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Picture this: Your skin isbreaking out.
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Flakiness and redness replace the spots, but all is fair inacneand war, right?
Imagine if we took a more holistic approach, though.
Preventing breakouts would be our primary focus.
Well, that’s how acne is addressed in South Korea.
Over the years, I’ve interviewed countless dermatologists based in Seoul.
Here, he even stressed the importance ofdermatology in Koreais not about fixing problems but preventing any from occurring.
And how exactly breakouts are banished in Korea?
Well, allow board-certifiedKorean dermatologistsbased in Seoul and New York City to explain.
Y. Claire Chang, a board-certified dermatologist at New York City’s Union Square Dermatology, tellsAllure.
(She also spends several months a year in Seoul.)
You’ll seldom seeretinol-based productson shelves atbeauty storesin Korea.
Bakuchiol, a low-keyvitamin A alternative, is starting to have its K-beauty moment, though.
Over-exfoliating and drying out the skin would just exacerbate the irritation, Dr. Chang notes.
And more oil equals more opportunities for breaking out.
She’s also atoner devoteeand pours it into a spray bottle for easy utility.
Dry skin, in particular, is a prime breeding ground for bacteria and clogged pores, she adds.
Acne patients in Korea also take their relationship with their dermatologistsseriously.
I loved how intensive and clinical each step was.
Gold photothermal therapy (or Gold PTT) is a favorite of Dr.
Sang Wook Lee, a board-certified dermatologist at Seoul’s Yezel Clinic, for treating patients with severe acne.
My friend even undergoes this treatment with Dr.
Sang and swears by its visible and non-invasive results.
Basically, a special serum spiked with gold nanoparticles is layered onto skin.
Next, an ultrasound wave unit is used to encourage pores to absorb it.
But, “It slows down breakouts for those who constantly get them,” Dr. Ban adds.
Injectables are also an option.
But Korea takes injections several steps further with what is called skin booster shots.
“It also helps with redness and rejuvenating,” she adds.
Prescription topical creams are also offered.
They are considered the fastest route to clearing up acne, Dr. Choi says.
Antibiotic-based ones and Epiduo are the most popularly prescribed in Korea, adds Dr. Ban.
The latter is often prescribed in America, too, particularlyfor cystic acne.
And, of course, Korea is the home ofpimple patches.
The stickers also keep you from picking at or popping your pimples, Dr. Chang adds.
They are also easily accessible with numerous racks of them at any store that sells beauty products.
Physicians and patients in America, on the other hand, value evidence-based medicine, according to Dr. Chang.
They often rely on large clinical studies when recommending acne products.
Our acne conversations in America are truly dominated by this trio.
(Lest we forget that drying lotions were prizedspot treatmentsfor several decades.)
“They often treat [breakouts] as they come,” she adds.
Consistency is crucial to the most effective K-beauty acne skin-care routine, Dr. Chang says.
Once you find products that work for your complexion, stick with them daily.
I asked the dermatologists what their favorite ones were just in case you need some suggestions.
For cleansers, Dr. Chang recommends theNeogen Real Cica Micellar Cleansing Foam.
Dr. Ko Lamm, on the other hand, suggests theMedicube Zero Foam Cleanser.
“Twice is enough in the morning and at night,” Dr. Lee advises.
“I see people cleanse more than they need to when their skin starts to break out.”
Ranella Hirsch, a board-certified dermatologist in Boston, even echoed these sentiments in apastAllureinterview.
Next, you may want to incorporate a toner into your skin-care routine.
Jart+ Teatreement Moisturizeris another stellar weightless option.
Implement this in place of your serum step, and follow up with moisturizer.
