Acne Treatment in Singapore
Written and medically reviewed by the doctors of The Clifford Clinic. Last medically reviewed 6 November 2026.
Doctor-led acne treatment and pimple removal at Raffles Place, Singapore. AGNES, AviClear and Gold PTT work on the oil glands that cause breakouts. Prescription creams, oral medication and medical acne facials complete the plan.
Types of acne and pimples
Acne is not one condition. The type of spot tells the doctor what is happening inside the pore, and that decides the treatment.
- Blackheads. Open pores plugged with oil and dead skin. The dark colour is not dirt. It is light reflecting off the plug.
- Whiteheads. The same plug in a pore that has closed over, seen as a small white or skin-coloured bump.
- Papules. Small red, tender bumps. This is a blocked pore that has become inflamed.
- Pustules. Red bumps with a white or yellow top of pus. These are the spots most people call pimples, and picking them often leaves a mark.
- Nodules. Hard, painful lumps deep under the skin that last for weeks and often scar.
- Cysts. Soft, deep lumps filled with pus. They are the type most likely to leave pitted scars. See cystic acne treatment.
Blackheads and whiteheads are called comedonal acne. Papules and pustules are inflammatory acne. Nodules and cysts are nodulocystic acne, the type that needs treating early.
Acne also comes in patterns. Adult women often get hormonal acne along the jawline and chin that flares with the period. Back and chest acne needs its own plan, because the skin is thicker and harder to reach with creams.
Not every red bump is acne. Itchy bumps that are all the same size across the forehead or chest can be a yeast infection of the hair follicles, and redness with flushing can be rosacea. Both need different treatment, which is why the doctor examines the skin before prescribing anything.
What causes acne
Every pimple starts as a blocked pore you cannot see yet. Four things happen inside it at the same time.
- The oil gland at the base of the pore makes too much oil. Hormones called androgens drive this, which is why acne starts at puberty and flares around the period.
- Dead skin cells do not shed properly and plug the opening of the pore.
- Acne bacteria feed on the oil trapped in the plugged pore.
- The body reacts to the bacteria, and the pore turns red, swollen and painful.
A cream or facial that acts on only one of these gives short-lived results. Treatments that act on the oil gland, the root cause, give longer control.
What makes acne worse
- Genes. Severe acne in a parent makes severe acne in a child more likely.
- The menstrual cycle, pregnancy and conditions such as PCOS.
- Stress, which raises the hormone cortisol and increases oil.
- Some medicines, including steroid tablets and some hormone treatments.
- Heavy, oily skincare and make-up. See is your make-up causing your acne.
- Friction and sweat from masks, helmets, caps and gym clothing. See maskne.
- Greasy working environments such as kitchens.
- For some people, high-sugar foods and milk. See dairy and acne.
Acne is not caused by dirty skin, and scrubbing harder makes it worse.
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. A single painful spot that needs to settle fast is covered on our pimple treatment in Singapore page.
For acne that keeps returning, two treatments work on the oil gland itself. AGNES RF is the permanent cure for the pore that flares in the same spot every month. AviClear is the long-term cure for acne spread across the face.
| Your acne | First-line at The Clifford Clinic | For a lasting cure |
|---|---|---|
| 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 — pregnancy-safe topical creams, Gold PTT, Q-switch laser, Vbeam laser or long pulse laser | — |
Why early acne treatment matters
Acne left to run its course leaves two kinds of damage.
- Marks are flat red or brown patches where spots have healed. They fade over months, and faster with laser.
- Scars are changes in the skin’s texture, such as ice pick, rolling and boxcar scars, or raised scars on the jaw, chest and back. Scars do not fade on their own.
Deep nodules and cysts are the spots most likely to scar, so the doctor treats them first and quickly. Acne also affects confidence and mood, at school and at work. Treating it early means fewer spots, fewer marks and far fewer scars to treat later. If you already have scars, see acne scar treatment. Scars are treated once the acne is under control.
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.
Prescription acne creams and oral medication
Most acne plans start with medicine. The in-clinic treatments are added for acne that keeps coming back.
Acne creams
- Retinoid cream or gel unblocks pores and stops new blackheads and whiteheads forming. It is the base of almost every plan and takes eight to twelve weeks to show its full effect.
- Benzoyl peroxide reduces acne bacteria and stops them becoming resistant to antibiotics.
- Azelaic acid is gentler and also fades dark marks, so it suits sensitive skin and skin that marks easily.
- Antibiotic gel is always used together with benzoyl peroxide, never on its own.
Mild dryness and peeling are normal in the first few weeks. The doctor sets the strength and adds a barrier moisturiser so the skin settles.
