Watch your back this summer.

(From The Korea Herald)

By Hwang You-mee Cleavage is in and designers from Calvin Klein to Christian Dior are putting out what used to be considered lingerie as everyday clothes for summer. Gauzelike, fragile dresses and tops - some even backless - are delightfully and shamelessly baring skin.

More women are more than willing to uncover, regardless of sidelong glances or frowns. Before heading outside, though, check the condition of your skin, as confidence matters and skin tends to break out more easily in the summer.

"There are more sebaceous glands on the chest and back, and folliculitis, or inflammation of the hair follicles, can aggravate as you perspire more. This can cause pityrosporum ovale, a fungus, to become more active in summer," said Jang Ga-yeon, a dermatologist at Arumdaunnara Clinic.

The first rule in keeping your back clean and clear is cleansing it thoroughly. But the skin there is hard to reach, and that contributes to breakouts.

Clarins Institute, which recently opened its second branch in Sinsa- dong, suggests its back- and scalp-relaxing treatment, which consists of back scrubbing and a massage. "It is not specifically designed for acne on your back, but scrubbing your back removes dead cells and impurities. Combined with a back massage, it also helps eliminate waste and restore skin cells," said Hong Eun-sook, the institute manager.

The 30-minute treatment starts with relaxing movements: A therapist helps you relax with deep breathing and by softly swaying your whole body from side to side. Then she deep-cleanses the back with firm strokes, using a product called Eau Dynamisante Gommage Moussant, which helps slough off dead skin cells. Next follows kneading and massaging from the back of the neck to the small ...