It delivers energy deep into the skin to calm inflammation and reduce sebum production, making it suitable for early comedonal acne and mild inflammatory acne.
Adolescent Acne Treatment
Puberty and Teenage
Acne Treatment
Acne comes to everyone - especially from the mid-teens to the late twenties, the most vibrant years of life, when we look at our faces most often.
The problem is that acne at this age is not just a passing breakout. Left unmanaged, it can leave uneven scars that mark the skin for life. Harder to erase than the acne marks themselves may be the choice you made back then to just let that time slide by.
Many people brush it off, thinking, “It will get better with time,” but acne does not disappear that easily. The timing of treatment and care matters.
SKIN
EXPERT
EXPERT
Meet Your Specialist
Jisun Yoon Medical Director
Board-certified dermatologist
With adolescent acne, the timing of treatment and care determines whether scars form. At Lumiin Dermatology, Dr. Jisun Yoon, who oversees acne and skin texture care, personally handles everything from the first consultation to the step-by-step treatment plan.
“We always strive to help every patient who visits us experience ‘natural beauty and the skin’s own radiance.’”
- Graduated top of class, Ajou University College of Medicine
- Master of Medicine, Ajou University Graduate School of Medicine
- Dermatology training, Ajou University Hospital
- Outstanding Resident Award, Ajou University Hospital
Why Acne Happens
Ages 14–30:
why acne
strikes so often
It is no coincidence that acne concentrates in these years.
It is a period when the body grows rapidly and hormones shift dramatically, while mental stress peaks - college entrance exams, job hunting, dating, and the demands of social life. (Of course, acne appears in adulthood too when this kind of stress builds up.)
These changes go straight to the skin. Sebum increases, pores clog, and small pimples easily flare into inflammatory acne. Add poor cleansing habits, irritating foods, or heavy cosmetics, and the skin ends up primed for breakouts.
To explain acne with an analogy,
the factors above drive up sebum production, and when that sebum cannot drain smoothly out of the skin and the pore becomes blocked, acne forms. If bacteria then get in and inflammation sets in, it can worsen into red, painful acne. It is much like traffic surging on a road that stays narrow - the cars simply back up.
Just as gridlock breaks out when cars pile up uncontrolled, when pores stay blocked and inflammation intensifies, the skin can end up in chaos too.
Acne Treatment Method 01
Four treatments that shrink
the sebaceous glands themselves
How should acne at ages 14–30 be treated? To treat acne effectively, the most important thing is to curb excessive sebum production. The more sebaceous glands there are and the more active they become, the more easily acne develops and recurs. Depending on the state of the acne and its indications, the following treatments are applied.
It delivers radiofrequency (RF) energy directly to the sebaceous glands through insulated microneedles, selectively coagulating and destroying them - highly effective for severe inflammatory acne and chronic acne.
Using gold nanoparticles to selectively target the sebaceous glands, it strongly suppresses excessive sebum production and shows excellent results in treating chronically recurring, treatment-resistant acne.
Using microneedle radiofrequency (RF), it stabilizes sebaceous gland activity and promotes skin regeneration, achieving sebum control and healthier skin at the same time.
Acne Treatment Method 02
Extraction and scaling:
care faithful to the basics
The most basic yet essential part of acne treatment is ‘clearing out the pores.’
Removing sebum and debris through professional extraction and scaling means less inflammation and fewer recurrences. If you have a habit of squeezing pimples with your fingers, it absolutely has to stop. Pressing with your hands only drives the inflammation deeper and makes scarring more likely.
Step-by-step Program
Step-by-step acne treatment
Acne is not solved with a single procedure. It calls for step-by-step treatment tailored to its causes and the condition of your skin.
1
Sebaceous gland control is the core
Neobeam sebum laser · Agnes laser · Gold PTT · Potenza - the four sebaceous gland treatments introduced above control the root cause of acne: excessive sebum production.
2
Managing inflammation and debris
Professional extraction and scaling clear blocked pores and keep inflammatory acne from getting worse.
3
Treating the redness acne leaves behind
Vbeam Perfecta shrinks dilated capillaries to quickly improve red marks, and can be used even on sensitive skin.
4
Treating scars, the aftermath of acne
Potenza induces collagen regeneration in scarred areas to fill in depressions, while collagen boosters raise skin elasticity and smooth the surface. Pore-tightening lasers improve enlarged pores and scar marks together.