Oral medication
- Antibiotic tablets calm inflamed acne. They are a short course of about three months while the creams take over, not a long-term treatment.
- Hormonal treatment with spironolactone or the combined pill treats jawline and chin acne in adult women. See hormonal acne treatment.
- Isotretinoin shrinks every oil gland and is the strongest medicine for severe, nodular or scarring acne. It needs a monthly doctor review and blood tests, and it cannot be taken in pregnancy. See isotretinoin.
Acne skin care during treatment
A gentle cleanser, a light moisturiser that does not block pores and a daily sunscreen protect the skin while the treatment works. Acne products from a shop rarely clear acne on their own, because they cannot reach the oil gland. The Clifford Balancing Cream, made for the clinic, restores the natural fatty acids that acne-prone skin lacks, so the skin stays balanced without feeling greasy. Your doctor recommends products by name at the consultation.
In-clinic acne treatments at The Clifford Clinic
AGNES RF, the permanent cure for acne that returns in the same spot
AGNES is our permanent cure for acne that keeps returning to the same spot. The doctor maps the pores that keep breaking out, numbs the area, and destroys the oil gland at the base of each with a pulse of radiofrequency through an insulated micro-needle. A treated gland does not grow back, so that spot stops recurring. Suits same-spot, recurring and cystic acne. 2–3 sessions, 1–2 days of spot swelling. Offered since 2013, more than 3,000 treatments. Read whether there is a permanent cure for acne.
$800–$1,500 per session
AviClear, the long-term cure for acne across the whole face
AviClear is our long-term cure for acne across the whole face. The 1726 nm laser is absorbed by oil and kills the oil glands across the treated area, so the skin makes far less oil for years. No medication, no downtime, all skin tones. Three sessions about a month apart, and the improvement keeps building for months after the last one. 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
Steroid injection for a painful cyst
A single deep cyst before an important event can be flattened with a small injection of diluted steroid into the lump. The swelling and pain usually go down within one to three days. It is used for the occasional cyst, not as a regular treatment. A cyst that keeps returning in the same spot is treated with AGNES.
$150 per session
Acne laser treatment for red and brown marks
Vbeam laser targets the small blood vessels behind red acne marks. Q-switch laser breaks up the brown pigment left after a spot heals. Each session takes ten to fifteen minutes with no downtime, so you can go back to work straight after. These lasers treat marks, not active acne or scars. For active acne the laser is AviClear. See how effective is laser treatment for acne.
Acne facial in Singapore, medical acne facial vs spa facial
A medical acne facial at The Clifford Clinic is done under a doctor’s plan, in five steps.
- Cleanse. The skin is cleansed and softened.
- HydraFacial exfoliation. Vortex suction lifts dead skin and loosens the oil plugs in the pores.
- Extraction. A trained therapist clears blackheads and whiteheads with sterile tools. Inflamed pimples and cysts are not squeezed, because squeezing pushes the infection deeper.
- Alphalight. Photodynamic light reduces acne bacteria and redness.
- Hydrate and protect. A serum that does not block pores, then sunscreen.
There is no downtime. Most patients on an acne plan have one every four to six weeks.
A pimple facial at a spa can clean the surface. It cannot prescribe medicine, change how much oil the gland makes, or safely treat inflamed and cystic acne. That is why the medical acne facial is used for congestion and maintenance, alongside prescription creams and, where needed, AGNES, AviClear or Gold PTT.
Medical acne facial $280 a session, $188 trial. Read the pros and cons of acne extraction.
Acne treatment price in Singapore
| Treatment | Price (before GST) |
|---|---|
| Doctor consultation | $100 |
| Prescription creams | Quoted at consultation |
| Oral antibiotics | Quoted at consultation |
| Hormonal treatment | Quoted at consultation |
| Isotretinoin | Quoted at consultation, monthly doctor review included |
| Steroid injection for a cyst | $150 per session |
| 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 |
| Vbeam or Q-switch laser for acne marks | Quoted at consultation |
The price depends on the number of pores treated for AGNES, the area treated for AviClear, and how many sessions your acne needs. AGNES includes numbing, the day-two clearing and the review. AviClear includes the reviews and numbing cream. Isotretinoin includes the monthly doctor review. The doctor gives you the full price before anything is done, and nothing is sold as a package before your skin has been examined.
