RI& KOREAN MEDICAL CLINIC
Acne & Folliculitis
Acne
Acne is an inflammatory skin condition caused by excess sebum production and the buildup of dead skin cells and sebum within the pores.
It mainly appears where sebaceous glands are active — the face, back, and chest — and is classified into inflammatory lesions (papules, pustules, nodules) and non-inflammatory lesions (comedones). Without appropriate treatment, it can leave after-effects such as hyperpigmentation and scarring.
Folliculitis
Folliculitis is an inflammatory condition that occurs when the hair follicles surrounding the pores become infected with bacteria or fungi.
At first, small itchy red papules appear; as it worsens, they can develop into painful pustules. It generally results from weakened immunity, excess sebum production, and hygiene factors.
Main causes of acne and folliculitis
Bacterial infection
- Cutibacterium acnes (formerly P. acnes)
Triggers inflammation inside the pores along with sebum (acne) - Staphylococcus aureus
Infects the hair follicle and causes inflammation (folliculitis) - Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Infection from contaminated water such as hot tubs and pools (folliculitis) - Malassezia spp.
Cause of fungal folliculitis (folliculitis)
- Cutibacterium acnes (formerly P. acnes)
Hormones
- Puberty, menstrual cycle, pregnancy
- Hormonal imbalance
- Stress
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Weakened immunity
- Chronic stress
- Steroid use
- Immunosuppressant use
- Damaged skin barrier (over-cleansing, frequent peeling, harsh cosmetics)
Excess sebum production
- Genetic factors
- Diet (oily and processed foods)
- Environmental factors (heat and humidity, sweat, dust)
- Oily skin and oil-rich cosmetics
Diet and lifestyle
- Excess dead skin buildup
- Incomplete cleansing & cosmetic residue
- High-sugar foods & dairy
- Lack of sleep & stress
External factors
- Wearing masks & skin friction
- Touching the face with your hands
- UV exposure
- Using dirty pillowcases and towels
Types of acne
Acne is broadly divided into non-inflammatory and inflammatory types, depending on whether inflammation is present and how far it has progressed.
Suppurative acne
Pustular acne that has worsened, with inflammation spreading wide and deep; in severe cases it can progress to nodular or cystic acne.
Non-inflammatory acne
Sebum that has simply clumped because the opening of the sebaceous gland is blocked; divided into blackheads (open comedones) and whiteheads (closed comedones).
Papular acne
A pus-free form in which red, firm, raised bumps appear; the stage at which inflammation begins.
Pustular acne
Inflammatory acne with pus (pustules) that can progress to suppurative acne if it worsens. It is painful to the touch and easily leaves scars or marks, so it needs careful handling.
Nodular acne
More severe than papular, pustular, or suppurative acne; a firm inflammatory lesion that forms deep in the skin. Because it is likely to leave scars during healing, we recommend seeing a medical professional.
Cystic acne
The most severe form of acne, forming large, painful cysts that are difficult to treat.
Types of folliculitis
Superficial folliculitis
Inflammation confined to the surface of the follicle, appearing as small red papules or pustules. It is mostly bacterial, though fungal folliculitis can also occur. It develops on the face, chest, back, and buttocks.
Deep folliculitis
Inflammation that progresses deep into the follicle, forming nodules and abscesses, and in severe cases even cysts. It often recurs, can be difficult to treat, and may be painful.
Acne & folliculitis treatment at Myeongdong RI& Korean Medicine Clinic
01RI&
PDT (photodynamic therapy)
A treatment that uses light of specific wavelengths to suppress sebaceous gland activity and reduce acne-causing bacteria. It aims to ease inflammation and help manage recurrence.
Gold PTT
Fine gold nanoparticles are delivered into the sebaceous glands and around acne bacteria, then laser heat energy is delivered to the sebaceous glands. It aims to help manage recurrence and improve acne over the long term.
02RI&
Extraction
A treatment that carefully removes comedones (whiteheads, blackheads) and pustular acne using professional techniques. Careless self-extraction can worsen inflammation and cause scarring, so it is important to extract with the right pressure and method for your skin condition. It helps reduce inflammation and keep acne from progressing.
03RI&
Jeong-an facial acupuncture
A Korean medicine treatment that uses fine needles to promote the circulation of qi and blood in the face and ease inflammation. It addresses heat-toxin (yeoldok, 熱毒) and poor blood circulation — major causes of acne — to support skin recovery, and with continued treatment it aims to support the skin's resilience and help manage recurrence.
04RI&
Anti-inflammatory pharmacopuncture
A treatment that injects herbal pharmacopuncture with anti-inflammatory properties, such as Hwangnyeon-haedok-tang and centipede (Ogong) pharmacopuncture, to help calm inflammation. It helps ease the redness of inflammatory acne, reduce pain, and support skin regeneration. It is injected directly into the areas that need it, and the degree and pace of change vary from person to person.