Acne treatment only lasts - and skin texture only recovers - when you treat not just ‘the acne you see now’ but also ‘the traces it leaves behind,’ step by step.
High-end Treatment Equipment
Acne treatment equipment
These are Lumiin Dermatology's treatment devices, applied according to the stage of the acne and the condition of the skin.
Equipment 01
Agnes
Agnes is a device for treating acne and other skin conditions by selectively removing sebaceous glands with insulated microneedles. Microneedles are inserted into areas with excessive sebum production and radiofrequency energy is delivered to destroy the sebaceous glands directly, making it effective at fundamentally treating frequently recurring inflammatory acne. It is also used to treat skin conditions arising from sebaceous gland abnormalities, such as milia and syringoma. Mild swelling or redness may appear after the procedure, but it subsides quickly, and continued treatment can help prevent new breakouts. With its excellent sebum-control effect and a lower recurrence rate than conventional acne treatments, it allows long-term improvement of the skin.
Equipment 02
Neobeam
Neobeam is a laser device that uses a 1450nm diode laser to treat acne and control sebum effectively. Using a wavelength that reaches the depth where the acne-causing sebaceous glands sit (400–600nm), it destroys the sebaceous glands, acting on them directly to suppress excessive sebum production and helping to treat inflammatory acne at its root. It is also excellent at preventing acne scars, and after treatment the skin feels smoother with visibly tightened pores. With little pain and quick recovery, it is a relatively easy treatment to undergo, well suited to patients whose acne keeps coming back.
Equipment 03
Clarity II
A multi-functional laser device with dual wavelengths - Nd:YAG 1064nm and alexandrite 755nm - capable of treating redness, blemishes, and telangiectasia as well as hair removal and skin elasticity improvement. It concentrates high-powered energy on melanin and blood vessels, removing pigmented lesions effectively while minimizing damage to the skin. It also stimulates the dermal layer to promote collagen production, helping improve skin elasticity and soften fine lines. Because the laser's output and pulse width are adjustable, treatment can be individually tailored to a wide range of skin types and concerns. The skin may temporarily redden after treatment, but recovery is relatively quick and pain is minimal, so daily life is barely disrupted.
Equipment 04
Vbeam Perfecta
Vbeam Perfecta is a laser device that uses a 595nm pulsed-dye laser to treat vascular conditions such as redness, rosacea, red acne marks, and telangiectasia. It selectively targets blood vessels to reduce pigment and calm redness, while also promoting skin regeneration for a more even skin tone. It is particularly effective for chronic flushing caused by rosacea and for the red traces left after acne inflammation, and it induces collagen production within the skin, helping improve overall elasticity. The treatment involves subtle heat stimulation, but a cooling system keeps pain low; temporary redness may follow the procedure but recovers quickly.
Equipment 05
Avio erbium laser
The Avio laser finely resurfaces the skin to improve aged skin and promote regeneration. Its pulse width and depth can be adjusted to the lesion, maximizing the micro-resurfacing effect, and depending on the treatment area, micro-resurfacing or fractional mode can be used selectively to remove the built-up outer layer of dead skin, leaving the skin smoother and clearer. It is used for treating pigmented lesions, improving wrinkles, tightening pores, improving skin elasticity, and treating scars.
Equipment 06
Cellec V
Cellec V is a device based on IPL (Intense Pulsed Light) technology, distinguished by its 9 filters that allow customized treatment for a variety of skin concerns. It is effective at calming redness and telangiectasia and improving pigmented lesions such as melasma, blemishes, and freckles. It is also used to suppress acne bacteria, reducing inflammation and softening acne marks. It helps increase skin elasticity and improve pores, and a hair-removal effect targeting melanin pigment can also be expected. Thanks to its patented cooling system, the procedure involves little pain, and with no scabbing or severe redness afterward, you can return to daily life quickly. Temporary redness may appear after treatment but gradually subsides over time, and with consistent care it helps maintain a clear, even skin tone.
Equipment 07
Gold PTT
Gold PTT (Gold Photothermal Therapy) is a photothermal treatment using gold nanoparticles, effective for inflammatory acne, sebum control, and acne scar prevention. Gold nanoparticles are applied to the skin, then a laser of a specific wavelength is delivered to selectively destroy the sebaceous glands and acne bacteria. It has a lower recurrence rate than conventional acne treatments and reduces inflammatory reactions, helping keep the skin in a healthy state. Temporary redness may appear after the procedure, but recovery is fast and side effects are few, making it a notably safe option. With continued treatment, it can prevent new breakouts and improve skin tone and texture.
