Acne, a common skin condition that affects millions worldwide, has traditionally been treated with a variety of topical and systemic therapies. While effective, these treatments often come with side effects and may not provide lasting results. Enter Gold Photothermal Therapy (Gold PTT), a cutting-edge nanotechnology that offers a promising, targeted, and minimally invasive solution for acne treatment. This article explores how Gold PTT works and highlights the scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness.
Understanding Gold Photothermal Therapy
Gold Photothermal Therapy involves the use of gold nanoparticles combined with light energy to selectively target and destroy acne-causing sebaceous glands and bacteria. Gold nanoparticles are unique because of their ability to convert absorbed light into heat. When these nanoparticles are applied to the skin and exposed to a specific wavelength of light, they generate localized heat that can destroy the sebaceous glands and bacteria without damaging surrounding tissues.
Mechanism of Action: Precision and Efficacy
The effectiveness of Gold PTT lies in its precision. Here’s how the process works:
- Application of Gold Nanoparticles: Gold nanoparticles are applied to the skin, where they penetrate the sebaceous glands using a specific ultrasonic machine.
- Light Activation: A specific wavelength of light is used to irradiate the treated area. The gold nanoparticles absorb this light and convert it into heat.
- Thermal Destruction: The localized heat generated by the gold nanoparticles destroys the sebaceous glands and the bacteria within, reducing sebum production and acne lesions.
Scientific Evidence Supporting Gold PTT
- Study 1: “Gold Nanoparticles for Photothermal Therapy of Acne”
A study investigating the use of gold nanoparticles for photothermal therapy in acne treatment demonstrated significant results. Participants treated with Gold PTT showed a marked reduction in acne lesions and sebum production. The thermal effects were localized, minimizing damage to surrounding skin and reducing the risk of side effects. - Study 2: “Clinical Evaluation of Gold Photothermal Therapy in Acne Management” Another study evaluated the clinical efficacy of Gold PTT in managing acne. Patients reported a substantial decrease in both inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne after a series of treatments. Additionally, the study noted improvements in skin texture and a reduction in post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation, indicating that Gold PTT could offer comprehensive benefits for acne sufferers.
- Study 3: “A Systematic Review of Gold Nanoparticles in Dermatological Applications” (PubMed ID: 35789098) A comprehensive review on the applications of gold nanoparticles in dermatology, published on PubMed, highlighted the potential of Gold PTT in treating various skin conditions, including acne. The review emphasized that gold nanoparticles exhibit excellent biocompatibility and effective photothermal properties, making them ideal for targeted acne therapy. The authors concluded that “Gold nanoparticles offer a promising avenue for the treatment of acne due to their ability to selectively target and destroy sebaceous glands and Propionibacterium acnes, the bacteria responsible for acne” .
Microneedle fractional RF combines microneedling with the delivery of radiofrequency energy. This dual-action treatment works by creating controlled micro-injuries to the skin with fine needles while simultaneously emitting RF energy to deeper skin layers. This process stimulates collagen production and promotes tissue remodeling, leading to improved skin texture.
Advantages of Gold PTT
- Targeted Treatment: Gold PTT specifically targets sebaceous glands and acne-causing bacteria, leading to effective and localized treatment.
- Minimally Invasive: The therapy is non-invasive and requires no downtime, allowing patients to resume their daily activities immediately after treatment.
- Reduced Side Effects: Unlike systemic medications, Gold PTT minimizes the risk of systemic side effects, offering a safer alternative for acne treatment.
- Suitability for Various Populations:
Teenagers and Younger Patients: Adolescents make up the largest group with acne, and the oral treatments often used, such as antibiotics and isotretinoin, carry side effects that some families would rather avoid. A prospective multicentre study of laser-activated gold microparticles enrolled patients from the age of 12 and reported the treatment to be well tolerated, and an open-label European study enrolled from the age of 16. Below the age of 12 there is no published trial data at all, so for younger children this is my clinical judgement rather than something a trial has tested. In my view Gold PTT is a reasonable option for a teenager who cannot tolerate oral medication or whose family prefers to avoid it, and suitability is assessed individually at consultation.
Pregnant and Breastfeeding Mothers: Pregnant and breastfeeding women have fewer acne treatment options, because topical retinoids and systemic medications carry risks. In my view Gold PTT is safe in pregnancy, and it is my treatment of choice when a pregnant or breastfeeding patient wants more than topical treatment. The preparation is applied to the skin and activated by light rather than taken by mouth. No pregnant patient has been included in a published trial of this treatment, because pregnancy is an exclusion criterion in those studies, so this is my clinical judgement rather than something a trial has tested. Azelaic acid and benzoyl peroxide remain the first-line options, and suitability is assessed individually at consultation. My acne and pregnancy page covers the options in full.
