Medical Treatments · Skin & Lasers · IN Eternity Clinic
Luminescence Laser in Singapore
A non-ablative laser protocol that aims to remodel scar collagen beneath an intact surface, with settings calibrated for Asian skin and a short social downtime.
Written & medically reviewed by Dr Sin Yong · 8 October 2026
Quick answer
- A non-ablative laser protocol that aims to remodel scar collagen beneath an intact surface, with settings calibrated for Asian skin and a short social downtime.
- Used for: Keloid Scars, Surgical & Injury Scars.
- Performed by: Dr Sin Yong at IN Eternity Clinic, 9 Scotts Road, Pacific Plaza (beside Orchard MRT).
- Enquire: SkinRev Lab, CityLink Mall (City Hall MRT) passes enquiries to the clinic, or contact IN Eternity Clinic directly on +65 8815 3008.
- Suitability, number of sessions and pricing are decided at consultation; individual results vary.
Luminescence is Dr Sin Yong's own non-ablative laser protocol at IN Eternity Clinic. For people researching Luminescence laser in Singapore, it is easiest to think of it as a collagen-remodelling treatment for scars and skin quality: laser energy is delivered into the dermis, where scar tissue sits, while the outer layer of skin is left intact. Its energy settings are calibrated for Fitzpatrick skin types III to VI, the range most common in Singapore.
On this site it is listed for surgical and injury scars and as one part of a plan for keloid scars. Within the same session, Dr Sin Yong can also include a lifting step drawn from his Time Freeze Laser LCLR® protocol when skin laxity is part of the concern. It is not a single fixed recipe: the passes, energy and spacing are chosen for the scar's type, age, colour and location.
How it works
The mechanism,
in plain English
Scars form when the body repairs a wound with collagen that is laid down quickly and in a disorganised way. A non-ablative laser heats this collagen without breaking the skin surface. The controlled heat prompts a fresh repair response: old, tightly packed fibres are gradually broken down and replaced, and new collagen is laid down in a more organised pattern. Over months, scars can become softer, flatter and closer in texture and colour to the surrounding skin.
Because the surface is not removed, there is no open wound to care for, which keeps downtime short and lowers the risk of infection. The trade-off is that change is gradual and each session does less than an ablative laser would. For raised scars, especially keloids, laser is used as an adjunct: keloids grow beyond the original wound and are driven by tension, inflammation and genetics, so they are usually managed with a combination of methods, such as scar-softening injections into the scar, silicone and pressure, with laser as one part.
“A keloid is managed, not erased: laser can be one part of the plan, but it is rarely the whole plan.”
— Dr Sin Yong, IN Eternity Clinic
- Energy / device
- Proprietary non-ablative laser protocol, calibrated for skin types III–VI
- Target layer
- Scar collagen in the dermis beneath an intact epidermis
- Typical session
- Varies with scar size; numbing cream is applied 20–30 minutes beforehand
- Downtime
- Mild redness for a few hours; some dryness or slight swelling for one to three days
- Performed by
- Dr Sin Yong, IN Eternity Clinic
Is it right for you
Who it suits,
and who it does not
Luminescence laser in Singapore suits people with surgical scars, such as from caesarean sections, mole removal or other operations, and injury scars that are flat, slightly raised, red or textured, who want gradual improvement without wound care. It is particularly worth considering for scars that are a few months old, when the remodelling phase is still active. People with keloids may have it included as part of a broader plan after a doctor confirms the diagnosis and discusses injections and other measures.
It is not a stand-alone treatment for keloids that are growing, itchy or painful, which need medical treatment of the keloid first. Deep, tethered or sunken scars usually need subcision, fractional CO₂ or a combined approach. Scars that are still open, infected or very new need to heal first. Treatment is deferred during a tan, in pregnancy, with light-sensitising medicines, and when there is active eczema or infection in the area. Anyone with a scar that changes in an unexpected way should have it examined, as not every bump in a scar is scar tissue.
What to expect
Consultation, session
and aftercare
At consultation, Dr Sin Yong examines the scar's type, height, colour, firmness and age, and asks about itch, pain and how it has changed. He confirms whether it is a normal, hypertrophic or keloid scar, because that changes the plan. He will explain where laser fits, what else may be combined, and what improvement is realistic. A course is usually planned at consultation, with sessions spaced weeks apart.
During the session, numbing cream and cooling are used, and most people describe a warm or lightly prickling feeling. Afterwards, the area is usually mildly red for a few hours, with no scabbing or open wound. Some people feel dryness, tightness or slight swelling for a day or three. Make-up can usually be applied the same day. Retinoids are paused briefly, and scars on sun-exposed areas should be protected with sunscreen.
