"You have such beautiful skin."
For a long time, this was a compliment I was grateful to hear.
Having naturally bright and clear skin, I took pride in it. However, as I navigated through my 30s and experienced the transformative journey of two pregnancies, I began to notice unfamiliar guests appearing in the mirror.
It started with small, bumpy textures forming around my neck, shoulders, and underarms. Life was busy, and I dismissed them as temporary fatigue or perhaps a reaction to a new perfume. But they didn't fade. Instead, they quietly spread, claiming more space. Those brownish spots on my neck wouldn't budge, no matter how much I scrubbed or used expensive exfoliators. In fact, my skin only grew red and irritated.
What bothered me most was a tiny white bump near my eye. It wasn't painful or itchy, but it sat there like a permanent speck of dust. It grew just enough that even the best concealer couldn't hide the shadow it cast. When I showed it to my mother, she simply offered the traditional wisdom: "It just happens as you get older. Everyone has them."
Deciphering the Body's Language
But should we really accept these discomforts as an inevitable, unchangeable part of 'aging'?
The truth is, these are more than just signs of time passing. They are the physical manifestations of the body’s internal shifts—specifically, the rapid hormonal changes that many women undergo during and after pregnancy. Later, I learned their real names: Milia, Seborrheic Keratosis (Age Spots), and Flat Warts.
In clinical terms, these are classified as 'benign tumors.'
While the word "tumor" sounds intimidating, it simply refers to an abnormal growth of cells that isn't cancerous. However, don't let the word "benign" fool you into thinking they are insignificant. Flat warts, in particular, are caused by the Human Papillomavirus (HPV). They are contagious and can spread across your body or even to your loved ones if left untreated. What starts as a single, unnoticed dot can soon become a cluster that affects your entire neckline or face.
While these conditions are equally common in men—especially as they age—women often possess a keener intuition for these subtle changes. We notice the shift in texture, the loss of smoothness, and the way light hits our skin differently.
The Philosophy of Precise Care
True wellness, as we define it here at Square, begins with listening to the smallest signals of your body and responding with dignity. We often endure these minor annoyances because we are told that "it’s just natural." But ignoring something that bothers you every time you look in the mirror isn't being "natural"—it’s neglecting a part of your self-esteem.
We cannot stop the clock, but we can choose how we carry our age. Choosing to treat these bumps isn't just a pursuit of vanity; it’s an active, empowering choice to love the person you see in the mirror today. It’s about refining the "noise" so that your natural beauty can shine through without distraction.
The Sharp Light Test I have a small challenge for you today. When you get home, find the brightest, sharpest light—perhaps the vanity light in your bathroom. Stand under it, tilt your head slightly, and look closely at your neck and the area around your eyes. If you see tiny, flat bumps—smaller than a grain of sand—that you never noticed before, do not panic.
It is simply a signal that your skin is ready for a reset. You don't have to navigate these signals alone. At Hwajeopmong Korean Medicine Clinic, we specialize in the delicate art of skin restoration. We don't just "remove" these spots; we treat the skin's environment to ensure your journey back to a smooth, confident texture is as seamless as possible.
Because your skin deserves to be as clear as your mindset.
