Director Im Lee-seok: "A Cream That Dermatologists and Pharmacists Apply Every Night?" Allure Magazine Article

A cream that dermatologists and pharmacists apply every night?

An A-to-Z fact check on Stieva-A Cream!

A prescription all-purpose cream? Stieva-A Cream, which can only be purchased with a dermatologist's prescription, is a word-of-mouth favorite for many because of reports that it reduces pores and smooths the skin. Does it really work to tighten wrinkles? Who is it suitable for, and are there any points to watch out for when using it?

We found the answer at Im Lee-seok Theme Dermatology, where they solve all skin-related concerns, from customized treatment for skin conditions to beauty and anti-aging care. What were the results of the fact check conducted directly with Director Im Lee-seok, whom even celebrities trust and visit?

Does Stieva-A Cream really tighten pores?

Stieva-A Cream is a vitamin A–based medication made with tretinoin. It has a strong effect on normalizing the abnormal keratinization around acne through a mechanism that normalizes abnormal keratinization, and it can also improve fine wrinkles and skin pigmentation, so it can be used for purposes other than acne treatment. However, for skin changes that occur due to various causes, such as pores, it is difficult to say that it has a clear effect.

How should Stieva-A Cream be used to see results?

The biggest issue with Stieva-A is localized skin irritation. Redness, peeling, severe dryness, tightness, and burning may occur. It can generally be applied at any step of a basic skincare routine without major issues, but because applying it broadly at the beginning can cause significant irritation, it is usually recommended to apply a small amount, about the size of a pea, to the necessary areas at the last step of skincare and allow an adjustment period of about the first month. No specific duration of use is set; it is recommended to continue applying it until the skin concern you want to improve gets better. If a lot of flaking occurs during use, reduce excessive washing, take a break for a day or two, and try applying a smaller amount than before. If irritation continues, it is recommended to further extend the interval between applications, reduce the amount, or dilute it with a non-irritating moisturizer that you already use.

Which skin types respond best? Are there side effects?

Since Stieva A Cream is primarily a first-line cream for acne, skin with a lot of closed comedones is the most suitable.

Stieva A's biggest issue is localized skin irritation. Redness, peeling, severe dryness, tightness, and burning may occur. If the side effects above are not severe, there are no particular contraindications. However, with topical preparations, the possibility of directly causing fetal malformations is considered very low, but its use is not recommended for pregnant women.

Are there any lifestyle habits that help reduce pores?

To dermatologists, healthy, clear skin is not something where pores, pigmentation, and wrinkles are seen as separate issues; rather, it is defined by evaluating the overall condition of the skin together. In that sense, wrinkles and pigmentation that improve with Stieva-A can help improve the overall condition of the skin. Lifestyle habits that help reduce pores ultimately are ways to slow skin aging. For this, it is necessary to use sunscreen regularly to prevent skin aging caused by ultraviolet rays, get enough sleep to promote skin recovery, and give up habits such as smoking that worsen skin aging.

What are the effects of other dermatologist creams that people often search for?

Differin Cream, Retin-A Cream, and tretinoin ointment are all medications made with vitamin A–based ingredients. They are primarily used as acne treatments and can also be used to improve pigmentation and fine wrinkles. In the case of Melanon Cream, in addition to vitamin A–based ingredients, it contains hydroquinone, which acts on the melanin production stage to induce a brightening effect, and hydrocortisone, a steroid ingredient, and is used to treat pigmentation and melasma. As in the example above, even if similar ingredients are included, the purpose of treatment may differ depending on the combination and concentration of the medication.

Recently, as mask use has increased, many people have been visiting dermatology clinics due to skin trouble and an increase in acne caused by wearing masks. In such cases, vitamin A–based medications (Differin, Retin-A, Stieva) may be helpful, but in many cases people complain of a burning sensation, so it is recommended to diagnose the exact cause first and then apply them carefully.

What is one thing that is really bad for the skin if you do it this way?

I think the skin is a mirror that directly shows the condition of our body. Maintaining basic health through healthy lifestyle habits (regular exercise, sufficient sleep, etc.) is probably the most necessary thing for protecting skin health. Also, for those who spend a lot of time outdoors, sunscreen may be the most basic preventive measure to suppress skin aging!

Article source: Allure Magazine

This article was written with the help of Director Im Lee-seok of Im Lee-seok Theme Dermatology.