The Misconception That “Acne Heals Faster When You Squeeze It,” Explained by a Gangnam Station Acne Dermatology Director

A person was sitting there,

covering a chin marked with

fingernail scratches.

One day, someone sitting in the consultation room was covering their chin with their hand before they even began speaking. They were an office worker in their mid-30s.

They lowered their mask and said these words first:

“ I squeezed it again last night. I thought it would be more noticeable at tomorrow’s meeting if I didn’t.” Then they added something that stayed with me.

“I’ve been doing this for five years. The acne goes away, but the marks just keep increasing.” Their face was scattered with red marks from places they had touched in the past, more than with newly developed acne.

This is also the kind of face I most often encounter while treating patients at a Gangnam Station acne dermatology clinic. Today, as Director Lee Yideuk, I would like to share exactly what I told that person. Please follow along as we look at why the statement “you have to squeeze it for it to heal quickly” is only half true.

When squeezing feels relieving,

why do marks remain?

They asked me:

“After I squeeze it, it definitely seems to go down faster,

so why do I get a mark every time?”

I first explained

what acne is.

Acne begins when sebum

cannot escape from the pores

and becomes mixed with dead skin cells.

When acne-causing bacteria

settle in, the body creates

an inflammatory response

to defend itself.

The redness, swelling, and

throbbing when touched

are all signs of inflammation.

In other words, the visible white

particle is the result,

while the real problem

lies underneath it.

What would happen if you poured no water on a burning spot and simply swept up the ashes?

It might look tidy on the surface,

but the embers would still remain.

The relief you feel after squeezing

is not a sign that the inflammation

has disappeared.

It is closer to the sensation

of compressed pressure being

released temporarily.

Not a stain on wallpaper,

but water damage inside the wall

So I shared this analogy:

If you think of the skin as a wall,

acne is not a stain on the wallpaper.

It is more like water damage

that has seeped inside the wall.

If you scrape the surface away

with a fingernail, the stain may

disappear temporarily,

but the wall itself becomes gouged

and a mark remains.

The force used to squeeze with your hands

is stronger than you might think.

Instead of coming out,

the inflammation may spread

to the side or deeper underneath.

What they had been repeating for five years was not really removing acne.

In fact, it was closer to creating marks.

Among the people who visit a Gangnam Station acne dermatology clinic, many are more distressed by the traces left behind than by the acne itself.

Rather than understanding “you have to squeeze it to heal” as a complete lie, I hope you understand that the outcome can vary greatly depending on who handles which type of acne and how.

The answer I gave that day was “sequence”

The answer I gave them

was not the name of a new device.

It was about changing the order

of what we do.

First, when the inflammation

is vividly red and active,

do not touch it.

Focus on calming it down.

Second, assess the skin condition

and the type of acne separately.

If sebum production is high

and enlarged pores are also

a concern, we may discuss

a laser such as Artlaser.

If red marks or pigmentation

remain, we work to even out

the skin tone with Dual Toning

or IPL.

If indented scars have already

formed, we also consider approaches

to refine the skin texture,

such as a CO2 laser or

CLO Scar Restoration.

However, as we always explain

at a Gangnam Station acne dermatology clinic,

no device is equally suitable

for every skin type.

During treatment, you may feel

stinging and warmth.

If needed, we can reduce discomfort

with numbing cream.

The skin may temporarily become

redder or appear darker after treatment.

The speed and degree of recovery

vary from person to person.

Marks and scars: These two must be distinguished first

This was the part

that surprised them most.

Many people use “marks” and

“scars” as if they mean the same thing,

but they are actually different.

Red or brown discoloration

is primarily a color issue—

what we call a mark.

By contrast, skin that is indented

or uneven involves a structural issue

and is considered a scar.

Color may gradually fade

over time,

but structure does not easily

fill back in on its own.

That is why

at a Gangnam Station acne dermatology clinic,

we set aside ample time early

in the consultation to distinguish

between the two.

Preventing the skin from becoming

more deeply indented is far more important

than hurriedly erasing the redness

you see right now.

“So what should I do tonight?”

They asked before leaving.

I did not give them

anything elaborate.

Wash your face twice a day

with lukewarm water and gentle motions.

Excessive cleansing can instead

make the skin more sensitive.

Rather than applying several new products

all at once,

it is better to add them one by one

while observing how your skin responds.

Above all, please keep your hands

and fingernails away from your acne.

The thought of “just this one”

creates next month’s mark.

Apply sunscreen consistently.

It can help slow the darkening

of remaining redness.

The skin slowly remembers

the way we treat it every day.

I also suggested spending

slightly less time standing

in front of the mirror.

The longer you look,

the more likely your hand is

to move toward your face.

Look at the face you will have in a year,

not just today’s acne

That day, they stood up

with a slightly lighter expression.

I think it was because they realized

that “getting rid of one today”

and “protecting the face you will have

one year from now” are different things.

Acne is a skin condition

in which impatience becomes

one of the biggest obstacles.

Resisting the urge to touch your skin

once tonight may be the first step,

before any treatment.

This is also why we have maintained

the principles of a comfortable,

natural-looking face,

honest consultations, and proven treatments,

rather than excessive change.

As Director Lee Yideuk, treating patients

at a Gangnam Station acne dermatology clinic,

I will continue considering with you

the direction that helps your skin

feel a little more comfortable than it does now.

The director answers your questions directly

Q1. Does squeezing acne

really make it worse?

A. It depends on the situation.

However, forcefully squeezing with your hands

can cause inflammation to spread

into the surrounding tissue,

increasing the likelihood of marks or indentations.

Fingernails are stronger tools

than you might think.

Q2. Why does acne keep appearing

in the same places?

A. Areas with active sebaceous glands

and enlarged pores already have

the conditions that make acne more likely.

Hormonal changes, sleep,

stress, and friction also

play a role.

Q3. How can I distinguish

between a mark and a scar?

A. If only discoloration remains,

it is considered a mark.

If the surface is indented,

it is considered a scar.

Because it is often difficult

to judge by sight alone,

we examine the skin during a consultation

by changing the lighting and viewing angles.

Q4. I already have scars.

Is it too late?

A. There is no need to conclude

that it is too late.

The approach varies depending

on the shape and depth,

and the degree of improvement

varies from person to person.

Q5. Is treatment very painful?

A. You may feel stinging

or warmth.

If you are sensitive to pain,

numbing cream can be used,

so please let us know in advance.

There is no need to endure it.

📍 Location

429 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu,

Seoul, 5th floor, Suite 502

(Seocho-dong, Dongil Building)

Located near Gangnam Station

and Sinnonhyeon Station.

📞 Phone

02-567-5900

🕘 Consultation Hours

· Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 10:00–19:00

· Saturday: 10:00–17:00

· Lunch break: Weekdays, 13:00–14:30

· Closed: Wednesday, Sunday, and public holidays