What are the types of Acne Medications in Singapore?
Acne medications in Singapore can be split into a few categories
- Antibiotics
- Hormonal Acne Medication
- Isotretinoin (Roaccutane)
When will your doctor Prescribe Acne medications?
Acne Medications are usually prescribed in cases of moderate to severe acne or stubborn acne not responding to topical skincare/creams or treatments like medical facials and acne lasers.
Learn more about acne causes here.
Acne Antibiotics
Antibiotics improve acne by killing the acne-causing bacteria P.Acnes. Side effects are mild and include nausea, vomiting, gastric upset and diarrhoea (list is not exhaustive).
Antibiotics can be taken for 4 to 6 months in cases of severe acne.
Dr Edwin usually prescribes antibiotics at an initial dose of twice a day for patients with severe acne.
Examples of commonly prescribed antibiotics include Doxycycline, Erythromycin and Azithromycin.
Hormonal Acne Treatment
Spironolactone is Dr Edwin's medication of choice in the treatment of hormonal acne in Women.
Of note, it does not contain hormones such as estrogen or progesterone and can not be used for men.
It works by blocking excess male sex hormones (Androgens) and is especially useful in treating women with acne from polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).
Side effects are mild and may include disturbances to the menstrual cycle, increase in frequency of urination and rarely, lowered potassium levels.
Birth control pills can be used for acne treatment. However, these have side effects and should not be taken as first-line medications for acne.
Isotreinoin (Roaccutane)
Isotretinoin (Roaccutane) is currently the single most effective medication available for acne treatment because it is the only medication that can target all 4 causes of Acne Formation.
- Excessive sebum (oil) production
- Clogged pores due to abnormal skin turnover
- Inflammation
- Bacterial P.acnes proliferation
More information about Isotretinoin can be found here.
Other Acne Treatment Options
Pro-Yellow Acne laser
The laser treatment uses the special 577nm wavelength to effectively kill P. acne bacteria, shrink sebum-producing sebaceous glands and reduce post-inflammatory erythema (acne redness).
Learn more about the Pro-Yellow Acne laser here.
Learn more about post-inflammatory erythema treatment here.
Acne Skincare
Learn more about Dr Edwin's specially formulated complete range of Acne Skincare here.
Acne Scar Treatment
Learn more about acne scars here.
Click through the following treatments to learn more about how they can treat acne scars!
Rejuran Scar
CO2 Fractional Laser
Subcision
Antibiotic + Cortisone Acne / Pimple Injection
Pimple injections help to shrink and improve the appearance of large cystic acne over the next 2 to 3 days which is especially useful for people who have upcoming important events to attend and they need their blemish to disappear ASAP.
Learn more about antibiotic + cortisone acne injections here.
How do I find the Best Acne Medication Clinic Singapore has to offer?
Every clinic offers acne medication treatment options for acne. No one clinic is same as the other. If you want to make sure that acne medications are safe and effective, make sure that the clinic is experienced in treating acne. The clinic should also offer information on the various types of acne treatments before proceeding.
