Can I continue receiving extractions?

This depends on your current acne and skin irritation. Plan by separating the purpose of managing existing acne from the purpose of treatment to reduce new acne.

Baekrokdam Acne Treatment Guide

What should I disclose when receiving both dermatology treatment and Korean herbal medicine treatment?

Name: What should I disclose when receiving dermatology treatments and Korean herbal medicine treatment together?
Published: 2026-09-02

There is no need to hide dermatology treatment or Korean herbal medicine treatment from each other, nor is there a need to suddenly stop either one. Extraction·Please list separately what each topical medication, oral medication, and procedure has reduced, and which physical conditions should be monitored alongside new acne appearing during Korean herbal medicine treatment. After separating the layers that the dermatology clinic should continue to manage first, such as deep inflammation, risk of rapid scarring, possibility of pregnancy, and oral medication safety, if the recurrence interval, skin barrier, sleep, digestion, or menstruation remain unstable, the handoff will then be continued during the Baekrokdam consultation.

Click on unfamiliar terms to see their meanings immediately.

Reviewed by Korean Medicine Doctor Choi Yeon-seung · Last updated 2026-09-02

List all current treatments in one comprehensive list

Collect the names and dates of oral medications, topical medications, extractions,peeling·lasers, Korean herbal medicine, and supplements. If you have prescriptions or photos of the containers, you do not have to guess the names.

Divide the improvements and discomforts experienced with each treatment

Note whether clogged acne decreased after extractions, whether inflammation decreased with medication, whether you paused the ointment use due to irritation, and how new acne and your physical condition changed during Korean herbal medicine intake.

First verify deep inflammation, infection, and medication safety

Rapidly growing noduleslesions and scars, widely spreading redness and heat, possibility of pregnancy, and adverse drug reactions must not delay necessary evaluations. These scenarios are placed in the layer that the dermatology clinic must manage first, while Korean herbal medicine treatment takes over the recurrence patterns and lifestyle records that remain afterward.

Identify cases where Korean herbal medicine treatment becomes the primary focus

If conditions improve during medication or extractions but return in the same order when you pause the treatment, or if it is difficult to treat sufficiently due to skin irritation and if menstruation, sleep, and digestion Recurrenceoverlap repeatedly, a medical evaluation will determine if the focus can shift to Korean herbal medicine treatment. At Baekrokdam, once urgent nodules, medication safety, and pregnancy boundaries are stabilized, we establish the next criteria for judgment by connecting the recurrence interval, barrier recovery, and sleep and meal rhythms like a recording assignment.

Determine the changes to monitor and the timing of the next visit together

Decide which of the following to monitor: the number and depth of new acne, the recurrence interval in the same location, Sebum·heat sensation, dryness, stinging, sleep, digestion, or menstruation. Even when changing treatments, do not arbitrarily change multiple items at once.

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.

Comedones ·papule·Ratio of pustules to nodules and the number of new acne breakouts per week

Recurrent acne after treatment, details to check during medical evaluation

We determine the priority of Korean herbal medicine treatment by connecting whether comedones, sebum, or deep inflammation return first with menstruation, sleep, digestion, and body heat.

Dates of treatment start, discontinuation, and recurrence

Purulent Acne: Details to be confirmed during the medical evaluation

For nodular and purulent acne, we must first assess the risk of scarring while reducing the rate at which new nodules form. Whether the acne is oily and suppurating damp-heat, red heat in the upper body, phlegm-accumulation along the jawline, or deficiency heat following overwork, we adjust the herbal medicine prescription accordingly.

Weekly new nodules·pustules count, pain, and scarring speed

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
Dates of treatment start, discontinuation, and recurrence
Which appeared first: comedones, sebum, or inflammation
Changes before and after menstruation, sleep, diet, or product use

Acne Glossary

Terms to note in this text

You can check simple definitions before proceeding to detailed explanations.

