Acne Treatment in Singapore

Acne is a chronic and highly common skin condition that occurs when hair follicles become clogged with oil (sebum) and dead skin cells. This clogging process, often combined with bacteria and inflammation, leads to the formation of pimples, blackheads, and cysts.

Pimples and acne are the same condition. Whether you call it a pimple, a breakout or acne, what I treat is the same inflamed follicle, and the treatment depends on how deep and how inflamed it is rather than on the word used for it.

Teenage Acne 

Adolescent acne is commonly triggered by hormonal fluctuations during puberty, leading to increased sebum production and clogged pores. During the teenage years, acne often presents as widespread breakouts with a mix of blackheads, whiteheads, and superficial pustules. In contrast to adult acne, teenage acne is often more responsive to standard topical and oral treatments and tends to resolve more quickly.

Adult Acne 

Adult acne can manifest as persistent breakouts from adolescence, late-onset acne occurring for the first time in adulthood, or even recurrent acne after a period of clear skin. Unlike teenage acne, adult acne can be triggered by various factors, including hormonal imbalances, stress, certain medications, and lifestyle habits. While less common than teenage acne, adult acne can greatly impact one’s confidence and self-esteem.

Acne often begins with an excess of sebum (oil) production by the skin’s glands. This excess oil can mix with dead skin cells and debris, leading to clogged pores. If these pores become blocked, blackheads or whiteheads may form.

These clogged pores also create an ideal environment for the bacteria involved in acne to thrive. As the bacteria multiply, your immune system reacts to the clogged and infected pores, resulting in redness, swelling, and pus-filled lesions.

Acne in both teenagers and adults can be exacerbated and triggered by:

• Hormonal Changes: Menstrual cycles, stress, and underlying hormonal imbalances (like PCOS) can increase sebum production, making the skin more susceptible to breakouts as androgens stimulate the oil glands.
• Genetics: A strong family history of acne suggests a genetic predisposition, meaning you are more likely to struggle with the condition if it runs in your family.
• Skincare and Makeup: Using heavy, oil-based, or pore-clogging (comedogenic) products can physically block hair follicles and exacerbate the formation of acne.
• Diet & Lifestyle: High sugar and greasy foods may lead to systemic inflammation and hormone fluctuations, while lack of sleep and chronic stress elevate cortisol levels, further promoting acne.
• Environmental Factors: External elements such as pollution, high humidity, and excessive sweating can create a breeding ground for bacteria and cause skin irritation, contributing to breakouts.

Which treatment I reach for depends on the type of lesion, the severity, your skin type and any other condition affecting the skin. The list below is grouped by what the acne is doing, not by how new the technology is.

Comedonal acne: blackheads and whiteheads

• Topical Treatments: These treatments can help manage mild to moderate acne by potentially unclogging pores, reducing inflammation, and preventing the growth of the bacteria involved in acne. Examples include retinoids and antibacterial creams.
• AGNES RF, and sometimes AviClear: For comedonal acne I usually use AGNES RF, and I will consider AviClear as well depending on the skin and the spread of the lesions.

Papular and pustular acne

• Gold Photothermal Therapy (PTT): Gold nanoparticles are used to manage the bacteria involved in acne and sebaceous glands. Gold PTT could lead to long-term acne control and improvement in skin texture.
• Platinum Photothermal Therapy (PTT): Another treatment that employs platinum nanoparticles to address acne and control sebum production, Platinum PTT may be particularly helpful for individuals with inflammatory acne.
• AviClear: For papular acne AviClear is usually my choice. It is a 1726 nm laser aimed at the sebaceous gland, given as a course of sessions, and improvement can continue after the final session.

Nodular and cystic acne

• AGNES RF: For nodular and cystic acne this is usually what I use. AGNES RF passes radiofrequency energy through a fine insulated needle to treat individual sebaceous glands, which reduces oil production at the lesions treated. It is the option I reach for most often where lesions are deep and scarring is a concern.
• Isotretinoin: This oral medication helps treat severe or recalcitrant acne. Isotretinoin reduces sebum production, regulates skin cell turnover, and reduces inflammation. I prescribe it for severe acne that has not responded to other treatments.

Medication or a procedure?

Some people are treated with medication alone. That tends to be younger children and teenagers. Whether I add a procedure depends on the skin type, the severity of the acne, and any other condition affecting the skin — rough texture, for instance, may do better with a non-insulated microneedle fractional radiofrequency device such as Secret RF.

A procedure is not always appropriate for the type of acne in front of me. Where that is the case I will say so and treat the acne another way.

Secret RF as an add-on for active acne. For patients with rough skin texture and acne that is not yet controlled, I sometimes add Secret RF fractional microneedling to the medical plan. It is an add-on to the treatments above, not a replacement for them. Secret RF for acne is $1,500 per session before GST.

MBBS (UK), MRCS (Edinburgh), PGDip Practical Dermatology (Cardiff)

I earned my medical degree (MBBS) at St George’s University of London, and worked at Singapore General Hospital, the National University Hospital and Mount Sinai Hospital in New York before becoming a member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

I trained in surgery to MRCS (Edinburgh) and hold a postgraduate diploma in practical dermatology from Cardiff University. I have practised aesthetic medicine for more than ten years, with a particular focus on acne, acne scarring and pigmentation. My aim at a consultation is that you leave understanding what is driving your acne and why a particular plan has been suggested.

Learn More

The final cost of treatment may vary based on the type and severity of your acne, the number of sessions required or the treatment duration. The full price list with course totals is on the acne treatment cost in Singapore page. Book a consultation today for a personalised quote.