Doctor's Tips to Acne Treatment in Singapore

Acne is one of the most common skin disorders people suffer from. You may think that acne is a problem that only affects teenagers with raging hormones, but it can't be further from the truth. To many people, acne is like an “unwelcomed friend” that refuses to leave. In this article, we aim to dispel some myths surrounding acne, its causes and treatments available.

Acne vulgaris is the medical term for common acne, which may manifest in one of the 4 stages: whitehead, blackhead, papule, and pustules. Acne occurs because of the inflammation of hair follicles.

When the skin is red and inflamed, it is often a result of one or more of the following:

I. Excessive sebum production
II. Increased buildup of dead skin cells
III. Increased colonization of acne bacteria on the skin/hair follicles
IV. Increased sensitivity of the oil glands to hormones like androgens

Any physiological changes to the body that result in at least one of the above processes can lead to formation of acne. For instance, fluctuation of hormones during puberty, pre-menstrual period, and menopause may also cause acne. Similarly, stress resulting in elevated levels of stress hormones can increase the activity of sebaceous glands and cause acne.

Although your environment and lifestyle play an important role in determining whether you get acne, your genetic makeup is equally, or not more important in determining your skin health. People with oily skin tend to be predisposed to getting acne, if not well taken care of.

When acne occurs, it can present in a myriad of ways, from the mild blackheads and whiteheads form to the severe inflammatory nodulocystic acne of the face, chest, and back, which often leaves the permanent ugly marks and scars even when it’s resolved.

How to treat acne effectively

Everyone’s skin is different, so treating acne requires a multi-disciplinary approach. Acne is a skin disorder that forms under the skin, therefore washing away the oils on the skin may not do much to treat the root cause of the problem.

Acne treatment generally falls into 3 main categories:

CLEANSING It is not true that people get acne because of poor hygiene. It is important to wash your face daily but too much washing can irritate the skin and cause the glands to secrete more oil.

Using a mild cleanser for acne skin that does not strip the oil from the face is perfect for daily use.

Exfoliating the skin once every ten days aids in reducing dead skin cells and debris buildup that can potentially clog the pores and cause severe acne. Facial treatments for acne generally include a gentle exfoliation process using a scrub or diamond microdermabrasion to reduce the accumulation of dead skin.

LIFESTYLE AND DIET Have at least 8 hours of uninterrupted sleep. Exercising at least two times a week may reduce your stress level and increase your blood circulation. But keep in mind that sweat from exercise can lead to breakouts by irritating the skin. Put in more effort to clean your skin after a strenuous workout.

Some evidence suggests that a healthy diet can have a positive impact on the skin. By consuming more omega-3 fatty acids, fewer oily and fried food, and fewer dairy products may reduce inflammation of the skin.

Researchers have found that the body produces insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and this may increase the production of sebum and worsen acne. Certain foods such as milk and dairy products can raise IGF-1 levels in the body, so they must be taken in moderation if you are treating your acne.

MEDICAL TREATMENT Topical antibiotics and antiseptics are useful for reducing the colonization of acne bacteria on the skin. Topical retinoids promote cell turnover and reduce debris buildup.

LED light therapy with blue light and yellow light has been shown to help with acne as the blue light helps with eradicating bacteria and the yellow light reduces inflammation and redness from the acne.

Laser treatments such as Dual Yellow Laser has been shown to treat acne. They work by reducing inflammation on the skin (hence reducing redness) and eradicating bacteria. For people with severe, recurring acne, they are best suited for AGNES acne treatment that can be used to permanently resolve your acne woes by destroying the offending sebaceous glands.

Radium Medical Aesthetics is a leading aesthetic clinic in Singapore that offers a wide range of acne treatment that suits different skin types.

At Radium Medical Aesthetics, we aim to help you achieve a healthy balance of the mind, body and spirit that promotes a better quality of life. We help to invigorate you to make that change, through in-house proprietary medical aesthetic solutions, specially tailored to suit your needs.

3 Temasek Boulevard, Suntec City Mall, #03-326, Singapore 038983

This release was published on openPR.