Regina Chow - Singapore Fashion, Beauty, Lifestyle & Travel Blog: aesthetics

The Wellness Clinic Aesthetics Review

Saturday, June 11, 2016

If there is one feature on your face that you could change, what would it be? I am actually pretty contented with what I have but if there is something that I could change, that would be my skin! I've been plagued by pigmentation on my upper cheeks for ages (I conceal it with CC cream so you can't tell) and most of the aesthetic clinics that I have visited in the past told me that it would be challenging to get rid of it completely.

Well, that was until The Wellness Clinic (TWC) Aesthetics came into the picture.

When I had my first consultation with Dr Ram, he gave me the assurance that it is possible to address my pigmentation issues with a comprehensive treatment plan. Wow, I can't believe I nearly gave up hope and was almost resigned to the idea that these dark spots will stick with me for life. Thanks to Dr Ram and TWC Aesthetics, I can finally see some light at the end of the tunnel.

Dr Ram's affable and easygoing disposition put me at ease right away. He is a wonderful listener who pays careful attention to what your needs and preferences are instead of simply promoting his products and services. I have met doctors who gave me the "only I know what's good for you" vibe, but with Dr Ram, you wouldn't get any of that. He also goes the extra mile to ensure that you are comfortable with his suggestions every step of the way, which is why I knew right from the start that I would be in safe hands.

He recommended that I undergo a series of laser treatments supplemented by oral medication after I return to Singapore for good later this year. Meanwhile, a suitable skincare range is also of utmost importance to prep my skin for the treatments that lie ahead.

I have been using this range of skincare products exclusively manufactured by Dr Ram for about 3 weeks now and while my pigmentation is still there, I do notice that some have gotten slightly lighter. That to me, is a good sign!

I love the gel-based products as they glide on to my skin effortlessly and feel absolutely feather-light. These are just perfect for brightening my skin while keeping it hydrated in our humid climate.

As Dr Ram was aware that I would be traveling for a couple of months and my skin was already looking dull and tired after months of traveling, I was treated to a session of double-yellow laser treatment that helps with skin rejuvenation before I took off again last month. My skin was much smoother and more supple after one session. It took just 15 minutes and the process was very comfortable. There was no pain, no shocking pulses of light, and no downtime. The effects are similar to that of a facial without extractions. This is a great lunchtime treatment as you can pop in and out of the clinic, grab a quick bite before heading back to the office with beautiful, glowing skin!

I am not going to lie. The fact is, treatment for pigmentation is a long-drawn process. One laser treatment is not going to make those spots disappear forever but I did have very smooth baby soft skin that lasted more than just a couple of weeks! Patience is key, and hard work matters too for optimal results. I don't deny that there are times when I neglect my skincare routine because all I want to do at the end of the day is jump right into bed. Then my skin goes out of whack, turns completely dull and horror of horrors, the dark spots appear darker thanks to my duller complexion. Prevention is better than cure. So remember, always be conscientious when it comes to skincare. ;)

I can't wait to get back to Singapore to kick start the series of laser treatments. Everyone's skin reacts differently to the same treatment and I hope what has worked well for most patients would work equally well for me.

For more real-time updates and to keep track of my skin's progress, do follow me on my instagram account (@reginachow_sg).

*****

Two Complimentary Consultations at TWC Aesthetics Clinic

Quote my name "Regina" when you call +65 6887 3073 to book an appointment with Dr Ram and you'll enjoy two complimentary consultations!

*****

Waistline Reduction with Liposonix Treatment at SL Clinic

Wednesday, January 06, 2016

I have received a lot of love this Christmas and New Year, and while I treasure the care from loved ones, there is another type of love that leaves me quite in despair. Yes, I am indeed referring to one of the worst types of love - love handles!

This "love" has been surrounding my waist for many months, given my hectic schedule with no time to exercise and a lot of stress-fuelled late night binging. With more yet to come in the upcoming Lunar New Year festivities, I am sure that many of you are experiencing the same despair as me.

Hence, I was really excited when I learnt of Liposonix treatment, introduced by Dr Gabriel Wong at SL Clinic.

