Dermatology, Internal Medicine, Allergology, Cosmetic Dermatology, Cosmetic Internal Medicine

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Dermatology, Internal Medicine, Allergology, Cosmetic Dermatology, Cosmetic Internal Medicine

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Subcision

Subcision is a treatment in which a needle or cannula is inserted under the skin to release subcutaneous adhesions—one of the causes of acne scars and crater-like depressions—thereby improving indentations.
At our clinic, in addition to subcision (release), we also inject PDRN or PDLLA—agents that promote tissue repair, wound regeneration, and collagen production—into the treated area to prevent re-adhesion after treatment and lift the craters.

Recommended for those who:

  • Are concerned about depressed acne scars (especially rolling-type)
  • Are concerned about hardened skin from acne scars
  • Are concerned about depressed chickenpox scars

Types of acne scars and treatment options

Acne can result from repeated, severe chronic inflammation in the pores, which may disrupt normal wound healing and lead to atrophic or hypertrophic scars. Even after acne clears, noticeable scars may remain on the skin and become a significant concern.
In rolling-type scars, which are atrophic scars that make up the majority of acne scars and craters, the dermis and subcutaneous tissue around the depression are also scarred and are pulled inward by cord-like fibrous bands under the skin.
We recommend “Subcision”, which involves inserting a needle or cannula under the skin to release adhesions and reduce the traction of these fibrous bands; Microneedle RF “POTENZA”, which stimulates deep fibroblasts with radiofrequency energy to promote skin regeneration; and “Dermapen 4”, which creates controlled micro-injuries on the skin surface to promote wound healing.

 

Ice-pick scars are deep depressions and are the most difficult to treat. They may be treated by excision with CO2 laser or punch techniques, but this can involve longer downtime and may even increase the scar area.
For boxcar scars, in addition to subcision with PDRN injections, we may add fractional CO2 laser treatment or Dermapen scar mode to soften the edges and make the scars less noticeable.

Subcision treatment at our clinic

Subcision

Our subcision treatment not only releases adhesions around acne scars, but also includes injections of PDRN (salmon injection), which promotes tissue regeneration, wound healing, anti-inflammatory effects, and angiogenesis, as well as PDLLA (Juvelook), which powerfully stimulates collagen production.
Using these agents helps accelerate scar repair and prevents re-adhesion of scar tissue after subcision.

PDRN injection

An injectable formulation containing 1.5% PDRN (Polydeoxyribonucleotide) extracted from salmon, combined with glutathione, hyaluronic acid, and peptides.
PDRN has effects such as tissue and cellular repair, promotion of wound healing, growth factor activation, and improved blood flow. In Europe, it is approved as a pharmaceutical and is widely used in medical settings for wound healing (skin grafts, burns, scars) and joint injections.

Juvelook (PDLLA injection)
Juvelook is an agent whose main ingredient is PDLLA. PDLLA has excellent biocompatibility and, once in the body, gradually breaks down over 1–2 years. During this process, it strongly stimulates the production of collagen and elastin, lifting crater-like acne scars.

Case 1

Subcision with PDRN: 1 session

Case 2

Combination case: Subcision with PDRN + Dermapen + POTENZA

Treatment details

Treatment interval Once a month, 3–5 sessions
Treatment time 1 hour (including anesthesia time)
Anesthesia Topical anesthesia, block injection, local anesthesia
Downtime Immediately after treatment, redness and swelling may occur at the injection sites and typically subside within a few hours.
Bruising and swelling may occur. While this varies by individual, it generally settles within about 1–3 weeks.
Makeup Not allowed for 24 hours
Follow-up visits None in particular
Face washing / showering / bathing On the day of treatment, wash your face with lukewarm water only
Medication None in particular
Recommended combination treatments ・Dermapen 4・High-concentration salmon injection・POTENZA・
Post-treatment notes None in particular
Contraindications * Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding
* Those with fish roe allergies or allergies to hyaluronic acid
* Those with coagulation or immune system disorders

POTENZA

POTENZA is a skin rejuvenation device that uses radiofrequency (RF) energy to address a wide range of skin concerns at the root. It offers two main approaches: “microneedle RF,” which delivers RF energy through fine needles inserted into the skin, and “non-invasive RF,” which delivers RF energy without needles. A variety of dedicated tips are available depending on the treatment goal. It promotes regeneration of skin weakened by aging and photoaging and addresses diverse skin concerns. In particular, there is also a special tip with a drug delivery function that efficiently delivers active ingredients into the dermis, making it effective even for stubborn acne-scar scarring and unevenness that were difficult to treat with conventional methods.

