Effective Hormonal Acne Treatment in Bangkok — 2026

Finding the best hormonal acne treatment in Bangkok means looking beyond quick fixes. Hormonal acne – breakouts driven by internal factors like testosterone spikes – often requires a comprehensive approach. Popular options include laser therapies and oral medications like isotretinoin (Roaccutane), but these each have significant limitations when hormones are the culprit. By contrast, Puttharaksa Aesthetic’s Acne Clear Plus program is designed as a holistic regimen, tailored to address all aspects of acne. In this article, we explore why lasers and Roaccutane alone are often suboptimal for hormonal acne, and why a structured multi-step program like Acne Clear Plus can be more effective, safer, and better suited to long-term control.

Understanding Hormonal Acne

Hormonal acne has distinct characteristics that set it apart from ordinary teen acne. Key features of hormonal acne include:

Location and Pattern: It usually appears on the lower face and jawline (chin, cheeks, jaw) and sometimes on the neck, back, or shoulders. Flares often coincide with menstrual cycles, pregnancy, menopause, or conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
Type of Lesions: These breakouts tend to be deep, painful cysts or nodules, not just surface whiteheads or blackheads. They can leave lasting scars if untreated.
Recurrent Flare-Ups: Hormonal acne often recurs cyclically. Many women report breakouts that “come and go” in sync with their periods or stress levels.
Underlying Cause: The root cause is an internal hormone imbalance (excess androgens) that causes the skin’s oil (sebum) glands to overproduce oil. This extra oil clogs pores and feeds bacteria, leading to inflammation.
Resistance to Simple Treatments: Because it’s driven by hormones, this type of acne can resist common over-the-counter remedies. Purely topical lotions or one-time laser sessions often fail to stop it completely.

People with hormonal acne may try every face wash and moisturizer without full success. Acknowledging the role of hormones is crucial: treatments that only address the skin’s surface (like some lasers or creams) may clear existing spots temporarily, but new lesions typically form as soon as hormone levels shift again. Effective treatment often requires controlling the internal hormone or oil surge, in addition to managing the skin.

Why Laser Acne Treatments Alone Often Fall Short

Many Bangkok clinics offer laser and light treatments for acne, promising faster results. Common technologies include Pulsed Dye Laser (PDL), Fractional CO₂ Laser, Intense Pulsed Light (IPL), Nd:YAG laser, and LED/Photodynamic Therapy. These can indeed improve skin appearance by killing acne bacteria and speeding up healing. However, for hormonal acne specifically, lasers have important limitations:

Surface-Level Action: Most acne lasers target bacteria, redness and scarring on the skin surface, not the internal hormonal trigger. While they can sterilize pores and stimulate collagen, they do not reduce androgen levels or oil gland activity. In hormonal acne, it’s the excess testosterone (or other hormones) continuously causing oil production; lasers cannot change that underlying imbalance.
Temporary Relief: Because lasers don’t fix the hormone root cause, any benefits can be short-lived. After a laser session, current pimples may shrink and redness may fade, but if your hormones remain high, new breakouts are likely to appear again after a few weeks. In practice, patients often see an improvement during the treatment period, only to have acne return once treatments stop.
Multiple Sessions Required: Effective acne laser treatment usually requires a series of sessions (often weekly or bi-weekly over 2–3 months). This can be burdensome and costly. In Bangkok, a full acne laser course might involve 6–10 visits, adding up to tens of thousands of baht. Busy people may find it hard to commit to this schedule.
Cost and Downtime: High-quality lasers and skilled operators are expensive. Patients may experience several hours of redness or swelling after certain laser types, meaning downtime from work or social activities. Some machines cause crusting or require cooling periods, which is inconvenient for urban lifestyles.
Side Effects and Risks: Even safe lasers carry some risk. On darker skin tones (common in Thailand), treatments like IPL or certain ablative lasers can cause hyperpigmentation (dark spots) or hypopigmentation (light spots) if not done perfectly. Overly aggressive treatment can lead to burns or prolonged redness. Many laser clinics are set up for lighter skin; without the right settings, Asian skin can react unpredictably.
Contraindications: Lasers are not suitable for everyone. For example, if someone has recently used isotretinoin (Accutane), they must wait at least 6–12 months before getting laser treatments, due to scarring risk. Pregnant women and nursing mothers are also usually advised to avoid laser therapy. This limits lasers’ availability.
Mixed Clinical Evidence: In fact, research on lasers for acne is mixed. Some small trials showed only modest improvement after one or two laser sessions, with no clear advantage over placebo in the short term. This suggests lasers alone may not “cure” acne. In other words, lasers can help with skin texture and some inflammation, but they rarely address the cycle of breakouts that hormonal triggers create.

