Tiny Bumps Around Gangnam Station: Are They Acne or Milia? The Clinic Director Explains How to Tell Them Apart

Bumpy skin on the forehead and cheeks,

those tiny, grain-like bumps

You may have noticed it at least once: a slightly rough texture that catches on your fingertips when you absentmindedly touch the area around your forehead and cheeks.

A few days ago, someone who had been struggling with tiny bumps around Gangnam Station for a long time told us that their makeup no longer went on smoothly and that the bumps were especially noticeable under lighting, which made them self-conscious.

They said they had tried squeezing them and exfoliating, but the bumps would only settle down briefly before coming back.

Because this kind of bumpy texture can have several causes, the first step is to identify what is causing it before deciding how to address it.

In fact, these bumps are not only a concern during adolescence. Quite a few people visit us after suddenly developing more of them in their late 20s or 30s. Today, we will take a closer look at this issue step by step.

There is a reason

they appear like tiny grains

The small, grain-like bumps

you can feel are often

closed comedones, which develop

when the openings of the pores become

blocked with sebum and

accumulated dead skin cells.

Because they are not usually very red

on the surface, it is easy to dismiss them

as minor. However, if left untreated,

they can develop into inflammatory acne

or leave behind dark marks.

Among those who visit us for tiny bumps around Gangnam Station,

some have been using oily cosmetics

for a long time, while others have not

cleansed their skin thoroughly enough

or have exfoliated too aggressively.

They often appear in clusters

on areas where sebum is readily produced,

such as the forehead, cheeks, and jawline.

Even when they are not very noticeable,

makeup can make the skin look

raised and bumpy.

They may also recur more often

when hormonal changes, lack of sleep,

and a greasy diet overlap.

Squeezing them with your fingers

may make them seem to disappear

for the moment, but it can enlarge the pores

and leave marks, so we do not recommend it.

They may look similar, but tiny bumps, milia, and syringomas are different

Not every bumpy spot

is the same type of tiny bump.

Closed comedones are clumps of sebum

and dead skin cells, so managing

sebum and exfoliation is central.

Milia form when dead skin cells

collect in small, sac-like pockets.

They feel white and firm,

and in this case, precise treatment

with a CO2 laser is appropriate.

Syringomas are flesh-colored bumps

that originate from sweat glands.

They mainly appear in clusters

under the eyes, and the approach

is different again.

Among those who visit us concerned

about tiny bumps around Gangnam Station,

there are also cases where milia

or syringomas are actually present,

so a visual examination comes first.

Distinguishing between them is important

because their causes and treatment methods

differ. Managing them with the wrong approach

for a long time can only prolong the process.

Even with the same type of tiny bumps, the approach differs from person to person

Even when they look like the same

type of tiny bump, the approach differs

depending on skin type and the cause.

For oily skin with excessive sebum production,

sebum control comes first.

If dead skin buildup is prominent,

we first focus on gently removing

the excess dead skin and sebum.

Because each person’s skin condition

and response are different, the same method

does not work identically for everyone.

That is why, when assessing tiny bumps

around Gangnam Station, rather than assuming

the issue will be resolved after a set number

of sessions, it is less burdensome to adjust

the pace while observing how the skin responds.

During seasons when the skin barrier becomes

weaker, such as the change of seasons,

dead skin cells can accumulate more easily.

Over-exfoliating at this time can instead

cause irritation and make the bumps

more noticeable.

The order of assessment at 이지함피부과

At 이지함피부과, we first determine

what type of bumps are present

through visual examination before deciding

how to proceed.

When sebum production is prominent,

we use the Artlaser to gradually reduce

sebum production and tidy the area

around the pores.

When there is a lot of accumulated dead skin

and sebum, we gently remove it with

skin scaling or PDT scaling.

If lingering red marks or facial flushing

are a concern, we gradually even out

the skin tone with IPL or Dual Toning.

For the milia mentioned earlier,

we treat each one precisely

with a CO2 laser.

During treatment, you may feel

a brief stinging sensation or mild warmth.

If needed, we apply numbing cream beforehand

to help reduce discomfort.

If you are currently taking an acne medication

in the isotretinoin class, please let us know

in advance.

The timing of some treatments

may need to be adjusted.

After treatment, it is best to pay attention

to gentle cleansing, sufficient moisturization,

and sun protection.

Rather than combining several methods

all at once, proceeding at intervals

while observing how your skin responds

can feel less burdensome both physically

and emotionally.

A little more comfortable tomorrow than today

If even one small bump has been

bothering you every day in front of the mirror,

we fully understand how you feel.

When the cause of tiny bumps around Gangnam Station

is properly identified and addressed in order,

the skin’s texture gradually becomes more even.

Rather than hoping they will disappear

completely all at once, it may ease your mind

to view the process as your skin gradually

returning to its natural balance.

We aim to be a clinic that continues

to provide comfortable-looking results

rather than excessive changes,

along with honest medical care over time.

We hope you feel a little more at ease

in front of the mirror today.

Frequently Asked Questions (Director Lee Yoo-deuk)

Q. Can I squeeze tiny pimples to get rid of them?

A. Squeezing them with your fingers

may feel relieving for a moment,

but it can enlarge the pores

and leave marks, so we do not recommend it.

It is better to address them

with care suited to the cause.

Q. Will changing only my cosmetics make them better?

A. In mild, early cases,

the condition may improve simply

by improving cleansing and moisturizing habits.

However, if the bumps keep recurring,

it is better to examine the cause.

Q. How can I tell tiny pimples

apart from milia?

A. Closed comedones are clumps

of sebum and dead skin cells,

so they tend to feel relatively soft.

Milia feel like white, firm grains.

A direct visual examination

is needed for an accurate distinction.

Q. Will they not come back

after treatment?

A. They may recur depending on

sebum production and lifestyle habits.

Even after treatment, paying attention

to cleansing, moisturizing,

and cosmetic selection can help

reduce the likelihood of recurrence.

📍 5F, Suite 502, 429 Gangnam-daero, Seocho-gu, Seoul (Dongil Building, Seocho-dong)

· Near Gangnam Station and Sinnonhyeon Station ​ ☎ 02-567-5900

🕒 Clinic hours

· Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday 10:00 ~ 19:00

· Saturday 10:00 ~ 17:00

· Weekday lunch break 13:00 ~ 14:30

· Closed Wednesdays, Sundays, and public holidays