Recommended for those who:

  • Concerned about fine lines, firmness, and loss of elasticity
  • Are concerned about enlarged pores
  • Concerned about unevenness from acne and acne scars
  • Concerned about uneven skin tone

What is Needle RF POTENZA?

POTENZA is a skin rejuvenation treatment using microneedle RF. By inserting ultrafine microneedles with an outer diameter of 0.25 mm into the skin and delivering radiofrequency (RF) energy from the needle tips, it induces protein and tissue remodeling beneath the skin without causing thermal damage to the skin surface. This stimulates collagen production, restoring firmness and elasticity and improving concerns such as acne scars.

Three key points of POTENZA

Less pain!

POTENZA uses ultrafine needles with an outer diameter of 0.25 mm.
The insertion depth, insertion speed, and RF energy level can all be adjusted,
and although it is a needle-based treatment, it is characterized by minimal pain.

A wide variety of tips and irradiation modes tailored to your concerns

POTENZA offers a variety of tips tailored to the purpose of treatment, enabling it to address a wide range of skin concerns.
These include drug-delivery tips that achieve uniform penetration of active ingredients—something conventional microneedles could not accomplish—
tips for melasma and skin tightening, and single-needle tips for acne and syringoma, among others, selected according to your concerns and goals.
In addition, parameters such as insertion depth, heat delivery method, energy level, and pulse width can be finely adjusted, allowing for detailed settings tailored to your concerns and skin type.

A variety of tips for different purposes

 

A drug delivery system that reliably delivers active ingredients into the dermis

POTENZA features a special “pumping tip.”
By applying negative pressure when inserting the microneedles, air is pushed in as the needles are withdrawn, allowing the topical agent applied to the skin surface to be delivered evenly and reliably into the dermis.

Drug delivery system using the pumping tip

 

POTENZA for a wide range of skin concerns

POTENZA Hydraglow Mode

This treatment uses a special “pumping tip” with a drug delivery function. By applying negative pressure when inserting the microneedles, air is pushed in as the needles are withdrawn, allowing the topical agent applied to the skin surface to be delivered evenly and reliably into the dermis. With the triple effects of the “wound-healing effect” from creating micro-injuries with needles, the “thermal energy effect” from RF (radiofrequency), and the “drug delivery system” that delivers active ingredients directly into the skin, it helps create beautiful skin.
The agent can also be selected according to your concerns. For those concerned about pores, BENEV containing skin-beautifying ingredients such as growth factors is recommended. For those concerned about unevenness from acne scars, PDRN with a wound-healing effect and PLLA (Mcoom), which has a long-term collagen production–promoting effect, are recommended.

 

 

Agent used: [PLLA (McCOOM)]

PLLA (Poly-L-Lactic-Acid) is a biodegradable polymer with extensive use in the medical field and is also used in surgical sutures. Once in the body, it breaks down into water and carbon dioxide over several months to about two years. When injected under the skin, it promotes dermal collagen production over the long term.

POTENZA Skin Rejuvenation Mode

Microneedles are inserted under the skin and radiofrequency (RF) energy is
delivered, inducing collagen production as well as protein and tissue remodeling,
thereby stimulating collagen generation to restore firmness and elasticity and achieve a lifting effect.
Compared with the conventional microneedle RF treatment, INTRAcel, it has further evolved and been refined,
with less pain and reduced downtime.

 

POTENZA Melasma Mode

Melasma is a condition in which melanocytes become activated and, due to external stimuli (friction and UV exposure) and internal stimuli (hormonal imbalance and stress, etc.), produce excessive melanin. Because strong stimulation may worsen it, oral medications and topical agents are the mainstay, and it is characterized by the difficulty of achieving a fundamental cure. The key in treating melasma is to suppress excessive melanin production by activated melanocytes.
POTENZA determines the RF irradiation time and output that suppress melanin production without destroying melanocytes, the cause of melasma, and improves uneven tone caused by melasma through a mechanism not found in conventional melasma treatments. Because it does not treat by targeting color, there is no concern about hypopigmentation or worsening.

