Acne Treatment

Comprehensive acne management for adolescents and adults covering inflammatory acne, comedonal acne, hormonal acne, and acne scarring — combining topical, systemic, and procedural approaches.

Acne is one of the most frequently presenting conditions at Joyce Lim Skin & Laser Clinic, treated within both the medical and cosmetic dermatology arms of the practice. Dr Joyce Lim takes an evidence-based, personalised approach to acne management, tailoring treatment to the patient's acne type, severity, skin type, and lifestyle. For mild to moderate inflammatory or comedonal acne, first-line management includes prescription-strength topical retinoids, benzoyl peroxide combinations, and topical antibiotics. Moderate to severe or hormonal acne may be managed with systemic antibiotics (doxycycline, lymecycline), hormonal therapy for women, or oral isotretinoin (Roaccutane) for severe or recalcitrant cases, with appropriate monitoring. Procedural options include medical-grade chemical peels (salicylic acid, glycolic acid) for congested pores and active breakouts, and comedone extraction during consultation. For acne scarring — a significant concern for patients who have experienced long-standing or severe acne — the clinic's laser capabilities allow treatment of atrophic ice-pick, rolling, and boxcar scars using ablative and non-ablative fractional laser resurfacing. Pigmented post-acne marks (post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation) are addressed with targeted laser therapy and prescription depigmentation agents. The clinic treats teenage and adult acne, including adult-onset female acne with a hormonal pattern, and can provide long-term follow-up for isotretinoin courses and maintenance therapy.