Aesthetics & Beauty Guide (ABG) is the first aesthetics magazine from Singapore to bridge the information gap between medical professionals and the layman. In every issue, you will find detailed treatment reviews , the lowdown on the latest aesthetic treatments available and profiles of qualified medical professionals – basically, your go-to guide for all things aesthetics.

I started ReviewAntiAging.com last year in my personal pursuit to look for the best aesthetic treatments for myself. My partnership with ABG has allowed me to share my vast experience with a wider pool of women (and men!).  In the name of “work”, I’ve reviewed almost 20 treatments and looking at my skin now – smooth, radiant and taut, I’m definitely a big believer that aesthetic treatments can help you get better skin and maintain your complexion for many years to come.

In this inaugural issue of ABG, you’ll get a crash course in Aesthetics 101, reviews of the latest and most effective aesthetic treatments, hear from Dr Georgia Lee as she talks about her new skincare range, get all your acne questions answered by renown dermatologist, Dr Joyce Lim, get the skinny on the newest slimming treatments to get rid of your wobbly bits, and many more health and beauty tips.

ABG is available at all major newstands and bookstores, get your copy before it’s sold out (I hear that Kino and Borders have had to replenish and copies are being stolen from doctors’ clinics)!

I often hear from my readers that they think that aesthetic treatments are too expensive or only relegated to tai-tais. That is just a myth as prices are really competitive now (check out this amazing promotion and my review!) and people from all walks of life are discovering the benefits of aesthetic treatments (look out for my interview next Friday in IS magazine!).

Shirleen Ho

One example is Shirleen Ho, a digital traffic manager and beauty blogger at Womenlovebeauty.com who has been doing aesthetic treatments for the last eight years. Shirleen is also 42 years old! Doesn’t she look much younger? Aesthetic treatments must really be working well for her! Here, she shares her experiences with her aesthetic treatments:

1. When did you start doing aesthetic treatments?

- Eight years ago, in my 30s.

2. What did you do and were you happy with the results?

- I started with microdermabrasion and IPL and were happy with both. This combination treatment made my skin glow.

3. What treatments have you done so far?

- Other than the two above, I have done Titan, Thermage, Fraxel (only eye areas), Pixel, Pigment laser (on cheeks), CO2 laser (only nasolabial fold), Radio Frequency, Botox (on my chin, forehead & brows) and Fillers.

4. Favourite treatment? Least favourite treatment? Why?

- Favourite treatment is probably IPL as I had great results. Least favourite – Pixel laser as I didn’t see any results and Botox on the chin area for face slimming. There was no different before and after the treatment.

5. Advice for women who are thinking of trying aesthetic treatments?

- Do your homework. First, identify what is your skin concern, find out what the various treatments available are, do research on reviews of these treatments then select the ideal doctor to perform the treatment.

SlimLine POD

It looks like a cross between a cocoon and a time-travel machine and is touted as the latest, most technologically-advanced weight loss machine.

The SlimLine POD is a personal spa environment capsule that incorporates heat, oxygen, vibratory massage amd LED light into a powerful system that provides a “Metabolic Solution” to complement your exercise programme to help you lose weight and keep it off.

Regular use of the  SlimLine POD is said to:

- Promote weight loss

- Burn excessive calories

- Reduce cellulite

- Increase metabolic rate

- Reduce water retention

Intrigued? So am I. Watch out for my review next week

A medical spa is a hybrid between a medical clinic and a day spa that operates under the supervision of medical doctor. Medical spa menus vary, but you can usually get medical spa treatments like laser treatments, laser hair removal, IPL (intense pulsed light) treatments, microdermabrasion, photofacials, injectables like Botox and fillers, chemical peels and skin tightening.

The types of cosmetic medical procedures that are ideal for a medical spa setting usually fall into these four categories – incision-less, provide minimal discomfort, little to no skin wound, and be performed in less than one hour. Newer, non-ablative procedures that do not remove the epidermis and provide no obvious wounding, are ideal in a medical spa. The most commonly know technologies that lead to such skin improvement include CoolTouch, Smoothbeam, Photorejuvenation and Nlite. Multiple treatments with these laser and light source machines leads to improvement in skin toning with a reduction of mild wrinkles.

In addition to such non-ablative approaches that improve the collagen in the skin, Botox and filler injections are also ideal for a high quality medical spa as they can be done in less than one hour with no significant visible wound. On top of these anti-aging and wrinkle treatments, laser hair removal is another commonly performed procedure in medical spas.

Most medical spas also tend to have a more clinical atmosphere than day spas even though they offer relaxing services like massages and body treatments. Some medical spas even have a wellness focus and include services like acupuncture, nutritional counseling and naturopathic doctor consultations. Medical spas are ideal for people who would like a more holistic experience. Unlike aesthetic clinics where you zip in and out after your treatment, customers at medical spas can choose to top up their laser treatments with a massage and enjoy the relaxing amenities of the spa. This new hybrid blends the best of two worlds – a relaxing spa experience with the procedures and expertise found at a doctor’s office.

Fractional CO2 Laser Treatment

Don’t know your Mosaic from your Fraxel? Or confused about what laser treatments are suitable for you? Get all your anti aging questions answered here… The Aesthetics Clinic’s , “Solutions for Skin Laxity versus Skin Quality – Any Difference?” Workshop is back by popular demand.

Details:
 
Dates: 29th May Sat 2-4pm, 17th July Sat 2-4pm

Where: The Aesthetics Clinic @ Bukit Batok Civil Service Club
91 Bukit Batok West Avenue 2, Singapore 659206
 
Date: 12th June Sat 2-4pm
Where:  The Aesthetic Clinic @Shaw Centre Penthouse 27th Floor
 
Free admission for all! Call 62358770 to reserve your seat now.