POTENZA Melasma Mode

After 8 treatments every 2 weeks: 2 months

POTENZA One Needle

Using a single needle, RF is delivered to each active acne lesion to destroy the sebaceous glands and prevent recurrence.
Treatment of syringoma is also possible.

Treatment details

Treatment interval For Melasma Mode: 5–10 treatments every 2 weeks
For Skin Rejuvenation / Hydraglow / Acne Modes: 3–5 treatments every 4–6 weeks are recommended
Treatment time 1 hour (depending on the irradiation mode)
Anesthesia Topical anesthesia: 20–30 minutes (required depending on the irradiation mode)
Downtime From immediately after treatment up to about 1 week, there may be redness, swelling, and a dry/rough feeling on the surface.
Possible side effects Bruising, folliculitis, infection, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation may occur.
Makeup Possible from the next day
Follow-up visits None in particular
Face washing / shower / bathing On the day of treatment, wash with lukewarm water. Bathing is allowed, but please avoid overheating.
Medication Propeto for 1–2 days; please focus on moisturizing.
Aftercare Moisturize and avoid sun exposure and friction/irritation.
Contraindications * Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding
* Those with metal allergies, or those with metal in the treatment area (including gold threads)
* Those with a pacemaker
* Those with abnormalities in wound healing, coagulation, or immune function, or those prone to keloids

Non-invasive (needle-free) POTENZA

POTENZA Diamond / DDR

POTENZA Diamond is characterized by its ability to deliver monopolar and bipolar RF (radiofrequency) continuously in a single shot.
By layering two types of energy, it tightens firmly from deep within the skin and targets sagging.
In addition, DDR delivers bipolar-only RF while “moving,” distributing heat evenly to a more superficial layer.
By combining POTENZA Diamond and DDR, heat transfer efficiency increases, and enhanced effects can be expected, such as lifting, pore tightening, and improved skin texture.
In addition to the immediate tightening effect from collagen contraction, fibroblasts stimulated by heat promote collagen and elastin production over the mid to long term.
It is recommended to undergo treatment once a month for three sessions (one course), and then continue once every 3–6 months.
There is almost no downtime, making it a reassuring option even for those who are sensitive to pain.
HIFU (SonoQueen) and fat-dissolving injections (Kaberin) also pair well with it, and same-day treatment is recommended.

 

Treatment details

Treatment interval Once a month for 3 sessions. After that, once every 3–6 months.
Treatment Duration 30–40 minutes
Anesthesia Not required
Downtime Only mild redness immediately after treatment
Possible Side Effects Burns
Makeup Possible from the same day
Follow-up visits None in particular
Face washing / shower / bathing No restrictions
Medication None in particular
Post-treatment notes None in particular
Contraindications * Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding
* Those with metal allergies, or those with metal in the treatment area (including gold threads)
* Those with a pacemaker
* Those with abnormalities in wound healing, coagulation, or immune function, or those prone to keloids

 

Dermapen 4

Dermapen 4 is a treatment that uses special ultra-fine needles called microneedles to create high-density micro-injuries on the skin, promoting skin regeneration during the healing process. In addition, when creating the micro-channels, infusing hyaluronic acid, growth factors, and other agents helps stimulate the production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid.

Recommended for those who:

  • Concerned about uneven acne scars (craters), chickenpox scars, or other scars
  • Concerned about pores
  • Want firmer, more radiant skin
  • Keratosis pilaris

What is Dermapen?

Dermapen is a treatment that uses ultra-fine microneedles to create high-density micro-injuries on the skin.
When the skin is injured, the body’s natural healing response (wound healing) releases various growth factors. Stimulated by these growth factors, the production of collagen, elastin, and hyaluronic acid is promoted, helping to achieve firm, resilient, radiant skin, while also improving acne scars, scars, and pores on the skin surface.

Compared with conventional devices, Dermapen 4 has improved treatment depth, vibration, and precision, and the number of needles has increased to 16 ultra-fine 33G (0.20 mm) needles. The treatment depth range has expanded from 0.2 mm to 3 mm, and it can create 1,920 micro-channels per second at up to 120 rotations/second. As a result, treatment time is shorter, and pain and discomfort have been reduced.
In addition, Dermapen 4 is newly equipped with a scar treatment mode (ST mode), allowing for a more effective approach to acne scars, scars, and stretch marks.

