[Jamsil Gowun Sesang Dermatology] Acne Scars: A Systematic Management Method That Doesn’t Miss the Golden Time

The golden time

for preventing acne scars!

Hello, this is Jamsil Gowun Sesang Dermatology, located near Jamsil Station!

As summer approaches, excess sebum is secreted inside the increasingly humid mask, acne keeps breaking out one after another, and before long you find yourself facing marks left all over your face. In particular, adult acne is not just a childhood concern; it can easily arise from a complex interplay of hormonal changes and the living environment.

So when a pimple appears, if you dismiss it by thinking, “It’s probably nothing,” it can leave you with scars that remain on your face for a long time and weigh on your mind. At times like this, the most important thing is to receive an accurate diagnosis while the acne is still in the inflammatory stage and establish a treatment plan suited to it.

Today, we will take a detailed look at five key steps for preventing acne scars and managing them systematically: 1) types of scars and diagnostic methods, 2) the importance of early treatment, 3) customized treatment options by scar type, 4) correction of lifestyle habits and supportive care, and 5) ongoing recovery management.

1. Types of acne scars and diagnostic methods Have you ever stared into a mirror and been surprised by the uneven texture you felt with your fingertips?

Those marks that remain even after acne has subsided are not just traces; they are signals that the structure beneath the skin has changed.

First, there are many types of acne scars, but they can broadly be divided into two categories.

One is an “atrophic scar,” where the skin surface is sunken. These are further classified into ice pick scars (narrow, deep pits), boxcar scars (relatively distinct rounded or oval depressions), and rolling scars (gently undulating indentations that make the skin look wavelike).

The other is an “erythematous scar,” in which redness remains because blood vessels in the skin expand after inflammation. A characteristic of this type is that it does not easily fade over time.

During the diagnostic stage, the first thing to carefully check is whether any comedones are still present.

If comedones remain, they can be confused with folliculitis or perioral dermatitis, so an accurate differential diagnosis is essential. After that, a dermatologist uses a skin diagnostic device to closely assess the depth and type of the scar. In this process, surface contour and pigmentation changes are precisely measured, and the scar is classified based on objective data as an ice pick scar, boxcar scar, or simple redness.

Only by accurately diagnosing the type of scar can a customized, step-by-step treatment plan be established and the extent of improvement that can be expected be clearly predicted.

2. The importance of early treatment It would be fortunate if acne only appeared once or twice and then disappeared, but if it keeps recurring for a long time, or if whiteheads remain as raised bumps, that is a sign that inflammation is slowly spreading deep within the dermis.

The more severe the damage to the dermis becomes, the slower the skin’s regeneration will be, and eventually the skin structure may become permanently altered, increasing the likelihood that it will remain as a scar that is difficult to recover from.

In particular, whiteheads, also called closed comedones, cannot be expelled outward and are easily trapped inside the pores, which can intensify inflammation. When this inflammation spreads to the dermis, collagen and elastin fibers are destroyed and atrophic scars begin to form.

Therefore, if acne persists for more than six months or if red, swollen inflammation repeatedly occurs, do not leave it untreated on your own; the key is to promptly visit a dermatologist, receive an accurate diagnosis of the cause, and begin professional treatment.

Early treatment intervention reduces the spread of inflammation and becomes a foundation for maximizing the effectiveness of later scar-improving procedures such as lasers or peeling. Please remember that to return to clear skin, you must go beyond simply managing acne on the surface and intervene carefully from the inflammatory stage.

3. Customized treatment options by scar type If each acne scar remains like a different map drawn across the face, then precise tools and procedures are needed accordingly. Depending on the type of scar, the following methods can be combined or selected to maximize treatment effectiveness.

1. Erythematous scars If red marks remain for a long time and are a concern, the key is to suppress both the dilated capillaries beneath the skin’s surface and excessive pigmentation.

To do this, light therapy (LED, IPL, etc.) is performed periodically over 3 to 4 months, along with vascular laser treatment (585–595 nm wavelength). Light therapy gradually breaks down excess melanin pigments, improving skin tone uniformity, while vascular lasers selectively destroy dilated capillaries to help fade redness.

2. Depressed scars Atrophic scars that leave the skin surface sunken require collagen regeneration along with physical release of the dermal tissue.

