If you find that your skin feels rough and your makeup frequently cakes or flakes, try our Hongdae peeling treatment.

October 15, 2026

Hello.

I am Director Kim Dong-young of Cleor Clinic Hongdae Branch.

Have you ever finished a shower and run your palms over your cheeks?

On days when your skin doesn't feel smooth and you feel a rough texture on your hands,

you might feel that your skincare products won't absorb well even before you apply them.

It's that feeling where you apply toner, but it doesn't absorb and just sits on the surface,

or days when even after applying cream, it feels like it's just lingering on the skin.

No matter how thinly you apply your base makeup, it looks cakey in certain areas,

and you feel like your complexion looks dull by the afternoon.

This is because when dead skin cells and sebum accumulate on the surface, the very texture the products touch changes.The stratum corneum is structured to shed at regular intervals, but during periods of dryness or

continued irritation, that cycle tends to become uneven.

Today, I will look at what Hongdae peeling is, how acid ingredients work to

exfoliate accumulated dead skin cells, and why there are various types of treatments.

What is Hongdae peeling?

👉 Hongdae peeling is a treatment that uses acid ingredients to loosen the bonds between dead skin cells,

helping the dead skin that has been lingering for a long time to shed naturally.

Dead skin cells on the skin's surface don't just pile up.

There is a microscopic bonding structure between cells that holds them together,

maintaining a state where they are interlocked like bricks.

The skin normally releases these bonds in order from the bottom up,

shedding the outermost dead skin and revealing the new surface underneath.

The problem is that during periods of dryness, excess sebum, or repeated irritation,

these bonds do not release on time.

As dead skin that should have shed remains on the surface, the layer becomes thicker,

and because the surface is uneven, the way products are absorbed varies by area.

Acid ingredients target this bonding structure.

Rather than physically scraping off dead skin, it works by loosening the holding force,

helping the original cycle regain its proper speed.

Strengths of Hongdae peeling

👉 The biggest strength is that the area of effect changes depending on the properties of the acid, allowing you to choose a treatment based on your goals.

First, water-soluble acids and oil-soluble acids reach different areas.

AHA-based ingredients, represented by glycolic acid, have small molecules and are water-soluble,so they spread evenly across the skin's surface layer.

On the other hand, BHA-based ingredients, represented by salicylic acid, are oil-soluble,

allowing them to penetrate deep into pores where sebum is trapped.

This is why the treatment options are divided based on whether the goal is to refine dead skin or clear sebum inside the pores.

Second, because it is a method of loosening bonds rather than scraping, the intensity can be adjusted.

Since the degree of loosening varies depending on the type of acid, concentration, and application time,

if you have sensitive skin, you can start with a milder treatment and adjust based on your skin's reaction.

It is a treatment based on building up results over intervals rather than doing it strongly all at once.Third, once the surface is evenly refined, the absorption of subsequent steps becomes uniform.

Even with the same product, the way it sits on the skin differs between areas with thick dead skin and thin areas.

As the surface height difference decreases, the variation in how subsequent products or

future treatments are absorbed also narrows.

Understanding the principles of peeling👉 It helps the original shedding process regain its speed by loosening the bonds holding the dead skin cells.

The outermost layer of the skin is maintained by a cycle where new cells rise from below and

old cells shed from the outside.

The final stage of this cycle is the process where the bonds between dead skin cells are released,

and if this stage is delayed, the dead skin that should have shed remains, thickening the layer.

The rough feeling on the surface and the sensation of products not absorbing usually stem from this point.

When acid is applied to the surface, the force holding the bonds loosens.

With movements as simple as washing your face or the brushing of a collar,

the long-lingering dead skin gives way, revealing the surface underneath.

It is accurate to understand it as letting go of the parts that are ready to leave, rather than peeling off the skin.

The surface refined in this way is exposed to external stimuli for a while.

Therefore, how you manage hydration and sun protection afterward determines the outcome of the remaining days.

