Gold Photothermal Therapy Treatment (PTT) For Pregnancy Acne
What is Acne?
Acne is a common skin problem that is highly pervasive, and it affects everyone from teenagers experiencing puberty to those well in adulthood. Also known as acne vulgaris, it is formed as a result of blockages in the hair follicles and the accompanying sebaceous gland.
These oil-producing sebaceous glands release sebum, and in some, they are produced more than others. As such, the oil glands become blocked and leads to the formation of comedones. Sometimes, bacteria in the deeper part of the hair follicle act upon the sebum – making the area red and inflamed, and resulting in pimples.
What are the types of acne?
Acne can be classified as noninflammatory and inflammatory.
Noninflammatory acne is characterized by comedones, which are sebaceous plugs that form when there is blockage in the hair follicle. They appear as flesh-coloured bumps, and termed as closed comedones (whiteheads) or open comedones (blackheads).
Inflammatory acne is characterized by papules, pustules, nodules, and cysts. They occur when P.acnes, normally present in the hair follicle, breaks down the sebum into substances that irritate the skin. This elicits an inflammatory response and the inflamed follicle ruptures into the dermis, appearing as reddened, raised and solid bumps that may also contain pus. Nodules and cysts are caused by deeper inflammation. These are severe acne that appear as large, red and painful bumps on the skin.
By seeking acne treatment sooner, the number of acne lesions can be reduced which lowers the risk of scars that can last a lifetime. These scars can be tiny, deep holes or large, irregular indentations.
Book your consultation today and target acne from within—safely, precisely, and without downtime.
A new approach to treating acne
Gold Photothermal Therapy (PTT) treatment delivers gold nanoparticles into the pores and glands before heating them with a dermatology laser. The purpose of the targeted heating is to modify the pores and glands responsible for creating acne to reduce the amount of oil produced, thus treating acne at the source.
By using laser to convert light into heat, photothermal therapy (PTT) enables local therapeutic hyperthermia of tissue. Noble-metal materials such as gold are selected due to their highly desirable and tunable optical properties for various therapeutic applications. When used as an acne treatment, gold nanoparticles generate heat when excited by a specific wavelength of light, therefore heating and modifying the sebaceous follicles associated with acne.
What is the procedure of Gold PTT?
Gold PTT treatment is designed to address facial acne and involves 4 steps:
• Facial cleansing
• Using Bellasonic Ultrasound to pulse the gold particles into the oil glands
• Laser treatment to heat up the gold and the oil glands
The procedure takes about 30 to 45 minutes. Treatment begins with a thorough cleansing of your face before the doctor massages the gold nanoparticles into the skin. These will penetrate the pores and sebaceous follicles. Your skin will be cooled before laser application takes place. The gold nanoparticles will be activated upon the light to create a focused photo-thermal effect that decreases the activity level of the sebaceous gland and follicle. As such, excessive oil and clogged pores are prevented which eliminates the formation of acne.
Who is a candidate for Gold PTT treatment?
Anyone who is suffering from mild to cystic acne and those with frequent acne breakouts. The procedure targets the sebaceous glands that produce oil and this plays a role in the formation of new acne lesions. Our doctor will also conduct a clinical assessment and determine if the treatment is suitable for you.
What Are Gold Microparticles?
Gold microparticles refer to nano-sized particles composed of gold, typically engineered in a nano-shell structure measuring approximately 120 nanometers in diameter. These particles are specifically designed for medical and aesthetic applications, particularly in laser-based treatments.
What makes them unique is their ability to rapidly convert light energy into heat. When exposed to a laser of a specific wavelength, these gold particles absorb the laser energy and instantly generate heat in their immediate surroundings. This thermal effect can be used to selectively target and damage specific skin structures—such as sebaceous glands or pigment cells—without affecting the surrounding healthy tissue.
The gold nano-shells are also biocompatible, meaning they are well-tolerated by the body and suitable for use in skin treatments involving light and heat energy.
What Is Selective Photothermolysis?
Selective photothermolysis is a foundational principle in modern laser dermatology. The term breaks down into:
Photo – light,
Thermo – heat, and
Lysis – destruction.
It refers to a targeted technique where laser light of a specific wavelength and pulse duration is delivered to selectively heat and destroy target cells or tissues (such as melanin, blood vessels, or sebaceous glands), while sparing surrounding healthy structures.