In summary, laser treatment can be a valuable adjunct for acne (especially for reducing scarring or stubborn spots), but it is not a magic bullet for hormonal acne. It works on the symptoms (like redness and bacteria) rather than stopping the hormonal flare-ups. For someone whose acne flares every month, laser alone often isn’t enough – breakouts simply come back as hormones cycle. In practice, many dermatologists use lasers after controlling the acne with medication, not instead of it.

Laser therapies may be best used alongside other treatments (for instance, to improve scars after acne is mostly under control), but relying solely on lasers for a hormone-driven acne breakout can lead to disappointment, expense, and a cycle of re-treatment.

Why Roaccutane (Isotretinoin) May Not Be Ideal for Hormonal Acne

Roaccutane is a well-known brand of isotretinoin, the powerful oral retinoid that drastically reduces oil production. It can transform severe, cystic acne and is often called the “gold standard” for severe cases. However, isotretinoin has significant drawbacks that make it a challenging choice for many with hormonal acne:

Intense Side Effects: Isotretinoin shrinks the oil glands in your skin, which means your skin and lips will become very dry. Common side effects include chapped lips, dry eyes, nosebleeds, and skin peeling. Many patients experience muscle or joint aches, and some report mood swings, fatigue, or headaches. These side effects can be quite uncomfortable and may require additional therapy (such as moisturizers, eye drops, or pain relievers) during the course.
Strict Pregnancy Rules: The biggest drawback of isotretinoin for women is its extreme risk of birth defects. Even a single dose during early pregnancy can cause severe fetal abnormalities. Because of this, any woman of childbearing age must follow very strict rules: use two forms of birth control, take monthly pregnancy tests, and often enroll in a special monitoring program (like the iPLEDGE program in the USA). In Thailand and elsewhere, similar strict protocols apply. This makes the treatment regimen onerous and stressful for anyone planning a family. Many women prefer to avoid isotretinoin entirely rather than navigate this complex system.
Long Treatment Course and Monitoring: A typical course of isotretinoin lasts 4–6 months (or longer for severe cases). Patients need monthly doctor visits and blood tests to check cholesterol, liver enzymes, and pregnancy status. This can be inconvenient and anxiety-provoking. If any serious side effect appears (like high cholesterol or liver issues), the dose may need to be reduced or stopped. The cost of these doctor visits, blood tests, and the medication itself can be substantial.
Does Not Fix Hormonal Imbalance: Crucially, isotretinoin does not regulate hormones. It works by “turning off” oil glands, but it doesn’t stop your body from producing androgen hormones that triggered the acne in the first place. This means that in many hormonal acne cases, the benefit can be temporary. After finishing the Roaccutane course, once hormone levels remain high, some people find their acne slowly returns unless they continue some hormonal therapy. Essentially, isotretinoin clears the battlefield but doesn’t stop reinforcements from arriving.
Worsening Acne Initially: Often, acne can flare up at the start of treatment. As the drug mobilizes, patients sometimes see new pimples in the first month or two. This “initial breakout” can be discouraging, although it usually subsides as treatment continues.
Weight Gain and Metabolism: Some patients on isotretinoin report changes in weight and metabolism. A few may notice weight gain or an increase in appetite. While not as common as other side effects, it’s a concern for some.
Time-Limited “Fix”: Because isotretinoin is considered very aggressive, it’s typically used when acne is severe (deep, painful cysts) or persistent after other treatments have failed. For someone with moderate hormonal acne, doctors will often try gentler hormonal therapies first (for example, birth control pills or anti-androgen pills). Isotretinoin is often seen as a last resort, especially in women who may become pregnant later.
Emotional Considerations: Although controversial, some people report mood changes or depression on isotretinoin. Clinics usually screen for personal or family history of mental health issues before prescribing it. This psychological factor can make some patients wary.

