How to Treat with Deep, Painful/Painless Acne
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nK_rbUNxRU0
In the skincare world, especially in Korea where beauty is an integral part of the culture, it’s not uncommon to encounter a range of beauty treatments, both recommended and unregulated. However, when it comes to professional skincare advice, there’s no better source than Dr. Lee, a respected dermatologist with over a decade of experience practicing in the heart of Gangnam, Seoul.
Despite his highly successful clinic, Dr. Lee’s true passion lies in helping people achieve healthy, glowing skin—whether they are his patients or not. He believes everyone deserves good skin and has shared his extensive knowledge freely through his popular YouTube channel, which has now garnered over 700,000 subscribers in Korea. His channel is a trusted source for effective, safe, and non-commercial beauty tips. Dr. Lee is known for his transparency and dedication to ensuring that people receive only the necessary treatments, focusing on skincare health rather than profits.
Today, Dr. Lee shares insights on a common skin issue: acne. Particularly, we will address how to handle those deep, painful acne bumps that don’t seem to pop or go away easily. What causes them, and how can you treat them safely?
What Causes Acne?
Acne has a variety of causes, but for the purpose of understanding how to deal with persistent acne, we can generally divide it into two categories: adolescent acne and adult acne.
- Adolescent Acne: Typically caused by hormonal fluctuations during puberty, which increase sebum production.
- Adult Acne: The causes are a bit more complex, but Dr. Lee identifies the three main factors:
- Stress
- Lack of sleep
- Diet
The key culprit in acne formation is sebum production. When the sebaceous glands become overactive, they produce an excess of oil. However, if the pores are small or blocked, the oil can’t escape properly, leading to clogging. This blockage, when combined with bacteria, leads to inflammatory acne.
Understanding Deep, Painful Acne
Those painful, deep acne bumps that you can feel but can’t squeeze are often much harder to deal with. These are typically caused by inflammation deep within the skin, and because they don’t rise to the surface, they can’t be popped. Dr. Lee explains:
- These deep pimples cannot be squeezed because they are rooted deep in the dermis.
- They cause pain due to the inflammation happening beneath the skin.
- Inflammatory acne forms when an infection takes place at the site of blocked pores, and the body’s immune system fights the bacteria with white blood cells. When these cells die off, they turn into pus—causing swelling, heat, and pain.
How to Treat Deep, Painful Acne?
1. Painful Acne: Immediate Action Needed
- If you touch the acne and feel pain, it means there is inflammation. Pain is a signal from the body that treatment is necessary.
- Dr. Lee emphasizes that these cases require professional intervention. A quick inflammation injection (commonly known as a steroid injection) can help reduce the swelling and calm down the inflammation in half a day.
- Professional treatment is always the most effective for these types of pimples, and you should seek out a local dermatologist for the injection. Dr. Lee strongly advises against trying to squeeze or pop these pimples yourself, as it can lead to scarring or hyperpigmentation.
2. Non-painful Acne: Leave It Alone
- If the acne doesn’t hurt when touched, it is usually not inflammatory and will likely heal on its own in about a week.
- In this case, there is no need for treatment. Dr. Lee recommends simply monitoring the pimple and waiting for it to naturally subside.
- Resist the urge to pop it—it’s likely to resolve itself without leaving any permanent scarring.
3. Over-the-Counter Remedies? Limited Efficacy
- Many people in Korea, and around the world, rely on home remedies or over-the-counter products. These include things like honey, herbal packs, or acne patches. While some may provide temporary relief, they are unlikely to fully treat deep, internal acne.
- The reason these products often don’t work is that topical treatments can’t penetrate deeply enough to reach the source of the acne. Since the inflammation is happening below the skin’s surface, these products won’t reach the problem area.
4. When to Consider Oral Medications?
- For those with severe or recurrent acne, oral medications such as antibiotics may help reduce inflammation over time.
- While they may not provide immediate relief, these medications can assist in reducing the frequency and intensity of outbreaks. However, Dr. Lee warns that oral antibiotics should only be used under the supervision of a dermatologist, as misuse can lead to resistance or other side effects.
Dr. Lee’s Final Thoughts
Dr. Lee’s approach to acne treatment is rooted in professional care and prevention, avoiding unnecessary treatments that may cause harm. His key advice is to always distinguish between painful, inflammatory acne, which needs professional care, and non-painful acne, which can likely heal on its own with minimal intervention.
In summary:
- Painful acne: Needs treatment—seek professional help for inflammation injections.
- Non-painful acne: Can heal naturally within a week, no treatment necessary.
- Topical treatments and home remedies won’t reach deep inflammation and are not a reliable solution for stubborn acne.
- Oral medications can be a backup for persistent cases but should be prescribed and monitored by a doctor.
At the end of the day, acne is a common and manageable skin issue. By understanding the difference between inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne, you can make better choices on how to treat it. If you find yourself struggling with deep, painful acne, Dr. Lee recommends visiting your local dermatologist for an inflammation injection—the most effective solution.
Dr. Lee is dedicated to educating people around the world about the best skincare practices, and his advice is always rooted in professionalism, experience, and a true desire to help others achieve the healthy, radiant skin they deserve.