This process relies on matching the laser wavelength to the absorption characteristics of the target—for example, melanin in pigmentation, or hemoglobin in blood vessels. By finely tuning the laser settings, the energy is absorbed only by the desired targets, which then heat up and are destroyed or deactivated, without causing collateral damage to nearby skin.
In the case of gold microparticle-based therapy, the laser wavelength is selected to be absorbed by the gold particles, which then heat up and damage the tissue in direct contact with or near them, such as overactive sebaceous glands in acne treatments.
Clear your skin at the source with Gold PTT. Book your consultation today and target acne from within.
An In-Depth Overview of Gold PTT Treatment
Step 1. Apply gold particles to the epidermis.
Step 2. Induce absorption of gold microparticles into the pores with 10 minutes of ultrasound wave irradiation.
Step 3. Remove the remaining gold particles after it is absorbed into the epidermis.
Step 4. With the laser irradiation (preferably 1064 nm long pulse Nd:Yag) Sebaceous gland is destroyed.
What are the expected results?
There are three treatment sessions over a 1-week period. You can expect improvement in your acne around 6 weeks after the last treatment. In a controlled clinical trial, gold nanoparticles were found to reduce the appearance of inflammatory acne lesions effectively. Patients showed an average improvement of 34% at 3 months and inflammatory lesion count was 60% reduced at 6 months.
Advantages of Gold PTT treatment
• Comfortable
• No downtime
• Localized treatment of acne
No anesthesia necessary
Photomicrographs of hematoxylin and eosin stained sections showing selective thermal damage to sebaceous gland of a follicle in human skin
5 Reasons Why Gold PTT is a Game-Changer for Acne Treatment
Targets the Root Cause – Sebaceous Glands
Gold PTT uses 120 nm gold nanoparticles combined with a specific wavelength laser to selectively heat and deactivate overactive sebaceous glands—the primary driver of acne—without damaging surrounding skin.Minimally Invasive, No Downtime
Unlike traditional ablative procedures, Gold PTT delivers therapeutic results without breaking the skin barrier. Most patients resume daily activities immediately after treatment.Safe for All Skin Types, Including Sensitive Skin
The treatment is non-ablative and pigment-safe, making it suitable for Asian skin and those prone to post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH), which can be a concern with other acne therapies.Reduces Inflammation and Active Breakouts
By reducing sebum production and calming inflammation, Gold PTT helps manage both active acne and the triggers that cause recurring breakouts—especially useful for hormonal or resistant acne.Improves Skin Texture and Pore Appearance
In addition to acne reduction, Gold PTT helps refine pores and improve overall skin texture, contributing to smoother, clearer skin over time.
Our Certified Medical 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.
Dr. Law Zhi Wei
Dr. Law is a highly experienced medical professional specializing in acne treatments and aesthetic medicine. A graduate from the National University of Singapore and a member of the Royal College of Surgeons (Edinburgh), he has comprehensive clinical experience from renowned institutions such as KKH, SGH, and CGH. Passionate about the transformative power of effective acne care, Dr. Law is fully accredited in advanced treatments including lasers, radiofrequency, ultrasound therapies, Botox, and fillers. Holding a Postgraduate Diploma in Practical Dermatology from Cardiff University, he continuously updates his expertise to provide personalised, effective acne solutions, enhancing patients’ confidence and overall well-being.
Why Choose The Clifford Clinic?
1. Safe for Expecting Mothers
Clifford Clinic Gold PTT is a non-invasive, drug-free treatment—making it a safe and effective option during pregnancy, when many acne medications are off-limits.
2. Gentle Yet Effective
This therapy targets acne-causing bacteria and inflammation without harsh chemicals or downtime, making it perfect for sensitive, hormonal skin during pregnancy.
3. Clinically Proven Results
Backed by advanced medical technology, Clifford Gold PTT helps reduce breakouts, redness, and flare-ups, restoring clear, calm skin through each trimester and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most patients describe the feeling as tiny pin pricks or the sensation of a small rubber band snapping against the skin.
Your skin can display some redness but this typically returns to normal within a few hours to a day or two. You can return to your daily routine immediately following the procedure.
The laser therapy may result in temporary effects that should resolve within a month. These may include mild to moderate redness, skin dryness or itching, and discomfort at treatment site.
As every individual’s response to facial treatments mentioned above differs, our doctor will evaluate your response to the facial treatment you’ve went through and determine when it is appropriate to start the Gold PTT treatment.
Gold nanoparticles are localized in sebaceous follicles which provides thermal heating of the pores and sebaceous glands. This will not be possible with light sources alone.