Should I pop the acne to show the contents?

No. The shape and depth of the acne in its unpopped state are more helpful, and this prevents increasing scars and inflammation after extraction.

Baekrokdam Acne Treatment Guide

How should I prepare photos and treatment records before an acne consultation?

Name: How should I prepare photos and treatment records before an acne consultation?
Published: 2026-08-25

Take photos of the front and both sides of your face, and if necessary, your chest and back, once a week under the same lighting and distance. Record the names and duration of medications taken or applied, improvements, discomforts, and the dates you changed cosmetics. If there are changes in your menstrual cycle, sleep, or digestion that occurred alongside the acne, bring the dates; however, there is no need to create a long list by assuming every lifestyle factor is a cause.

Click on unfamiliar terms to see their meanings immediately.

Reviewed by Korean Medicine Doctor Choi Yeon-seung · Last updated 2026-08-25

Take both overall and close-up photos under the same conditions

Take photos of the front, left, and right sides under natural light or the same indoor lighting, and take one additional close-up photo of deep, painful acne. Turn off filters and skin retouching, and preserve the date the photos were taken. If it is difficult to remove makeup on the day of the appointment, you may prepare separate photos of your bare face.

Record the name, duration of use, and reaction for oral and topical medications

Verify medication names using prescriptions, pharmacy bags, or photos of the tubes. If you do not know the exact name, please bring a photo of the product. Also, note how long you used it, which acne improved, and whether you experienced discomfort such as dryness, stinging, or changes in menstruation.

Organize cosmetics and lifestyle changes starting with the most recent

First, look at things that touch the acne-affected areas, such as cleansers, sunscreen, hair products, and masks, as well as any newly started medications or supplements. Rather than recording every food and action densely, select items that align with the timing of recurring flare-ups. For menstruation, Chin acneit is helpful to record both the first day of the cycle and the date the flare-up began.

Prepare a single sentence describing the discomfort you most want to change during the consultation

Decide what is most difficult among the number of new inflammations, pain, scarring, makeup and face-to-face activities, or medication irritation. In Korean herbal medicine treatment, facial heat,Sebumdryness, digestion/bowel movements, sleep/fatigue, and menstruation are reviewed together to determine the primary goal and the direction of the prescription.

Check once more before your appointment

Preparing just this much before the consultation is sufficient

Rather than looking at a single symptom in isolation, observing when it started, what changed alongside it, and how much it has disrupted your daily life helps in determining the direction of treatment.

Acne: Details to be checked during medical evaluation

comedones·We analyze the ratio of papules, pustules, and nodules alongside facial heat, sebum, digestion/bowel movements, sleep/stress, and the pre- and post-menstrual periods in a single comprehensive view. Even for the same type of acne, the herbal medicine prescription varies depending on whether we need to lower heat, regulate dampness, or support dry recovery.

The ratio of comedones, papules, pustules,nodulesand the number of new acne lesions appearing weekly

Adult acne: Details to be checked during the consultation

Adult acne on the same jawline is categorized into different types: upper body heat, blocked Liver Qi due to tension, imbalance of Chong and Ren vessels linked to menstruation, or Yin deficiency with hyperactivity of Fire after overwork. Rather than a simple phrase like 'it is because of hormones,' we link the specific weeks and situations in which new acne appears to the prescription.

Photos from the last 4 weeks and dates of menstruation, sleep, company dinners, and stress

Jawline/periodic acne: Details to be checked during the consultation

If jaw inflammation recurs before menstruation, it may be related to Chung-im-bul-jo, Gan-ul-hwa-yeol, or the stomachdamp-heatand prescribe accordingly.

Menstruation start date and the date new acne appeared

Information that is helpful to write down before your visit

The ratio of comedones, papules, pustules, and nodules, and the number of new acne breakouts per week
Facial heat, sebum, dryness, and digestion, bowel movements, and sleep
Menstrual cycle, oral and topical medications, the period of improvement, and the timing of recurrence
4-week photos and dates of menstruation, sleep, company dinners, and stress
Depth, pain, and scarring of acne along the jawline
Upper body heat sensation, digestion, constipation, menstrual cramps, and lower abdominal coldness

Acne Glossary

Terms to note in this text

You can check simple definitions before proceeding to detailed explanations.

ComedonesA comedone is acne caused by sebum and dead skin cells blocking the opening of the hair follicle. If the opening is closed and appears white, it is called a closed comedone; if it is open and appears black, it is called an open comedone.NodulesNodules are large, hard, and painful inflammatory acne that form deep within the skin. It is advisable to have them evaluated early as the risk of scarring may increase.Non-comedogenicA non-comedogenic label means the product is designed to reduce the likelihood of creating comedones that clog pores. It is not a guarantee that acne will not occur for everyone.Acne ByeonjeungByun-jeung is a Korean medicine diagnostic process used to determine the direction of Korean herbal medicine prescriptions. It examines how heat, sebum, dryness, and pain differ even for the same type of acne, and whether digestion, sleep, and menstrual status change repeatedly when acne worsens.

Details confirmed in Korean medicine treatment

We review test results and your current discomfort together

Comedones ·papule· We analyze the ratio of pustules to nodules, along with facial heat, sebum, digestion/bowel movements, sleep/stress, and the pre- and post-menstrual periods on a single chart. Even for the same type of acne, the Korean herbal medicine prescription varies depending on whether the goal is to lower heat, regulate dampness, or support recovery from dryness.