Medications used

PDRN Skin Booster: PDRN (salmon-derived polydeoxynucleotide) helps promote the repair and regeneration of damaged skin DNA. In addition, the synergistic effects of three ingredients—glutathione, hyaluronic acid, and peptides—can be expected to provide a variety of skin-beautifying benefits.

PDRN Skin Booster

Treatment details

Treatment interval Once a month × 5 sessions. After that, once every 1–2 months.
Treatment time Topical anesthesia 30 minutes + procedure 10 minutes.
Anesthesia Topical anesthesia
Downtime Mild redness and peeling may occur.
Makeup After 24 hours
Follow-up visits None in particular
Face washing, showering, bathing No particular restrictions (avoid scrub cleansers for 1–2 weeks).
Medication Propeto
Recommended combination treatments Salmon injection, Genesis, Micro Botox, skin booster injections, etc.
Contraindications Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or who have issues with wound healing or coagulation function.
Those with allergies to hyaluronic acid, etc.

 

Velvet Skin

  • For those aiming for even more beautiful skin

Velvet Skin is a combination treatment that pairs Dermapen 4 with a massage peel. By performing a massage peel—which strongly promotes dermal collagen production—on skin that has been thoroughly treated with high-density micro-injuries using Dermapen 4, the agent penetrates more deeply, leaving the skin glossy and smooth like velvet.

Treatment details

Treatment interval Allow 4–6 weeks between sessions. 3–5 sessions.
Treatment time Topical anesthesia 30 minutes + procedure 30 minutes.
Anesthesia Topical anesthesia
Downtime Mild irritation, redness, and peeling may occur.
Makeup After 24 hours
Follow-up visits None in particular
Face washing, showering, bathing No particular restrictions (avoid scrub cleansers for 1–2 weeks).
Medication Propeto. We also recommend using WiQo home care together.
Recommended combination treatments Genesis, high-concentration salmon injection.
Contraindications Those who are pregnant or breastfeeding, or who have issues with wound healing or coagulation function.
Those with allergies to hyaluronic acid, etc.

Chemical Peeling Iontophoresis

Chemical Peeling

Chemical peeling is a treatment method that exfoliates and removes old keratin from the epidermis to rejuvenate the skin.

The keratin on the skin surface consists of many layers of cells.
Basal cells at the bottom of the epidermis change shape as they are pushed up by new cells from below, eventually becoming the outermost stratum corneum of the epidermis and naturally peeling off. This is called turnover (metabolism). Healthy skin is said to have a turnover cycle of four weeks (28 days).
However, if this turnover is prolonged due to certain causes (such as stress, lifestyle habits, or environmental changes), old keratin accumulates and causes skin dullness. Furthermore, when turnover abnormalities occur in the pores, it leads to clogged pores and acne.

Chemical peeling is a treatment where chemical agents (chemicals) are applied to the skin to cause a chemical reaction that peels away old skin.By removing keratin from the skin surface and pores and stimulating skin regeneration through chemical irritation, many cosmetic benefits can be expected.
Chemical peeling has a long history; it is said that in ancient Egypt, Cleopatra maintained her beautiful skin by bathing in sour milk containing lactic acid.

Recommended for those who:

  • Concerned about acne or acne scars
  • Feeling that pores are clogged
  • Concerned about skin dullness
  • Oily and sticky skin

Four Benefits of Chemical Peeling

  • Removes unnecessary keratin and clogged pores
  • Normalizes skin turnover and promotes skin regeneration
  • Inhibits tyrosinase, which stimulates melanin—the cause of spots
  • Promotes skin regeneration and increases dermal collagen

These effects can be expected to prevent new acne, heal existing acne, improve acne scars early, improve oily skin, make pores less noticeable, improve dullness, and provide whitening effects.

At our clinic, we perform peeling using “Salicylic Acid Macrogol,” which is gentle on the skin. Salicylic acid has the effect of softening and dissolving keratin. Therefore, it has long been used in dermatology as a treatment for keratin. However, if salicylic acid was absorbed through the sebaceous glands, there was a risk of toxicity (such as nausea, hyperventilation, or tinnitus) due to increased salicylic acid concentration in the blood.