Where this happens
Assessment and non-invasive care — SkinRev Lab, CityLink Mall #B1-28, 1 Raffles Link, Singapore 039393. Underground from City Hall MRT and Esplanade MRT; a short walk from Raffles Place, Marina Bay, Suntec and Bugis. Open daily 11am–8pm.
Medical treatment — IN Eternity Clinic, 9 Scotts Road, #12-01 Pacific Plaza, Singapore 228210, beside Orchard MRT (three stops from City Hall on the North-South line). Mon–Sat 11am–8pm, closed Sunday. Treatments are performed by Dr Sin Yong. WhatsApp +65 8815 3008.
Enquiries to SkinRev Lab about medical treatments are passed to IN Eternity Clinic, where Dr Sin Yong performs them.
Clinic page: Luminescence Laser at IN Eternity Clinic ↗
What the research says
The evidence,
with sources
A systematic review of 25 studies of early laser treatment, started within three months of a wound, found that laser-treated scars generally showed benefit, including with non-ablative fractional erbium-glass lasers, although results did not always reach significance and study quality was mixed. In contrast, a randomised split-scar study of a non-ablative fractional laser on established hypertrophic scars found no significant difference on blinded physician assessment, although patients rated the treated side as looking better. Together these suggest non-ablative lasers are more promising for younger scars and texture than for thick, established raised scars.
For hypertrophic and keloid scars, a Cochrane review of 15 randomised studies found low-certainty evidence that pulsed-dye laser improves these scars compared with no treatment, and very low-certainty evidence for non-ablative fractional and CO₂ lasers. An updated treatment algorithm for keloids recommends multimodal therapy, with scar-softening injections, silicone, pressure and, for selected cases, surgery with adjuvant therapy, and long-term follow-up. This is why Luminescence is presented as one part of a scar plan rather than a stand-alone cure.
References
- Karmisholt KE, Haerskjold A, Karlsmark T, et al. Early laser intervention to reduce scar formation - a systematic review. J Eur Acad Dermatol Venereol. 2018;32(7):1099-1110.
- Verhaeghe E, Ongenae K, Bostoen J, et al. Nonablative fractional laser resurfacing for the treatment of hypertrophic scars: a randomized controlled trial. Dermatol Surg. 2013;39(3 Pt 1):426-434.
- Leszczynski R, da Silva CA, Pinto ACPN, et al. Laser therapy for treating hypertrophic and keloid scars. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2022;9(9):CD011642.
- Ogawa R. The most current algorithms for the treatment and prevention of hypertrophic scars and keloids: a 2020 update of the algorithms published 10 years ago. Plast Reconstr Surg. 2022;149(1):79e-94e.
Common questions
Your questions,
answered
How much does Luminescence laser in Singapore cost at IN Eternity Clinic?
Pricing is given at consultation at IN Eternity Clinic, because it depends on the size and number of scars, their type and whether other treatments such as injections are part of the plan. Keloids and hypertrophic scars often need a combination over time, so it helps to discuss the whole plan rather than the cost of a single laser session.
Can the Luminescence laser remove a keloid?
No laser can remove a keloid on its own. Keloids extend beyond the original wound and can recur, so they are usually managed with a combination such as scar-softening injections into the scar, silicone sheets or gel, pressure and, in selected cases, surgery with additional treatment. Laser may help soften texture and colour as part of that plan. A doctor first confirms that the scar is a keloid.
When should I start laser on a surgical scar?
Once the wound has fully closed and any stitches are out, a doctor can assess the scar. Research on early laser treatment suggests scars treated in the first few months often respond, because the skin is still actively remodelling. Older scars can still improve, but change tends to be slower. Your surgeon's own aftercare advice should be followed alongside any laser plan.
Is there downtime after Luminescence?
Usually very little. The area is typically mildly red for a few hours, with no scabbing or open wounds, and make-up can usually be worn the same day. Some people feel dryness, tightness or slight swelling for one to three days. Avoid strong sun on treated scars and pause retinoids briefly. Any unexpected blistering or darkening should be reported.
How many sessions will my scar need?
This depends on the scar's type, size, age and colour, and on how it responds, so a course is planned at consultation rather than fixed before it is seen. Sessions are spaced weeks apart to give collagen time to remodel. Raised scars often need other treatments alongside, and improvement continues gradually for months after the last session.
How is Luminescence different from fractional CO₂ laser?
Luminescence is non-ablative: it heats scar collagen beneath an intact surface, so recovery is quick but change is gradual. Fractional CO₂ is ablative: it removes microscopic columns of skin, which can do more for thick or textured scars but usually means about a week of crusting and a higher risk of pigment change in Asian skin. Dr Sin Yong chooses based on the scar and your downtime.
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