Here is what you need to know about anti-aging treatments.

Have you noticed ah? Some people just don’t look old one leh, even if they are the same age as you! If you are thinking “Aiyah, fake one they confirm had something done to their face”, you are not entirely wrong. There are actually quite a number of people who go through aesthetic and cosmetic procedures to help slow down the natural aging process.

In fact, more people are turning to such procedures during this COVID-19 period as a form of self-care. According to a news article by The New Paper in 2020, more Singaporeans are willing to spend on aesthetic and cosmetic enhancements during this period. I think probably because they save money from all the travelling lah. These procedures include non-surgical facelifts, pigmentation removal, eye bag removal, and body contouring. Doctors of various clinics also saw a 10% to 20% increase in new patients!

And there is a good reason why people are opting for such procedures—because they bring about (relatively) faster and more obvious results. I talked to my friend, Dr Siew Tuck Wah from Radium Medical Aesthetics, and he told me aesthetic treatments can take effect anytime from almost immediately to months later, depending on the treatment. Dermal fillers (procedures that add volume to areas such as cheek, chin, or the eye area) should see results almost immediately, while botulinum toxin (Botox) can take about a week to see results. Better than constantly going for monthly facials leh! But on the flip side, Dr Siew also mentioned that results of most anti-aging aesthetic treatments are temporary and require regular treatments to sustain them.

Wait ah, before you rush down to get that makeover, here are some important things you need to know.

Types of aesthetic treatments

First, you need to find out what treatments you would like to get. If your self-confidence is affected by wrinkles, crow’s feet (lines around your eye area), and frown lines on your face, you can opt for a Botox treatment. It is a common anti-aging procedure that, when administered, blocks the signals from your nerves to the muscles. This causes the injected muscle to not be able to contract, so your wrinkles can relax and soften.

As we age, our skin is also bound to become dry, dull or tired-looking. To have younger-looking skin, skin boosters can be used to restore your skin’s health via injection. This is also a common dermal filler which gives you hydrated skin. This is because the boosters contain hyaluronic acid—a naturally produced bodily fluid that keeps your skin hydrated and well-lubricated.

For those looking to get rid of sagging skin on your face or having extra fat under your chin, you can opt for a facelift (rhytidectomy). This treatment elevates your skin by tightening your underlying tissues and muscles, which naturally become less elastic as you age. However, this procedure is more invasive as compared to the previous two, so here are 5 things you should know before getting one.

On the other hand, if you would like to alter how some of your facial features look, you can consider these treatments:

Of course, there are treatments for other body parts besides your face. There are body contouring procedures that can help you look slimmer or have a more defined shape. There is liposuction, which can also target certain areas such as your belly or arms. Liposuction is done by making an incision on your body and inserting a thin tube called a cannula into the fatty area. The cannula is used to break up the fatty deposits and sculpt the area to your desired proportions. For a less invasive procedure, there is also fat freezing which freezes your fat cells and causes them to “die”. These cells are then discharged through your body’s natural processes.  

One pro tip when it comes to making yourself look younger through medical aesthetic treatments is to gradually enhance your features in a tasteful manner and not overdoing it. Avoid doing multiple treatments in a short period of time. Instead, schedule regular treatments to get results that are natural and not too drastic. This way, you will look like you are not aging as fast as your peers. Your friends and family will also notice something positively different about you, without knowing your secret to everlasting youth.

Safety first

Now that you know which treatment you would like, you need to be careful of where you get these treatments from. I know aesthetic treatments might be a bit costly, but I tell you ah, better spend more money than to go for some cheap treatment and risk ruining your face or body!

It is most important to have your procedures done by a certified doctor at a clinic. Please avoid those beauty salons that say they provide such treatments unless you see a doctor’s qualification from the person administering your treatment. This applies to both invasive and non-invasive procedures. Dr Siew from Radium Medical Aesthetics told me that there are risks even with non-surgical aesthetic treatments. For example, nose fillers, if done wrongly, can cause blindness or necrosis. He also said he has seen a handful of patients who went to him because they were unhappy with their previous treatments, and this is becoming “increasingly common”.

Before undergoing treatments, Dr Siew advises people to do their own desktop research and read reviews of the clinic. Never worry about asking the doctor to show you some photos to see their results, or to speak at length with him/her to determine if you are comfortable with undergoing the treatment. Also, don’t let anyone pressure you into doing any treatment on the same day. Go back to think about it and evaluate the options you have.

“Never base your decision solely on price. A doctor’s experience, attention that he/she has with you, and post-treatment care are equally important, or not more important than the cost itself.”

– Dr Siew, Radium Medical Aesthetics

Choosing the right clinic and doctor is key. You have to make sure that you are engaging an experienced and ethical doctor that you trust to advise you with your health in mind. An experienced doctor with a keen eye for beauty and detail will be able to give you the best, natural-looking result. You also want a doctor who is not just doing excessive or unnecessary treatments for you because they want to gain profits. Look young, but be safe!