[Yonsei Star Dermatology Sinchon] Treatment Guide for CSAT Test-Takers and Parents

Many students find their skin noticeably rougher after the CSAT. We will calmly explain what traces the stress and irregular lifestyle during exam preparation can leave on the skin, and what to prioritize at this point.

During the long period of studying at a desk, sleep hours tend to decrease, and meals often become irregular. These lifestyle patterns are reported to affect sebum secretion and skin barrier conditions. If you suddenly experienced acne breakouts or rough skin texture after the exam, it's often a case where accumulated changes have manifested all at once.

Typically, the following changes may appear:

• Acne and troubles appearing on the forehead and around the chin
• Enlarged pores that make makeup cakey
• Facial redness that doesn't subside even after washing
• Acne scars left behind after troubles have passed

In the consultation room, most students who visit right after the CSAT say, "I don't know where to start." To put it simply, it's more important to accurately assess your current skin condition than to rush into new procedures. Even for the same acne, the approach differs depending on whether active inflammation is ongoing or if it has already settled into a scar.

Basic care you can do at home includes:

• Gently washing your face twice a day with lukewarm water and a mild cleanser
• Protecting your skin barrier with products that are low in oil and sufficiently moisturizing
• Avoiding picking at troubles with your hands or irritating them excessively
• Consistently applying sunscreen when going out
• Restoring your sleep schedule and returning to a regular lifestyle

If you have any questions, inquire about a management plan suited to your skin condition via chat consultation

In the stage where red, inflamed acne continues to appear, the priority is to calm the inflammation before it leaves scars. During this period, excessive irritation can lead to marks or scars, so caution is needed.

Yonsei Star Dermatology Sinchon offers the Triple Acne Package, which comprehensively addresses inflammatory acne, and the S.T.P Solution, which manages sebum and pores together, tailored to your condition. Since the appropriate approach varies depending on the extent of the condition, we recommend confirmation through consultation rather than self-diagnosis.

Red marks or depressed scars left after troubles often do not disappear on their own over time. Scar management varies depending on their depth and shape.

If depressed scars are a concern, you can review the depressed acne scar management plan and consider Premium Customized Acne Scar Care tailored to the stage and depth of the scar. Individual differences in the degree of improvement may occur, and multiple sessions of care are sometimes reported as necessary.

The period after the CSAT is a good time to calmly reflect on skin concerns that have been put off. However, rather than trying to change everything at once in a short period, it is safer to set priorities according to your current condition and approach it step by step. Above all, the skin establishes the foundation for recovery through sufficient rest and a regular lifestyle.

If you are curious about the right starting point for you, we recommend checking your condition with a medical professional rather than worrying alone.

If you have any questions, inquire about a management plan suited to your skin via chat consultation

After all your hard work, it's time to give your skin some rest. Yonsei Star Dermatology Sinchon will carefully examine each student's skin condition to assist with accurate treatment.

Representative Director Lee Sang-Joo (MD, Ph.D. from Yonsei University College of Medicine and Graduate School, completed dermatology residency at Severance Hospital, President of the Korean Dermatological Association) Representative Director Lee Sang-Joo's Profile First Published 2025-11-13 / Last Reviewed 2026-06-16 This article is for general informational purposes only, and individual differences in skin condition and treatment results may occur. Please consult with medical staff for an accurate diagnosis and treatment plan.