We’ve all experienced acne at some point in our lives — it’s almost become a rite of passage as we reach puberty in our early teenage years. Unfortunately, many of us continue to encounter acne well into adulthood, causing frustration and distress.
In this quick read, we’ll give you the lowdown on when we should seek professional acne treatment and what are our options in Singapore!Â
What is acne?
Acne is a fairly common skin condition that results from clogged hair follicles under the skin, and although sebum is a naturally occurring oil that helps keep our skin moisturised and protected, too much sebum, along with dead skin cells and bacteria, can clog the pores. This, in turn, leads to inflammation and acne outbreaks.Â
Types of acne
- Comedones — comedones can be further classified into whiteheads (closed comedones), which are clogged hair follicles found just underneath the skin, and blackheads (open comedones), which are clogged hair follicles above the surface of the skin and open up.
- Papules — papules are inflamed bumps without a visible centre, and are often tender to the touch.Â
- Pustules — commonly referred to as pimples, pustules have a visible pus-filled centre with a red inflamed base.Â
- Nodules — nodules are large and painful bumps that reach deeper layers of the skin. They often require professional treatment, such as prescription medication.Â
- Cysts — cystic acne are deep and painful pus-filled bumps. They are often severely inflamed or infected, and can cause scarring.Â
When should you seek treatment for acne?
It is important to seek professional treatment for your acne if:
- over-the-counter creams and gels do not workÂ
- your acne is recurring
- your acne affects your quality of life
- your acne is spreading
- you experience acne scarringÂ
To prevent scarring or permanent skin damage, it is best to consult a professional for a proper skin analysis and personalised treatment plan.Â
Types of treatmentÂ
SkinLab offers a comprehensive selection of facial acne treatments in Singapore for all types of acne conditions and skin types.
Acne Express Defence FacialÂ
The Acne Express Defence Facial utilises a combination of papaya enzymes and high-frequency therapy to treat acne and help you achieve clear skin. The papaya enzymes (papain) serve as a gentle exfoliant, removing dead skin cells that cause clogged pores, while the high-frequency therapy reduces skin inflammation and controls sebum production. This makes it an ideal option for those with oily skin or mild acne conditions.
Its key benefits include:
- Improves blood circulation
- Encourages cell turnover
- Regulates sebum production
- Unclogs pores
- Medical Peel with Omega Light
This signature SkinLab treatment is specially designed for blemish-prone skin. The medical peel with Omega light utilises advanced omega light therapy, a medical-grade LED light technology, to promote skin regeneration and reduce acne scars. This treatment is also accompanied by a customised medical peel specially formulated based on your skin type and current skin condition. Â
Its key benefits include:
- Relieves pain and inflammation
- Can also be used for sensitive skin conditions like atopic dermatitis and psoriasis
- Encourages cell renewal
- Controls sebum production
- Removes dead skin cells
- Mitigates the growth of acne-causing bacteriaÂ
- Smoothes skin
- Reduces acne scars
SkinLab’s Signature Peel with Omega Light is listed as Singapore’s Best Chemical Peel and Best Facial in Singapore.Â
Signature Medical Peel
This signature medical peel treatment is a holistic solution to treat acne-prone skin while addressing other skin issues such as ageing and hyperpigmentation. Formulated by SkinLab’s in-house doctors, the Signature Medical Peel is made up of medical-grade AHAs and BHAs to deeply cleanse the skin and manage sebum production. For optimal results, it can be paired with SkinLab’s FDA-approved I2PL Photorejuvenation technology.Â
Its key benefits include:
- Highly tailored treatment to your skin condition and goals
- Encourages cell renewalÂ
- Reduces hyperpigmentationÂ
- Reduces fine lines
- Kills acne-causing bacteria
- Smoothes skin
- Manages sebum productionÂ
Other more intensive options
In more severe cases, specialised anti-acne therapies by a healthcare professional may be necessary. This entails a comprehensive diagnosis and a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs.Â
- Cortisone acne injections — also known as intralesional corticosteroid injections, this treatment is particularly helpful for treating large and inflamed cysts and nodules. The key ingredient is cortisone, which is a strong anti-inflammatory ingredient naturally produced by the body’s adrenal gland. They are administered by the doctor directly into the pimple, causing it to shrink, reducing inflammation and lessening pain.Â
- Fotona acne laser treatment — this medical-grade laser treatment utilises Fotona’s long pulse Nd:YAG technology, which targets deep layers of the skin without damaging surrounding tissues. It uses heat energy to kill off acne-causing bacteria while controlling sebum production. Additionally, this treatment promotes skin recovery by stimulating collagen and elastin production.Â
- Ethosome gold PTT treatment — this targeted anti-acne treatment utilises a powerful combination of ethosomes, photothermal therapy (PTT) and gold nanoparticles. They work synergistically to provide anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial and healing effects. This makes it an ideal option for treating active acne.Â
SL Aesthetics’ Gold PTT treatment can also be customised to address other skin concerns, such as pigmentation issues or ageing skin.Â
These are medical-grade procedures administered by a licensed healthcare professional. Before you undergo any procedure, a consultation and comprehensive skin analysis will be done to ensure your safety and optimal results. Find out more at SL Aesthetic Clinic.Â
Acne treatment in Singapore
Acne breakouts can be frustrating and take a toll on one’s life, especially when over-the-counter options don’t suffice. Thankfully, there are a variety of treatment options available to help you achieve clear, acne-free skin.Â
SkinLab is a medispa dedicated to providing holistic, medically-backed solutions for all your skincare needs. Book an appointment with us today for a detailed consultation and personalised treatment plan!Â