Acne treatment — for the skin you actually have.
Not every spot needs a laser, and not every breakout is just "oily skin." We diagnose what's driving your acne first, then build a plan that fits the severity, your skin type, and your life.
Acne isn't one condition.
Three rough categories, three different plans. Find yours below — you'll know within a line or two.
Occasional breakouts, mostly clogged pores
A few whiteheads or blackheads, the odd pimple around your period or after a bad sleep week. Skin looks fine most days but never quite clear.
- Clearing-focused skincare routine
- Medical peels (salicylic / mandelic)
- LED therapy
- Usually 3–4 sessions
Regular inflammatory breakouts
Red, sore pimples that come up weekly. Often on the jawline, chin or cheeks. Marks that linger long after the pimple itself has gone.
- Prescription topicals (adapalene, BPO)
- Medical peels + carbon laser
- Oral antibiotics if indicated
- Usually 4–6 sessions
Deep, painful or cystic acne
Lumps that don't come to a head, ongoing active acne despite trying things, or acne that's already leaving scars. Needs medical therapy alongside clinic work.
- Full medical workup (hormonal, nutritional)
- Oral medication — possibly isotretinoin
- Gentle supportive in-clinic care
- 6+ sessions, longer timeline
The protocol, step by step.
Here's what happens at a typical visit. Your exact combination is decided at assessment — not everyone gets everything.
Assessment & diagnosis
A proper look at your skin under clinical lighting, a conversation about triggers (hormonal, diet, stress, skincare, medications), and a review of anything you're currently using. We classify the acne type and severity — because that's what determines the plan.
In-clinic session
A typical session combines two to three of: double cleanse with gentle extraction where safe, a medical-grade chemical peel (salicylic 20–30% for oily inflammatory skin, mandelic for sensitive or darker skin), LED blue light at 415nm to target the bacteria causing inflammation, and a calming mask. We finish with mineral SPF before you leave.
Carbon laser (when indicated)
For oilier skin and more inflammatory acne, we add a carbon laser peel. Medical carbon is applied to the skin, then a Q-switched Nd:YAG laser vaporises it along with surface debris, sebum and dead skin in the pores. Calibrated specifically for Fitzpatrick III–V skin tones.
Take-home prescriptions
What you do at home matters more than what we do in clinic. You leave with a simple routine — medical cleanser, one or two active prescriptions (adapalene, benzoyl peroxide or azelaic acid depending on your skin), a non-comedogenic moisturiser, and a mineral SPF 50+. No 10-step rituals, no cosmetic theatre.
Oral therapy (if needed)
For moderate-to-severe cases, oral medication often outperforms any in-clinic device. We prescribe only when indicated — short-course antibiotics for inflammatory flares, hormonal therapy for cyclical acne, or isotretinoin for severe nodulocystic acne. All with proper monitoring and follow-up.
Follow-up & reassessment
We review progress at session 3, adjust what isn't working, and tell you honestly when you can stop. You don't need to keep coming forever — the goal is clear skin you can maintain with a simple routine at home.
Every acne plan starts with proper assessment, severity grading, and a treatment pathway matched to your skin.
When you might not need us yet
If you're getting one or two pimples a month and you've never properly tried a medical-grade adapalene routine, start there. A tube costs under RM100 and gives 80% of our patients meaningful improvement within 12 weeks.
Come in when: over-the-counter skincare hasn't worked after 12 weeks, acne is leaving marks or scars, breakouts are painful or cystic, or you're on the edge of giving up. That's when clinic work earns its keep.
What you'll notice, and when.
Acne treatment isn't instant. Here's what real improvement looks like, week by week.
Purge, then calm
Skin may look slightly worse before it looks better — this is existing clogged pores surfacing. Redness settles. Oil production starts to normalise.
Fewer new breakouts
The rate of new pimples drops noticeably. Existing marks start fading. Skin feels calmer and less reactive. Most patients stop picking.
Visible clearance
Skin looks distinctly clearer in photos. Post-inflammatory marks lighten substantially. Confidence returns — we see this on faces, not just skin.
Maintenance mode
Active acne mostly resolved. We taper clinic visits and transition to a simple home routine. Check-ins every few months as needed.
Active breakouts, congestion, and marks that tend to linger after inflammation settles.
Calmer skin, fewer active lesions, and more even-looking texture after a consistent doctor-led plan.
What to do, and what not to.
Safe to do
- Gentle cleanser and moisturiser the same evening
- Mineral SPF 50+ daily — non-negotiable
- Mineral makeup from the next day
- Regular work, meetings, school
- Light exercise after 24 hours
Avoid for 3–7 days
- Retinoids, AHA, BHA, benzoyl peroxide at home
- Physical scrubs, face brushes, clay masks
- Hot yoga, sauna, steam rooms
- Direct prolonged sun exposure
- Picking or squeezing — ever, but especially now
Why we don't publish fixed totals.
Acne isn't one condition — it's a spectrum. A teenager with occasional breakouts and a 30-year-old with hormonal cystic acne need very different plans, and quoting a single price for both would be dishonest to one of them.
At your assessment, we write you a clear, fixed quote for your specific case before any treatment begins. You can take it home, think about it, and come back when you're ready. No pressure, no drip-pricing, no "while you're here" upsells.
Before you book.
Still have a question? Message us on WhatsApp — we usually reply within the hour.
How many sessions will I need?
Most patients need 3–6 sessions, spaced 2–4 weeks apart. Mild acne often clears within 3; moderate needs 4–6; severe or cystic acne needs medical therapy alongside clinic sessions. You'll get a realistic number at your assessment — not a best-case fairy tale.
Why can't you quote me a total price upfront?
Because acne is a spectrum and one price for all cases would be dishonest to most of them. We commit to giving you a clear, fixed written quote at your assessment, before any treatment starts. That quote holds — no surprises on session three.
Is the treatment safe for sensitive or Asian skin?
Yes. Every peel strength and laser setting is calibrated for Fitzpatrick III–V skin tones. We screen for sensitivity, active infection, pregnancy and recent medications (including isotretinoin) before anything is done.
Can I wear makeup after treatment?
For most sessions (peels, LED, carbon laser), mineral makeup from the next day is fine. Avoid heavy foundation for 24 hours. Stronger protocols like TCA CROSS need 3–5 days of bare skin healing — we'll tell you specifically before you book.
Do I need to stop my current skincare?
Stop retinoids, AHA/BHA acids, benzoyl peroxide and scrubs for 3 days before your visit. Keep using gentle cleanser, moisturiser and SPF. Bring your current products — we'll go through them with you.
What if I'm on isotretinoin (Roaccutane) or planning to be?
Tell us at consultation. Most lasers and stronger peels are paused during isotretinoin and for 6 months after. We still have good options — gentle LED, barrier repair, clinical monitoring — that work safely alongside oral therapy.
I've tried other clinics and it didn't work. Why would Renora be different?
Usually because the plan wasn't matched to the severity, or the home routine wasn't addressed. We diagnose before we treat, use medical-grade products only, and are honest when a case needs oral medication instead of (or alongside) clinic work. If we don't think we can help, we'll tell you.
All protocols on this page are delivered by KKM-registered doctors certified in medical aesthetics. Content last reviewed April 2026. This page is educational and doesn't replace an in-person consultation — your plan depends on findings at assessment.
Book an assessment. Get a written plan.
The first visit is a proper look at your skin, a conversation about what's driving the breakouts, and a clear quote. You decide what happens next.