Dr Gabriel Wong

Here's Dr Gabriel who put me at ease instantly and made the entire consultation and treatment process less nerve-wrecking for me!

What is Liposonix?

Liposonix is a fat reduction treatment that uses high-intensity focused ultrasound technology to permanently target and destroy the stubborn fat. Yes - it targets the stubborn fat areas beneath the skin! This means that the skin is not harmed at all, as only the fat tissue beneath the skin is permanently destroyed. It can be used on areas such as the abdomen, thighs and back.

Liposonix treatment has 10 years of research and testing behind its development. It has a well-defined safety profile during and after treatment with very good patient satisfaction, and it has been available in Europe, Japan and Canada for several years. It was available in the US starting in January 2012.

Is it the same as Liposuction? (i.e. sucking fat out of the body)

No, not at all! Liposonix treatment is non-surgical and non-invasive, with little to no downtime. What it does is it uses advanced ultrasound energy (the same energy source as diagnostic ultrasound) to very precisely target specific areas with high energy to destroy fat cells, where there is at least 1.0 cm of subcutaneous adipose tissue beyond the selected focal depth setting of the system.

It can help you lose one dress or pant size without surgery, but if you are looking for crazy huge reductions associated with surgical liposuction, then please do have a consultation with the doctor to talk about your specific situation. However, the great news is that it does not have the uneven or lumpy results that you see from Liposuction, nor saggy skin. It is also customizable to address specific problem areas.

Why SL Clinic?

Dr Gabriel was very professional, yet really sweet and gentlemanly. His easy-going demeanor makes it a breeze to share your concerns without feeling shy or insecure and he dispenses sincere, genuine advice. I would highly encourage everyone to give him a call for consultation. After all, having treated many patients with Liposonix, Dr Gabriel knows what is best for you. You can also rest assured that the cost for Liposonix at SL Clinic is the lowest per treatment area.

What is my main area of concern?

My main area of concern was my abdomen and you can see the problem areas here (*sob*):

Problem area - Abdomen

Dr Gabriel explained that he would put the head of the Liposonix device on the area to be treated - which would be the black dots that he meticulously measured out to ensure the entire abdomen was covered.

Problem area - Abdomen (side view)

The fat is permanently destroyed after one treatment. For the abdomen, the session is typically one hour. What happens is that after high-intensity ultrasound energy is focused on the targeted areas, the body naturally removes the treated fat, leaving a thinner, more contoured waistline.

Problem area - Abdomen (side view)

Does this side view look familiar to you? I know many of us all have this issue with our tummy peaking out on top of pants/skirts/outfits.

Dr Gabriel said that the treatment is ideal for active healthy individuals who have at least 1 inch or 2.5 cm of fat to lose in their abdomen or flanks, and there are noticeable results after just one treatment. I was definitely excited to say "bye bye" to this side view..... permanently!

Liposonix Treatment Machine

What is the treatment like?

Honestly, I was rather afraid because the most frequently reported side effects during Liposonix treatment are pain, discomfort, prickling, tingling, or warmth.

And let me be upfront here - there will be discomfort. This is, after all, fat-busting using advanced technology. But as they say - no pain, no gain. To get rid of stubborn fats that are literally so difficult to remove, this is really the least amount of effort. Yes, it is worth it!

Can you see the water spray in Dr Gabriel's hand? Water will be applied continuously during the treatment as this reduces the heat.

The intensity of the Liposonix ultrasound energy will also be adjusted according to your threshold - the highest intensity was used on me as my threshold for pain is relatively high. The areas that gave a greater tingle were the sides of the lower abdomen but the rest of the areas were less of an issue for me, thankfully.

After meticulously applying the treatment to every one of my problem areas, I finished my first session! There was a slight tingle for certain dots, but Dr Gabriel assured that this was common for all patients as the treatment did its work, and there would be mild pain or discomfort and bruising for a few weeks. Fortunately for me, I did not experience any redness or swelling. Most importantly, this meant that the stubborn fats have been destroyed! Yay!

At the end of the session, the questions on everyone's mind is definitely:

How long will it take before I see results?

