Spironolactone Acne Treatment

    Spironolactone through its anti-androgen properties reduces the impact of hormonal acne.

    Reduces oily skin and clogged pores to restore healthier looking skin.

    • For Hormonal Acne In Women
    • Best results when combined with topical therapy
    • Effective for facial, chest and back acne
    • Schedule a consultation to learn more
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    spironolactone for hormonal acne
    Acne associated with scarring on jawline

    OUR APPROACH

    HOW DR.NG TREATS ACNE

    As a clinician with more than 15 years of experience, Dr Ng. understands the impact of how acne can affect an individual. Acne knows no boundaries, afflicting a wide range of age groups and affecting both genders for varying lengths of time. Dr. Ng provides a patient-centric approach that is backed by the latest scientific evidence as well as his own wealth of experience to create a care plan for the best acne treatment that is unique to your skin type. Early intervention can help prevent acne scars, restore your skin and confidence.

    Is Spironolactone Acne Treatment common?

    Spironolactone acne treatment is becoming common for many women. Spironolactone, through its anti-androgen properties, targets one of the most important factors contributing to acne. With more than 2 decades in clinical use, oral spironolactone is effective and well-tolerated in adult women suffering from hormonal acne over a prolong period.

    Why Spironolactone?

    Acne affects more than 85% of adolescent and can persists into adulthood for many women. Acne varies in severity, from mild to severe cystic variants.  Although oral antibiotics are commonly prescribed for acne, they are associated with side effects, antibiotic resistance and acne recurrence. On the other hand, oral isotretinoin is reserved for acne that is not responding to standard treatments or for nodulo-cystic acne.

    Many women may not be comfortable taking oral isotretinoin due to the side effects, be poor candidates for it or may have relapsed after a course of therapy. Oral spironolactone is a treatment alternative available for women with long standing acne.

    How Does Spironolactone Acne Treatment work?

    Oral spironolactone is a diuretic and has traditionally been in use in medical conditions such as heart failure, hypetension and swelling associated with liver disease. However, over the decades, there has been off-label use of oral spironolactone for several dermatological conditions such as acne, female pattern hair loss and hidradenitis suppurativa.

    Oral spironolactone works to improve acne through its anti-androgen properties. This reduces sebum production and hyperkeratinisation in acne associated hair follicles.

    Hormonal acne is a treatable condition.

    Improved clinical outcomes and tolerance of oral spironolactone acne treatment

    From studies, it has been shown that more than 66% of individuals treated with oral spironolactone noticed an improvement in their acne appearance. Improvement in acne clearance increased over time with the peak effect taking place between the 4th to 6th month. 

    In addition, women with co-existing truncal or back acne had good clearance while on treatment.

    Can spironolactone acne treatment be combined with other modalities?

    The most successful acne treatment takes on a combination approach, to tackle the various factors implicated in acne formation. While spironolactone reduces androgen levels, treatments that clears comedomes, inflammation and bacteria are essential.

    Dr. Ng often tailors a multiple-modal approach that gives you the best results according to your skin type. In conjunction with oral spironolactone, the following treatments will help restore and maintain your skin:

    • Topical retinoids
    • Hydra Plus Facial
    • Carbon Peel Laser
    • Advatx Laser

    Oral spironolactone acne treatment is generally well-tolerated in most women, however most of its side effects are dose related. 

    Common side effects (15-30%) include menstrual irregularities. This can be managed with an oral contraceptive or a intra-uterine device if necessary.

    Less common side effects (<5%) include breast tenderness, headache, nausea, dizziness, increased frequency of urination and high blood potassium levels.

    Oral spironolactone treatment is contraindicated in individuals who have a history of high serum potassium levels, or those at risk of hyperkalaemia. It is also contraindicated with individuals with kidney failure, inability of the kidneys to produce urine and those with significant impairment of kidney function.

    It is generally not prescribed for women who are pregnant, who intend to get pregnant and who are breastfeeding.

    Drugs that can potentially increase blood potassium levels should not be taken together with oral spironolactone. Some of these include anti-hypertensive medicaltion such as ACE inhibitors, potassium sparing diuretics and anti-inflammatory medicines such as NSAIDS.

    Avoid food or supplements rich in potassium, including salt substitutes.

    schedule a consultation for Spironolactone Acne treatment in singapore

    We treat a range of acne and acne scars at both our clinics in Woodlands and Kovan. Oral spironolactone is an effective hormonal acne treatment for many women. Dr. Ng makes it his mission to match each patient to the most effective acne treatment according to your lifestyle, skin condition and budget. Schedule a consultation with us today, so you can find out more.

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    Get in touch with us with any questions, pricing, or bookings.

    Or give us a call at +65 6769 6007 | WhatsApp us +65 9855 3022

    References:
    1. Roberts EE, Nowsheen S, Davis MD, McEvoy MT, Newman CC, Sartori Valinotti JC, Sciallis GF, Torgerson RR, Wetter DA. Treatment of acne with spironolactone: a retrospective review of 395 adult patients at Mayo Clinic, 2007–2017. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology. 2020 Sep;34(9):2106-10.
    2. Garg V, Choi JK, James WD, Barbieri JS. Long-term use of spironolactone for acne in women: A case series of 403 patients. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology. 2021 May 1;84(5):1348-55. 
    3. Han JJ, Faletsky A, Barbieri JS, Mostaghimi A. New acne therapies and updates on use of spironolactone and isotretinoin: a narrative review. Dermatology and Therapy. 2021 Feb;11(1):79-91.