[Yonsei Star Dermatology Sinchon] Pinhole for Burn & Surgical Scar Green Prescription Clinic Designation

Many people believe that once a scar forms, it never disappears, accepting it as a lifelong mark. However, with advancements in dermatological treatment technologies, including lasers, the perception is changing, and scars are increasingly seen as something that can be managed and improved.

Yonsei Star Dermatology Sinchon has focused on dermatological treatments for over 20 years, with multiple directors and medical staff addressing various skin concerns, including scars. In this article, we will explain the principles of the Pinhole Technique, a representative method of laser scar treatment, and the significance of its recent designation as a Green Prescription Clinic.

When the skin is damaged, our body rapidly produces collagen to fill the wound. If this collagen is not arranged neatly like normal skin but instead clumps or tangles, the color, height, and texture differ from the surrounding skin, leaving a scar.

In clinical practice, even scars on the same area often vary in appearance depending on their depth, shape, and duration. Therefore, rather than uniformly approaching scar treatment with a single method, it is crucial to first assess the condition and then determine the direction of treatment.

When it comes to laser scar treatment, the Pinhole Technique often comes to mind. The Pinhole Technique is a treatment method published in the dermatology community in 2006 by a research team including Chief Directors Kang Jin-moon and Lee Sang-joo. With reported scar improvement effects, it has become one of the most common laser scar treatments today.

The operating principles of the Pinhole Technique can be summarized as follows:

• High-power lasers, such as Ultrapulse Alpha, are precisely applied to the scar area.
• This breaks down tangled and clumped collagen tissue.
• It induces the rearranged tissue to return closer to its original alignment.
• This process stimulates the skin's natural regenerative response.

A key feature of the Pinhole Technique is its ability to improve elements such as skin color, height, and texture to be closer to normal skin without incisions. The treatment method and degree of improvement may vary depending on the scar condition and individual.

Cases of deep and extensive tissue damage, such as burn scars, have a high degree of treatment difficulty. The approach may vary depending on the type of scar, so it is helpful to first assess your own condition.

In cases where the depth or shape of the scar is complex, laser treatment alone may have limitations, and Surgical Scar Revision may be considered in conjunction if necessary. Which method is suitable can only be determined after a direct examination.

Please feel free to leave any questions you have via chat consultation regarding scar treatment methods.

On explanation, the Pinhole Technique may seem relatively simple. However, the outcome can vary depending on the laser output, application interval, and assessment of the scar condition, meaning the practitioner's experience and know-how have a significant impact.

When choosing a scar treatment clinic, considering the following points can be helpful:

• Whether they conduct a thorough diagnosis of the condition before treatment
• Whether they suggest an approach tailored to the scar type rather than recommending a single method
• Whether they complete the treatment within the necessary scope without overtreatment
• Whether post-treatment care and progress guidance are provided

The condition of the equipment is also an important factor. Yonsei Star Dermatology Sinchon strives to inspect the equipment used for scar treatment and conduct treatments safely accordingly. The Pinhole Technique is operated with methods tailored to the scar condition, such as Pinhole Alpha and Mild Pinhole.

This year, Yonsei Star Dermatology Sinchon was designated as a Green Prescription Clinic. The Green Prescription Clinic system is a program where the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service select and designate hospitals and clinics that provide safe medical care based on appropriate standards without excessive prescriptions.

This designation embodies the purpose of ensuring that patients receive only the necessary medical care. In areas like scar treatment, where the number of sessions and methods vary for each patient, the principle of guiding patients only as much as needed, without excess, holds even greater significance.

Since the approach to scars varies depending on their type, depth, and duration, the first step is to assess your current condition rather than vaguely postponing it. Laser treatments, including the Pinhole Technique, are not uniformly applicable to all scars, and the degree of improvement may vary individually.

Yonsei Star Dermatology Sinchon will continue to approach those concerned about scars with honest treatment information.

Chief Director Lee Sang-joo (MD, PhD, Yonsei University College of Medicine and Graduate School, Completed Dermatology Residency at Severance Hospital, President of the Korean Dermatological Association) Chief Director Lee Sang-joo's Profile First Published 2025-11-14 / Last Reviewed 2026-06-16

This article provides general information to help understand scar treatment, and as treatment methods and outcomes may vary individually, please consult with medical staff for an accurate diagnosis and plan.