The good news is, most people see maximum results in 8 to 12 weeks, as this is the time it takes for the body to naturally remove the fat cells that were destroyed during treatment.

On average, you can expect to lose one dress or pant size (1 inch or 2.5 cm reduction), and studies show an average waistline reduction of at least one inch.

It has been 8 weeks since I did the treatment ,and guess what, I already physically felt the results in week 6 when I realised that I could zip up my skirt and pants easily (I could not even pull the zipper up fully last time!)

Do I need to do any special post-care?

I literally walked out of the door and resumed my normal activities. There was no downtime at all except for the tingles. There is no need to do anything out of the ordinary, but of course as every good doctor will recommend, we should maintain or improve the diet and lifestyle that we had before treatment. The targeted cells are permanently destroyed, but surrounding fat cells can grow, which is why the best way to achieve optimal results is to maintain a healthy lifestyle thereafter (yes, we can!).

For those of you who have stubborn fat that you wish to get rid of without having to undergo surgery, Liposonix treatment is an alternative solution that you might want to consider.

SL Clinic has three branches in Singapore, conveniently located at Plaza Singapura, Wheelock Place and Jurong Point respectively.

Cheers to a 2016 ahead full of love...... and best of all, no more love handles! Thank you once again to Dr Gabriel for the treatment!

*****

SL Clinic

Website:
www.skinlabmedspa.com

Plaza Singapura branch

Address:
68 Orchard Road #03-33 Plaza Singapura

Tel:
6336 1106

Opening Hours:
10 am to 9.30 pm

Wheelock Place branch

Address:
501 Orchard Road #04-04 Wheelock Place

Tel:
6235 3246

Opening Hours:
10 am to 9.30 pm

Jurong Point branch

Address:
1 Jurong West Central 2 #B1-62 Jurong Point Shopping Centre

Tel:
6316 2246

Opening Hours:
10 am to 9.30 pm

You can also find out more about Liposonix here.

[This post was written by Isabelle, a permanent writer on Shopping Queen's Haven.]

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About the writer Isabelle:

An MBTI personality profile that believes in making the world a better place (one starfish at a time), Isabelle is a communications professional who enjoys creating good memories for others, and balances realism with a healthy dose of joie de vivre and can-do positivity.

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Celevenus Wellness & Aesthetics

Tuesday, October 01, 2013

I was invited by Celevenus Wellness & Aesthetics to try out their anti-ageing aesthetic treatments recently. Helmed by Dr Dylan Chau, who is able to blend science and artistry to bring out the best in his patients, Celevenus specializes in aesthetic treatments to reverse the effects of aging, achieve clearer, more radiant skin as well as improve facial contours and features.

I was certain that I was in good hands as Dr Dylan Chau has 9 years of experience in medical aesthetics and is well versed in resolving dermatological problems as well as administering anti-aging treatments. He is also a Sculptra trainer for doctors. Sculptra is one of the latest and most revolutionary treatments in the realm of anti-aging treatments.

Age has taken its toll on me now that I am past 30, and I can feel that my skin is beginning to lose elasticity and firmness. One of the most noticeable telltale signs of aging on my face has manifested in the form of more pronounced nasolabial folds, and I have been thinking of doing fillers for these deep lines.

Nasolabial folds are the lines that run from the sides of your nose to your lips, also more commonly known as smile lines. Did you know that nasolabial folds deepen over time because our cheeks sag with age? Smiling and facial expressions are contributing factors too, but they are most certainly not the main cause.

Nasolabial folds can make one look older than he or she actually is, and they are a pain to get rid of because unlike wrinkles, topical creams or moisturizers have no effect on these stubborn lines. The most common way to minimize their appearance is through aesthetic procedures such as fillers.

I was a little nervous during my consultation session with Dr Chau as I have never done any aesthetics treatments previously, but Dr Chau put me at ease instantly as he listened patiently and attentively to my concerns about my deepening nasolabial folds before going on to explain how fillers could be used to plump up the folds and improve their appearance. I liked how consultative and informative the entire session was. He also gave a detailed explanation of what I could expect after the treatment. As my cheekbones are pretty high and I have rather full cheeks, Dr Chau candidly shared that my nasolabial folds would not go away completely. Nevertheless, there would still be a visible difference.