Dr Dana Elliott

“Solutions for Skin Laxity versus Skin Quality – Any Difference?”

What: Learn about the various anti aging treatments – from Botox to fillers, and find out which solution suits you best!

When: 17th April, 2pm

Where:  The Aesthetic Clinic at Shaw Centre Penthouse 27th Floor.

How much: Free admission. 10 places only, so please leave your name and contact number here or email to danaelliottMD@gmail.com

Go here for more information about Dr Dana Elliott:  http://www.reviewantiaging.com/dr-dana-elliott.html

Dr David Loh at Society of Aesthetic Medicine press conference

Injecting stem cells under the skin to make a person look younger, or using platelet-rich plasma to treat acne scars – could such procedures soon become accepted aesthetic treatments?

These experimental therapies are some of the clinical trials a new independent review board is looking into. David Loh, honorary secretary and spokesman of the Society of Aesthetic Medicine, announced the new independent review board yesterday – CREATEIRB. It stands for Create Independent Review Board and its members will comprise doctors who are GCP (Good Clinical Practice) certified and who have taken the Institutional Review Board (IRB) exams.

It targets the independent private practitioner, who now either goes to a hospital’s review board or direct to a relevant authority, such the Ministry of Health or Health Sciences Authority, for regulatory approval to conduct a clinical trial. David Loh said the board will help “sieve out the less suitable” trials and “at every stage of the clinical trial, there’s an independent oversight, there’s reassurance, there are multi-layers of safeguards and scrutiny. We want to be at the forefront (of the aesthetics field), but also want to be safe,” he added.

These stem-cells have numerous potential cosmetic applications, but because these treatments are necessarily experimental at this stage, CREATEIRB will provide the necessary safeguards to guide the clinical trials to a stage where they can be subjected to peer scrutiny.

Here’s what’s new in the anti aging and beauty market.

Rose 2

Name: Rose-2™ Clinical Skin Care System developed by Dr SM Yuen

What is it for: Rose-2™ helps users combat signs of aging, dull blotchy skin, wrinkled skin, uneven skin tone and age spots. Dr Yuen collaborated with a Korean skincare product specialist to develop Rose-2™ to use in combination with his in-clinic treatments. They’ve combined scientifically proven medical grade active ingredients with the nourishing and gentle benefits of botanical ingredients to ensure that in their Rose-2™, over enthusiastic skin stimulation is avoided while allowing sufficient potency so that users can experience optimal results.

Active ingredients: Alpha Arbutin, Hyaluronic Acid, Glycolic Acid, Perfluorodecalin (PFC). Botanical extracts: Willow Bark Extract, Trehalose, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract

8 products available:
Splash Away – Gentle Purifying Cleanser
Hydra Intenz – Advanced Renewal Moisturizer
Hydra Relief – Skin Perfecting Moisturizer
Derma Refine – Double Action ExfoliantMasque
Time Off – Recovery Booster Cream
UV Shield – SPF 30 PA +++
Total Clear – Skin Tone Brightener
Hydra Brite – Brightening Eye Complex  

Price range: $47.00 – $151.80
 
More details in their website: Under Rose-2 tab http://www.atlasmedicalclinic.com/

Infuzion

INFUZION™ gold liquid masques are a modern facial indulgence, based on ancient proven traditions. Finely crafted by extracting active key ingredients through a pure, gold lined infusion process, each INFUZION masque is made with a time-released formula that is rich in important minerals, essential vitamins and active extracts.

The refreshing ingredients promote immediate moisture to the surface of the skin to help combat signs of fatigued skin while promoting a healthy, beautiful look. (Can’t wait to try this!)

Ingredients:
- Hyaluronic Acid
- Plant Collagen Powder
- Cucumber Extract
- Plant Collagen Protein
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin B5
- Glycerin

Nectifirm

Nectifirm is the only product available that addresses all the changes that occur as the skin on the neck ages. It contains power ingredients formulated to rejuvenate your neck area by treating it differently from the skin on your face.
Backed by years of intensive research, Nectifirm is the most complete treatment for firming, smoothing and hydrating the neck and decolletage, making them able to withstand gravity’s daily pull.

*96% of patients experienced a firmer neck with Nectifirm! (Will pass this to Mom to try…)

All products above are available at David Loh Surgery.

With money tighter than ever, you would expect aesthetic treatments to be the last thing on everyone’s mind. However, with the current job market, there is more pressure than ever to look young and attractive, which is sending people in droves to the doctor for minimally invasive procedures. These procedures have short to no recovery time, but can make you look younger and instill confidence on your job search.

Here’s an interesting article I found in Channel News Asia reporting about the trend:

More people are going for aesthetic treatments despite the recession, and what is interesting is that increasing numbers of them are men.

To look their best this festive season, some are pulling out all the stops.

Aesthetic service providers said business has increased some 30 per cent despite the recession.

Many go for botox and laser treatments to reduce ageing signs, while others opt to go under the knife to sharpen their image.

But if you think these only involve women, think again. Men now make up 15 per cent of clients.

Dr Gerard Tan, medical director, Neuglow, said: “Men also realise the importance of actually looking good. A lot of all these procedures are non-invasive and do not need much time.

“All they have to do is to come in for a simple procedure, may it be a botox injection or filling up a void in their face – just basically simple procedures. This has made them want to come in, more actually.”

Observers said people are more willing to invest in aesthetic treatments to get an edge in the job market – especially during an economic downturn.

Some have even gone to the point of getting non-scientifically proven treatments. These include cellular therapy and placenta injections which are supposed to regenerate youthful looks.

Currently, doctors need to seek approval from the Singapore Medical Council’s Aesthetic Practice Oversight Committee before offering such procedures. This is because they are not considered well-established practices in the aesthetic treatment field.