Acne Treatment in Singapore
Written and medically reviewed by the doctors of The Clifford Clinic. Last medically reviewed: 3 November 2026.
Doctor-led acne treatment at Raffles Place. AGNES, AviClear and Gold PTT work on the oil glands that cause breakouts; prescription creams, oral medication and medical facials complete the plan.
$100 consultation · AGNES $800–$1,500 per session · AviClear $1,800 per session · Treating acne since 2008
Acne treatment options in Singapore
Acne is driven by four things: excess oil, blocked pores, Cutibacterium acnes bacteria and inflammation. Every treatment below acts on one or more of these, which is why a plan usually combines two or three.
| Treatment | Acts on | Best for | Downtime |
|---|---|---|---|
| Prescription topicals (retinoids, benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid) | blocked pores, bacteria | mild to moderate acne; every plan starts here | dryness and peeling in the first 4 weeks |
| Oral antibiotics (short course) | bacteria, inflammation | moderate inflammatory acne, as a bridge | none |
| Hormonal therapy (spironolactone, combined pill) | sebum | adult female jawline / chin acne | none |
| Isotretinoin | sebum, pores, bacteria, inflammation | severe, nodular or scarring acne | monthly review, blood tests |
| AGNES RF | the individual oil gland | acne that recurs in the same spots; cystic acne | 1–2 days of localised swelling |
| AviClear laser | all oil glands in the treated area | moderate to severe acne across the face; patients avoiding isotretinoin | none to minimal |
| Gold PTT | oil glands via heated gold particles | oily, congested skin with active acne | minimal |
| Medical acne facial (HydraFacial + extraction + photodynamic light) | blocked pores, bacteria | congestion, blackheads, whiteheads; maintenance | none |
| Vbeam / Q-switched laser | redness, marks | post-acne redness and marks | none |
Which acne treatment for which acne
Your doctor matches the treatment to the type of acne and to what has already been tried.
| Your acne | First-line at The Clifford Clinic | If it keeps coming back |
|---|---|---|
| Blackheads and whiteheads (comedonal) | topical retinoid + medical facial with extraction | Gold PTT |
| Red bumps and pus spots (inflammatory) | topicals ± short oral antibiotic course | AviClear |
| Deep, painful lumps (cystic / nodular) | oral medication, with cystic acne treatment planned around the lesions | AGNES on the recurring pores; isotretinoin where indicated |
| Jawline and chin flares with the cycle (hormonal) | hormonal acne treatment — hormonal therapy ± topicals | AviClear or AGNES |
| Same spot, every month | AGNES on that pore | — |
| Back, chest, shoulders | back acne treatment | AviClear (body) |
| Pregnant or breastfeeding | pregnancy acne treatment — options are restricted; AviClear is not used in pregnancy | — |
Acne clinic consultation with our doctors
A first consultation is $100. The doctor examines the skin under magnification, grades the acne (mild, moderate, severe), checks for scarring and pigmentation that need protecting, reviews what you have already used, and sets out a written plan with costs before anything is started. You see the same doctor at every review.
If a treatment is not right for you, we say so — the AGNES and AviClear pages each list who we advise against.
In-clinic acne treatments at The Clifford Clinic
AGNES RF acne treatment
Treats acne one pore at a time. The doctor maps the pores that keep breaking out, numbs the area, and shrinks the oil gland at the base of each with a pulse of radiofrequency through an insulated micro-needle. Suits same-spot, recurring and cystic acne. 2–3 sessions; 1–2 days of spot swelling. Offered since 2014 — more than 3,000 treatments.
$800–$1,500 per session
AviClear acne laser
A 1726 nm laser that gently warms every oil gland in the treated area so it makes less oil. No medication, no downtime, all skin tones. Three sessions about a month apart; improvement continues for months after. The first clinic in Singapore to offer AviClear. Not used in pregnancy.
$1,800 per session · $3,000 for two
Gold PTT acne treatment
Gold nanoparticles are driven into the pores with a 40 kHz ultrasound handpiece, then heated with an 800 nm diode or 1064 nm laser to calm the oil glands. For oily, congested, acne-prone skin with minimal downtime. Courses of 3, 5 or 10 sessions.
$1,000 per session · $2,500 for 3 · $3,500 for 5 · $5,800 for 10
Medical acne facial vs spa facial in Singapore
A medical acne facial at The Clifford Clinic is done in a clinic under a doctor’s plan: HydraFacial vortex cleansing to clear micro-blockages, extraction of blackheads and whiteheads, and photodynamic (Alphalight) light to reduce bacteria and redness. It is a maintenance and congestion treatment — combined with prescription topicals and, where needed, AGNES, AviClear or Gold PTT.
A spa facial can clean the surface; it cannot change the oil gland or treat inflammatory or cystic acne. Most patients on an acne plan have a medical facial every four to six weeks during treatment. $280 per session; $188 trial.
Acne treatment price in Singapore
| Item | Price (before GST) |
|---|---|
| Doctor consultation | $100 |
| AGNES RF acne treatment | $800–$1,500 per session |
| AviClear acne laser | $1,800 per session; $3,000 for two sessions |
| Gold PTT | $1,000 per session; $2,500 for 3; $3,500 for 5; $5,800 for 10 |
| Medical acne facial (HydraFacial) | $280 per session; $188 trial |
| Prescription topicals and oral medication | quoted at consultation |
| Vbeam / Q-switched laser for post-acne redness | quoted at consultation |
What moves the cost: the number of pores treated (AGNES), the area treated (AviClear face vs face and body), and how many sessions the acne grade needs. A full breakdown is on the acne treatment price page.
