Acne treatment in Singapore costs from $150 for a topical regimen to several thousand dollars for a device course, and the figure that matters is the cost of the plan that keeps the skin clear, not the price of a single session. This page lists every acne treatment I use with its fee, the cost of a full course, what the fee includes, and the three questions that make quotes from different clinics comparable. Which treatment suits which acne is set out on the acne treatment page, and every treatment is compared in the review of acne treatment in Singapore.
Acne treatment prices in Singapore at my clinic
All prices are before 9 percent GST and are the fee for the treatment itself, not a package.
| Treatment | Price | Usual course | Course total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consultation | $100 | First visit and review | Single fee |
| Topical treatment (retinoid, benzoyl peroxide, prescription creams) | From $150 | Ongoing, reviewed at 12 weeks | From $150 per prescription |
| Oral antibiotics | Quoted at consultation | 3 to 4 months, with topicals | Quoted at consultation |
| Isotretinoin | About $500 a month, depending on dose | 4 to 6 months, with blood tests | About $2,000 to $3,000 |
| AGNES RF | $800 to $1,500 per session, by number of lesions | 1 to 3 sessions | $800 to $4,500 |
| AviClear | $1,800 per session | 3 sessions, 2 to 5 weeks apart | $5,400 |
| Gold PTT | $700 per session, or $3,500 for 5 | 5 sessions, 2 to 4 weeks apart | $3,500 |
| Platinum PTT | $700 per session | 5 sessions | $3,500 |
| Secret RF, add-on for active acne | $1,500 per session | Agreed at consultation | Quoted at consultation |
| Chemical peel, supporting care | $200 per session | 4 to 6 sessions | $800 to $1,200 |
| HydraFacial, supporting care | Quoted at the clinic | Single or as part of a plan | Quoted at the clinic |
What decides acne treatment cost in Singapore
Four factors decide the cost. The first is the type of lesion, because comedonal acne is treated with topicals and, where a few glands keep blocking, with AGNES on those glands alone, whereas widespread papular acne needs a whole-face device course. The second is severity, because nodular and cystic acne usually needs isotretinoin or AGNES on multiple lesions, and sometimes both. The third is the number of sessions, which for the device treatments is fixed by the course rather than by how the skin looks after one visit, because each session adds to a cumulative reduction in sebaceous gland activity that is assessed at the end of the course. The fourth is whether a hormonal driver is present, because acne that returns each time a course ends generates a new course each time until the driver is treated. That assessment is on the hormonal acne treatment page.
Cheapest acne treatment in Singapore, the plan that prevents relapse
A topical regimen at $150 is the least expensive treatment on the list, and it is where every plan starts and ends, because a retinoid keeps the follicle lining shedding normally and so prevents the blockages that a device course has cleared from forming again. A device course without maintenance afterwards is the most expensive way to treat acne, because the course is repeated. A comparison of AviClear at $5,400 for three sessions against isotretinoin at about $2,000 to $3,000 for a course is valid only when it includes the relapse rate of each and the cost of the maintenance that follows. That comparison is on AviClear vs isotretinoin, and the reasons acne returns after each treatment are on the review.
What the acne treatment fee includes
The device fees above include the session and the standard reviews, which in my practice are a review at one week and, during a laser course, a review every two weeks. They do not include the consultation, prescription medicines, or a separate treatment added to the plan, each of which is quoted on its own. Isotretinoin requires blood tests at the start of the course and during it, because the drug can raise liver enzymes and blood lipids, and these tests are charged separately. Three questions make quotes from different clinics comparable. The first is whether the price is per session or per course. The second is how many sessions are planned and when the result is assessed. The third is what the maintenance plan is once the course ends. A quote that cannot answer the third question is a quote for a course that is likely to be repeated.
Acne treatment cost by type of acne
Blackheads and whiteheads are treated with topicals from $150, reviewed at 12 weeks, and with AGNES at $800 to $1,500 a session for the glands that keep blocking despite the topicals.
Papules and pustules are treated with topicals and, where the acne is widespread, an antibiotic course, followed by AviClear at $1,800 a session over three sessions or by Gold or Platinum PTT at $700 a session over five.
Nodules and cysts are treated with isotretinoin at about $500 a month for four to six months, with AGNES on each deep lesion, or with both.
Teenagers pay the same prices. For families avoiding oral medication, Gold PTT at $3,500 for the course is the treatment I use most, as set out on the teenage acne treatment page.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding limit the topical options and exclude oral medicines and, in my practice, AGNES and AviClear. Gold PTT is my treatment of choice at the same course price, as explained on the acne in pregnancy page.
Common questions about acne treatment cost in Singapore
How much does acne treatment cost in Singapore?
At my clinic, topical treatment is from $150, isotretinoin about $500 a month, AGNES $800 to $1,500 a session, AviClear $1,800 a session, Gold PTT and Platinum PTT $700 a session or $3,500 for five, and Secret RF as an add-on $1,500 a session, all before GST.
Is acne treatment covered by insurance or MediSave in Singapore?
Acne treatment at a private aesthetic clinic is generally not claimable. Prescription medicines may be covered by some private policies, and the wording of the individual policy decides.
What is the cheapest effective acne treatment?
A topical retinoid with benzoyl peroxide, from $150, used consistently for 12 weeks, is the cheapest effective treatment. It is also the maintenance for every other treatment on this page.
How much does AviClear cost in Singapore?
AviClear costs $1,800 per session at my clinic. The course is three sessions, which comes to $5,400 before GST.
How much does isotretinoin cost in Singapore?
Isotretinoin costs about $500 a month over four to six months, with blood tests charged separately. The dose is set by body weight, so the monthly cost varies between patients.
Why do device prices vary so much between clinics?
Device prices vary for three reasons. The first is whether the price is per session or per course. The second is whether a doctor or a therapist performs the session. The third is whether a review and a maintenance plan are included. Quotes are comparable only when all three match.
Book a consultation with Dr Gerard Ee at The Clifford Clinic
Dr Gerard Ee consults and performs acne treatment at The Clifford Clinic, 50 Raffles Place, Singapore. Consultations are by appointment. Message the clinic on WhatsApp, or call 6532 2048.
This page is written by Dr Gerard Ee. Prices are before GST, are the treatment fee at his clinic, and may change. It is general information and not a substitute for a consultation.
