Sebaceous Gland Ablation (SGA)

Sebaceous Gland Ablation is a treatment that offers acne affected teenagers and adults a non-medication, permanent solution for their acne. We are one of the very few clinics in Queensland to offer SGA treatments.

SGA is used to treat only those sebaceous glands affected by acne, we have thousands of sebaceous glands in our skin – approximately 1200 per square centimeter of skin.  Only a very small number of these sebaceous glands are affected by acne and breakout, even in the most severe cases of acne.

These overactive sebaceous glands are treated with a gentle electrical current or diathermy so that the sebaceous gland is destroyed. Once the sebaceous gland is “ablated” or destroyed, it can no longer break out. Only active acne can be treated as we use the inflamed breakout as a guide to finding the affected sebaceous glands.

SGA can be performed on any active acne lesion, from a lesion as small as a blackhead to lesions as large as cysts. Multiple treatments are generally required to ablate each sebaceous gland (between two and five treatments). Depending on the number of breakout affected sebaceous glands you have, it can take a number of treatments before you become permanently breakout free.

• Downtime: There is minimal downtime with this treatment. Single acne lesions which are treated temporarily become more inflamed but usually settle within 24-48 hours.
• Preparation: There is no particular preparation for this treatment, however, it is best to do it when active acne lesions are most inflamed.
• Approximate Cost: A single treatment of Sebaceous Gland Ablation is $280.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.