Dangsan-dong Dermatology Acne: Why It Repeats and How to Improve It

Acne is one of those recurring skin concerns that does not easily calm down once it appears, and even after improving, it can come back again.

Many people simply think, "It must be because I have a lot of sebum" or "It seems to flare up when I’m stressed," but in reality, acne is one of the complex skin conditions caused by a combination of the skin environment, lifestyle habits, irritating factors, and hormonal changes.

In particular, the reason it is common not only in teenagers but also in adults is that sebum, dead skin cells, and inflammation all affect the skin at the same time.

So today, I will talk about acne as a whole, including why it keeps recurring and how it should be treated.

-Dangsan-dong Dermatology Column-

1. Why acne recurs
2. Acne treatment methods by symptom
3. Daily care points for improving acne

Why acne recurs

Acne is not simply a skin problem caused by excessive sebum production.

Because multiple factors inside the skin work together to create a recurring pattern, it will keep coming back if left untreated.

First, when too much sebum is secreted on the skin, it creates an environment where the pores are easily blocked.

At this time, if dead skin cells do not shed properly and begin to clump and stick around the pore opening, circulation within the skin becomes less smooth, and inflammation can slowly develop in the meantime.

In addition, when lifestyle patterns become irregular due to stress, hormonal changes, lack of sleep, and so on, sebum production and the skin’s regeneration rhythm fluctuate significantly.

When this skin balance breaks down, acne can return easily even after it has calmed down once, so caution is needed.

Lastly, external irritation such as cosmetic residue, wearing masks, sweat, and skin friction can repeatedly irritate the pores and worsen inflammation.

In the end, the reason acne recurs is not a single cause, but because internal and external factors act on the skin at the same time.

Acne treatment methods by symptom

The most important thing in acne treatment is that the same treatment cannot be applied to everyone.

The treatment approach should differ depending on the type of acne, skin condition, and depth of inflammation, and it is difficult to expect continuous improvement with just one treatment.

For whiteheads and blackheads, which can be considered early-stage acne, it may be advisable to first remove dead skin cells on the skin surface to open the pores and use topical products that can help reduce sebum at the same time.

At this stage, basic treatment that organizes the skin’s flow takes priority over irritating procedures.

Next, if red acne with inflammation appears, treatments such as antibiotic ointment, inflammation injections, and soothing lasers should be used to reduce inflammation quickly and help prevent scarring.

The longer inflammation lasts, the higher the likelihood that it will lead to pigmentation or bumpy scars, so it is important not to miss the timing.

If scars are already present or the skin surface is uneven due to repeated inflammation, acne scaling, regenerative laser treatment, and pigmentation treatment should be combined to restore skin texture.

Through this step-by-step approach, the skin condition can be gradually stabilized and recurrence reduced.

Daily care points for improving acne

To maintain the effects of acne treatment for a long time, lifestyle management must be carried out together with treatment.

This is because even a small amount of skin irritation can cause inflammation to return.

First, washing your face too much or using a strong scrub can actually promote more oil production and irritate the skin barrier, worsening inflammation.

Also, the habit of frequently touching your face with your hands or squeezing acne yourself can deepen inflammation and leave scars, so it must be avoided.

It is also important to use cosmetics and sunscreen that do not clog pores.

Because acne is closely related to lifestyle habits, sufficient sleep and regular meals must also be maintained to reduce the frequency of recurrence.

Lastly, rather than stopping treatment immediately once symptoms improve, it is necessary to check the skin condition at regular intervals and continue maintenance treatment.

Acne is not a treatment that ends in the short term; only when the internal skin environment is stabilized as well can long-lasting results be expected.

Because it appears through a combination of factors such as sebum, dead skin cells, inflammation, and lifestyle habits, accurate cause analysis and a systematic treatment approach are necessary.

If your acne is currently recurring, or if a pattern of it continually appearing in the same area is visible, do not try to resolve it on your own; please visit a clinic and receive treatment suited to your symptoms.

I hope the information about acne that I shared today was helpful to you, and I will end the post here.

Thank you for reading to the end.

| This post was written for informational purposes in compliance with Article 56, Paragraphs 1 to 15 of the Medical Service Act. All treatments carry a risk of side effects and complications depending on the individual. Before treatment, please be sure to have a thorough consultation with a medical professional with extensive experience and then make your decision. |