Most of us exfoliate with a quick scrub in the shower and call it a day. A Korean body scrub is something else: about 30 minutes of a pro scrubbing you head to toe with a specialized mitt, until your skin is softer than it’s been in years. No wonder it’s one of the most talked-about spa treatments right now.
It’s also a gateway into Korean spa culture as a whole: long soaks, hot rooms, K-beauty facials and a slow, feel-good day. With ResortPass, you can get a taste of that for the day, from a Korean-inspired bathhouse to facials rooted in K-beauty.
Here’s what a Korean body scrub is, what happens during one, what scrub pros and dermatologists recommend, and where to book a Korean-inspired spa day.
What is a Korean body scrub?
A Korean body scrub is a deep exfoliation that removes the top layer of dead skin from your whole body. In Korea, it’s called seshin, and it’s a regular part of life at the jjimjilbang, the country’s public bathhouses.
KOREA, the magazine published by Korea’s culture and information service, sums up seshin simply as “the scrubbing off of dead skin cells.” Bathhouses have separate areas for men and women, and you can choose a full-body scrub or just your back.
The tool is a rough, colorful mitt called an Italy towel. It was invented in Busan in 1967, and it got its name because the original fabric was imported from Italy. The person doing the scrubbing is often called a ttaemiri (also spelled ddemiri).
First-timers are often surprised by how much comes off. After a long soak, the outer layer of skin softens, and the mitt rolls it away in little gray rolls. It looks dramatic, but it’s mostly dead skin cells that were on their way out anyway.
What happens during a Korean body scrub
Most scrubs follow the same basic order, whether you’re at a traditional bathhouse in Seoul or a Korean spa in the US.
Soak first:
Before you get on the table, you soak. Kim Jung Yeol, a scrub practitioner at Dragon Hill Spa in Seoul with more than a decade of experience, told CNN Travel that clients should shower with bar soap and then soak in warm water first. Another ddemiri in the same story put it plainly: “Staying in the water to prune is most important.”
Find your table:
Next, you lie on a padded table, usually in an open, semi-private area of the bathhouse. At traditional Korean spas, you’re nude or in underwear bottoms, and the scrub area is separated by gender. Some spas in the US ask for a swimsuit or give you disposable underwear, so ask when you book.
Let them do the work:
The scrubber works on one section of your body at a time: back, legs, arms, front and sides, rinsing you with warm water as they go. Jay Kim, a Korean spa general manager, told the trade magazine Skin Inc. that the scrub doesn’t rely on a product to exfoliate. It’s simply the mitt and the effort of the technician.
Add the extras:
A basic scrub takes 20 to 30 minutes. Longer versions can add a hair wash, a face mask, a milk rinse or an oil massage at the end. Kim Jung Yeol suggests heading to the hot rooms after your scrub, since clients “feel more refreshed” that way.
Is a Korean body scrub good for your skin?
A professionally-done scrub leaves skin noticeably smoother and brighter. Jay Kim recommends regular scrubs “to maintain your glow and a better complexion.” The key is not overdoing it.
In general, plan on no more than one scrub a week so you don’t over-exfoliate. Hallie Bradley, who has lived in Korea since 2006 and writes the blog The Soul of Seoul, scrubs about every other week and warns that going too hard can irritate your skin.
The American Academy of Dermatology agrees on the basics: “the more aggressive the exfoliation, the less often it needs to be done.” The AAD also suggests skipping strong scrubbing if you have a darker skin tone, since aggressive exfoliation can cause dark spots, and never exfoliating over cuts or sunburned skin.
How to prep for your first Korean body scrub
A little planning makes the experience a lot more comfortable. Here’s what to know before you go.
Book ahead and arrive early:
Popular scrubbers can have long waitlists, especially on weekends. Book a few days out if you can, and plan to arrive at least 30 minutes early so you have time to change, shower and soak.
Skip shaving and self-tanner:
Don’t shave or wax for a day or two before your scrub, since freshly shaved skin is more sensitive. If you’re wearing self-tanner or recently got a spray tan, the scrub will take it right off, so plan your tan for after.
Hold off on strong skin care:
If you use retinoids, acid exfoliants or benzoyl peroxide on your body, take a break for a few days before. The AAD notes that exfoliating while using these can make skin drier or even trigger breakouts.
Know the dress code:
Ask the spa what to wear before you show up. Traditional Korean spas are often nude in the gender-separated areas, while other spas may ask for a swimsuit or provide disposable underwear.
Take off your jewelry:
Remove rings, earrings and glasses before your scrub, and bring a hair tie if you have long hair. It keeps things comfortable and keeps your jewelry safe.
Speak up about pressure:
A good scrub should feel firm, not painful. Sensitive spots like your inner arms, stomach and chest may sting a bit. If anything feels like too much, tell your scrubber. They’ll adjust.