The “Salicylic Acid Macrogol” used at our clinic is a strong acid with a salicylic acid concentration of 30% and a pH of 1.7. However, because the affinity of the base material called “Macrogol” used with “Salicylic Acid” is very high, the acid remains almost entirely in the keratin and does not penetrate deep into the skin, eliminating the risk of toxicity.
Furthermore, it thoroughly exfoliates only excess keratin without causing inflammation, so it is relatively low-irritation and suitable for those with delicate skin who might experience redness, itching, or poor skin condition after other peels (such as those using glycolic acid or lactic acid). We will provide a thorough explanation of the agents and procedures during the counseling session, so please feel free to visit us with peace of mind.

Treatment details

Treatment Interval Once every 4 weeks
Treatment Time 15 minutes
Anesthesia None
Downtime None in particular. Some individuals may experience slight redness, a tingling sensation, or mild peeling.
Makeup After 12 hours
Follow-up visits None in particular
Face Washing, Showering, Bathing No restrictions. (Please do not use facial cleansers with scrubs or peeling effects.)
Medication None in particular
Recommended combination treatments Iontophoresis, Limelight, Spectra, Genesis
Post-Treatment Precautions If you have a sunburn, the possibility of skin trouble increases, so we recommend undergoing the treatment after the sunburn has subsided to some extent.
Precautions
  • • We may decline treatment for those with dermatitis, sunburn, aspirin asthma, or aspirin allergies.
  • • For those who are pregnant, the skin becomes more sensitive, and reactions not normally seen may occur.
  • • Please refrain from using agents with exfoliating effects, such as peeling agents, RAC (retinoic acid), or Differin Gel (acne treatment), for one week before and after the procedure.
  • • Since the skin is delicate after the procedure, do not rub it strongly, avoid UV rays, and ensure thorough moisturizing.

Iontophoresis
Vitamin C Tranexamic Acid

Iontophoresis can enhance the effects of all treatments by delivering and allowing active ingredients to penetrate deeper into the skin.

Recommended for those who:

  • Those suffering from acne or skin irritation
  • Those who want beautiful skin or are concerned about skin quality improvement
  • Those concerned about skin dullness or sagging
  • Those concerned about skin dryness or fine lines

The skin surface has a barrier function to prevent foreign substances from entering the body, so no matter how good an ingredient is for the skin, it cannot penetrate deep into the skin simply by being applied. Iontophoresis is a treatment that uses a weak electric current to allow ionized active ingredients to penetrate “deeper” and “more thoroughly” into the skin. Iontophoresis is highly effective in allowing active ingredients for beautiful skin to penetrate from the basal layer at the bottom of the epidermis to the dermis layer, removing active oxygen, suppressing and discharging melanin pigment (the source of spots), improving pigmentation, improving acne and acne scars, and promoting the production of elastin and collagen that improve skin firmness and texture. After chemical peeling or skin-beautifying laser treatments, skin metabolism becomes active, and skin cells require a lot of nutrients. While the skin is in a state of trying to produce large amounts of collagen and elastin internally and discharge melanin pigment faster due to laser treatment, these processes may not be carried out properly if nutrients are insufficient. Therefore, our clinic recommends receiving iontophoresis as a set, as it can also be expected to supplement the skin with nutrients.

About Iontophoresis Agents

  • Vitamin C
    Vitamin C suppresses melanin production and improves spots, dullness, and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation left after insect bites or rashes. Furthermore, it removes active oxygen through its antioxidant effect and suppresses the activity of sebaceous glands, making it effective for acne and the redness of acne scars.
  • Tranexamic Acid
    Tranexamic acid suppresses melanin production and works to prevent spots and melasma. It also has an anti-inflammatory effect and is recommended for those concerned about skin irritation. By allowing tranexamic acid to penetrate deep into the skin through iontophoresis, it leads to beautiful skin with a sense of transparency. Using it in combination with Vitamin C results in even brighter skin.

Treatment details

Treatment Interval Approximately once every 1 to 2 weeks
Treatment Time 15 minutes
Anesthesia None
Downtime None in particular
Makeup Immediately after
Follow-up visits None in particular
Face washing / shower / bathing No restrictions
Medication None in particular
Recommended Combined Treatments –
Pre-Treatment Precautions Please remove metal items such as accessories and attachments like hearing aids during the procedure.
Those with pacemakers, those who are pregnant, those with heart disease, and those with arrhythmia currently under medication or outpatient care cannot receive the treatment.

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