Cystic Acne Treatment in Singapore
by The Clifford Clinic
Cystic Acne Treatment in Singapore
Unlike conventional pimple treatments, cystic acne treatment requires a different approach and immediate medical attention due to the serious side effects that it may pose. These include deep ice pick scars, local soft tissue infection and spreading to the surrounding follicles (acne conglobata).
Call us today at (65) 6532 2400 to book an appointment on any of our cosmetic services and treatments.
What is Cystic Acne?
Anyone can suffer from cystic acne in Singapore. In a normal case of acne or pimples, small inflamed bumps appear on the face. However, when infection develops further on these bumps, a large pus-filled cavity forms deep inside the skin. This red, tender bump is termed cystic acne, which acne can grow really large and painful. If the cyst ruptures, the infection may spread to the surrounding area and thus, causing more breakouts.
Why do I get Cystic Acne?
Acne is a multifactorial condition. There are many contributing factors, including diet, genetics, hormones, condition of the pores and skin oiliness. If you are going through adolescence, your hormones are out of control and this causes excessive sebaceous gland activity. This causes your skin to be excessively oily. The excess oil will mix with dead skin cells on the surface of the skin to form sticky plugs, which will end up clogging your pores.
When pores become blocked, oil collects in the pores and becomes a rich medium for bacteria to grow. This causes infection and inflammation, which consequently leads to pus formation. Ironically, pus is actually made up of white blood cells and is part of our immune system. When cystic acne occurs, the body’s immune system is actually too strong, that’s why too much pus is formed. This pus collects in a cyst, hence causing cystic acne. Picking on pimples can also lead to an excess growth of certain skin bacteria which can cause cystic acne.
What are the complications of Cystic Acne?
Cystic Acne is far more destructive to your skin than conventional acne. During the inflammation stage caused by the infection, the surrounding soft tissues of the skin are damaged. This leads to excessive scarring including depressed pits, and ice pick scars. Sometimes, bumpy hypertrophic scars and even keloids can be formed.
If the infected cyst spreads to the surrounding sebaceous glands, multiple cysts may be formed. They tend to merge together, which forms a serious, deforming condition known as acne conglobata.
Credit: https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/acne-conglobata
In severe cases, the skin and soft tissues around the cyst may become secondarily infected, leading to condition known as cellulitis, which may spread very rapidly. This skin infection may cause tenderness, skin tightness, areas of the inflamed red skin to grow larger, and may spread further into the bloodstream, causing high fever, chills, sweating, muscle aches and pains.
Credit: SkinDisorderPictures.com
Call us today at (65) 6532 2400, Whatsapp us at (65) 8318 6332 or email us at thecliffordclinic@gmail.com to book an appointment or enquire on any of our cosmetic services and treatments.
Cystic Acne Treatment in Singapore
The treatment for cystic acne in Singapore is similar but at the same time different from conventional acne treatment. In this situation, we advise more urgent and aggressive treatment to quickly bring the acne under control. Some of the mainstays of treatment include:
Oral therapy
We advocate the use of oral antibiotics which will work quickly to keep the inflammation under control. While these medications are effective, they also contain a high side effects profile. In order to safely use these treatments, it is important to monitor for common side effects, such as dryness of skin, eyes, lips and other mucous membranes. In addition, we need to check for blood and liver function, depression and muscular aches.
There is also a serious side effect of severe allergy, known as Stevens Johnson syndrome. As such, it is important that these oral treatments are administered and used under your doctor’s guidance and supervision.
Pore Treatment
In recurring acne, pores can become damaged over time. Acne that reoccurs on the same area or spot is often caused by the same pore that gets blocked and clogged repeatedly. This leads to the return of acne.
In this situation, we need to perform a treatment known as AGNES. AGNES is a treatment available by The Clifford Clinic for reducing oil secretion by damaged sebaceous glands, preventing them from getting blocked again and hence, curing acne for good. Typically, with up to 3 sessions, you can expect to achieve an 85% to 90% reduction of acne, proving to be an effective solution for anyone seeking cystic acne treatment.
Skincare and Facials
At The Clifford Clinic, we provide a special range of in house skincare specially tailored for acne prone skin. This includes facial treatments that help to calm down the skin and decrease acne inflammation, such as the Alphalight PDT treatment. They will also help in reducing the clogging of pores, which lowers the incidence of acne.
Lasers
There is a range of lasers that are effective for cystic acne treatment in Singapore. These lasers target bacteria, reduce inflammation and prevent acne re-occurrence, as well as to promote scar healing and lightening. We usually use the Q-switched NdYAG laser, the Vbeam laser, and the long pulsed Diode laser for cystic acne treatment.
Our Certified Acne Doctors
Our Certified
Acne Doctors
Dr. Gerard Ee
Dr. Gerard Ee is the founder and medical director of The Clifford Clinic. He is fully accredited in cosmetic treatments including fillers, Botox, light therapies, and more. Driven by his passion for sharing his expertise across the medical community, Dr. Ee has accumulated his surgical experiences internationally from working in the Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, National University Hospital (NUH), and Singapore General Hospital (SGH).
Dr. Chow Yuen Ho
Dr. Chow Yuen Ho is the founder and medical director of The Clifford Clinic. With over 10 years of clinical practice experience, the reputable aesthetic doctor specializes in non-invasive aesthetic and acne treatments. Dr. Chow has accomplished so much in this field. He served as the founding Director of Medical Informatics at SGH and then as the Managing Director of the Asian division of Alert Life Sciences Computing.
Ready for a Cure for Cystic Acne?
Contact us today to get a comprehensive assessment of your condition and to find out how to cure your cystic acne quickly and effectively. Prevent complications from happening by treating it early! Contact us today!
Call Us: (65) 6532 2400 Whatsapp: (65) 8318 6332