Advanced skin, hair and nail care in a family medicine clinic
Skin problems are extremely common. They can itch, hurt, leave marks, affect sleep and confidence, and sometimes signal deeper health issues. In Singapore’s climate, conditions such as eczema, fungal infections, acne and pigmentation are part of everyday life. Many of these can be safely and effectively managed in a well-equipped family medicine clinic, without having to go straight to a hospital or specialist centre.
At Kenneth Tan Medical Clinic, skin, hair and nail conditions are a core part of our work. In addition to training as a Family Physician, Dr Tan has completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Clinical Dermatology from Queen Mary University of London, providing deeper exposure to dermatological conditions across different age groups and skin types. This additional training builds on a strong family medicine foundation, rather than replacing it.
We are a family medicine clinic, not a specialist dermatology centre. That means we look after your skin in the wider context of your general health, other medical conditions and family situation, and we stay with you over time rather than only at one point in your journey.
A family medicine clinic with extra training in skin
Dermatologists are organ-specific specialists who focus on complex skin disease, advanced procedures and hospital-based therapies. A Family Physician with extra dermatology training plays a complementary role.
We are often the first doctors you see when a new rash, spot, hair or nail problem appears. For many common and moderately complex conditions, we can make the diagnosis, start treatment and follow you up in the clinic. Because we also manage your other conditions – such as diabetes, thyroid problems, asthma, joint pains or mood disorders – we are used to balancing skin treatment with the rest of your health, and with your existing medications.
In chronic conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, acne, urticaria and pigmentary disorders, the main work is not only choosing the right cream or tablet. It is helping you use treatments correctly, identifying triggers over time, managing stress and sleep, setting realistic expectations and preventing over- or under-treatment. These are all areas where a long-term relationship with a Family Physician is especially valuable.
When a condition is severe, atypical, not responding as expected, or when we see features that worry us, we will discuss this clearly and arrange timely referral to a dermatologist or other relevant specialist. Our role is to treat what is appropriate in primary care, and to recognise early when you would benefit from specialist input.
Care for different skin types and life stages
Skin disease can look and behave differently in different skin tones. Pigmentation, scarring and post-inflammatory marks are particularly important concerns in our local population. In our clinic, we pay attention to how conditions present in darker and lighter skin, how scratching and certain products affect pigmentation, and how best to minimise long-term marks while still treating inflammation effectively.
Skin problems also change across the life course. We see infant rashes and childhood eczema, teenage acne, occupational hand dermatitis, pigmentation concerns in adulthood, and sun-related changes later in life. Because we are a family medicine practice, we often look after several members of the same family and can recognise shared patterns of skin sensitivity, allergies and lifestyle triggers.
We also look out for skin signs that may be clues to internal disease, such as diabetes, thyroid problems, inflammatory arthritis or connective tissue disease. When we pick up such clues, we will explain our concerns and recommend further tests or referrals where appropriate.
Conditions we commonly look after
In daily practice we manage a broad range of skin, hair and nail concerns.
These include inflammatory conditions such as acne (from blackheads and whiteheads to more inflamed or scarring acne), rosacea with facial redness and flushing, and different forms of eczema and dermatitis affecting the face, scalp, hands, body or flexures. We see patients with psoriasis and other chronic rashes, and pay attention to how these conditions affect comfort, sleep, self-esteem and work.
We treat many skin infections – fungal infections such as ringworm and athlete’s foot, yeast infections in skin folds, bacterial infections like impetigo, and viral problems such as common warts and molluscum contagiosum. In hair and scalp disease, we see different patterns of hair loss, including androgenetic alopecia, telogen effluvium and alopecia areata, as well as dandruff, seborrhoeic scalp conditions and folliculitis.
Nail problems are also common, from fungal nail infection to changes related to psoriasis, trauma or systemic disease. Pigmentation issues such as melasma and post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation are frequent concerns, especially on the face, and we take into account sun exposure, hormones, skin type and previous treatments when planning care.
We see skin conditions in children – including infant rashes, cradle cap, childhood eczema and viral rashes – as well as conditions affecting the lips, mouth and genital area. For more unusual, rapidly progressive or severe problems, such as suspected blistering diseases, vasculitis, complex ulcers or lesions that may represent skin cancer, we perform an initial assessment and then refer promptly to specialist services for further investigation and management.
In-clinic treatment and when we refer
Depending on your condition and its severity, treatment in our clinic may include prescription creams, gels, lotions, shampoos and other topical preparations; oral medications where indicated; and practical advice on skincare routines, sun protection and product choice tailored to your skin type and budget. We also perform minor procedures for suitable benign lesions, such as removal of skin tags and certain superficial moles, after appropriate assessment.
For treatments that go beyond what is appropriate or safe in primary care – for example complex excisions, advanced laser work, phototherapy or systemic immunosuppressive or biologic therapies – we will advise you and help link you to suitable dermatology or surgical services. After specialist treatment has been started, we are happy to continue shared care and follow-up in the community where appropriate.
Our focus is always to choose options that are effective, safe in the context of your other health issues, and realistic for you to maintain over the long term.
What to expect during a skin consultation
A skin-focused consultation usually begins with a detailed conversation. We will ask when the problem started, how it has changed over time, what treatments or home remedies you have tried, and whether anything seems to trigger flares or make things better. We also ask about your general health, medications, work and hobbies, because exposures at home or at work often play a role.
We then examine the affected areas, and when relevant, a wider area of skin, hair or nails. With your consent, we may use dermoscopy to examine particular lesions more closely. In many cases, we can make a diagnosis based on this assessment alone. Sometimes, we may recommend investigations such as skin scrapings, swabs, blood tests or biopsies (the latter usually performed in collaboration with a dermatologist or surgeon).
After we have gathered enough information, we will explain our assessment in clear, straightforward language, discuss the likely diagnosis and outline a treatment plan. Skin conditions often improve gradually rather than overnight; we will set realistic expectations about how long it may take to see change, what kind of response to look for, and when to come back for review. If it becomes clear over time that a condition is not behaving as expected, we will reconsider the diagnosis and, if necessary, discuss referral options with you.
Why start with a Family Physician for skin concerns?
For many people, it makes sense to start with a Family Physician for skin problems. Common issues such as acne, eczema, fungal infections, pigmentation problems, scalp conditions and many rashes can be diagnosed and managed effectively in primary care. Seeing your Family Physician is often more convenient, more affordable and easier to integrate with your other health needs.
Because we care for you over the long term, we can also work with you to identify patterns and triggers, support changes in habits, and adjust treatment plans as your life circumstances and priorities evolve. When we feel that your condition would benefit from specialist procedures, hospital-based treatments or more detailed investigation, we will explain why and help you access suitable dermatology services, while continuing to look after your overall health in the background.
Book a skin consultation
If you are troubled by a persistent rash, acne, pigmentation, hair loss, nail changes or any other skin concern, it is usually better to seek assessment early than to wait and worry.
You can book an appointment online or call us to speak with our staff.
If possible, bring along any creams or medications you are currently using, and photographs of how the condition looked at its worst if it tends to fluctuate. This helps us understand the full picture and plan the best way forward together.