05RI&
Ultrasound soothing care
A soothing treatment that uses ultrasound to promote microcirculation deep within the skin and ease inflammation. Ultrasound vibrations (1–3 MHz) gently stimulate the skin tissue to aid blood circulation and help reduce inflammation in acne-prone skin. It also helps support the skin barrier against external irritants.
06RI&
Herbal soothing pack
A herbal pack made with naturally derived herbal ingredients that soothes and hydrates the skin, suited to caring for sensitive or acne-prone skin. It helps support the skin's resilience and barrier, which can help reduce acne recurrence.
07RI&
Customized herbal medicine
A treatment that looks at the causes of acne and folliculitis according to your constitution and aims to improve them and keep the skin healthy. By addressing heat-toxin and inflammation, it aims to help regulate sebum production and support immunity. It can also be prescribed in pill (hwan) form, which makes it easy to take consistently.
08RI&
Home care
Products based on herbal ingredients help balance the skin with ingredients that support anti-inflammatory care and sebum regulation, and help protect the skin barrier against external irritants. Combining topical products with lifestyle management may help manage acne recurrence and keep skin healthier.
Skin Analysis SKIN ANALYSIS
Multi-Angle Imaging
photographs your skin from several angles
UV & Visible Light Imaging
shows conditions that are hard to see with the naked eye, such as sun damage and pigmentation
High-Resolution Imaging
lets us look closely at pores, wrinkles and pigmentation
Saved Results
stores each analysis so changes can be compared over the course of care
Used in Consultation
we explain your skin condition and care options based on the results
prescribed to suit your constitution and symptoms
Herbal prescription and preparation
Individual prescriptions are prepared with pharmaceutical-grade herbal ingredients manufactured under the MFDS herbal Good Manufacturing Practice (hGMP) standard.
Each prescription is decocted separately.
Pharmaceutical-grade herbs
Prescribed by constitution and symptoms
Decocted per prescription
Progress checks while you take it
Acne & Folliculitis Q&A
How can I tell acne and folliculitis apart?
Acne (acne vulgaris) is a chronic inflammatory condition caused by a combination of factors, including excess sebum production, abnormal keratin buildup within the pores, and the proliferation of Cutibacterium acnes. It is characterized by comedones (blackheads, whiteheads) appearing together with papules, pustules, and nodules. Folliculitis, on the other hand, is an acute inflammatory condition caused by bacterial (mainly Staphylococcus aureus) or fungal infection of the hair follicle. It typically appears as small red papules or pustules confined to areas where hair is present.
How long does acne treatment take?
Treatment time depends on your skin condition, the type of lesion (comedone, papule, pustule, etc.), and the stage of progression; the core goals are to control the condition and prevent recurrence. On average, an acne lesion takes about 8–12 weeks to develop from a microcomedone within the pore into an inflammatory lesion visible on the skin's surface. For this reason, at least 3 months of treatment is needed before changes become visible, though improvement is sometimes seen within 2 months. To manage lesions that form after treatment, maintenance care of 6 months or more is recommended. Clinical improvement is generally observed from about 4 weeks after starting treatment, after which we adjust the herbal formula and the balance of home care according to your response.
How should I care for my skin after acne treatment?
Once the acute inflammatory phase has passed and the skin has stabilized, treatment shifts its focus to preventing recurrence and restoring the skin. After acne treatment, daily care to prevent recurrence and secondary complications such as hyperpigmentation and scarring is very important. Consistently following these steps helps your skin after treatment:
- Don't touch or squeeze acne with your hands
- Keep pores clean with gentle cleansing
- Keep skin well hydrated and moisturized
- Protect your skin with sunscreen
- Maintain a regular routine and healthy eating habits
Is it possible that the herbal medicine won't suit me?
Responses to herbal medicine can vary depending on your constitution, skin condition, and lifestyle. At Myeongdong RI& Korean Medicine Clinic, we prescribe acne herbal medicine in 15-day cycles, observing your skin condition directly and closely checking your constitutional response during the course. Prescriptions are prepared with pharmaceutical-grade herbal ingredients. We fine-tune each prescription while comprehensively monitoring your skin response and overall condition.
Which foods are bad for acne?
- Oily foods (fried food, fast food) – worsen sebum production and inflammation
- High-sugar foods (soda, snacks) – raise insulin, triggering sebum production and inflammation
- Refined carbohydrates (white rice, bread, rice cakes) – stimulate the sebaceous glands by raising insulin
- Protein supplements (whey protein) – can worsen acne through hormonal responses
- Spicy foods – trigger skin heat and inflammation
- Alcohol (beer, cocktails, etc.) – causes inflammation and dehydration
Are there ways to manage acne on my own?
If your acne is severe or inflammation keeps recurring, diagnosis and treatment at a medical clinic must come first. That said, self-care to prevent recurrence after intensive treatment is very important.
- Cleanse gently; twice a day is enough
- Exfoliate once a week or less, with non-irritating products
- Don't squeeze or touch with your hands
- Manage sleep, diet, and stress
- Always use sunscreen
- Use non-comedogenic products that don't clog pores
Photos of people on this page are staged images, not actual patients.
