How living in Korea can get you a step closer to becoming beautiful

Beauty is pain. Beauty is expensive. Beauty this, beauty that.

For the time I have been teaching in Korea, I have noticed that no Korean is fully satisfied with his/her looks. Everywhere you go you see advertisements for plastic surgery or dermatology. With the amount of beauty clinics you pass by, you're just as tempted as those Korean boys and girls.

Here are the list of steps you can take to become closer to beautiful:

1. Laser hair removal: Now I know this is every girl's dream in America. Guess what? Laser hair removal is actually affordable in Korea! Armpits are only $40-$80(USD) for full five sessions depending on what town you're in. Clinics even have deals where you can buy the whole armpit/bikini/upper lip hair removal package for under $350!

2. Mole removal: Here and there we are all blessed with unwanted freckles/moles. For under $10 each, you can remove them. I'm sure if you have multiple unwanted moles, they will definitely give you a better deal.

3. Lasik: As someone who has worn glasses pretty much all her life, I am one to be excited about this option. The one thing I long for is to be able to wake up and see the world without having to fumble around for my glasses. I know many co-workers in Korea that have gotten Lasik done on their eyes. The price range is anywhere from $1000 to $1500 for BOTH eyes. Don't let Americans fool you with that "per eye" deal. Since EVERYONE in Korea wears glasses, this country is the place to get Lasik.

4. Acne treatment: Koreans are into their skin. They do not mess around with pimples here. If you have what they call "crater skin," you should go check out one of thousands of dermatologists to clear you up. I'm not too sure about the price, but I'm sure it will be well worth it.

5.Plastic surgery: Ok, so this one is not for everyone. However, plastic surgery is not only for those full of themselves. I had friends who had scars from accidents and cancer treatments that longed to get rid of their scars. I for sure have asked around for a nose job after the shape had changed due to my septoplasty. Seoul has different areas where they specialize on different body parts. All I know is that plastic surgery is so common in Korea, it's almost a way of life here (cheap).

There are a million and one more options to beautify yourself in Korea. I have yet to research into this, but they even have "obese" clinics for those not so obese at all. Whatever it is, it's working because Koreans are so skinny.

In no way am I condoning anyone to do any of this. You should be comfortable with yourself and love yourself for who you are. These are just some options for those who truly feel they need it (and to advertise what Korea has got to offer).