Written by Laura Lee | Updated August 18, 2026
A quick note before we get into it: this is my personal routine, not a prescription for everyone. My skin, face, budget and tolerance for downtime are my own. Use this as a way to understand how I plan, then let a qualified doctor decide what makes sense for you.
I just turned 40 and not going to lie, you feel the shift.
I’ve taken care of my skin since my twenties, but lately I’ve been getting more questions about what I actually do to maintain it. The honest answer is that it isn’t one miracle treatment, one serum or one very expensive appointment.
It’s a system.
I live in Canada and usually visit Korea once or twice a year, so I’ve built my routine around what I can realistically do at home, what I save for Korea and what is actually worth repeating.
The clinics I return to in Korea tend to think less in terms of one-off fixes and more in terms of prevention, maintenance and layering results over time. Different treatments work at different depths and on different concerns, which is why I don’t expect one device or injectable to do everything.
If you’re new to these categories, our guide to Korean lasers, injections and lifting treatments explains how the different layers fit together.
My personal treatment schedule
🗓️ Once a year: The treatments I prioritize
- Thermage or Xerf : For me, this is the foundation of my annual clinic plan. I use radiofrequency tightening to support firmness and address early changes in elasticity and fine lines.
- Botox & Baby Botox: Depending on what I need that year, I may use traditional Botox for movement-related lines or smaller-dose and intradermal approaches sometimes marketed as “Baby Botox” or “skin Botox.” Clinics do not always use these names consistently, so I confirm the product, dose and placement with the doctor.
- Fat-derived regenerative treatment: I have personally chosen a fat-derived regenerative treatment through my clinic. I think of this as a longer-term, higher-commitment treatment, not a quick glow appointment. Because “stem-cell therapy” can describe very different products and procedures, I always confirm what is being collected, processed and administered, what evidence supports it and what risks and follow-up are involved.
- Ultherapy (Lifting): I use it to address deeper lifting and jawline support when my doctor thinks my facial structure and degree of laxity make it appropriate.
🗓️ Twice a year (If I can make it work)
- Potenza (Skin texture and fine lines): I use Potenza roughly twice a year when my skin starts feeling a little rougher and my pores look more noticeable. This is less about lifting for me and more about maintaining texture and keeping my skin looking refined. What I like about Potenza is that it gives my skin a more polished look without changing how I look. I usually plan it when I have enough time for any redness or sensitivity to settle, because the experience and downtime can vary depending on the tip, depth and settings the clinic uses. I don’t treat twice a year as a rigid rule. It’s simply the rhythm that currently works for my skin and travel schedule.
🗓️ Every two months, when possible
- Skin Boosters (Rejuran, Skinvive, RE2O): Skin boosters are what I reach for when my skin looks tired, dehydrated or simply less fresh than I want it to. I’ve tried options such as Rejuran, Skinvive and RE2O, but I don’t see them as interchangeable. They use different ingredients and are intended to address different concerns, so I choose based on what my skin needs at that particular appointment. For me, this is mostly about hydration, smoother-looking texture and that healthier, more rested appearance. I especially like fitting a skin booster between my larger annual treatments because it helps me maintain the result rather than waiting until my skin feels like it needs a complete reset.
🗓️ Monthly (Ideal world)
- Microneedling / Medical Facials: I try to do something for my skin approximately once a month, but this is the most flexible part of my routine. Sometimes that means microneedling when I want to work more intentionally on texture. Other times, it means a medical facial when my skin needs hydration, calming or a thorough reset. I don’t believe every month needs to involve an aggressive treatment. The goal here is consistency. These smaller appointments help me stay connected to what my skin is doing between the more expensive treatments I plan in Korea. If my skin feels irritated or sensitized, I skip the treatment and focus on recovery instead.
🗓️ Daily (Non-negotiable)
- Retinol + SPF: This is the least exciting part of my routine, but probably the part doing the most work over time. Sunscreen is my true daily non-negotiable. There is little point investing in clinic treatments if I’m not protecting my skin from the exposure that contributes to pigmentation and visible aging. I also use a retinoid when it is appropriate for me. I started slowly and built up my tolerance rather than trying to force my skin through constant irritation. More is not always better, especially when I’m also planning treatments that can temporarily make my skin more sensitive.
One important note for our fertility community: retinoids are generally avoided during pregnancy and may need to be stopped while trying to conceive. Speak with your doctor about what is appropriate for you.
If you could budget for two treatment categories
For my own face and the changes I’m seeing at 40, I would put most of my clinic budget toward radiofrequency tightening and, when my doctor thinks I’m a good candidate, focused ultrasound.
That’s my answer, not a universal formula. Firmness and early laxity are my priorities. Someone focused on pigmentation, acne scarring, volume loss or dehydration could need a completely different combination.
I would rather invest in one or two treatments that address my actual concerns than collect a long list of whatever happens to be trending.
If you’re building a treatment routine for the first time
Don’t start by copying my calendar. Start by figuring out what you’re actually trying to change.
Is it pigmentation, texture, acne scarring, muscle movement, volume loss or laxity? Those concerns sit at different layers of the face and don’t respond to the same treatments.
I didn’t build this routine overnight. It developed gradually as my skin changed, I learned which treatments I genuinely valued and I became more selective about what was worth repeating.
Start with your main concern, build your plan around it and add maintenance only when it has earned a place in your routine. A good doctor should be able to explain what they see, what they would prioritize and, just as importantly, what you can comfortably leave alone.
The biggest shift that changed my skin
It wasn’t doing more treatments. It was thinking in layers and timelines: what builds over time, what maintains results and what helps prevent the concerns I’m trying to stay ahead of.
I don’t chase trends anymore. I focus on what works long term, what fits my schedule and what gives me natural-looking results. Because the goal isn’t to look “done.” It’s to look like I’ve taken care of my skin consistently over time.
If you’re building your own plan, read our guide to combining Korean skin treatments strategically without automatically doing more.
The Bloom Approach
Korea has thousands of clinics and hundreds of devices and honestly, it can get overwhelming very quickly.
At Bloom, we help simplify the process by connecting you with clinics we personally trust, use ourselves and recommend to our own friends and family.
Why clients work with Bloom:
- Personalized clinic matching and done-for-you scheduling
- Recommendations based on your goals, timeline and budget
- Honest guidance without pressure or unnecessary upselling
- Access to clinics offering doctor consultations and detailed skin-analysis tools
- The same clinic price as booking directly, with no added Bloom fee
- Additional Bloom benefits where available
Think of us less like an agency and more like having a trusted friend in Korea helping you filter through the noise.
Especially if you only visit Korea once a year, strategy matters. Explore the Reset Trip to see how Bloom can help you plan it properly.