Features of Ggeuthan Clinic's Extraction Management

At Ggeuthan Clinic, we view extraction not merely as a concept of cleansing the skin,

but as a systematic procedure based on medical evidence.

Before extraction, we meticulously manage waiting times to ensure sufficient softening time,

and apply meticulous needling performed with an understanding of the extraction principles.

Furthermore, from selecting tools considering pressure intensity for each skin area, every step is tailored to each individual patient.

During extraction, we remove not only sebum but also potential inflammation-causing substances hidden inside comedones, thereby lowering the possibility of acne recurrence. Instead of forcefully applying pressure, we focus on minimizing skin damage by precisely treating only the lesions that require extraction.

Ggeuthan Clinic's practitioners regularly participate in in-house seminars to receive specialized training on extraction techniques. Through this, they continuously enhance their proficiency in extraction skills.

We have established a system to ensure that our extraction management goes beyond a simple procedure, considering both acne treatment efficacy and recurrence prevention.

Reasons Why Extraction Management is Needed at Medical Institutions

Acne may be difficult to resolve fundamentally by simply applying pressure and squeezing.

When sebum produced by the sebaceous glands is unable to be discharged due to clogged pores and hardens, comedones are formed. Comedones with closed pore openings become whiteheads, while those with open pores that have oxidized appear as blackheads. These comedones provide an ideal environment for acne bacteria to proliferate, and bacterial growth can trigger an inflammatory response, leading to inflammatory acne. Therefore, it is crucial to remove comedones before inflammation occurs.

The fundamental cause of acne is ultimately a hardened mass of sebum, i.e., a comedone.

If these comedones are not properly removed, bacteria can continue to multiply, leading to recurrent acne.

Extraction can be said to be a crucial management process for safely removing these comedones.

However, if extraction is performed using incorrect methods, it can cause severe irritation or damage to the skin.

For these reasons, it is recommended to receive extraction management at a medical institution with the help of a skin specialist.

Types of Acne for Which Extraction is Recommended

• Blackheads and whiteheads visible to the naked eye or palpable
• Lesions with significant sebum accumulation, at the pre-inflammatory stage
• Pustular acne with pus already formed
• When inflammatory reactions have subsided but hard comedones remain within the skin
• However, not all acne lesions require extraction. Acne accompanied by heat or pain may indicate active inflammation, so excessive extraction can actually worsen the inflammation. In such cases, an approach to first calm the inflammation with treatments like anti-inflammatory acupuncture is necessary.

Reasons Why Professional Extraction at a Clinic is Recommended Over Self-Extraction

Extraction should be understood as a precise skin procedure that goes beyond simply removing sebum. It is crucial to receive care from a skilled professional at a medical institution for the following reasons:

1. Importance of Needling

Before extraction, it is essential to open the clogged pore's pathway with a sterilized needle.

The principle is to needle against the direction of hair growth to safely discharge sebum along the follicle opening.

This process helps reduce skin irritation and recovery burden, and effectively extracts even the deeper parts of the comedone.

2. Appropriate Tool Selection Based on Skin Condition

For shallow and sensitive skin, cotton swab extraction is mainly used,

while for deep and stubborn comedones, a comedone extractor (metal extractor) is utilized.

It is crucial for a professional to select the tools by comprehensively considering skin thickness, lesion depth, and the necessary pressure.

At Ggeuthan Clinic, we flexibly consider these various conditions to provide customized extraction management that minimizes tissue damage.

3. Complete Removal of the Entire Comedone

If only pus is discharged and the comedone remains, sebum can re-accumulate, leading to a potential recurrence.

Complete removal of even hardened sebum is necessary to help prevent acne recurrence.

Softening Process to Reduce Pore Expansion

At the clinic, a sebum softener is used to gently open pores, and then comedones are removed with minimal irritation.

4. Precise Treatment Direction and Skilled Techniques

If extraction is attempted at an incorrect angle, unnecessary skin damage may occur.

We carefully determine the follicular structure and meticulously adjust the needling direction.

5. Customized Treatment Approach Based on Skin Area

It's necessary to select tools that consider the characteristics of each area, such as using cotton swabs for the nose area, and a comedone extractor for specific areas like the chin or around the nose.

Using instruments like comedone extractors excessively on areas that don't require strong pressure can lead to bruising or unwanted skin damage.

6. Minimizing Infection and Scarring

To reduce the risk of infection, we use disposable cotton swabs, sterilize metal instruments at high temperatures, and perform thorough disinfection before and after treatment.

General Process of Extraction Treatment

• Skin cleansing and thorough disinfection
• Application of skin softener followed by sufficient absorption time
• Needling performed considering follicular structure
• Extraction performed using appropriate tools (cotton swabs, comedone extractors, etc.) for each area

Medical Benefits of Extraction: Evidence from Research

A 1964 JAMA study showed that regular extraction significantly reduced the incidence of inflammatory acne.

According to a paper published in JCAD in 2011, comedone removal can have a positive impact on psychological satisfaction and overall skin appearance improvement.

As such, extraction is considered an important part of acne prevention and management. However, if performed incorrectly or excessively, side effects may occur, so it must be done carefully by a skilled professional.

A Message from the Director

As we treat many acne patients every day, we always deeply consider one important point.

The fact is that extraction is more than just a cosmetic procedure; it is part of a medical act that maintains and restores skin health.

We understand that even a single acne lesion can affect not only skin problems but also self-esteem, which is why we strive to never neglect even a single extraction procedure.

Based on thoroughness and safety, we aim for customized extractions optimized for each patient's individual skin condition.

For these reasons, I continue to research skin-related topics with my medical team late into the night, sharing treatment techniques and deeply exploring our patients' skin concerns.

Extraction is not merely the act of squeezing out pimples. It should be understood as a professional 'procedure' that requires a medical approach.

Recommended For

• Those who experience discomfort due to small bumps (milia/comedones).
• Those who wish to improve recurring acne problems.
• Those who need initial consultation and approach for acne management.