Hello.
I am Dr. Kim Dong-young, Director of Cleor Clinic Hongdae Branch.
There are times when the aftermath of acne is more bothersome than the acne itself.
Even when the skin feels flat and painless, the remaining redness can be quite visible, especially after washing your face.
You might find yourself using editing apps to remove those spots from every photo,
often keeping the original files separate.
In the clinic, I frequently hear patients say that while the inflammation has subsided, the marks have remained for months.
However, there is a distinction to be made here.
Even if they look like similar marks, red marks and brown marks
have different underlying causes.
Today, I will explain the criteria for categorizing acne laser treatments at our Hongdae branch,
why different wavelengths are used depending on the nature of the marks,
and how we determine the order of treatment.
What is Hongdae Acne Laser?
👉 Hongdae Acne Laser is a care approach that first identifies the nature of the remaining marks
and then determines the treatment based on the light wavelength absorbed by the target.
Marks left after acne can be broadly divided into two types.
Red marks occur because the micro-vessels that dilated during the inflammation have not yet settled.
During inflammation, blood flow increases to the area and vessels dilate;
if these dilated vessels remain after the inflammation subsides,
they appear as redness on the surface.
Brown marks have a different nature.
As pigment-producing cells become active in the area stimulated by inflammation,
more melanin is produced than usual, and that pigment remains in the skin.
This is why brown marks can persist even after the redness has cleared.
Depressed marks are a separate category.
It is not a matter of color, but a state where the surface has sunken because the volume of the dermis has not been filled,
so the approach is entirely different from targeting pigments or blood vessels.
Since it is common for these three types to coexist on the same face,
it is difficult to address them all with a single method.
Strengths of Hongdae Acne Laser
👉 We do not group all marks together. We differentiate our approach by utilizing the fact that each target absorbs a different wavelength.
First, for red marks, we use a wavelength that targets blood vessels.
Oxyhemoglobin, which carries oxygen in the blood, absorbs light in specific wavelength bands particularly well.
The V-Beam laser is a pulsed-dye laser that emits yellow light in the 595nm band;
when this wavelength is absorbed by oxyhemoglobin, heat is selectively generated in the dilated micro-vessels.
Because the structure allows the temperature of the target to rise before the surrounding tissue,
we can focus on the blood vessels that cause the redness.
Second, for brown marks, we use a method that targets pigment.
Unlike hemoglobin, melanin absorbs light across a relatively broad band rather than a single point.
Therefore, equipment for treating pigment selects wavelengths within the absorption band
and adjusts the pulse duration of the light.
Laser toning is a method of treating pigment in multiple sessions at low intensity.
Pico-series lasers use extremely short pulse durations
to shatter pigment particles instantly.
Even for the same brown marks, we determine the approach based on the depth and intensity of the pigment.
Third, we determine the order after identifying the nature of the marks.
If you treat red and brown marks as a single group using the same method,
the approach will not be suitable for one of them.
Therefore, we first check which type of mark occupies the largest proportion of your skin
and then set the order.
If there is still active inflammation, we may postpone the approach for marks
and prioritize other treatments such as anti-inflammatory injections, PDT, or medication.
This is because if new inflammation continues to appear, you will go through the same process again even if you treat the marks.
The Principle of Acne Laser
👉 By utilizing the absorption properties of the target, we ensure that the temperature rises only in the area we want to treat.
When light hits the skin, not all tissues react the same way.
Each substance has a specific wavelength band it absorbs well,
so when light in that band is emitted, absorption is concentrated where that substance exists.
The difference in absorption—oxyhemoglobin in the yellow light band and melanin in a broader band—is the basis for our differentiated approach.
The absorbed light turns into heat, which is then transferred to the target tissue.
When heat gathers in the dilated blood vessels, the reaction begins to clear them,
and when heat reaches pigment particles, they are broken down into smaller pieces, making them easier for the body to process.
Because the targets are different, the wavelengths used are different, and because the wavelengths are different, the equipment and order are determined accordingly.
Depressed marks fall outside this axis.
Since the problem is not the color but the unfilled dermal volume,
fractional lasers that stimulate the dermis to induce a regeneration process are used separately.
The term 'acne marks' contains three different types,
which is why the plan is adjusted at each stage.
Equipment and Programs
👉 Cleor Clinic Hongdae Branch categorizes equipment based on the color of the remaining marks and offers packages that bundle sessions together.
Red marks are related to dilated micro-vessels, so we use equipment on the vascular axis.
The V-Beam laser is a pulsed-dye laser that emits yellow light in the 595nm band,
which is well-absorbed by oxyhemoglobin.