Cystic, hormonal, back and pregnancy acne
Cystic acne
Deep, painful lumps that scar. Oral medication plus AGNES on the recurring lesions.
Hormonal acne
Jawline and chin flares in adult women. Hormonal therapy, topicals, and AviClear or AGNES where it persists.
Back acne (bacne)
Chest, back and shoulders. Topicals, oral medication and AviClear on the body.
Pregnancy acne
Restricted options; several standard treatments are not used in pregnancy.
What to expect during acne treatment
1
First 4 weeks
Less redness and fewer new spots for most patients. Around one in ten flare briefly as blocked pores clear — this settles.
2
Creams
Dryness and peeling early on; managed by adjusting strength and adding a barrier moisturiser. Sunscreen every day.
3
3–6 months
AGNES, AviClear and Gold PTT show their full effect as the oil glands respond.
4
Reviews
Every four to six weeks with the same doctor; the plan is adjusted at each review.
Acne treatment FAQ
How much does acne treatment cost in Singapore?
At The Clifford Clinic a consultation is $100, AGNES is $800–$1,500 per session and AviClear is $1,800 per session or $3,000 for two. Prescription creams and oral medication are quoted at the consultation. Across Singapore, prices range from under $100 for a GP consultation with topicals to several thousand dollars for a device course.
What is the best acne treatment in Singapore?
There is no single best treatment — the right one depends on the type of acne, how long it has been there, and what you have tried. Mild comedonal acne usually clears on prescription topicals; inflammatory acne often needs a short oral course or AviClear; acne that keeps returning in the same pores responds to AGNES; severe nodular acne may need isotretinoin. A doctor’s assessment under magnification is the first step.
Should I see a dermatologist or an aesthetic doctor for acne?
Both treat acne. Dermatologists are specialists; our doctors are medical practitioners who have treated acne at The Clifford Clinic since 2008 and run AGNES, AviClear and Gold PTT in-house. If your acne needs isotretinoin with specialist monitoring or has features that need a specialist opinion, we refer you.
AviClear vs AGNES vs isotretinoin — which should I choose?
AviClear treats every oil gland in the area and suits widespread moderate-to-severe acne with no medication. AGNES treats specific pores and suits acne that returns in the same spots. Isotretinoin is the most powerful option for severe acne but needs monthly monitoring and cannot be used in pregnancy. Many patients combine AGNES on stubborn pores with AviClear or topicals for the rest of the face.
How many sessions will I need?
AviClear: three sessions a month apart. AGNES: two to three sessions on the same areas. Gold PTT: a course set at consultation. Medical facials: every four to six weeks during active treatment.
Is there downtime?
AviClear and Gold PTT: none to minimal. AGNES: one to two days of swelling on the treated spots. Topicals: dryness and peeling in the first month.
Can teenagers be treated?
Yes. Teenage acne is treated with the same ladder — topicals first, then oral medication or devices for moderate to severe acne. Parents attend the consultation.
Can I have acne treatment while pregnant or breastfeeding?
Options are limited. Topical retinoids, oral antibiotics of some classes, hormonal therapy, isotretinoin and AviClear are not used in pregnancy. The doctor will set out what can be used safely; see the pregnancy acne treatment page.
Does acne treatment remove acne scars?
No. Active acne and acne scars are treated separately; clearing the acne first stops new scars forming. Scar options are on the acne scar treatment page.
Where is the clinic?
The Clifford Clinic, 50 Raffles Place #01-01, Singapore Land Tower, Singapore 048623. Tel +65 6532 2400, WhatsApp +65 8318 6332.
The Clifford Clinic offers the treatments described on this page. No manufacturer funded this content.
Our acne doctors
Every acne plan at The Clifford Clinic is set and reviewed by one of our doctors. You see the same doctor at each review.
Dr Gerard Ee
Managing Director · MBBS (St George’s) · MRCS (Edin) · PG Dip Dermatology (Cardiff)
Trained at SGH, NUH and Mount Sinai Hospital, New York. Accredited in lasers, light therapies, fillers and Botox; has published in medical journals on surgical and aesthetic topics.
Dr Chow Yuen Ho
Medical Director · MBBS (NUS)
More than 10 years in clinical practice with a special interest in aesthetic dermatology procedures and lasers. Formerly founding Director of Medical Informatics at SGH.
Dr Law Zhi Wei
Partner · MBBS (NUS) · MRCS (Edin) · PG Dip Practical Dermatology (Cardiff)
Surgical training across KKH, SGH and CGH. Accredited in lasers, radiofrequency, ultrasound therapies, Botox and fillers, with a focus on acne care.
Dr Bernard Ong
MBBS (NUS)
Aesthetic and wellness medicine. Former national-level badminton player; represented Singapore at the Youth Olympic Games.
Book your acne consultation
Message us on WhatsApp or call the clinic to book a consultation with our doctors.
Mon–Fri 10am–8pm · Sat 10am–5pm · 50 Raffles Place #01-01 Singapore Land Tower