Moisturize and drink water:
Your skin will feel very smooth and a little sensitive afterward. The AAD recommends putting on moisturizer right after exfoliating, since the process can dry out your skin. Drink plenty of water, too, especially if you spent time in the hot rooms.
Korean-inspired spa days you can book with ResortPass
Want to bring some of that Korean spa feeling into your next day off? These ResortPass properties offer a Korean-style bathhouse, K-beauty facials and full-body scrubs, all with no overnight stay needed. Curious about other treatment types? Our guide to spa treatments breaks them down.
- Spa Castle New York, Queens, New York: For the closest thing to a jjimjilbang day, start here. Spa Castle spreads across five floors in College Point, inspired by Asian and European bathing traditions, with more than a dozen hydrotherapy pools, a bathhouse and Sauna Valley’s themed rooms, including jade, Himalayan salt and infrared. It’s also one of our picks for hydrotherapy and a girls’ day out, and the salt room makes a nice add-on if you’ve read up on salt room benefits.
- The Spa at Lotte Hotel Seattle, Seattle, Washington: Lotte is a Korean hotel brand, and its Seattle spa leans into K-beauty with The Korean Oxygen Facial Ritual. The 90-minute facial starts with a double cleanse, gentle enzyme exfoliation and an oxygen infusion, then finishes with serums matched to your skin’s needs. Your booking also includes the steam rooms and saunas. See more Seattle spa day passes.
- âme Spa & Wellness Collective, Aventura, Florida: It isn’t a Korean-style scrub, but the format is similar: âme Spa at JW Marriott Miami Turnberry pairs an 80-minute full-body clay scrub and massage with a spa pass. It’s one of our Valentine’s Day favorites, and there are more Miami spa day passes to browse.
- Soak & Sage, Renton, Washington: This social bathhouse just outside Seattle has multiple saunas, a large steam room, a thermal pool, a hot tub and a cold plunge, which makes it easy to do a long soak before your treatment. The Champagne of the Sea Body Wrap & Scrub pairs a 60-minute marine mud wrap and scrub with two hours of spa access. If the heat is your favorite part, read up on sauna benefits.
Planning to go on your own? Our solo spa day guide can help you build the rest of your day. And if Korean spa culture has you curious, a head spa session makes a nice next step.
Korean body scrub: FAQs
What is a Korean body scrub?
A Korean body scrub, or seshin, is a full-body exfoliation done by a trained scrubber using rough mitts called Italy towels. After you soak to soften your skin, the scrubber removes the outer layer of dead skin from head to toe. A basic scrub takes 20 to 30 minutes.
Does a Korean body scrub hurt?
It shouldn’t hurt, but it is firm. Most people describe it as intense at first and then oddly relaxing. Thin-skinned areas like the inner arms and stomach can sting a little. Tell your scrubber if you want lighter pressure.
How much does a Korean body scrub cost?
At Korean spas in the US, a basic 30-minute scrub usually costs around $65 to $75, and a 60-minute version with extras runs about $115 to $150. Spa admission is often extra, and tipping policies vary, so check before you go.
How often should you get a Korean body scrub?
Korean scrub practitioners generally say no more than once a week, and many people go every two to four weeks. If you have sensitive or darker skin, lean toward less often to avoid irritation or dark spots.
Can you get a Korean body scrub while pregnant?
Check with your doctor first, then call the spa. Many spas limit scrubs during pregnancy or only allow them during certain weeks, and you’ll want to skip very hot tubs and saunas beforehand.
What should I wear to a Korean body scrub?
It depends on the spa. Traditional Korean spas often do scrubs in the nude in gender-separated bathhouses. Other spas usually ask you to wear a swimsuit or give you disposable underwear. Ask when you book.
Can you do a Korean body scrub at home?
Yes, with an Italy towel. Hallie Bradley suggests starting with a green towel, the most common coarseness, and soaking for at least 5 to 10 minutes first. Scrub in long, firm strokes, rinse with warm water, and moisturize after. Go gently, and don’t do it more than once a week.
Sources cited
American Academy of Dermatology. How to safely exfoliate at home. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/routine/safely-exfoliate-at-home
Bradley, H. Exfoliating Korean style: Why you need the Korean Italy towel. The Soul of Seoul. https://thesoulofseoul.net/exfoliating-korean-style-why-you-need-the-korean-italy-towel/
CNN Travel. Feature on Korea’s scrub mistresses (ddemiri). https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/korean-scrub-mistress
Connelly, M. (2018, August 17). Why everyone is loving Korean body scrubs. Skin Inc. https://www.skininc.com/treatment/body/news/21887599/why-everyone-is-loving-korean-body-scrubs
Min, Y. (2019, November). While in Korea: Seshin and bathhouse culture. KOREA, Korean Culture and Information Service. https://www.korean-culture.org/eng/webzine/201911/sub10.html
