If you’ve been trying to find a solution for your acne but are actively avoiding the use of lasers for certain reasons like cost or misconceptions about lasers, I urge you to read on! 

There’s a good reason why dermatologists and aesthetic doctors include lasers when formulating an acne treatment plan – simply because they work. With that said, not every case will require lasers – skincare, topical and/or oral medication still takes precedence. 

What role do lasers play in acne treatment, at what point should you consider levelling up from conservative acne treatment like topicals, and what are the most effective lasers for acne treatment in Singapore?

Let’s find out.

What role do lasers play in acne treatment?

When it comes to acne, lasers do not just reduce inflammation. They work by targeting points in the skin and superheating them to create controlled ‘injuries’ that stimulate the body’s natural healing and renewal processes.

Lasers can also help specific patients with: 

• Rosacea, eczema, or sensitive skin: Acne can coexist with these other skin conditions. Certain topical acne treatments may dry out such sensitive skin, dry out the skin, and deplete the healthy skin barrier that protects the skin from further inflammation and infection.
• Darker skin: Those with higher levels of melanin in their skin are prone to developing PIH. Lasers can be a choice treatment for such individuals, as long as the appropriate laser setting is applied.
• Hormonal acne: Due to the surge in progesterone during the second half of the menstrual cycle before the next period, the skin tends to produce more oil and hence one becomes more prone to acne outbreak. I have sometimes timed laser treatments to coincide with patients’ premenstrual periods to prevent or reduce the severity of their hormonal outbreak as the lasers can reduce oil production too.

It is crucial for skin doctors to closely monitor patients’ conditions before commencing treatment. Patients with sensitive skin, for example, might need their dosages or laser frequencies tweaked depending on the state of their skin on the day of treatment.

What are the best lasers for acne treatment in Singapore? 

No one laser can treat the whole gamut of pimples, blackheads, whiteheads, cysts, and everything else in between. This is why different types[1] of laser therapies are used to treat varying forms of acne.

After many successful cases, my colleagues and I have found the following lasers to be the most effective and safest for treating acne:

• Dual Yellow Laser: A non-invasive vascular laser that combines yellow light to effectively reduce inflammation and kill P. acnes bacteria on the skin which causes acne. It is gentle enough to be used on sensitive skin types. Helps with Rosacea and flushing too!

• PicoPlus: A picosecond laser that can be used on different areas of the body. Treats acne marks and scars, pores, freckles, and more.
• Clarity II: A non-ablative, FDA-approved laser that tackles pigmentation, acne marks, signs of ageing, and more.
  
• Spectra XT: A laser that’s capable of strong fragmentation of melanin, and thus enhances clearance of pigments, acne marks, tattoos, and more.