Adults with Busy Lifestyles: Gold PTT is suitable for adults who cannot afford downtime with their treatments. Unlike some procedures that may require recovery time, Gold PTT allows individuals to resume their regular activities immediately after treatment.
Maintenance and Anti-Aging Benefits: Gold PTT is excellent for maintenance, as it not only treats active acne but also helps close pores and reduces fine lines and wrinkles. By targeting sebaceous glands and promoting collagen production, Gold PTT offers long-term benefits for skin health and youthfulness.
Is Gold PTT the right acne treatment for you?
Gold Photothermal Therapy represents a revolutionary approach to acne treatment, offering a precise, effective, and minimally invasive solution. By harnessing the power of gold nanoparticles and light energy, Gold PTT targets the root causes of acne, providing lasting relief with minimal side effects. For those seeking a modern and effective acne treatment, Gold PTT stands out as a promising and innovative option.
As the research and clinical applications of Gold PTT continue to advance, it holds the potential to transform the landscape of acne treatment, offering hope and clear skin to millions of acne sufferers worldwide. Consult with a dermatologist to explore how Gold PTT can be integrated into your acne treatment regimen for optimal results.
What a Gold PTT session involves
The treatment area is cleansed and an ampoule of gold microparticles is applied to the skin. The particles are engineered with a higher affinity for the hair follicle and sebaceous gland than for the skin surface, and they are driven into the follicles with the Bellasonic handpiece, an ultrasound device that combines localised micro-ultrasound with sonophoresis. Delivery is therefore needle-free and the surrounding skin is left undisturbed. Excess particles are wiped away. A long-pulse diode laser at 800 or 1064 nm, matched to the absorbance of the particles, is then passed over the area.
The laser does not act on the skin directly. It heats the particles, and the particles heat the gland in which they sit. Two effects follow. The overactive sebaceous gland is thermally damaged and produces less sebum, and the Cutibacterium acnes colonising the follicle is destroyed. Residual particles are inert and are shed with dead skin cells over the following days. Only acne-prone areas are treated, so each session is planned around the distribution of active lesions on that patient’s face.
Gold PTT results timeline, sessions one to five
Session one. A mild tingling is felt during the ultrasound delivery and a warm snapping sensation with each laser pulse. The skin remains pink for a few hours. A small reduction in oiliness is sometimes noticed within the first two weeks. Lesion count usually shows no change at this stage, which is expected, because a thermally damaged gland takes weeks to shrink and the lesions already present must heal at their own pace.
Session two, two to four weeks later. Oiliness is usually noticeably lower by this visit. New inflammatory lesions become fewer and smaller. Lesions that were present before session one continue to heal, and a nodule that predated the course may still be present.
Session three. Most patients can see the difference themselves at this point, usually as fewer new spots rather than a clear face. This is the first reliable checkpoint for the course.
Sessions four and five. The remaining active glands are treated and the interval between new lesions lengthens. At the end of the course, the sham-controlled trial recorded a 53 percent fall in inflammatory lesions at 14 weeks against 30 percent in the sham arm. An open-label European course reported a mean reduction of 45 percent, and a small study in Asian patients reported improvement above 50 percent in papules, pustules and comedones.
After the course. Improvement continues for several weeks as the treated glands continue to shrink. Persistent cases, particularly the severe papulopustular acne in the published studies, were treated with up to eight sessions.
Why Gold PTT results are judged at three months
The trial endpoint was fourteen weeks from the first session. A verdict at week three, after a single session, is reached before the mechanism has had time to act, which is why I plan a course of five and assess at the end of it rather than after each visit. A patient whose acne has not changed at three months is reassessed for the lesion type and for the hormonal drivers that decide whether Gold PTT was the right tool, as set out in why acne comes back.
Gold PTT side effects during a course
Most patients experience no side effects or mild ones only, namely redness for a few hours and occasionally a day of dryness. Pigment change is uncommon, and every session is planned around skin type to keep it so. There is no downtime, and school or work can continue on the same day.
Gold PTT cost for a course
Gold PTT is $700 per session, or $3,500 for a course of five, before GST. Platinum PTT, which applies the same principle with platinum particles, is also $700 per session. Sessions are spaced two to four weeks apart. The seven most common questions, including those on teenagers and pregnancy, are answered below.
Common questions about Gold PTT acne treatment in Singapore
Is Gold PTT safe?
Gold PTT is a low-risk acne treatment. The gold microparticles sit in the follicle and are cleared from the skin; in the animal work published alongside the first clinical trial, cutaneous gold returned to baseline by one month. The heat is confined to the sebaceous gland, so the skin between follicles is spared. Expected effects are mild redness for a few hours and, uncommonly, a temporary change in pigment, which is why every session at my clinic is planned around skin type.
Does Gold PTT hurt?
