Most of us had acne at one time of our lives and we all know how annoying and frustrating it is to treat it. For some of us, it required a lot of effort and money to try different creams, medicine, and aesthetic procedures. And still, after our acne is gone, some of us have to deal with acne scars. And we all know how that feels like. But the good news is that nowadays there are many modern options to go for, especially in Singapore – one of the centers of modern aesthetic clinics like Cambridge Therapeutics. Due to the high demand of aesthetic treatments in Singapore, in addition to the fierce competition, clinics are forced to stay on top of their game and keep up with the latest methods and technology advancements.
In this article, you’ll learn everything you need to know about acne scar removal in Singapore – from what types of treatments you can find to the cost of each procedure.
What are acne scars?
Before committing to a treatment plan for your scars, it’s important to learn about the types of acne scars. Some types of acne scar fade on their own, while others can be permanent. Let’s see more about the types of acne scars:
- Macules: Flat, red spots that stay after a pimple is gone. They can stay on the skin for a couple of weeks before fading away.
- Skin Pigmentation: Sometimes after acne, there is pigmentation that can remain visible for months after acne.
- Tissue scars: In some cases, acne lesions can lead to raised skin tissue.
- Loss of tissue: In other cases, acne can lead to loss of tissue that appears sunken into the skin.
Should I remove my acne scars?
It’s entirely up to you whether or not you decide to treat your acne scars. For a lot of people having acne scars can be emotionally difficult so opting for acne scar removal is a good option. In any case, if you decide to get your acne scars treated it’s best to see a dermatologist first.
This is crucial because your dermatologist will decide on a treatment plan based on your individual skin and in that way you’ll reduce the risks of any side effects and unnecessary treatments. Singapore is home to great dermatologists and aesthetic clinics so you’ll have a lot to choose from.
What treatments are available in Singapore?
Luckily, in Singapore, you can get any treatment possible. Singapore has some great dermatologists and aesthetic clinics to choose from. Of course, keep in mind that a lot of treatments can be only performed by medical professionals, so avoid going to spas or hair salons for treatments.
Most dermatologists opt for the following acne scar treatments:
- Laser treatments
- Microneedling
- Chemical peels
- Subcision
- Dermal fillers
Your dermatologist will determine how to specifically treat your acne scars depending on their type and severity.
Laser Treatments
Lasers are an effective way to treat both acne scars and pigmentation. They work by promoting collagen production in the skin which “fills” the acne scars. After a couple of procedures, you’ll be able to feel your skin getting tighter and smoother.
There are several options when it comes to the type of laser treatment. Clinics often work with different types – some use pulsed-dye lasers or fractional lasers, while some use the pico laser. Again, choosing the type of laser largely depends on the type of scars you have.
For example, pulse-dye lasers are effective with pigmentation, while fractional lasers are good for loss of tissue type of scars. Pico lasers, on the other hand, can be effective on both deep and shallow acne scars.
You will see results in a couple of sessions depending on the severity of your scars. For most patients, it can take 2-3 sessions to see results and even more procedures if you want more visible results. Usually, there’s minimal downtime required but you can feel slight redness on your skin which will disappear after a couple of days.
The cost of laser treatment in Singapore can be anywhere between 400$ to 1000$ per session.
Microneedling
Microneedling is another effective way to treat acne scars. As you can guess by the name, micro-needling is a procedure in which tiny needles are inserted into the face. This stimulates collagen production in the skin and thus remodels the acne scars.
Microneedling is very effective on deep scars including mixed scars. There’s no downtime required but your skin will fully heal in 48 hours. You can see results in around 6 months after treatment.
Cost for micro-needling in Singapore is around 1000$ per sessions and in most clinics, 1-2 sessions are recommended.
Chemical peels
Chemical peels are also a good option for treating acne scars. Chemical peels should only be performed by a medical professional because it can lead to damage in the skin if not applied properly.
Chemical peels work by peeling the top layer of the skin which in time will fade out even deep acne scars. It requires a few sessions to fully see results but for most patients, it’s around 2-3 sessions.
The cost of chemical peels in Singapore is around 130$ per session.
Subcision
Subcision is a procedure in which a needle is put underneath the skin to release the scar tissue. It also promotes a collagen production which pushes the scar tissue and reveals smoother skin.
Subcisions are best for broad but shallow scars. A common side effect is a bruise after the procedure which will fade away in 1 or 2 weeks.
Subcision cost in Singapore is around 100-300$ per session. Most patients get 1-4 sessions.
Dermal Fillers
Another common way of treating acne scars is dermal fillers. Fillers are used in a similar way to the subcision because they elevate scars. One common downside is that the results are temporary and you should repeat them every 6-8 months.
The cost of dermal fillers in Singapore is around 700$-1000$.