“Glass skin” and “Korean glow”… offers sweeping beauty clinics

Emirates Today monitored an intense spread on social media platforms, ahead of Eid al-Adha, of promotional advertisements for clinics and beauty centers that use terms such as “glass skin,” “Korean glow,” and “Eid glow,” in addition to seasonal cosmetic offers and packages, with the possibility of installments, to attract those wishing to obtain quick results before Eid with discounts of up to 50%.

According to one of the promotions, the “Eid Glow” package is 350 dirhams instead of 700 dirhams, while the “Glass Skin” package is offered at 350 dirhams with discounts of up to 50%, while the prices of the “Korean Glow” package start at 525 dirhams.

On the other hand, doctors warned against getting carried away by these terms, stressing that they are not medical diagnoses, but rather marketing trends that may push some to seek unrealistic ideal results without a proper medical evaluation, which may lead to dangerous complications.

They stressed the need to ensure that cosmetic centers are licensed and that treatments are carried out under specialized medical supervision, while being wary of marketing phrases such as “instant results” and “radiance within an hour.” They also warned against using “black henna” because it often contains the substance “PPD,” which may cause allergic reactions, burns, and permanent skin effects, especially for children and those with sensitive skin.

In detail, dermatologist and cosmetician, Dr. Sarah Khalil, confirmed that the spread of terms such as “glass skin” and “Korean glow” through advertisements and social media may push some people to seek unrealistic results, without real medical understanding.

She explained that these terms are not medical diagnoses, but rather cosmetic trends that may include multiple procedures, such as peeling, deep moisturizing, laser, and some cosmetic treatments, which are procedures that do not suit all skin types to the same degree.

She pointed out that some seasonal cosmetic packages and offers related to events may prompt some people to make cosmetic decisions motivated by discounts or influenced by the “trend,” without undergoing a proper medical evaluation of the skin condition, which in some cases may lead to undesirable results such as irritation, pigmentation, allergies, or exacerbation of pre-existing skin problems.

She added that some people request procedures whose results they saw on influencers or in advertisements, although the nature of the skin, genetic factors, and lifestyle differ from one person to another, and therefore the same results cannot be expected for everyone.

She pointed out that some of the cases in which clinics may be referred after promotional campaigns include complications such as severe irritation after peeling or laser, skin infections, or allergic reactions to products or mixtures of unreliable origin, in addition to problems that may result from repeating sessions at inappropriate time intervals.

She stressed the importance of ensuring that the cosmetic center is officially licensed, and that the procedure is carried out under specialized medical supervision, with the need to deal with caution with marketing phrases, such as “instant results” or “radiance within an hour.” She also advised the public to ask about the type of materials and devices used, and to obtain an appropriate medical evaluation before making any cosmetic decision, because skin health must be based on medical foundations, not on offers or seasonal pressures.

Plastic surgery consultant, Dr. Youssef Hasoud, confirmed that the holiday seasons witness a noticeable increase in demand for cosmetic procedures and promotional offers related to obtaining the best aesthetic results as quickly as possible, which requires enhancing community awareness of the importance of performing any cosmetic intervention within licensed health facilities and under the supervision of qualified doctors, in order to preserve the safety of individuals and the quality and sustainability of the results.

He explained that seasonal offers may represent an appropriate opportunity to benefit from modern cosmetic techniques at competitive prices, but the cosmetic decision must first be based on an accurate medical evaluation that takes into account the nature of each case and its health needs. He pointed out that some people accept multiple procedures in unreliable clinics, and in places that are close to salons, short periods before the events without sufficient awareness of the techniques and materials used, and without the service provider clearly explaining to the client the recovery period, or the possibility of temporary skin irritations occurring in some cases.

Cosmetic specialist, Dr. Mohamed Orabi, said: “The concept of glass skin has become, in recent years, one of the most widely used terms in the world of beauty, especially through social media platforms, where it has been associated with long-care proteins, products, and serums that promise to obtain perfect, shiny skin. However, this concept has turned into a cosmetic obsession rather than a realistic medical goal.”

He explained that the recurring question within dermatology clinics today is the extent to which it is actually possible to achieve what is known as “glass skin,” pointing out that this concept in essence depends on the health of the skin, its hydration, and the uniformity of its color, and not on the artificial appearances resulting from “filters,” lighting, or digital modifications spread on social media.

He warned that an abundance of products does not necessarily mean better skin, but rather a simple and balanced routine is often the most effective.

He stressed that achieving healthy, radiant skin depends on clear medical foundations, most notably good hydration, adequate sleep, daily protection from the sun’s rays, and proper treatment of skin type, pointing out that the danger of the “glass skin” trend does not lie in skin care itself, but rather in creating unrealistic aesthetic standards that prompt constant comparison.

In turn, the specialist in dermatology and cosmetic medicine, Dr. Lynn Muhammad Al-Hussein, warned against the indiscriminate use of black henna during the holiday seasons, explaining that some of the types in circulation contain chemicals added to stabilize the dark color quickly, stressing that the problem is not related to the well-known natural henna, but rather to some unreliable products that may contain high levels of paraphenylene diamine, which is sometimes used in hair dyes, which may lead to severe allergies, skin infections, or pigmentation that lasts for long periods after the holiday.

She stated that the spread of promotional images and clips on social media leads some girls to try products of unknown origin or to apply henna in non-specialized places without knowing the ingredients used or their suitability for the skin, pointing out that some cases later require treatment sessions to treat the effects of allergies or pigmentation resulting from these substances.

She explained that this substance may lead to severe redness, itching, swelling, skin blisters, chemical burns, and sometimes infections that require medical treatment. In some cases, black henna may leave long-term effects such as pigmentation or scars, especially if it is used on the skin of children or those with sensitive skin. She advised against leaving henna on the skin for long periods, and that it is necessary to consult a doctor as soon as redness, itching, or swelling appears, to avoid worsening the condition and the occurrence of skin effects that may last weeks later.