Which Skin Analysis Should You Get in Seoul?

On December 29, 2025, Olive Young announced that over 1 million customers had used its in-store Skin Scan service. Skin analysis in Seoul is no longer niche — it’s part of the beauty routine. But is a free skin scan enough for your goals?

At Himedi, we see it this way:

• If you want to choose skincare products that match your skin type → Olive Young’s free Skin Scan is practical and sufficient.
• If you are considering treatments such as lasers, lifting, or injectables → a doctor-led skin analysis at a dermatology clinic may be more appropriate.

Both serve a purpose. They are simply designed for different decisions.

 

 

Types of Skin Analysis in Seoul

Photo taken on Friday, March 6 at Gangdong I-Park Rivermall: Olive Young’s Skin Scan service has expanded to areas outside central Seoul.

 

 

	Olive Young Skin Scan	Dermatology Skin Analysis
Type	Kiosk	Chamber / Dark Room
Brand	ChoiceDx	MetaView, EveLab, etc.
Light Sources	2–3 (normal, UV, polarized)	4–5 (normal, gloss, polarized, UV, specific wavelengths)
Camera	High-resolution webcam/mobile-grade sensor	DSLR (Canon EOS, etc.) or multi-HD camera system
Method	2D image-based AI pattern analysis	3D facial structural mapping + multi-angle precision imaging
Analysis	AI trained on millions of data points + trained consultant	Physician who directly performs treatments
Price	Free	~$30

 

Olive Young’s system focuses on surface-level indicators — hydration, pores, pigmentation, and oil balance. It’s designed to help you choose better skincare products.

Dermatology-based systems go further. With additional light sources and structural imaging, they assess not only skin condition but also facial contours, symmetry, and depth — information that becomes relevant when planning procedures.

In simple terms:

• Surface → Product decisions
• Structure → Treatment decisions

Neither is “better.” They answer different questions.

 

 

What We Noticed — As Consumers

We’ve experienced dermatology-based skin analysis ourselves — simply as consumers. Two differences stood out.

First, cleansing.

Before imaging, you wash your face. If pores or pigmentation are being analyzed, removing makeup naturally makes the process feel more accurate. It’s a small detail, but it signals a clinical approach rather than a retail one.

Second, seeing structure.

What surprised us wasn’t the skin metrics — it was seeing the face mapped almost like a contour model. You begin to notice projection, symmetry, and balance.

The conversation shifts.

It’s no longer “Which cream should I buy?”

It becomes “What am I actually trying to change?”

That’s when the difference between surface and structure becomes clear.

 

 

Himedi Partner: Thekyeol

Last fall, we were looking for a clinic that offers consistent, physician-led skin analysis — not just advanced devices, but thoughtful interpretation.

That’s how we discovered Thekyeol. Thekyeol is a boutique clinic led by Park Shinyoung, an experienced chief doctor who personally conducts each skin analysis session and explains the results in fluent English.

As Dr. Park explains:

“When I display the analysis results on screen, it creates a more meaningful conversation. Objective data reduces the gap between what the patient wants and what I medically recommend.”

In our experience, when the same physician(not consultant) both analyzes the data and performs the treatment, the decision-making process simply feels clearer.

 

 

Final Thoughts

Retail scans and clinical analysis serve different purposes.

The question isn’t which is better —

it’s what you’re trying to solve.

If you’re unsure which path aligns with your goals,

ask Himedi.

 

 

Written by Donkyo Seo, CEO of Himedi, and reviewed by Dr. Park Shinyoung.