Because of these factors, many patients and doctors regard isotretinoin as a “heavy-duty” option. It is not “bad,” but it demands a lot of the patient. For hormonal acne, an alternative path is often first attempted. For instance, anti-androgen medications (like spironolactone) and certain hormonal birth control pills can directly counteract the high testosterone or irregular cycles causing acne. Spironolactone, in particular, blocks androgen receptors in the skin and can significantly reduce hormonal flare-ups with a milder side-effect profile (some fluid loss, light menstrual changes, etc.). Unlike isotretinoin, spironolactone does not require pregnancy tests or cause severe dryness, making it easier to use long-term. Birth control pills that balance estrogen and progesterone can also regulate the monthly hormone swings that trigger breakouts.

In practice, many dermatologists will try these hormonal therapies first for young women with acne on the jawline. They reserve isotretinoin for those who don’t respond adequately. This reflects the view that while isotretinoin can cure acne, it doesn’t cure the underlying hormone issue. Once treatment stops, if hormones are still unbalanced, acne may restart.

In summary, although Roaccutane is extremely effective at reducing sebum and clearing severe acne, its potential toxicity, strict requirements, and the fact it doesn’t address hormonal triggers make it less than ideal as a first choice for typical hormonal acne. Patients often prefer an approach that safely regulates hormones or gently controls oil without the heavy “burden” of isotretinoin therapy.

Acne Clear Plus: A Comprehensive Solution for Hormonal Acne

In Bangkok’s crowded field of skincare clinics, Puttharaksa Aesthetic has distinguished itself with a multi-faceted acne program called Acne Clear Plus. Designed over 20 years and used by over 10,000 patients, Acne Clear Plus is not a single laser or pill, but a weekly regimen of professional treatments and home care. This holistic approach is well-suited to hormonal acne for several reasons:

Holistic, Root-Cause Approach

Puttharaksa’s philosophy is that acne requires attacking all contributing factors simultaneously. During the Acne Clear Plus program, each patient undergoes a detailed skin analysis and consultation. The staff discuss potential triggers – diet, stress, skincare habits – and adjust the regimen accordingly. By identifying the “root causes” (such as oily skin type, sensitivity, or lifestyle factors) and addressing them head-on, the program goes beyond symptomatic relief. For example, a specialist might recommend nutritional supplements or avoidance of certain foods that could exacerbate acne. This personalized plan ensures that while each in-clinic session is working on the skin, the patient’s everyday routine also supports healing.

Advanced In-Clinic Treatment

Every week, clients receive an Acne Care Facial that incorporates modern technologies and active ingredients:

Wave Phonophoresis and Nutrient Infusion: The cornerstone of Acne Care is a wave-generation machine (ultrasound phonophoresis). This device sends gentle ultrasonic waves into the skin, which significantly increases the penetration of acne-fighting serums and vitamins. In practice, this means that anti-inflammatory nutrients, vitamin complexes, and oil-regulating gels can reach deeper layers of the skin (dermis) more effectively than by topical application alone. For hormonal acne, this deep delivery helps calm the swollen, inflamed cysts that lie under the surface.
Anti-Acne Mask: After infusion, an anti-inflammatory mask is applied. This mask contains soothing ingredients (often botanical extracts or calming agents) that reduce redness and swelling of active acne. It’s particularly helpful for hormonal lesions, which are often red and painful. By applying the mask after nutrient infusion, the skin is both calmed and reinforced with moisture.
Skilled Extraction: One of the most immediate benefits of the Acne Clear Plus session is professional comedo extraction. Blackheads and whiteheads (comedones) are carefully removed using sterile tools. Many people underestimate this step, but unclogging pores is crucial. The program notes that simply using creams often leaves these hard clogs in place. By manually clearing them, the treatment prevents these blocked pores from turning into inflamed nodules. Experienced therapists at Puttharaksa perform this gently to avoid scarring and infection, a service that is difficult to replicate at home.
Monitoring and Adjustment: At each visit, the therapist assesses how the skin is responding. The products used in the session (gels, serums, etc.) are adjusted based on progress. If the skin becomes too dry or sensitive, milder formulations are chosen. This real-time customization ensures optimal results while avoiding irritation – a key consideration for sensitive or acne-prone skin.