I also took the opportunity to ask Dr Chau for his expert opinion on my facial proportions. He felt that my features were generally fine, but if I wanted to, I could add some height to my nose bridge and sculpt the tip of my nose. In addition, I could also consider botox to reduce my slightly squarish jaw for a sharper face shape and Sculptra for my tear trough. I have to admit I was tempted to try out all these procedures, but given that I have never done any aesthetic treatments previously, I decided to take it slow and address my nasolabial folds first.

As I had an important event to attend shortly after my consultation, I scheduled another appointment for the procedure to be done on a separate day. If you like, you can go ahead with the procedure immediately after consultation.

This is a 'before' picture of myself on the day of the procedure, after the approachable and friendly staff at the clinic prepped my nasolabial folds with numbing cream.

Here I was, all numbed up and ready for the procedure.

Dr Chau used the latest Juvéderm^® VOLUMA^® Lidocaine for my treatment. The addition of Lidocaine reduces pain and provides additional comfort during and after treatment.

Juvéderm^® VOLUMA^® with Lidocaine is hyaluronic acid facial filler specifically made to restore lost facial volume in the cheeks, cheekbones and chin. It uses hyaluronic acid, a sugar that occurs naturally in our skin, to add fullness to areas that need more support or enhancement. Developed to be smoother than other hyaluronic acid facial volumizers, it is also easier to inject during filler treatment. Juvéderm^® VOLUMA^® with Lidocaine was developed with VYCROSS™ technology to deliver a natural look and feel that can last up to 18 months.

Most importantly, Juvéderm^® VOLUMA^® is unlikely to result in lumpiness or product migration, both of which are common side effects of other facial fillers.

I was told that the nasolabial folds are one of the more painful areas for injection but Dr Chau administered the procedure expertly and skillfully with utmost precision, resulting in minimal pain. In fact, the filler injection felt more like tiny ant bites.

Dr Chau also chatted with me throughout the entire duration of the procedure, which was very reassuring and comforting.

The following pictures will give you a better idea of what to expect during the procedure. Essentially, the fillers were injected directly into my nasolabial folds at three different points on each side.

As I bleed easily, Dr Chau shared that I am likely to be more inclined to bruising. The key to reducing bruising is to apply pressure at the injection site immediately after injection.

And there, my right nasolabial fold was done in the blink of an eye. Can you tell that the fold is almost gone?

My left nasolabial fold is much deeper in comparison, partly due to the way my lips tend to curl up towards the left when I smile, hence a larger quantity of JUVÉDERM^® VOLUMA™ was required to plump it up sufficiently.

Now, here are the final results. The photo on the left is my 'before' picture and the one on the right was taken immediately after the procedure.

I went out immediately for an event after the procedure as I did not experience any swelling or bruising till the end of the next day. The clinic called me the very next day to check on me as well, which I felt was a very thoughtful gesture. The bruising lasted a couple of days, but all I needed was a touch of foundation and concealer.

Here's another comparison of my 'before' picture with the final results after 2 weeks:

Before

After

Pictures say a thousand words. I like how my cheeks look lifted now thanks to my less obvious nasolabial folds, which also contributes to a more youthful appearance.

What I really liked about the treatment was that it naturally enhanced my looks without drastically altering my overall appearance. My friends and family could not tell that I had anything done to my face, but many of them commented that I looked fresher and younger. Just so you know as well, the pictures in this post were not digitally enhanced.

I am very satisfied with the final results and I know I have Dr Dylan Chau to thank for reversing the effects of aging and restoring my youth. I would highly recommend Dr Chau for any of your dermatological or aesthetics concerns. In fact, as you are reading this, I have already made plans to head back to Celevenus for a round of laser treatments to address my skin pigmentation issues. ;)

Celevenus Wellness & Aesthetics

Address:
391B Orchard Road
#16-03/04 Ngee Ann City Tower B
Singapore 238874

Tel:
+65 6410 9621 / +65 6410 9622

Email:
beauty@celevenus.com.sg

Website:
http://www.celevenus.com.sg/