate exfoliation but will not be as deep as the mitt.
Korean Body Scrub in the US
Philadelphia: The K-beauty spa scene has been expanding rapidly in Philadelphia. One of the best places to go for an authentic Korean spa in the area is Chung Dam Spa — here you can get a full seshin treatment performed by certified Seshinsa, and enjoy the jjimjilbang facilities. The spa’s package prices will vary between $45 and $85. You will also find several studios offering Korean beauty and wellness treatments in the Koreatown area of Philadelphia on North 5th Street.
Dallas: Dallas is among the strongest markets for Korean spas in the U.S. following Los Angeles and New York. Hanool Korean Spa in Carrollton offers full-body seshin treatment, performed by male and female Seshinsa, with additional services like milky rinse and aromatherapy. King Spa & Sauna Dallas is a major player in the area; it has all traditional Korean body scrub treatments, as well as a lot of luxurious services, like Gold Aroma and CBD Oil body scrub treatments, and Japanese-style baths.
Note to Self
I have now been going monthly for a Korean body scrub. I’ve been at home each week using my Italy towel mitt. This has changed the way my lotion absorbs. My skin looks different in pictures. My dermatologist asked me what I did differently.
I explained to her about the Korean scrub and she had already heard of it.
If you live around Philadelphia, Dallas or anywhere in North Carolina, get a booking done. Try it once before making an opinion. There are weeks of dirt lying on your skin that separates you from your real skin.
A Korean scrub gets rid of all of it in 45 minutes and at less price than any luxurious serum.
