When I recommend glutathione injections before other procedures
“My skin has been dry and dull lately.” “Maybe it’s because I haven’t slept.” “Can I still have treatment today?”
These are things people say when they come in feeling run-down.
First, one point must be clear. “Baekok” injections cannot replace skin procedures. An IV does not remove pigmentation or smooth wrinkles. If someone presents it that way, you need not take the claim at face value.
When someone feels particularly unwell, I tend to suggest postponing the procedure. Slower recovery can change the outcome even of the same treatment.
Why does fatigue show in the skin first?
Skin responds honestly to insufficient sleep and accumulated fatigue. Tone becomes dull, skin dry, and recovery after the same treatment may feel slower. Skin undergoes maintenance at night as the body recovers; less time means delayed repair. A day or two may not show, but weeks of disrupted sleep and meals leave their record on the skin. We see many people like this during busy periods such as year-end. When someone says, “Treatment doesn’t seem as effective as before,” questioning often reveals that the treatment has not changed, but their capacity to recover has. Simply adding more skin treatment may be the wrong order. It is like refinishing the surface while its foundation is unstable—or replacing wallpaper in a house with a shaky foundation. The wallpaper is not the problem; the sequence is. Before recommending a procedure in these situations, I check the body’s current condition. Sometimes I suggest taking a pause and recovering first.
Can an IV replace a skin procedure?
“Will an IV improve my skin?” some ask. To be clear, these infusions are neither a treatment for disease nor a procedure that dramatically transforms the skin. They cannot replace adequate sleep or regular meals. They supplement fluids, vitamins, and antioxidant ingredients intravenously to support overall condition. Eating and drinking enough remain the foundation; the appropriate expectation is a supplementary role in recovery when a busy period disrupts those basics. At LUNN, compositions differ according to aims such as fatigue recovery, skin tone, and antioxidant support. Explaining limitations before exaggerating effects keeps IV care in its proper place.
One more point: the same formula does not suit everyone. Medications, allergy history, and underlying conditions may mean certain ingredients should be avoided, so I always check these before an infusion. Taking IV treatment seriously is how to use it safely.
How is it planned alongside a procedure?
When planning skin boosters or device treatments such as Ultherapy or Thermage, I try to look beyond the skin. That is why I ask about sleep and fatigue during consultation. Recovery from the same procedure may feel different depending on whether the body’s recovery capacity is supporting it. If asked when to receive an IV, I explain that there is no fixed answer. During a particularly run-down period, we may discuss an infusion on the same day to care for both body and skin. Others use it only to support recovery during a busy period, without a skin procedure. An infusion usually takes around 30 minutes to 1 hour depending on its composition, so the time after a procedure can also become time to rest. If a skin booster addresses the skin itself, an IV is closer to supporting the foundation on which it rests.
What we check
The order is the same for people seeking IV care in Cheongdam. Before choosing the infusion, we check what the body may currently lack. As a single doctor, I personally handle consultation through follow-up, so one person can assess skin-treatment history and overall condition continuously. When both are recorded in the same chart, it is easier to judge whether an infusion is needed today. All LUNN care takes place in private rooms, allowing comfortable rest without interruption during the infusion. We are 1 minute from Exit 4 of Apgujeong Rodeo Station, with free parking and valet service for KRW 5,000, making visits easier even on tired days.
An IV is still an injection: bruising or mild pain can occur at the site, and ingredients may rarely cause hypersensitivity reactions. We therefore check your health beforehand. Perceived changes vary between individuals.
“Baekok” injections are an option for overall condition, not a replacement for a procedure. A place that distinguishes days when they are needed from days when they are not is preferable to one that promises a definite effect.
Related column: What happens if you receive a procedure with a damaged skin barrier? Related treatment information: IV therapy