Points to be examined during the medical evaluation

Criteria for monitoring the rate of new breakouts compared to current acne

In daytime photos taken under the same lighting, we compare the number of new papulespustulesand nodules, as well as the interval of recurrence in the same location.

Points to be examined during the medical evaluation

Criteria for Overlapping the 4-Week Cycle with New Acne

We align the dates of menstruation, overnight work, company dinners, and changes in sleep with the start date of jawline acne.

Points to be examined during the medical evaluation

Criteria for observing new acne on a 4-week cycle

We check if there is a recurring time gap between the start date of menstruation and the appearance of jaw nodules.

The cause of acne cannot be explained by a single food or a lack of cleanliness alone. pore The basic process involves blockage, sebum, bacteria, and inflammation; rubbing vigorously or squeezing acne can actually worsen the condition.

How to discuss my symptoms during the medical evaluation

Acne that recurs even after medication and extraction

How should I prepare photos and treatment records before an acne consultation?

The focus of treatment is on reducing the rate at which new acne forms. If there are causes that need to be addressed first, such as infection or medication side effects, those treatments take priority. For Korean herbal medicine treatment, a primary goal is set among the rate of new inflammation, sebum, heat sensation, skin barrier, sleep, and digestion, and the sequence and progress criteria for topical medications, oral medications, and extraction are adjusted accordingly. Lifestyle management is tailored to support treatment goals and ensure that cleansing, sleep, and meals can be maintained without undue strain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions Before Your Visit

Can I receive a consultation even if I don't have test results?

Yes, it is possible. However, if there are other accompanying changes such as sudden adult acne, irregular menstruation, or hirsutism, we can first determine if necessary tests are required.

Do I need to squeeze the acne to show the contents?

No. The shape and depth of the acne in its unsqueezed state are more helpful, Extraction Avoid increasing scars and inflammation.

What is the primary cause of acne?

It is a process where sebum and skin cells block the pores, and bacteria and inflammation are added. Risk contexts such as hormones, family history, medications, and products overlap differently for each person.

Will acne disappear if I stop eating chocolate or drinking milk?

While the link between certain diets and worsening symptoms is being researched, a single specific food is not the cause for everyone. Record reactions that recur for you, but it is difficult to view one single food as the sole cause.

Guidance related to my symptoms

Condition GuidanceAcneAcne begins with follicular keratinization, where dead skin cells at the opening of the hair follicle clump with sebum and block the pore, and the acne-causing bacteria naturally present on the skin contribute to inflammation. Hormonal changes such as puberty or pregnancy, family history, and certain medications can increase the risk of occurrence, and skin or hair products that clog pores may also be related to acne. While diet or stress can be aggravating factors for some people, a single food or cleansing habit cannot be concluded as the sole cause of all acne.Condition GuidanceAdult acneAdult acne occurs when sebum increases and dead skin cells block the pores, acting together with acne-related bacteria and inflammation. In adulthood, hormonal changes such as the menstrual cycle, periods before and after pregnancy or menopause, and the start or discontinuation of contraceptive pills may be related to recurrent breakouts on the chin and lower face. Chronic stress can worsen the condition through hormonal responses, and family history, pore-clogging cosmetics or hair products, and certain medications can also be causes. Rather than blaming a specific food or a single cleansing habit, examine the factors that have changed together, and do not arbitrarily stop new medications even if you suspect they are causing acne. If sudden severe acne occurs alongside other changes such as irregular menstruation or hirsutism, an underlying medical condition should be checked.Condition GuidanceJawline / Cyclic acneJawline acne cannot be confirmed as hormonal based on location alone, but deep inflammation that recurs before and after menstruation must be aligned with the cycle and dates. Record the number of papules and nodules on the jaw and lower cheeks, the interval from the start of menstruation, and changes in sleep, stress, products, and medication for 4 weeks or more. If irregular menstruation, hirsutism, or alopecia are prominent, the medical evaluation will determine if it is necessary to check for causes such as androgen changes or Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS).Condition GuidanceBack acneThe cause of back acne is not lack of cleanliness; fundamentally, it occurs when sebum and dead skin cells clog pores, leading to inflammation within the hair follicle. The back has many sebaceous glands, and heat and sweat easily get trapped under sportswear, backpacks, or protective gear, which can increase friction. If itchy pimples of similar size suddenly spread, other diagnoses such as bacterial or Malassezia folliculitis may be possible, so a dermatology evaluation is necessary.Medical Evaluation GuideWhy topical acne medication requires observation for weeks, not just a few daysIf you continuously change medications based only on a day or two of stinging or the appearance of new acne, it becomes difficult to distinguish between irritation and changes in the original acne. Follow the recommended usage and record new acne and irritation separately in weekly intervals.Acne ColumnHow to combine contact irritation management and Korean herbal medicine treatment when jawline acne recurs before menstruation or after overtime workJawline acne cannot be explained by hormones alone. Immediately reduce contact irritants such as masks and shaving. Then, determine whether it is a flare occurring a few days after overtime work or a recurrence returning to the same spot along the menstrual cycle, and address the internal conditions for recurrence with Korean herbal medicine treatment.

Evidence and Update Information

The definitions, criteria for distinguishing similar symptoms, and safety standards from the materials below were referenced. These are applied together with medical interviews and pattern identification (Byeonjeung) to determine the direction of Korean herbal medicine and acupuncture treatments and the sequence for continuing existing treatments.

American Academy of Dermatology: Acne skin care tips