Acne Treatments in Singapore

Acne is an awful and inconvenient skin disorder that affects you physically and emotionally. For many people, the red, inflamed skin on the face with pus create a negative, emotional impact on a person. Acne often carries a considerable stigma in the society because people often think that acne is a consequence of poor personal hygiene. Adults who suffer from serious acne conditions often find themselves shunning away from social events because of the embarrassment and lack of self-esteem.

The truth is that there is no shortcuts or miracle for resolving acne instantly. A change in the daily routine and incorporating some effective acne treatments can greatly improve your skin condition. 

We speak to Dr. Siew Tuck Wah, Medical Director of Radium Medical Aesthetics, to understand more about acne and some recommended treatments for acne.  Dr. Siew recently published an article about adult acne treatment in Singapore which you can read to find out more.

Causes of acne

When hair follicles are inflamed, the skin surface becomes red and swollen. Our pores contain sebaceous glands that produce sebum. Sebum is a naturally-producing oil in the body that keeps the skin and hair soft and hydrated. 

For most people, sebum production is optimal and the skin remains clear and healthy. Problems occur when there is an overproduction of sebum. When there is an overproduction of sebum, the pores become congested with dead skin cells, debris, and pollutants from the environment. When these foreign bodies mix with the sebum, it will clog the pores. Such environment is ideal for the growth of bacteria, causing the skin to swell and become red.  This is the beginning of acne.

During the initial stages, a small bump forms at the top of the pores. These are often white in colour called whiteheads. When the whiteheads darken because of the exposure to the climate, blackheads will form. People with enlarged pores are also more likely to suffer from acne because there is a possibility of dirt and debris making their way under the skin, creating an environment for acne bacteria to grow. When infection sets in, it causes an isolated, red bump, called a pimple. Sometimes, pimples can become worse, forming nodules called cysts. Cysts are way larger and more painful than pimples because the infection goes deeper. 

You may notice that acne sometimes occurs at specific areas on the face. It goes away but comes back again in a matter of days - on the exact spot. This is because of the over-production of sebum in the pores around the spot. 

Guide to Treating Acne

Aesthetic clinics in Singapore offer a wide range of acne treatments. The choice of acne treatment usually depends on the severity of the inflammation and the skin condition. The more serious the condition, the more drastic the measures may be. 

The severity of acne can be graded into 5 different stages:

• STAGE 1 Appearance of whiteheads and blackheads without any visible inflammation or skin redness
• STAGE 2  Formation of papule on certain areas of the face. This is an early stage of infection where the defence mechanism of the body is fighting a minor infection.
• STAGE 3 A full-blown pimple, also known as pustules is formed. it is often ripe with a yellow centre.
• STAGE 4 When the infection goes deeper into the skin, nodules or cysts may form. If left untreated, permanent acne scars may form.
• STAGE 5 Formation of permanent acne scars.

The diagram below gives a rough guide on the types of treatment that might be suitable for the different stages of acne conditions:

“Remember that the worse the acne, the more drastic the treatment. This also means that the price tag for treating acne increases as the condition becomes more severe,” says Dr. Siew.

Ways to prevent acne scars in the early stages

Although there are several options such as skin resurfacing laser and dermal filler treatmentto address acne scars when the condition progresses to stage 5, the painstaking process can be long-drawn and often costly.

Do not delay seeing a doctor for curative procedures if your skin is in stage 1 or 2 and if you have oily skin. Try not to procrastinate the treatment plan beyond stage 3. 

Facial treatments are becoming a necessity rather than an indulgence, especially if you have oily, unhealthy skin. Many medical clinics offer medical facial treatments designed by doctors to help you unclog your pores and cleanse your skin with their proprietary in-house skincare solution. 

Another preventive measure is to undergo Carbon Laser Peel. It is an effective treatment to prevent acne outbreaks on the skin by shrinking the enlarged pores on the face. Additionally, it removes excess oil and debris from the pores. Repeating this treatment regularly will also see an improvement in the pore size and a significant improvement in your acne condition.

Dr. Siew's personal favourite is a Korea-backed technology called AGNES Acne Treatment. It is one of the first permanent acne treatments in Singapore. It uses a micro-needle to deliver radiofrequency waves into the pores to destroy the sebaceous glands. With the offending glands destroyed, acne does not recur.

Radium Medical Aesthetics offers a full range of customized acne treatments to alleviate your acne condition and improve your skin condition, allowing you to focus on what is important to you.

Radium Medical Aesthetics is conveniently located at #03-326 Suntec City Mall, Tel: 6837-0507. For more information, visit http://www.radium-aesthetics.com/