Customized Home Skincare Regimen

An essential part of Acne Clear Plus is what happens between visits. After each session, patients are given three specialized creams to use at home daily. These typically include:

A Medicated Cleanser or Gel: Usually containing ingredients like benzoyl peroxide, azelaic acid, or mild retinoids to fight acne bacteria and prevent pore blockages. Its purpose is to continue killing acne-causing microbes.
A Nourishing Gel or Serum: Rich in vitamins and hydration (often containing hyaluronic acid or soothing extracts) to repair the skin barrier and calm any residual inflammation. This helps prevent the dryness that can sometimes accompany acne treatments.
A Protective Moisturizer or Barrier Cream: To keep the skin moisturized and balanced. Even oily or acne-prone skin needs hydration to function properly. A healthy skin barrier can resist new breakouts.

These creams are tailored to the individual: oil-free formulations for oily skin, extra soothing agents for sensitive skin, or acne-fighting actives for more stubborn cases. The patient uses them as instructed (usually morning, night, and/or post-treatment), and because they are low-irritant, even people prone to allergies or strong reactions can usually tolerate them. The home regimen ensures that the benefits of each weekly facial aren’t lost – the skin is consistently being treated and maintained.

Safe and Non-Invasive

Unlike intense lasers or systemic drugs, Acne Clear Plus is gentle and safe. Every step is non-invasive: ultrasound waves, topical masks, manual cleaning. There are no needles, pills, or incisions. This makes it suitable for almost everyone, including those who:

Have sensitive or reactive skin: The treatments actually focus on calming and repairing the skin, so they can help even when one is irritated.
Are pregnant or nursing: Because no systemic medication is used, there is no risk of harming a baby. Hormonal therapies like birth control or isotretinoin are off-limits during pregnancy, but Acne Clear Plus can safely continue.
Are concerned about downtime: After a session, patients might have mild redness (like a light sunburn) for a few hours, but they can usually return to work or daily activities immediately. There’s no peeling, no open wounds, and no prolonged recovery.
Wish to avoid side effects: There is virtually no risk of systemic side effects. No headaches, no birth defects risk, no mood swings. In fact, by strengthening the skin’s natural defenses, the program often leaves patients with a healthier complexion than before starting.

The clinic emphasizes that no one has experienced allergic reactions or permanent side effects from their Acne Clear Plus treatments over many years. This “safety first” approach is a stark contrast to the potential risks of isotretinoin or the burns sometimes seen with lasers.

Proven Results and Patient Satisfaction

Puttharaksa Aesthetic shares that their Acne Clear Plus program has consistent, high success rates. While individual results vary, the general outcomes they report include:

Rapid Early Improvement: About 90% of clients notice some improvement after the very first session. This might mean less swelling on a cyst, fewer new pimples forming, or visibly calmer skin. Experiencing early progress keeps patients motivated to continue.
Clear Skin in Months: For most patients who follow the treatment plan (weekly facials plus diligent home care), substantial clearing occurs within 3 months. The clinic cites that around 95% of dedicated patients are able to significantly resolve their acne in that timeframe. This aligns with typical multi-week acne programs elsewhere: results usually take a few treatment cycles because the skin needs time to regenerate and rebalance.
Improved Skin Quality: Beyond just “acne-free,” clients report smoother, more even-toned skin. The continuous nourishment and collagen stimulation help reduce fine lines and acne scars over time. Many patients say their skin feels “stronger” or more resilient.
High Patient Satisfaction: Testimonials and reviews for the Acne Clear Plus are largely positive. Clients often mention the supportive staff and noticeable results. They appreciate having a step-by-step plan rather than guessing which cream to apply or which facemask to try. The consistent professional guidance keeps them on track.
Longevity of Results: An important claim is that patients experience long-term benefits. Because the program works to prevent acne and improve the skin’s health, many report staying clear even after finishing the course. The recommendations given (like diet changes or hormone consultations) help maintain balance after treatment.

