'Doctor, I've had peels more than ten times—why is it still the same?' — a question from last week

As we move into the changing season, the clinic is starting to get busy again with pore and scar consultations.

'I've been getting peels at a dermatology clinic for over a year,

and honestly, I don't know what's actually changed.'

I heard the exact same thing from two people this week, too.

Today, I'll walk you through why.

Here’s what the difference really is

SecretRF inserts tiny needles into the skin,

and delivers radiofrequency (RF) energy from the tips

to directly stimulate the dermis.

Unlike peels, SecretRF

doesn't 'dissolve' dead skin or the epidermis,

but creates thermal damage in the dermis

1.5 to 3.5 mm deep, rebuilding collagen in the process.

Why do some people see less effect even after repeating peels?

Key point of this article

Temporary peels vs fundamental SecretRF,

explaining the difference in the 'real solution' for pores.

Key takeaway


Pores are not a 'dirt on the epidermis' problem.


They are a 'dermal structure' problem.


No matter how much you strip away the epidermis,


if the base has collapsed, the holes remain.

Last month, a man in his early 30s came in,

and he said he had been getting peels at another clinic

almost once a month for two years because of pores on his nose and cheeks.

But when he brought in the mirror and showed me,

it looked almost identical to photos from two years ago.

This is where it gets a little tricky:

peels (weak acids like AHA and salicylic acid)

dissolve the stratum corneum and temporarily

smooth the skin texture.

It does look a bit better right away in the mirror.

But the real cause of enlarged pores

is that collagen in the dermis breaks down

and can't support the pore walls.

Peels don't go that deep.

They don't reach deep enough.

SecretRF inserts needles to depths of 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm, 2.5 mm,

and if needed, up to 3.5 mm.

At that depth, it delivers RF heat at around 75°C

to intentionally denature the collagen.

Since the skin recognizes it as 'damage',

it lays down new collagen in that area.

When this is repeated 2 to 3 times,

the structure supporting the pore walls itself becomes thicker.

That patient I mentioned earlier,

after three SecretRF sessions with us,

said at last week's maintenance visit that

'three treatments were far better than two years of peels.'

Director Wi Young-jin's key summary


Peels are 'epidermal cleaning',


SecretRF is 'dermal rebuilding'.


If pores are old and deep,


no matter how much you repeat exfoliation,


they will stay the same unless you treat the base.

This is how I break it down in the clinic

It varies case by case,

but this is how I usually classify it.

But this isn't all good.

After SecretRF, for about 3 to 5 days,

there are pinpoint red marks,

and you need to cover them with makeup for a week.

It isn't a treatment where you can get it done and go straight to work like a peel.

However, once collagen has properly filled in that area,

it lasts at least 1 to 2 years,

so in the long run, it's actually less costly and time-consuming

than getting peels every month.

If you've read this far, you may be wondering this

Q1. If I get SecretRF, do I not need peels at all?

A. No, that's not true.

You still need sebum and dead-skin management.

We most often recommend combining SecretRF to keep the 'structure' in place

with a light peel about once a month

to tidy up the surface.

Q2. How many sessions do I need, and how long does it last?

A. If it's only pores, usually 2 to 3 sessions,

and if acne scars are included, about 4 sessions.

They should be spaced about a month apart,

and three months after the final treatment

is when collagen fills in the most.

The effect lasts at least a year,

and after that, once-a-year maintenance is enough.

Q3. What about side effects or precautions?

A. The most common are redness after treatment and

pinpoint scabs like needle marks,

but most settle down within 4 to 7 days.

For one week before and after the procedure, avoid strong exfoliation,

retinol, and saunas.

If you are prone to pigmentation,

we need to lower the energy settings,

so please be sure to mention it during your consultation.

If your pores aren't improving with peels, send us a skin photo on WhatsApp. This has been Wi Young-jin.

Frequently asked questions

Q. Q1. If I get Secret RF, can I skip peeling altogether?

A. Not exactly. Managing sebum and dead skin cells is still necessary. We most often recommend the combination of keeping the "structure" in place with Secret RF and smoothing the surface with a light peel about once a month.

Q. Q2. How many sessions do I need, and how long does it last?

A. If it’s only pores, we usually recommend 2–3 sessions; if there are also acne scars, we usually recommend about 4 sessions.

Q. Q3. What are the side effects or precautions of Secret RF radiofrequency?

A. The most common side effects are redness after the procedure and pinpoint scabs that look like needle marks, which usually subside within 4 to 7 days.

Q. I've been getting peeling treatments for a long time, but my pores are still the same. Why is that?

A. Peeling temporarily smoothes your skin by dissolving the dead skin layer, but it doesn't reach the damaged dermal collagen, which is the real cause of enlarged pores. Since pore health is a matter of the deeper dermal structure, a deeper, more targeted approach is needed to treat them.