Acne treatment cost by severity
| Your acne | What it looks like | What the plan usually involves | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mild | Blackheads, whiteheads and a few spots | Consultation and a prescription cream, with an optional HydraFacial | $100 consultation, cream quoted at consultation, HydraFacial $280 |
| Moderate | Inflamed spots across the face | Consultation, a prescription cream and a short course of oral antibiotics | $100 consultation, medication quoted at consultation |
| Moderate, keeps coming back | Spots that return in the same pores | The above, plus AGNES on the pores that keep breaking out, usually two to three sessions | AGNES $800–$1,500 a session |
| Moderate to severe, widespread | Acne across the face, back or chest | AviClear, three sessions about a month apart, or Gold PTT for oily, congested skin | AviClear $1,800 a session, $3,000 for two. Gold PTT $2,500 for three |
| Severe or scarring | Cystic acne or acne that leaves marks | Isotretinoin for several months with a monthly doctor review | Quoted at consultation |
The doctor sets your actual plan after examining your skin, and it is often shorter than this.
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, checked at each review. 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.
Side effects of acne treatment and how they are managed
The most common side effects are dryness, peeling and redness from the creams, and sun sensitivity from some creams and tablets. They are expected. They are managed by adjusting the strength, adding a moisturiser and using sunscreen every day. Your doctor checks for side effects at every review and changes the plan if needed. Most skin settles within about four weeks.
Why choose The Clifford Clinic for acne treatment?
TREATING ACNE SINCE 2008
Our doctors have treated acne at Raffles Place since 2008, and were the first clinic in Singapore to offer AviClear.
THREE OIL-GLAND TREATMENTS
AGNES, AviClear and Gold PTT under one roof, so the plan is matched to your acne and not to one device.
ONE DOCTOR FROM START TO FINISH
The same doctor sets your plan, gives you the full price first and sees you at every review.
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
Acne treatment FAQ
A doctor consultation is $100. AGNES is $800–$1,500 a session, AviClear is $1,800 a session or $3,000 for two, and Gold PTT is $1,000 a session or $2,500 for three. Prescription creams, oral antibiotics and isotretinoin are quoted at consultation. Every price is listed in the acne treatment price section above, with what a mild, moderate and severe case usually involves.
A doctor consultation at the clinic is $100. A polyclinic referral to the National Skin Centre gives subsidised consultations and medication, with a wait of weeks to months.
It depends on the dose and the length of the course, so it is quoted at consultation. The price includes the monthly doctor review.
Integrated Shield plans do not cover acne consultations or medication. Some company outpatient plans cover the consultation. Laser and energy treatments are self-paid.
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. For a lasting result the choice is AGNES RF for same-spot acne and AviClear for acne across the face.
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Options are limited. Topical retinoids, oral antibiotics of some classes, hormonal therapy, isotretinoin and AviClear are not used in pregnancy. Pregnancy-safe creams, Gold PTT, Q-switch laser, Vbeam laser and long pulse laser can be used, and the doctor will confirm what suits you. See the pregnancy acne treatment page.
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.
No. Squeezing pushes bacteria deeper, makes the spot last longer and is a common cause of marks and scars. Blackheads and whiteheads can be cleared safely in a medical acne facial, and a painful cyst can be calmed with a steroid injection.
Most patients see fewer new spots within four to six weeks. Creams take eight to twelve weeks for their full effect. AGNES, AviClear and Gold PTT keep improving for three to six months.
Usually not. Teenage acne often settles in the twenties, and treatment keeps it under control until then. Adult acne lasts longer. That is why treatments that act on the oil gland, such as AGNES and AviClear, are used to reduce the need for long-term creams and tablets. Some patients keep a light maintenance cream afterwards. Whether there is a permanent cure for acne and what AGNES can and cannot do is covered on our AGNES guide.
Yes. Prescription creams, medical acne facials, AGNES, AviClear and Gold PTT all work without tablets. The doctor will tell you if your acne is severe enough that tablets are the safer choice to prevent scars.
Acne removal usually means clearing the spots you have now, by extraction in a medical facial or a steroid injection for a cyst. Lasting acne removal needs treatment that stops new spots forming. That means prescription creams, medication, or a treatment on the oil gland such as AGNES or AviClear.
Mostly, yes. Treating inflamed acne early, not picking, and dealing with nodules and cysts quickly are the best ways to prevent scars.
Diet does not cause acne on its own. For some people, high-sugar foods and milk make it worse. Keeping a food diary for a few weeks can show whether this applies to you.
The Clifford Clinic, 50 Raffles Place #01-01, Singapore Land Tower, Singapore 048623. Tel +65 6532 2400, WhatsApp +65 8318 6332.
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- Santer M, et al. Effectiveness of spironolactone for women with acne vulgaris (SAFA) in England and Wales, pragmatic, multicentre, phase 3, double blind, randomised controlled trial. BMJ 2023, 381, e074349. doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2022-074349