It’s not easy to find a working acne treatment in Singapore when there are tons of therapies for at-home and office use. And even though they all promise fascinating results, they are not created equal. What is worse is that each one is suitable for a different case, so it gets even more difficult to choose. If you stick around, you will read about the most reliable options down below and know what to expect from your journey to acne-free complexion.
Oral Medication
Let’s start with the oral therapies that might resolve your acne issues.
Antibiotics
Oftentimes when patients present with acne, dermatologists will prescribe a course of antibiotics to stop the infection and help the skin recuperate. The first choice is doxycycline or macrolide. Since antibiotic resistance is commonplace, specialists recommend using this type of medication with caution and for the shortest time possible.
Hormonal therapy
If you have episodic acne flare-ups, especially around your period, it may be because of certain health conditions related to hormonal changes. One such condition is polycystic ovary syndrome. In these cases, your gynaecologist or family doctor will put you on the pill coupled with other therapies like isotretinoin or co-cyprindiol.
Topical Acne Treatment in Singapore
The first line of treatment, as beautyblog.sg explains, is products that are applied externally and are not invasive in nature. Let’s view the options.
Antibiotics
Medical-grade lotions and gels contain antibiotics that can kill the bacteria partially responsible for your breakouts (in combination with oral antibiotics to fight off the offender from the inside). You know that when your hair follicles get plugged, they can harbour all sorts of dirt and microorganisms and cause an infection.
Again, we would like to stress that you should only stick with these products in the course of up to eight weeks after which you have to cease application, reason being the bacteria could become resistant to them. If this happens, you will be more prone to further infections.
Now, topical treatments are not sold over the counter, which means you need a prescription. Because of their ingredients, you have to use them carefully and wisely, and only a doctor will know what type and dosage you will benefit from the most.
Antibiotic creams have to be applied once or twice a day and left on to settle.
Retinoids
Retinoids are special compounds that are chemically related to vitamin A, which is known to prevent breakouts. Hence, their main function in medicine is to regulate the growth of epithelial cells. Topical retinoids like adapalene and tretinoin act on the surface of the skin by exfoliating and unclogging hair follicles. This not only keeps acne from developing but also enables other facial products to penetrate deeper into the tissues and work better.
It’s worth noting that these creams take time to weave their magic. In most cases, a noticeable improvement is observed after twelve weeks of continuous use. When it comes to application, you should avoid slathering the product on, and also make sure to stay out of the sun afterward. For this reason, retinoid gels had better be availed of at night, right before going to bed.
Acids
These days, doctors resort to different types of acids to treat various skin conditions and create anti-ageing effects. The two basic forms are alpha-hydroxy and beta-hydroxy acids (AHAs and BHAs) that have a number of representatives. We all know that some chemicals are detrimental to living things and that they should not be applied orally or externally. But others are safe to utilise.
And contrary to common sense, some of these provide facial benefits if used in moderation and under the supervision of a medical expert.
The most popular pick by dermatologists is glycolic acid due to its high penetrating properties and gentler action. It is highly recommended for first-time acid consumers, as it will not only create dramatic results but also spare the skin. It belongs to the group of AHAs and can be found in loads of anti-zit drugstore products.
Another commonly reached-for acid is salicylic acid. Its molecules are way bigger than those of glycolic acid, which means that a lower dosage is required to get the desired outcome. It is part of BHAs and is also available in over-the-counter acne products.
One last thing to mention is that regardless of the acid you go for, you should keep in mind that it won’t work unless you commit to regular use. Your pimples will lessen over time.
Minimally-invasive Treatments
Now, as you know, topical creams aren’t always the most effective when it comes to acne treatment. Sometimes patients need a more intense and even invasive therapy to fight off the nasty breakouts. Here are some options.
Chemical Peels
This is a procedure that you can only have at a doctor’s office because it counts on a stronger percentage of acids and in addition to that, it tends to employ a mixture of agents. As a result, the skin gets visibly damaged and the recovery is a bit longer.
During the very procedure, it is not uncommon for patients to report a tingling and burning sensation but on the plus side, their skin is smeared with a topical cream of some kind right before the procedure. The soothing and anaesthetic properties of said cream help to keep the discomfort and pain to a bearable minimum.
Chemical peels are divided into mild, moderate, and strong depending on the quality and type of acids added to them. The more intense products are delivered to people who have severe cases of acne when no previous treatments seem to have produced satisfactory results.
Microdermabrasion
And finally, this is an in-office treatment performed with a special tool to remove irregularities from the skin and improve its texture. It is not painful and it does not have downtime. It’s also good at targeting the unpleasant aftereffects of acne, also known as scarring. And the best part is, no preparation whatsoever is necessary for this procedure.