Maintenance TherapyMaintenance therapy refers to treatment continued after acne has subsided to reduce the occurrence of new breakouts.Acne ExtractionAcne extraction is a medical procedure to remove the contents of existing comedones or certain types of acne. It does not treat the entire process of new acne formation.Topical RetinoidsTopical retinoids are applied medications used to reduce the process of pore blockage and treat comedones and inflammatory acne. They may cause dryness and stinging, so the method of use may need to be adjusted.Oral Acne AntibioticsOral acne antibiotics are prescribed for a specific period to reduce bacteria and inflammation in inflammatory acne.IsotretinoinIsotretinoin is an oral retinoid medication used for severe acne or cases that have not responded sufficiently to other treatments. Pregnancy-related safety guidelines must be followed, and any physical discomfort should be continuously monitored.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

We map the ratio of comedones, papules, pustules, and nodules alongside 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 herbal medicine prescription varies depending on whether the goal is to reduce heat, regulate dampness, or support dry recovery.

Points to be examined during the medical evaluation

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

We compare the number of new papules, pustules, and nodules, as well as the recurrence interval in the same locations, using daytime photos taken under consistent lighting.

Points to be examined during the medical evaluation

Criteria for first reviewing previous treatment records

We must understand the effects, side effects, and the timing of recurrence after discontinuation to reduce unnecessary repetition.

Points to be examined during the medical evaluation

Treatment begins based on the deepest and most painful acne

We first examine nodules that feel wider and deeper than surface pustules, as well as the rate of new scar formation.

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

What should I disclose when receiving both dermatology treatments and Korean herbal medicine treatment?

There is no need to hide dermatology treatment from Korean herbal medicine treatment, or vice versa, nor is there a need to suddenly stop one. List separately what the extractions, topical medications, oral medications, and procedures have reduced, and what body conditions will be examined alongside new acne in the Korean herbal medicine treatment. After separating the areas that the dermatology clinic will continue to prioritize, such as deep inflammation, rapid scar risk, pregnancy possibility, and oral medication safety, if the recurrence interval, skin barrier, sleep, digestion, or menstruation remain unstable, the handoff is then managed during a Baekrokdam 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

Does Korean herbal medicine treatment replace acne medication?

Based on your current acne and response to existing treatments, we set new goals for Korean herbal medicine treatment regarding inflammation, heat sensation, sebum, and recurrence. If specific medications or procedures are necessary, we coordinate the sequence while monitoring the treatment schedule and response.

Can I continue getting extractions?

This depends on your current acne and skin irritation. Please plan by separating the goals of managing existing acne and treating to reduce new acne.

Should I provide my medication information to both providers?

Yes. You must provide a complete list, including Korean herbal medicine and supplements, to each medical professional to reduce duplication and safety issues.

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 GuidanceRecurrent acne after treatmentAcne is a chronic recurrent condition that requires maintenance care even after improvement. If it reappears after pausing treatment, rather than concluding the medication was bad, we look at what returned first among comedones, sebum, or red inflammation, as well as the timing of discontinuation, maintenance treatment, and changes in products, menstruation, or sleep. Korean herbal medicine treatment does not arbitrarily stop existing treatments, but rather specifies the recurring new inflammation and the body condition that fluctuates during recurrence.Condition GuidancePurulent acnePurulent acne is caused by a complex process where excessive sebum is produced and inflammation deepens in areas where dead skin cells have blocked the pores. Cystic acne, which feels like large, painful lumps deep inside, or deep nodules are prone to leaving scars, so it is advisable to determine a treatment direction early. Hormonal changes during puberty or around menstruation, certain medications, and repeated friction may overlap as aggravating factors, but it cannot be attributed to a single food or a lack of washing.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.Acne ColumnWhen acne returns after stopping medication, what does Korean herbal medicine look at differently?If inflammation and sebum decrease while using medication but new acne appears in the same location after stopping, it is time to analyze the stages of acne and the bodily conditions that trigger recurrence, rather than repeating a failed treatment.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.

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.

AAD: Acne clinical guidelineI have reviewed the recommendations for topical medications, oral medications, and procedural treatments.
WHO: Traditional medicine terminologiesI have reviewed the scope of Korean medicine terminology.