It’s worth noting that Puttharaksa is located in Bangkok’s Ekamai area, a convenient location for city residents. Their staff of trained dermal therapists and dermatologists keep up with the latest acne research. Patients often say they feel “heard” – the team customizes the program rather than pushing a one-size-fits-all solution.

Designed for Hormonal Acne

All of the above features make Acne Clear Plus particularly effective for hormonal acne:

Cycle-By-Cycle Management: Since the treatments occur weekly, the program provides continuous control. This means if a patient’s hormones flare up around their period, the next Acne Clear Plus session is right there to calm things down. In contrast, a one-time laser or a monthly pill might leave gaps where breakouts can exploit.
Focus on Lower Face and Inflammation: Therapists often concentrate on the jawline and chin area (where hormonal acne typically appears). The anti-inflammatory masks and infusions help quell painful cysts. Over time, the skin becomes less reactive to hormonal swings.
No Hormonal Suppression Needed: Unlike anti-androgen drugs, this approach does not suppress hormones, so it carries no hormone-related side effects. Instead, it fortifies the skin so hormones don’t affect it as much.
Skin Barrier Restoration: Hormonal acne and its treatments can damage the skin’s barrier, making it sensitive. By rehydrating and repairing the barrier, Acne Clear Plus prevents secondary breakouts due to irritation, a common issue with aggressive treatments.

In a practical sense, patients who have tried multiple topical creams or medications with little success often find that this program breaks the cycle. Even women with conditions like PCOS have reported clearer skin after following the regimen that targets their skin’s response to hormones, rather than trying to change the hormones themselves.

Choosing the Right Hormonal Acne Treatment in Bangkok

In Bangkok, men and women with hormonal acne have several avenues to explore. Laser treatments and isotretinoin each have their place in dermatology, but they alone may not fully cure hormonal acne. Lasers are excellent at refining skin texture and treating lingering scars, but they do not prevent the next flare-up. Isotretinoin can wipe out severe acne temporarily, yet it comes with significant risks and may not prevent a hormonal relapse once it’s stopped.

Puttharaksa Aesthetic’s Acne Clear Plus program stands out as a tailored, multi-step solution. By combining deep-cleansing facials, professional extractions, and personalized at-home care, it tackles acne comprehensively. For many patients, this means faster improvement with fewer side effects. The focus on safety, gradual improvement, and working with each person’s unique skin profile addresses the weaknesses of lasers and Roaccutane in dealing with hormones.

Key Takeaways:

Hormonal acne is best treated by managing oil production and inflammation consistently over time, not by one-time fixes.
Laser therapy often misses the hormonal root cause and usually needs to be repeated many times. It’s useful for scars but not a standalone cure for hormonal acne.
Roaccutane is very powerful but comes with strict requirements and side effects; it does not stop hormonal triggers and is typically reserved for severe, treatment-resistant cases.
Acne Clear Plus offers a balanced, patient-friendly approach: it cleans and calms the skin every week, while educating the patient on preventing new outbreaks. It can safely be used on all skin types and even during pregnancy, because it avoids systemic drugs.
As always, the best treatment depends on the individual. A qualified dermatologist or skin specialist in Bangkok can help determine the most appropriate plan. For many people, combining a professional program like Acne Clear Plus with lifestyle adjustments can provide the most reliable, long-term results in controlling hormonal acne.

Ultimately, those suffering from hormonal acne should seek a solution that goes beyond surface symptoms. With its track record and focus on “root cause” care, the Acne Clear Plus program from Puttharaksa Aesthetic is well-positioned to be an effective option for Bangkok residents looking for clear, healthy skin without the risks of aggressive therapies. As one satisfied client put it, this program doesn’t just “cover up” acne – it resolves it over time, leaving skin genuinely stronger and clearer.