2026-10-20
Hongdae Acne Dermatology: The All-in-One Capri Laser That Targets Sebaceous Glands and Kills Acne Bacteria
Nine Clinic explains why acne keeps returning and introduces the Capri laser, which targets sebaceous glands and kills acne bacteria. A diagnosis is recommended before treatment.
Hello 🙂
This is Lee Go-eun from Nine Clinic, Hongdae Acne Dermatology.
“Doctor, is it just me whose acne keeps coming back like this?”
To be more precise, it’s less a “relapse” and more that the treatment never really finished. The inflammation on the surface may have disappeared, but inside, the sebaceous glands are still producing sebum and the bacteria are still settled in the pores.
Today, I’ve prepared this post to explain how an approach that stabilizes the skin so breakouts don’t keep repeating is different from one that simply gets rid of acne for now. If you’ve been struggling with recurring breakouts, please read through to the end. It’ll only take about three minutes!
Acne isn’t a “relapse” — it’s a condition that hasn’t ended yet.
Let me start with the conclusion.
Acne is not a condition that ends just because the visible inflammation is gone.
If the sebaceous glands aren’t under control and the acne bacteria in the pores remain active, it’s only natural for breakouts to keep coming back.
Everyone has sebaceous glands, and a certain number of acne bacteria live deep within the pores. The problem starts when these bacteria multiply excessively and sebum production increases to the point that it blocks the pores.
The process that moves from whiteheads to inflammation to pustular acne isn’t something you can simply sort into “there’s a breakout” or “there isn’t.”
That’s why it’s hard to solve acne by only calming the inflammation with injections or by repeatedly squeezing lesions.
Many people tell me, “It gets better with treatment,” but that’s only because the visible symptoms have disappeared.
If the sebaceous glands keep producing excess sebum, treatments that only remove surface inflammation or pus will inevitably lead to acne coming back again and again.
The key point here is that sebaceous glands don’t shrink on their own!
So unless treatment reduces the sebaceous glands themselves, recurrence is a very natural outcome.
What exactly is the Capri laser at Hongdae Acne Dermatology?
Ultimately, to fundamentally reduce acne, you need to change the environment within the skin itself by cutting back excessive sebum production and lowering bacterial activity.
The device that can address both of these at once is the Capri laser at Hongdae Acne Dermatology.
The Capri laser doesn’t simply calm acne. It’s a treatment that stabilizes the skin’s structure so that acne doesn’t form again.
Graphs: (a) light absorption by hemoglobin and water, with 1450 nm highlighted; (b) irradiance in skin and fat, with about 450 nm highlighted.
The core of the device is a 1450nm wavelength diode laser. This wavelength barely touches the skin’s surface and is selectively absorbed only by the sebaceous glands located deep in the dermis.
As a result, it delivers heat directly to the sebaceous glands to reduce their function, so they don’t overproduce sebum.
Aren’t all acne lasers basically the same?
Many acne lasers usually stop at reducing inflammation on the skin’s surface.
• IPL and PDT mainly focus on easing epidermal inflammation
• Fraxel is aimed at improving scars
• Lasers that suppress sebaceous glands are effective, but they are quite irritating and require a longer recovery period.
The Capri laser, on the other hand, can do all of the following in one device: target sebaceous glands, kill acne bacteria, protect the epidermis, and minimize pain. That is the biggest difference.
If any of these apply to you, be sure to consider the Capri laser
Before-and-after photos of a woman's cheek with acne, eyes covered for privacy.
1. Acne keeps appearing in the same spot
Especially on areas with lots of sebum and frequent irritation, such as the jawline, around the mouth, or the sides of the cheeks, if breakouts keep showing up in the same pattern, the sebaceous glands themselves are likely overactive.
Before-and-after photos of a forehead with red acne spots.
2. Acne keeps coming back even after extractions, anti-inflammatory injections, and medication
The surface may have calmed down, but if the environment underneath hasn’t changed, the cycle can repeat. Treatment that controls both the sebaceous glands and acne bacteria at the same time is needed.
Before-and-after photos of both cheeks of a woman with acne, eyes pixelated.
3. Relying on steroid injections or oral medication
They may work in the moment, but if your skin feels like it’s gradually thinning or becoming more sensitive, it’s time to consider a more fundamental approach.
Front-view before-and-after photos of a young woman's face with acne, eyes covered.
4. Acne has decreased, but you’re anxious it will keep coming back
Even if the surface looks clear, breakouts can start again at any time if the underlying causes remain.
It’s important to get things under control before that stage.
5. Oily skin with enlarged pores and excess sebum
This isn’t simply a skin type. It may be a state in which the sebaceous glands themselves have become excessively enlarged.
In cases like this, a treatment that directly targets the sebaceous glands, such as the Capri laser, can be effective.
Lastly, here’s something I really want to tell you!
Today, I introduced the Capri laser as one possible option for anyone dealing with acne concerns.
It’s clearly a device with many advantages, and we’re seeing good results in a number of cases. However, it isn’t the right treatment for everyone.
Why acne forms, recurrence patterns, the condition of the sebaceous glands, and even skin thickness differ so much from person to person, so the first step is to accurately assess what your skin needs right now.
You don’t have to decide on treatment right away.
Get a diagnosis first, and once you know which direction you need, we can work out the details together. There’s no rush 🙂
“We want you to become more beautiful every single moment.”
This was Lee Go-eun from Nine Clinic, Hongdae Acne Dermatology!
By the way,
Did you know we also have a YouTube channel?
We share short, useful information about a variety of treatments, so please stop by 😊
#HongdaeDermatology #HongikUnivDermatology #HongikUnivStationDermatology #HapjeongDermatology #SinchonDermatology #BestHongdaeDermatology #HongdaeAcneDermatology #Acne #CapriLaser #AcneLaser #AcneTreatment #PustularAcne #Whiteheads #AcneDermatology
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Capri laser work?
The clinic explains that the Capri laser is a device that targets sebaceous glands using a 1450nm wavelength diode laser. The clinic says this wavelength barely affects the skin’s surface and is selectively absorbed only by sebaceous glands deep in the dermis, helping to reduce excessive sebum production.
Can the Capri laser prevent acne from recurring?
The clinic explains that the Capri laser is a treatment aimed at reducing recurrence by controlling sebaceous glands and killing acne bacteria at the same time. However, it isn’t suitable for everyone, so the clinic advises getting a diagnosis of your skin condition first.
How is it different from existing acne lasers?
The clinic says the biggest difference is that the Capri laser can target sebaceous glands, kill acne bacteria, protect the epidermis, and minimize pain all in one device. In contrast, IPL and PDT are mainly aimed at easing epidermal inflammation, and Fraxel at improving scars.
When might the Capri laser be worth considering?
Cases to consider include acne that repeatedly appears in the same spot, or acne that keeps coming back even after extractions, anti-inflammatory injections, or medication. The clinic also notes that oily skin with enlarged pores and excess sebum may benefit from treatment that directly targets the sebaceous glands.
Is a diagnosis needed before a Capri laser treatment?
Yes. The clinic recommends getting a diagnosis before deciding on treatment. Because the causes of acne, recurrence patterns, sebaceous gland condition, and skin thickness differ from person to person, the clinic says you don’t have to decide on treatment right away.
Why does acne keep coming back?
The clinic explains that acne recurs when only the surface inflammation subsides while excess sebum from the sebaceous glands and acne bacteria in the pores remain. Since sebaceous glands don’t shrink on their own, the clinic says recurrence is likely without treatment that reduces the glands themselves.