What are the unique characteristics of our clinic's extraction management approach?

We approach the extraction process beyond simply tidying up the skin,

from a medical and systematic perspective.

Before treatment, we provide sufficient waiting time to soften the skin, creating an efficient environment for extraction.

Based on the fundamental principles of extraction, we apply precise needling.

We carefully select the appropriate pressure intensity and tools according to different skin areas and lesions, and all steps are tailored to each patient's individual skin condition.

During extraction, we focus on reducing acne recurrence by removing not only sebum but also inflammatory factors within the comedone. Our goal is to minimize skin damage by delicately treating only the necessary areas rather than applying excessive force to the skin.

Our practitioners regularly receive professional training on extraction techniques through in-house seminars, continuously enhancing their skill proficiency.

We have established a system for extraction management that goes beyond simply removing acne, focusing on overall improvement and recurrence prevention.

Reasons Why Professional Extraction Management is Needed

Acne may be difficult to resolve fundamentally with simple extraction alone.

When sebum produced by the sebaceous glands becomes trapped in blocked pores and cannot be expelled, it hardens to form comedones. Closed comedones appear as whiteheads, while open comedones oxidize and appear as blackheads. These comedones create a favorable environment for acne bacteria to proliferate, and if bacteria multiply, inflammation can begin and worsen into inflammatory acne. Therefore, it is important to manage comedones before inflammation occurs.

In conclusion, the main cause of acne is comedones, which are hardened sebum plugs.

If these comedones are not properly removed, bacteria can remain, increasing the likelihood of acne recurrence.

Therefore, extraction is a crucial process for effectively removing these comedones.

However, improper extraction can over-stimulate or damage the skin.

Therefore, seeking extraction treatment from a skilled medical professional is a wise choice.

What types of acne are suitable for extraction?

• Blackhead and whitehead lesions that are visible or palpable
• Lesions with significant sebum buildup, just before transitioning to an inflammatory stage
• Pustular acne with existing pus
• Conditions where inflammation has subsided but hard comedones remain
• However, not all types of acne are suitable for extraction. Acne with severe heat or pain may indicate active inflammation, and forceful extraction could worsen the inflammation. In such cases, it is advisable to first calm the skin using anti-inflammatory injections or similar treatments.

Advantages of Professional Clinic Extraction Management over Home Care

Acne extraction is a delicate skin care procedure that goes beyond simple sebum removal. We recommend seeking professional help at our clinic, considering the following points:

1. Needling is the foundational step of the procedure.

Before extraction, a passage for sebum discharge must be secured using a medical needle.

The needle is inserted against the direction of hair growth to help sebum emerge smoothly along the follicular opening.

This process can help reduce the possibility of skin damage, aid recovery, and efficiently extract deep parts of the comedone.

2. Flexible tool selection is necessary based on skin condition.

For thin and sensitive skin, extraction is performed using cotton swabs,

while for deep and hard lesions, a metal extractor called a comedone extractor is used.

The role of a professional in comprehensively assessing skin thickness, lesion depth, and required pressure is crucial.

We flexibly perform treatments according to these conditions and provide customized extraction management that reduces the risk of tissue damage.

3. It is important to completely remove the entire comedone.

If only pus is extracted and sebum plugs remain, the likelihood of acne recurrence can increase.

By thoroughly removing even solidified sebum, the risk of acne recurrence can be lowered.

A softening process is included to reduce the burden of excessively enlarged pores.

At the clinic, we use a sebum softener to gently open pores and remove sebum while minimizing skin irritation.

4. Accurate treatment direction and skilled technique

Incorrect treatment angles can cause skin damage.

We carefully identify the structure of hair follicles and adjust the needling direction during the procedure.

5. Applying Appropriate Treatment Methods for Each Skin Area

An approach considering the characteristics of each area is necessary, such as using cotton swabs for the nose and comedo extractors for other areas like the chin or around the nose.

Using a comedo extractor too forcefully on areas with unnecessary pressure can cause bruising or excessive skin irritation, so caution is advised.

6. Reducing the Risk of Infection and Scarring

We use disposable cotton swabs and high-temperature sterilized metal instruments, minimizing the risk of infection through thorough sterilization procedures before and after treatment.

Extraction Procedure

• Before the procedure, the skin is prepared by thorough cleansing and disinfection.
• Next, a softening agent is applied and allowed to fully absorb into the skin.
• Needling is performed, taking into account the characteristics of the hair follicles.
• Afterward, extraction is performed using tools appropriate for each area, such as cotton swabs or comedo extractors.

Medical Basis for Extraction: Review of Research Findings

According to research published in the JAMA journal in 1964, regular extraction has been shown to help reduce the incidence of inflammatory acne.

Additionally, a 2011 JCAD paper reported that comedone removal can positively impact not only psychological satisfaction but also skin improvement.

Therefore, extraction is recognized as an important process in preventing and managing acne. However, it should not be performed excessively or incorrectly, and it is advisable to carry it out safely with the help of a skilled professional.

Director's Insights

Meeting countless acne patients every day, I always keep one important fact in mind.

Extraction is not merely simple skin care, but an integral part of maintaining overall skin health.

Having seen many individuals whose self-esteem, in addition to their skin, is affected by acne, I strive to carry out even the smallest extraction procedure with utmost care.

We aim for careful and safe extraction procedures tailored to each individual's skin condition.

That's why I stay late at the clinic, researching and sharing techniques with our skincare specialists, and attentively listening to our patients' skin concerns.

Therefore, extraction should be understood not as a simple process, but as a 'procedure' that requires professional care at a medical institution.

Recommended for the following cases

• Those experiencing discomfort due to small bumps or whiteheads.
• Those who wish to consistently manage recurring acne.
• Those with limited experience in acne management or who are just starting.