First, fractional lasers (fractional radiofrequency microneedles or erbium(YAG) lasers) are used to create microscopic thermal damage and promote new collagen formation in the surrounding area. Next, the subcision technique is used to physically cut the fibrous tissue beneath the scar, causing it to lift and flattening the skin surface.

Microneedling or picosecond laser treatments may be added to support the regenerative environment, and if necessary, combination therapy with filler injections can be applied to temporarily restore volume to the depressed area.

3. Alternative topical therapy If surgical or laser procedures feel burdensome, topical agents can also help support dermal collagen regeneration. Applying the combination product adapalene and benzoyl peroxide (Epiduo Forte) consistently for 6 to 10 months helps regulate keratin and sebum within the pores while gradually promoting collagen synthesis in the dermis.

Although long-term use is required, it is a noninvasive option that minimizes skin irritation and can help correct the skin from the early stage when scars begin to settle.

4. Lifestyle correction and supportive care Have you ever started the morning with a sweet bowl of cereal and a glass of milk, or enjoyed high-fat fast food for lunch?

When these eating habits are repeated, blood sugar and insulin levels in the body fluctuate sharply, which can stimulate the sebaceous glands and worsen inflammatory reactions.

First, diets with a high glycemic load (sweet drinks, refined carbohydrates), excessive dairy intake, and foods high in saturated fat can easily lead to increased sebum secretion and worsened inflammation. Therefore, reduce processed carbohydrates and high-fat snacks, and instead build your meals around fresh vegetables, fruit, and whole grains.

At the same time, getting enough antioxidant nutrients such as vitamins A, C, and E, as well as zinc and selenium, helps skin regeneration and immune function and also improves overall condition.

Sleep and stress management are also essential. Going to bed before 11 p.m. and securing 7 to 8 hours of quality sleep allows growth hormone secretion to proceed smoothly, helping damaged skin tissue recover.

In addition, consistent exercise and practicing meditation or breathing techniques can lower the stress hormone cortisol, maintain hormonal balance, and help suppress excessive sebum secretion.

After procedures, the skin barrier can easily become temporarily weakened, so please replenish moisture and lipids with a highly moisturizing cream or an ampoule containing ceramides and hyaluronic acid. It is best to minimize the use of makeup and carefully apply sunscreen when going outside to reduce skin irritation.

When these small changes in daily life and supportive care accumulate, the effects of acne scar improvement can last longer.

5. Ongoing recovery management Have you ever heard the saying, “Just because the procedure is over doesn’t mean the skin becomes perfect right away”?

Even after acne scar improvement procedures, your skin is still going through a regeneration process, so consistent care is necessary.

First, make sure to apply sunscreen before and after going outside. UV rays interfere with collagen regeneration and worsen pigmentation, so making a habit of reapplying every 2 to 3 hours each day will greatly help preserve the results of the procedure.

When cleansing, choose a mildly acidic cleanser to minimize skin irritation. Harsh cleansing ingredients can instead damage the skin barrier and slow regeneration, so lather sufficiently, wash gently, and rinse with lukewarm water.

Exfoliating with AHA/BHA products once or twice a week helps remove old dead skin cells, allowing the next moisturizing products to be absorbed more deeply. At this time, be sure to apply a low-irritation moisturizer and soothing ampoule together so that the skin does not feel tight or become red.

If you consistently follow these three routines—sun protection, gentle cleansing, and focused moisturizing after weekly exfoliation—you will gradually notice acne marks fading and your skin texture returning to a smoother state.

Don’t miss the golden time!

Even small acne scars become more difficult to treat over time, and the scope of treatment expands while the speed of regeneration slows. As soon as acne appears, visiting a dermatologist to accurately identify the scar type and establish a corresponding procedure plan and lifestyle correction strategy is the first step in scar prevention.

Starting today, try practicing daily sunscreen use, gentle cleansing, weekly exfoliation, and moisturizing care one by one. When small efforts accumulate, you can prevent scars that may otherwise remain for a lifetime and return to healthy, confident skin.

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This article was provided by Jamsil Gowun Sesang Dermatology for the purpose of providing medical information in accordance with Article 56, Paragraph 1 of the Medical Advertising Act. All procedures and surgeries carry the risk of side effects such as bleeding, infection, and nerve damage, so please proceed carefully after sufficient consultation with medical staff.