Brown marks are due to remaining melanin, so we use toning equipment on the pigment axis.
Pico dual toning delivers light in very short pulses,
concentrating energy on pigment particles while heating the surrounding area less.
During periods of active inflammation, we may prioritize the Capri acne laser.
Even with the same equipment, the area where heat gathers changes
depending on how the wavelength and pulse duration are set.
If you have these types of marks
Those who are bothered by long-lasting red marks even after inflammation has subsided
Those who have both red and brown marks on the same face
Those who want to include depressed marks in their treatment plan
Those who are already receiving care such as medication or anti-inflammatory injections
Those who prefer to divide the treatment into sessions rather than doing it all at once
Types of Acne Care at Hongdae Branch
👉 Since the target of treatment changes depending on the stage of acne, items are divided by stage.
The full range of acne treatments at Cleor Clinic Hongdae Branch is summarized below.
Which axis to focus on first depends on which stage occupies the largest proportion of your skin.
Possible Reactions and Things to Note
👉 Post-procedure UV protection and soothing care significantly influence the subsequent progress.
If you are in a period where new acne continues to appear, we may prioritize treating the active inflammation over the marks.
When the marks begin to change depends on the duration, depth, and skin thickness.
⚠️ Precautions Before and After Procedure
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q. Are the approaches for red marks and brown marks different?
A. Yes, they are.
Red marks are caused by uncleared micro-vessels, so we use the 595nm band absorbed by oxyhemoglobin in the blood.
Brown marks target remaining melanin, so we use toning or pico-series lasers.
Q. Can depressed marks be treated?
A. Depressed marks are not a color issue but a lack of dermal volume.
The axis is different from methods that target absorption.
We plan separately using fractional lasers that induce regeneration by providing micro-stimulation to the dermis.
Q. Is it possible to proceed if I have active inflammation?
A. We adjust the order based on which stage is more prevalent.
If new inflammation is constantly appearing, we may prioritize anti-inflammatory injections, PDT, or medication and postpone the approach for marks.
Q. Can I receive treatment while taking acne medication?
A. We determine the feasibility and intensity of the treatment based on the type and duration of the medication you are taking.
It is helpful to provide information about your medication before your visit.
Q. Should I get extractions as well?
A. If there are many clogged comedones, we may prioritize surface clearing first.
However, the necessity varies depending on your skin condition and is not uniform.
Q. When can I wear makeup or sunscreen after the procedure?
A. We do not specify a number of days as it depends on the stability of the redness and surface condition.
Since it is related to pigment response, we emphasize UV protection.
Hongdae Acne Laser is not a concept of covering all marks with a single treatment.
It is a care approach that determines the method after first categorizing the nature of the marks:
red marks as dilated micro-vessels, brown marks as remaining pigment, and depressed marks as unfilled volume.
The fact that different targets require different wavelengths is the basis for this categorization.
At Cleor Clinic Hongdae Branch, we personally check the proportion of the three types of marks and the state of active inflammation during consultation to determine the appropriate order.
During periods of extensive inflammation, we may prioritize other axes such as anti-inflammatory injections, PDT, or medication.
If you have been bothered by the same spots for months, please feel free to discuss it with us.
※ This content is for general information purposes only, and individual results may vary.
Please consult with a specialist to determine the exact diagnosis and treatment plan.
색소 반응과 이어지는 부분이라 자외선 차단은 특히 강조해 안내드리는 편입니다.
홍대 여드름 레이저는 한 가지 처치로 모든 자국을 덮는 개념이 아닙니다.
붉은 자국은 늘어난 미세 혈관, 갈색 자국은 남아 있는 색소,
패인 자국은 채워지지 못한 부피라는 식으로 성격을 먼저 나눈 뒤 접근을 정하는 케어입니다.
표적이 다르면 흡수하는 파장도 다르다는 점이 이 나눔의 근거입니다.
클레오르의원 홍대점에서는 세 가지 자국의 비중과 진행 중인 염증 상태를
함께 살펴 어떤 순서가 적합한지 상담 시 직접 확인해 드립니다.
염증 단계가 넓은 시기에는 염증주사나 PDT,
약처방 같은 다른 축을 먼저 두고 계획을 잡기도 합니다.
몇 달째 같은 자리가 신경 쓰이셨다면, 편하게 한 번 이야기 나눠 보셔도 좋겠습니다.
※ 본 내용은 일반적인 정보 제공을 위한 글이며, 개인에 따라 나타나는 변화는 달라질 수 있습니다.
정확한 진단과 시술 여부는 전문의 상담을 통해 판단하시기 바랍니다.