Choosing An Acne Scar Clinic Three Things To Check

Many people suffer from deep stress due to acne scars. In severe cases, they may even complain of depression or social phobia. Acne scars are not easy to treat, so careful consideration must be given to choosing a hospital to achieve satisfactory results. Let's look at important checkpoints that are often overlooked.

Acne scars can vary in depth and shape even on a single person's face. Scar types can be broadly classified into rolling, boxcar, and icepick, and most cases involve a combination of these. Therefore, it is important to choose a clinic that recommends various treatment methods suitable for different scar types and depths.

Proposing a variety of treatment methods also means that the doctor has proficiency in various scar treatments. For example, a doctor might know an effective treatment for a specific scar but choose a suboptimal alternative because they cannot perform that particular procedure themselves.

• Examples of various acne scar treatments:
  • Laser Dermabrasion: Effective for overall acne scars
  • Subcision: Effective for rolling scars
  • Suture-Free Punch: Excellent for deep icepick scars

Therefore, during consultation, it is necessary to carefully consider whether the clinic simply presents only the treatments available at the hospital, or if it proposes appropriate treatment methods tailored to each patient's individual scars.

Accumulated treatment experience and know-how over a long period are very important factors that determine the success or failure of acne scar treatment. While the procedure cost of an experienced doctor may be relatively higher, there are cases where patients choose a less experienced clinic due to cost concerns, only to not see satisfactory results and require retreatment. This can ultimately lead to paying double the treatment cost.

Therefore, before choosing a clinic, we recommend carefully checking whether the clinic has experience treating various acne scar cases.

For proper acne scar treatment, a doctor with a high understanding of the skin must provide the treatment. Acne scars are not simple skin damage; the shape and depth of the scars within the pores differ. Dermatologists are equipped with the ability to understand changes in skin tissue even with the naked eye through studying tissue findings and to treat the root cause.

In contrast, some medical institutions specializing in aesthetics often rely solely on parameters provided by laser device manufacturers, with insufficient anatomical and histological understanding. This can lead to a difference in the level of treatment between someone who has only learned to operate a machine and someone who understands the underlying causes of skin conditions.

It is important to prioritize checking and choosing a clinic where a dermatologist, who accounts for only 2% of all doctors in Korea, provides treatment.

How to check for a dermatologist's clinic

Here's how to check if a clinic is run by a dermatologist:

• Check the clinic sign: Non-specialist clinics typically list their medical department separately, such as 'Hong Gil-dong Clinic (Dermatology Department)'. In contrast, dermatologist clinics display 'Dermatology Clinic' immediately after the clinic's name, like 'Hong Gil-dong Dermatology Clinic'.
• Check for certification mark: Recently, some clinics also display a red dermatologist certification mark.
• Korean Dermatological Association website: If it's difficult to confirm using the above two methods, you can search for the doctor's name on the Korean Dermatological Association website under 'Find a Specialist'.

We have reviewed important checkpoints that are often overlooked when choosing an acne scar treatment clinic. We hope you achieve satisfactory treatment results through careful selection.