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Acne

Acne begins when pores become blocked and inflammation develops inside them. It is better to start medication before scars form.

Usual layers
Epidermis to dermis
Care
Covered by National Health Insurance (NHI), partly self-pay · no appointment, seen in check-in order
Condition
01 / 12

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Where it often appears

Select a dot to open a lens on the skin layers at that spot.Select a numbered dot or a place in the list to open a lens on the skin layers at that spot. It tends to appear where oil glands (sebaceous glands) are plentiful: the face (forehead, cheeks, and chin), chest, and back.

How we approach treatment

InsuranceAcne examinations and medication are covered by NHI. Extraction, peels, and scar laser treatment are self-pay (not covered by NHI).

  1. Topical medication

    We pair a medicine that clears dead skin from pore openings with one that keeps acne bacteria in check. The first few weeks can bring stinging or flaking, so we work out the amount and order of application with you.

  2. Oral medication

    If inflammation is widespread or scars have started to form, we consider oral antibiotics, then isotretinoin if the acne continues.

  3. Injections for inflammation

    For large, hard, painful pimples, we may give an injection that calms the inflammation.

Treatment is decided after the examination. How much it helps, and how quickly, varies from person to person.

What brings people in

  • Tiny bumps keep coming up on my forehead and chin
  • My red, sore pimples fill with pus
  • When I squeeze them, the marks stay for a long time
  • It gets worse before my period
Dr. Pyeon Jae-yun, Dermatologist, looking down at the dermatoscope in his hand
Dr. Pyeon Jae-yun, Dermatologist · focuses on acne and scars, hair loss, and laser treatmentsClinic days: Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri · Sat 2nd, 4thFictional person made with AI

Why it happens

  1. More oil is produced, and dead skin thickens at the opening of the pore until it is plugged.
  2. Inside the blocked pore, acne bacteria multiply, and inflammation forms around the pore.
  3. Hormonal changes, stress, pore-clogging cosmetics, and some medications can play a part.

Usual layersEpidermis to dermis

Hair follicle openings get blocked, and inflammation forms around the oil glands in the dermis. Layer thicknesses in this model are adjusted for clarity. In real skin, the dermis is more than ten times thicker than the epidermis.

Examination and tests

  • Most acne is diagnosed with a skin examination.
  • If your periods are irregular or body hair has suddenly increased, we may suggest hormone tests.
  • If you take isotretinoin (an oral acne medication), blood tests check your liver function and blood fats (lipids), and women who could become pregnant are checked for pregnancy.

What to do at home

  1. Wash twice a day with a gentle cleanser, without scrubbing hard.

  2. Do not squeeze or pick at spots. The inflammation can go deeper and leave marks.

  3. Choose cosmetics and sunscreen labeled as not clogging pores (non-comedogenic). Some acne medications make skin more sensitive to sunlight.

  4. It takes a few weeks to judge whether a medicine is working. If it stings at first, tell us rather than stopping on your own.

Come in soon if

  • Your face swells and you run a fever as the acne suddenly gets worse
  • Spots start leaving pits or scars
  • Your mood drops sharply, or your eyes or joints feel uncomfortable, while you take oral medication

During clinic hours, simply come in; no appointment is needed. Questions: +82-2-0123-4567

Common questions

Is treatment for my acne scars covered by insurance?

Examinations and medication to treat acne are covered by NHI. Laser treatment to fade scars that have already formed is self-pay (not covered by NHI), and we plan it after the acne has settled.

Do I need to avoid pregnancy while I’m on oral medication?

Isotretinoin can harm an unborn baby, so it is not taken during pregnancy. Use contraception while you take it and for 1 month after you stop, and do not donate blood during that time. We explain other acne medications separately at your visit.

Can I squeeze them at home?

Squeezing with your fingers pushes pus deeper into the skin, so the inflammation spreads and marks or scars are more likely. If you have many comedones, we can talk about extraction with sterilized tools (self-pay).

We decide on cosmetic treatment only after an examination confirms that care for the condition is finished, or that the two can go together. Cosmetic treatment prices include VAT.