Apgujeong hair salon clinic for hard-water travel damage: Biorn Hair

It's been a while! My last post was on August 27, and I left the blog quiet for a bit while I went traveling for two weeks. For someone who used to post once a day, that's a pretty long gap, so writing this first sentence again feels a little awkward. Still, if anyone was waiting for a new post, thank you first for that.

The first post after my break is about the clinic treatment I got today for hair that got wrecked during my long trip.

What two weeks in Europe did to my hair

With regular root touch-ups, my hair was already gradually getting tired. On top of that, I was exposed to strong European sun for a long stretch and washed my hair daily in hard, mineral-heavy water. I came home with a bag full of memories, but my hair was dry and frizzy, tangling with every brush stroke — even tied back, you could see the frizz at the ends in photos.

Apparently repeated dyeing gradually strips protein out of hair. Add UV rays and mineral-heavy water on top, and you get that rough-outside, hollow-inside feeling. So this time I figured I needed to fill it back in from the inside. That's why I went to Biorn Hair Apgujeong Rodeo for the inner clinic.

Finding Biorn Hair: Exit 6, Apgujeong Rodeo Station, with valet parking

Biorn Hair Apgujeong Rodeo is near Exit 6 of Apgujeong Rodeo Station. If you're driving, valet parking is available right on the first floor of the building, and it's ₩5,000 for 3 hours.

Walking in, an open, spacious, stylish space greets you calmly, which meant I could sit through the more than hour-long treatment comfortably without feeling cramped.

I was tired and my throat was a bit sore, so I asked for a warm tea, and they even brought out these cute little snacks along with it. Amid the modern interior, little cute and playful touches kept catching my eye — even on the tray of the designer who took care of me today 😍

A spoonful of wit added to the designer's already confident tray setup made the whole place feel that much more approachable. According to the salon's own description, this Apgujeong Rodeo hair salon is staffed entirely by experienced designers 👍

What is the inner clinic treatment?

The inner clinic I got today is, true to its name, a clinic that fills the 'inside' of the hair first. The key is the order in which the protein goes in: large-particle, high-molecular keratin fills the wide gaps first, then small-particle, low-molecular keratin packs the remaining gaps tightly. It's similar to blocking a big hole with bricks, then filling the cracks with fine sand.

In between, they add CMC, a kind of 'adhesive layer' that connects the cells inside the hair. Replenishing this layer apparently makes the bond between protein and cuticle much stronger.

The 7 steps of Biorn Hair's 70-minute inner clinic

Today, one designer handled my care from start to finish.

The whole treatment took about 1 hour 10 minutes, and it went in this order:

① Shampoo & scrub — clearing away buildup on the hair's surface first so the protein products would absorb well.

② High-molecular protein — large-particle keratin filled into the damaged areas first.

③ Nano steam heat treatment — a step where warm steam opens the cuticle to speed up absorption.

④ Low-molecular protein — small particles packed the remaining gaps tightly.

⑤ Moisture protein & mist — added moisture and protein, then a mist to smooth the texture once more.

⑥ Coating & scalp massage — the most memorable step for me.

While lying in a massage chair getting a full-body massage (from back to legs, so refreshing 😊), hair coating and scalp massage happened at the same time. It ended up being a moment of rest for my body too, which had been busy the entire trip.

⑦ Dry & serum finish — for the final blow-dry, they finished with an Aryunchae oil serum,

and the scent was so good. I already own some products and picked up others on my trip, so I only took photos, but with the scent filling the car on the drive home, I kind of regretted not buying it on the spot.

How my hair changed after the inner clinic

To cut to the chase, the difference was clear.

• Softness: the once-frizzy ends became noticeably smoother
• Moisture: instead of feeling bone-dry, there was a soft, moist feel
• Shine: under the lights, my hair had a gentle glow

It felt like some of what the trip left behind had been lifted off.

How often should you get a hair clinic?

The designer kindly gave me some advice on the care cycle too.

• Timing: best done about a week after a root touch-up
• Frequency: once a month is usually enough

Though for my current hair condition, she recommended about once every three weeks, advice tailored to my hair right now, which made me trust it even more. If you get root touch-ups often like me, it might help to note the clinic date alongside your dye schedule.

The one thing I'm saving for next visit

Because of my backed-up schedule, I didn't get to the cut, but watching the designer's hands throughout the treatment, I could tell she'd be great at cuts too. Next time, I want to set aside enough time to get a cut done as well.

Biorn Hair Apgujeong Rodeo: hours, prices and address

• Location: Exit 6, Apgujeong Rodeo Station
• Parking: valet on 1st floor of the building, ₩5,000 for 3 hours
• Menu used: Inner clinic ₩250,000 / Cut ₩55,000 / Bangs trim ₩15,000
• Inner clinic duration: about 1 hour 10 minutes
• Amenities: separate men's/women's restrooms, pet-friendly, kids' chair, group bookings available

It occurred to me that taking care of your hair is a bit like investing. Consistency in keeping a schedule seems to make more of a difference in the end than any single big treatment. If you're looking for an Apgujeong Rodeo hair salon because your hair is tired and worn out, an inner clinic that fills it from the inside might be worth considering.