Acne can be an annoying occurrence, especially when it pops up before a big day. It can damage your self-esteem and even impacts people’s impression of you to some extent. In this article, we’ll go deeper into the topic of acne and acne treatment options in Singapore.

What causes acne?

Acne occurs when the pores in your skin get clogged. This can be due to dirt and bacteria, but also due to the oil naturally produced by your skin. This results in blackheads & whiteheads, but also more extreme cases of acne-like cysts or nodules.

Acne isn’t a life-threatening condition, but it can cause physical scarring if severe conditions are left untreated, or if the skin is severely damaged by picking and scratching the area. More on this later.

Changes in hormone levels in your body often result in your skin producing more oil and bacteria. These can clog your pores, which causes acne. Medication and various other factors have also been found to increase the chances of developing acne.

Who does it affect?

Acne commonly affects teens and young adults. This is because one of the leading causes of acne is hormone changes in the body. The biggest changes occur during puberty, so this is often the time when people are most at risk of acne.

If you’re a woman, then you’re more at risk of developing acne just before your period starts. This is because of hormone changes in the body, which induce a higher oil production in the skin.

That being said, acne can affect pretty much anyone at any time. Lack of sleep or other external factors can also influence your chances of acne breakouts. Since the causes of acne are so vast, there are a lot of factors that influence whether or not you get acne.

Different types of acne

There are two main types of acne, inflammatory and non-inflammatory acne. Inflammatory acne is worse for you and your skin than non-inflammatory acne. Non-inflammatory acne includes blackheads and whiteheads. These are fairly common and often respond well to over-the-counter treatments.

Inflammatory acne often gets a little more serious and can result in scarring. Inflammatory acne is things like nodules, papules, cysts & pustules. These are normally the red and swollen pimples and zits that can sometimes be painful. These sometimes need prescription medication to get rid of. Cysts and nodules are most likely to cause scarring if left untreated.

Acne Scars

As we’ve already discussed, certain types of acne can leave scars. These scars often occur due to leaving treatment too long or picking at the spots. This scarring can be permeant if not treated, so it’s often advised to get treatment if you’re suffering from severe cases of acne.

Is acne a health issue or purely aesthetic one?

This is a debate that has been waging for quite some time now. Even though acne is commonly seen as a purely aesthetic issue, some see it as a health issue. Even though there aren’t any health risks associated with acne, it can cause issues with people’s self-esteem.

Certain countries are already seeing acne as a health issue when diagnosed by a doctor. Whether your treatment will be covered by your insurance will depend on the kind of insurance that you have and what type of treatment you require.

Acne treatment procedures

There are many treatments that have astounding results without all the side-effects. Various laser treatments, as well as neogen plasma treatments, work well to reduce or completely eliminate acne without the side effects that medication brings with it.

These treatments are often done by cosmetic doctors and surgeons working in aesthetic clinics like Cambridge Therapeutics. Those treatments are a great alternative to medications when the other options don’t work.

Acne scar removing treatments in Singapore

Aside from the normal acne treatments in Singapore, there are also treatments that can help to reduce or eliminate scarring. Various laser treatments, as well as the previously mentioned neogen plasma treatments, work very well to reduce or eliminate acne scars. Both of these options are offered at the above-mentioned Cambridge Therapeutics, located at 391B Orchard Rd #08-05A2 Tower B Ngee Ann City in Singapore.

How much do acne treatments cost In Singapore?

The price of acne treatments varies strongly in Singapore. Not only does it vary from clinic to clinic based on experience, equipment used and expertise, it also varies depending on a patients situation. For an accurate price indication, please request a quote.

Certain treatment options range from $50 to $150, while others can go upwards of $300.

Other Acne treatment options

Over-the-counter drugs

There are a few different options for treating acne, but the first people are often recommended to try are over-the-counter treatments. These are acne treatments that you can buy online or in stores. If these don’t have any effect, you can discuss with your doctor or dermatologist which of the following treatments you’d prefer to try.

Topical medication

Topical medications are creams and gels that you apply to the affected area. These are often a lot stronger than the over-the-counter alternatives, but may have some side-effects and aren’t always effective. Your doctor or dermatologist will recommend the best topical treatment for you if you choose this method.

Oral medication

Oral medications can be a lot more effective but can have a lot of negative side-effects. It’s best to avoid all forms of medication if at all possible, but if you do go for an oral medication, make sure you do it under close supervision from your doctor or dermatologist.

Conclusion

Acne can be a real pain, but luckily for you, there are some treatment options available. Whether you have seasonal acne that comes and goes, or you are constantly struggling with acne, we hope that this article has helped you learn more about the condition and various treatment options for your health.