This is why I say that what happens after the treatment is more important than the treatment time itself.

How it is performed and programs

👉 Since peeling focuses on which ingredients are applied at what concentration rather than equipment, each item has a different focus.

Acid-based peeling loosens the bonds holding dead skin cells.

AHAs like glycolic acid are water-soluble and mainly stay on the surface dead skin,

while BHAs like salicylic acid are oil-soluble and enter deep into pores filled with sebum.

At Cleor Clinic Hongdae Branch, we operate GA Peel (glycolic acid series), Black Peel for sebum and pore management,

and Pumpkin Peel and LHA Peel for surface refinement separately.

When physically refining surface sebum and dead skin together, we follow up with Aqua Peel.

Even with the same ingredient, the degree of irritation left on the surface varies depending on the concentration and application time.

We decide which treatment to proceed with after checking sebum levels and sensitivity.

Consider peeling if you have these days often

Those who feel that toner and cream do not absorb and are slow to penetrate

Those whose base makeup looks cakey only in certain areas

Those who always feel roughness around the nose and chin due to excess sebum

Those who feel their face looks dull by the afternoon

Those who prefer a direction of continuing with intervals rather than strong treatments

Types of Hongdae skin care

  • 👉 The treatment items at the Hongdae branch can be divided by whether they stop at the surface or penetrate deep into the pores.

  • We decide which item to go with by looking at the amount of sebum, sensitivity,

  • and the thickness of the accumulated dead skin together.

  • Side effects and things to know

  • 👉 As it is a treatment that touches the surface, how you spend the days after the treatment significantly affects the progress.

⚠️ Precautions before and after treatment

❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q. Is it a treatment that scrapes off dead skin?

A. It is not a method of physically scraping it off,

but a method of loosening the bonds between dead skin cells.

It is closer to helping dead skin that is already ready to fall off shed naturally.

Q. What is the difference between AHA and BHA?

A. They are divided into water-soluble and oil-soluble.

The former spreads evenly on the surface dead skin layer, while the latter penetrates deep into pores filled with sebum.

The items are divided based on whether you are looking at the surface or the inside of the pores.

Q. Does dead skin visibly flake off after receiving a peel?

A. The extent varies greatly depending on the item and the skin condition of the day.

It is difficult to say for sure as it sometimes passes with almost no visible signs.

Q. Is it possible for sensitive skin or skin with frequent redness?

A. The intensity can be adjusted by which acid is used and how long it is left on.

We start weakly and adjust based on the reaction, and depending on the condition, we may perform soothing care first.

Q. Can I use it with acid-based products I use at home?

A. If they overlap during the same period, there is a possibility of increased irritation.

We will guide you on the usage intervals, so please let us know what products you are currently using.

Q. Is there a specific reason why I am told to protect my skin from the sun after treatment?

A. The surface where old dead skin has been shed is exposed to external stimuli for a while.

There have been reports of pigmentation if the skin is not protected from the sun during this time,

so we strongly recommend taking extra care for a few days after the treatment.

Hongdae peeling is not a treatment that strongly adds something to the skin.

It is a treatment that helps the original cycle regain its speed by loosening the bonds that held the dead skin cells.

Because water-soluble acids and oil-soluble acids reach different areas,

we can divide the items based on whether you want to refine dead skin or sebum inside the pores.

Once the surface is evenly refined, the surface where subsequent products and treatments are applied also becomes uniform.

At Cleor Clinic Hongdae Branch, we check the sebum level, sensitivity, and dead skin condition

together to personally confirm which type of treatment is suitable during the consultation.

If you need a direction to soothe the surface after the procedure, we may also look into Oxygen Bubble Therapy.

If you have been feeling a rough texture when touching your skin, please feel free to stop by and have a chat.

※ This content is for general information purposes only, and changes may vary by individual.

Please consult with a specialist to determine the exact diagnosis and whether to proceed with the procedure.

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