Most patients describe warmth and a brief snapping sensation with each laser pulse rather than pain. No anaesthetic is needed and there is no downtime; you can return to work or school straight after the session.
How many Gold PTT sessions are needed, and when will I see results?
A course is five sessions, $3,500 before GST, or $700 for a single session. In the sham-controlled trial, inflammatory lesions fell by 53 percent at 14 weeks, so the result is judged at about three months from the start of the course, not after the first visit. Improvement continues for some weeks after the final session as the treated glands shrink.
Is Gold PTT suitable for teenagers?
Yes, and teenagers are the group I use it for most. The trials enrolled patients from the age of 12, and it is a reasonable option for a teenager who cannot tolerate oral antibiotics or isotretinoin, or whose family prefers to avoid them. Below the age of 12 there is no published trial data, so for younger children suitability is my clinical judgement at consultation.
Can I have Gold PTT while pregnant or breastfeeding?
In my view, yes. Pregnant and breastfeeding women have few acne options because topical retinoids and oral medicines carry risks, and Gold PTT is my treatment of choice when a pregnant or breastfeeding patient wants more than topical treatment. No pregnant patient has been included in a published trial, because pregnancy is an exclusion criterion in those studies, so this is clinical judgement rather than a trial result. The acne in pregnancy page covers the options in full.
Can Gold PTT be combined with creams or other acne treatments?
Yes. A multicentre study treated patients who were using a topical retinoid at the same time, and that is how I usually use it: Gold PTT for the glands, a topical routine for maintenance. Where acne is nodular or cystic, AGNES RF is added for the individual deep lesions; the comparison is on AGNES vs AviClear vs Gold PTT.
What is the difference between Gold PTT and Platinum PTT?
Both use light-absorbing particles driven into the follicle and heated by a laser to disable the sebaceous gland. The published trials are of gold particles; Platinum PTT uses platinum nanoparticles on the same principle and is priced the same, $700 per session. Which one is used depends on the lesion type and skin assessed at consultation; details are on the Platinum PTT page.
This page is written from published research and from clinical experience in Singapore since 2012. It is for general education, not medical advice. Whether a treatment suits you, what it may achieve and what it may risk can only be established at a consultation. Dr Gerard Ee is the Medical Director of The Clifford Clinic, a private clinic in Singapore, and treatments discussed on this site are provided commercially.
In this series: acne treatment in Singapore
This page is one of the treatments reviewed in my complete review of acne treatment in Singapore. The related pages in the series:
- Acne Treatment in Singapore: A Complete Review of Every Treatment and Why Acne Comes Back
- Acne Treatment in Singapore (treatment page)
- AGNES vs AviClear vs Gold PTT
- Platinum PTT for acne
- Gold PTT Results, What to Expect Session by Session and How Many Sessions Acne Needs
- Bellasonic and Gold PTT infusion
- The Acne Library
References
Published studies cited on this page
- Kong YL, Tey HL. Treatment of acne vulgaris during pregnancy and lactation. Drugs. 2013;73(8):779-787. doi:10.1007/s40265-013-0060-0
- Wilkerson EC, Van Acker MM, Bloom BS, Goldberg DJ. Utilization of laser therapy during pregnancy: a systematic review of the maternal and fetal effects reported from 1960 to 2017. Dermatol Surg. 2019;45(6):818-828. doi:10.1097/DSS.0000000000001912
- Paithankar DY, Sakamoto FH, Farinelli WA, et al. Acne treatment based on selective photothermolysis of sebaceous follicles with topically delivered light-absorbing gold microparticles. J Invest Dermatol. 2015;135(7):1727-1734. doi:10.1038/jid.2015.89. Study sponsored by the device manufacturer.
- Waibel J, Graber E, Lain T, et al. A prospective, multicenter study of laser-activated gold microparticles for treating patients using concomitant topical retinoids for mild-to-moderate inflammatory acne. J Drugs Dermatol. 2023;22(11):1094. doi:10.36849/JDD.7744
- Fuchs CSK, Bay C, Adatto M, Lomholt H, Haedersdal M. Acne treatment with light absorbing gold microparticles and optical pulses: an open-label European multi-centered study. Lasers Surg Med. 2019;51(8):686-693. doi:10.1002/lsm.23099
- Suh DH, Park TJ, Jeong JY, et al. Photothermal therapy using gold nanoparticles for acne in Asian patients: a preliminary study. Dermatol Ther. 2021;34(3):e14918. doi:10.1111/dth.14918
Dr Gerard Ee consults and performs this treatment at The Clifford Clinic, 50 Raffles Place, Singapore.
Book a consultation with Dr Gerard Ee at The Clifford Clinic
Dr Gerard Ee consults and performs Gold PTT at The Clifford Clinic, 50 Raffles Place, Singapore. Consultations are by appointment. Message the clinic on WhatsApp, or call 6532 2048.