Equipment 08
Juvelook
Juvelook is a self-regenerating collagen booster that combines fine-particle PLLA with hyaluronic acid (HA), supporting skin regeneration and hydration. The PLLA component breaks down in the body while stimulating collagen production to induce skin regeneration, and the HA provides a moisturizing effect that keeps the skin supple. Through this action, improvements in fine wrinkles, pore size, skin texture and tone, and scars can be expected. Juvelook is approved by the US FDA and the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (KFDA), with proven safety and efficacy, and leaves no residue in the body after treatment. The procedure is performed under topical anesthesia and takes about 30 minutes or less. You can return to daily life immediately afterward, and 3 or more sessions at 3–4 week intervals are recommended. The skin improves naturally over time, and the effect can last from 6 months to over a year.
Equipment 09
Rejuran S
Rejuran S and Rejuran I are high-purity polynucleotide (PN) injection treatments that activate the skin's own regenerative capacity to fundamentally improve its structure. Rejuran S focuses on repairing damaged skin tissue such as acne scars and skin depressions: its highly concentrated PN component stimulates collagen production within the skin and rebuilds the tissue, smoothing the skin's surface. It works especially well on deeply depressed areas such as ice-pick or rolling scars, naturally restoring skin thickness and helping improve the color and texture of scarred areas. Rejuran I, on the other hand, is a special formulation for thin, delicate areas, working precisely on concerns like crow's feet and loss of elasticity around the eyes. With a lower viscosity than ordinary PN products, it can be injected into the delicate skin around the eyes without irritation, effectively firming the skin, improving fine wrinkles, and increasing skin thickness. It also helps with the skin thinness and reduced elasticity that cause under-eye dark circles, making the eye area look brighter and healthier. For both products, multiple sessions at 3–4 week intervals are recommended, with adjustments tailored to each person's skin condition and recovery pace. Designed with distinct purposes - skin damage repair for Rejuran S and delicate-area firming for Rejuran I - they provide a more precise and effective regeneration solution matched to each area's concerns.
Care Guide
Things to remember
when treating acne
In acne treatment, ‘what you don't do’ matters as much as ‘what you do.’
Squeezing with your fingers is something you truly must avoid. It is one of the biggest causes of scarring and pigmentation.
Some hormone-based medications can affect growth, so they are best avoided if possible, especially in the late teens.
It is not something you do once or twice and stop - consistent care at regular intervals is what allows the treatment effect to build.
No matter how good the treatment, continued sleep deprivation, irritating foods, and stress can bring the acne back.
Consulting Cases
Adolescent acne consultation cases
Find your answer through a one-on-one personalized consultation at our clinic, backed by extensive consultation and treatment experience.
Teenage student acne treatment review - acne dermatology near Hanti Station
Teenage acne and acne mark treatment review - acne dermatology in Daechi-dong
Teenage acne and red acne mark treatment review
Teenage high schooler acne treatment review - dermatology in Daechi-dong
Teenage boy: acne and acne erythema treatment review
Begin Your Skin Journey
Adolescent acne:
don't miss the treatment window
Find your answer through a one-on-one personalized consultation at Lumiin Dermatology, backed by extensive consultation and treatment experience.
02-565-8273 Book a Consultation ↗
3F SH Tower, 324 Seolleung-ro, Gangnam-gu, Seoul · 3 min from Hanti Station · 6 min from Seolleung Station
Weekdays
10:00–20:00
(lunch 13:00–14:00) · Sat
09:30–15:30
open through lunch
Closed on Sundays · public holidays
Equipment
이 진료에 함께 쓰는 장비
NEOBEAM
Used for inflammatory acne, oily skin, and pores enlarged by sebum. The 1450nm wavelength concentrates heat on the sebaceous glands 400–600㎛ below the skin surface, while a cooling spray protects the epidermis, which helps control sebum and improve inflammation.
Gold PTT
Used for inflammatory acne spread widely across the face and a skin environment where breakouts keep recurring. Gold nanoparticles are delivered into the follicles and sebaceous glands, then activated by laser so heat gathers only at those points, which helps improve inflammation while reducing the burden on normal tissue.
Agnes
Used for pustular acne that keeps recurring in the same spots and excessive sebum. An insulated microneedle reaches directly into the sebaceous gland and generates radiofrequency heat only at the needle tip, which helps improve frequently recurring lesions while reducing the burden on the epidermis.
