Persistent Acne: Causes and Treatment Methods

"This post has been reviewed and approved by the Korean Medical Association’s Medical Advertising Review Committee under No. 250812-중-195720."

Hello, this is Jamsil Go Un Sae Sang Dermatology!

Acne is a skin concern that can affect more than just appearance; it can also affect confidence. In particular, when it recurs repeatedly, it may be difficult to improve with simple changes in cosmetics or home care alone.

Acne can have many causes, and symptoms may appear differently depending on skin type. That is why it is important to accurately understand the skin condition first and then choose the right treatment method.

Today, I’ll go over the main causes of acne, lifestyle habits that can help improve it, and the treatment methods used in dermatology clinics.

[Why does acne occur?]

Acne develops through a combination of various factors.

The main causes are as follows.

1. Excess sebum production

2. Clogged pores due to dead skin cells

3. Bacterial growth within the skin

4. Hormonal changes (especially during puberty, before and after menstruation, during periods of stress, etc.)

5. Genetic factors and improper use of cosmetics

In environments where mask wearing is frequent, irritation acne also occurs often.

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[Types of acne]

Acne appears in various forms depending on its shape and stage of progression.

1. Whiteheads & blackheads (comedonal acne)

A form in which sebum builds up in pores and appears as white or black dots.

2. Red acne (papular acne)

A state in which an inflammatory reaction has occurred, and it may feel stinging or painful when touched.

3. Pus-filled acne (pustular acne)

A state in which inflammation has worsened and pus has formed; it is important to manage it without irritation.

4. Deep acne (nodular/cystic acne)

Acne that develops deep within the skin and is often more likely to lead to scars.

As such, acne differs depending on skin type and the cause of occurrence, so an appropriate approach is needed.

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[Acne care starting with lifestyle habits]

The first step in improving acne is to check your everyday habits.

The following lifestyle management tips may help.

• Improve cleansing habits:

Wash your face twice a day with a low-irritation cleanser rather than over-washing

• Control sebum:

Reduce oily foods and avoid cosmetics with a lot of oil

• Do not touch it with your hands:

The habit of squeezing or touching can cause inflammation to spread

• Get enough sleep and drink enough water

• Manage stress

Long-term stress is linked to hormonal changes

If acne continues to recur or inflammation becomes severe even with this kind of care, clinic treatment may be necessary.

[Acne treatment methods performed at dermatology clinics]

As noted above, acne appears as a result of multiple causes working together. Therefore, after accurately diagnosing the skin condition, it is important to choose the treatment method that fits it.

At dermatology clinics, the treatment direction is determined by considering the type of acne, skin type, and lifestyle habits together.

📌 Scaling

This is a process of removing dead skin cells, sebum, and waste inside pores to organize the environment that makes acne more likely to occur.

It can help manage pores while aiming to minimize skin irritation.

📌 Peeling treatment

Through peeling using ingredients such as salicylic acid (BHA) or glycolic acid (AHA), it may help remove accumulated dead skin cells on the skin surface and improve skin texture.

📌 Treatment using photoscaling

To treat sebaceous glands, which are the cause of skin troubles, a photosensitizer that is absorbed into the sebaceous glands is penetrated into the face, and then the sebaceous glands are removed and acne bacteria are eliminated through special light or laser.

[Procedure]

📌 Medication treatment if needed

Under the judgment of a dermatologist, depending on the degree of inflammation or condition of the acne, topical or oral medication treatment may be combined.

(However, medication treatment must 반드시 be carried out through a doctor’s diagnosis and prescription.)

Acne is not a condition that can be completely cured in a short period of time; it is a skin problem that requires consistent care and treatment. At Jamsil Go Un Sae Sang Dermatology, we plan customized treatment that takes each person’s skin characteristics and lifestyle into account, so if symptoms keep recurring, it is a good idea to get an accurate diagnosis.

Jamsil Go Un Sae Sang Dermatology is located near Jamsil Station Exit 7, and provides suitable individualized treatment for acne, including medication and laser procedures. We also treat various skin concerns such as skin diseases, melasma/pigmentation, and lifting procedures, so if you are dealing with multiple skin issues, why not try improving them through a consultation?

If you need a more detailed consultation, please contact Jamsil Go Un Sae Sang Dermatology via KakaoTalk or by phone, and we will kindly guide you.

Thank you.