Fractional Laser Treatment
davidlohsurgery

5 Popular Aesthetic Treatments among Men in Singapore

The kinds of aesthetic treatments that men have done on themselves are not very different from the ladies.

The main difference being that men prefer those treatments with almost no recovery time.  Treatments like Skin Tightening Treatments, B*tox and Dermal fillers. What gave rise to the era of male aesthetics was really the invention of aesthetic treatments that involved so called “no downtime”.

ultherapy_machine


What really broke down the barrier to men fully embracing aesthetic treatments were the skin tightening treatments that started becoming popular around 2009-2010. Treatments like Ultherapy and Thermage mean “no-downtime”, and totally non-invasive skin tightening treatments. This went down very well with men.

In the past, cosmetic surgery used to be associated with bruises and bandages; extended healing time and exaggerated features post-surgery. Men absolutely hate having such procedures done. For one they cannot apply makeup to conceal any bruises, and secondly men hate taking time off work for such vanity-associated reasons.

With the newer methods and technologies, doctors are now getting reasonably good results with no recovery time at all. Hence more men are keener to do such procedures. Not only are they keener to do such procedures, they are also more keen to talk about their experiences with they spouses or their male buddies. This really re-defines aesthetic treatments for men, aka males aesthetics.

In fact, we have found that the “power of control” over one’s appearance that aesthetic treatments offer, goes down very well with the highly-driven male-corporate climbers’ psyche. Looking sharp is as much a prized commodity as being sharp-witted and sharp-minded.

You have to to admit it. Not only do they embrace aesthetic treatments, they will often travel the world looking for the latest technologies and the most skillful doctors.

And these highly driven, very successful individuals, usually have no qualms talking about “having work done” so long as the aesthetic treatments do not leave them with any recovery time. And as long as they do not have to put on makeup to conceal bruises, they would be most happy to share their experience about how they keep young and competitive.

That is in essence what male aesthetics has become – the “power of control” in our ever changing and highly competitive world.

Read more on the top 5 most popular aesthetic treatments among men. Ultherapy, Thermage, B*tox, Fillers, Skin Tightening Treatments,

Read more about Ultherapy vs Thermage vs Threadlifts

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b*tox_cosmetic
davidlohsurgery

How to Ensure Best Results with B*tox

Firstly, what is B*tox?

B*tox, and the various other brands of botulinum toxin are complex molecules that are derived from nature but synthesized in a laboratory. They work by blocking nerve receptors in muscles, sweat and oil glands. When skilfully administered to the target muscles, B*tox can be used to decrease wrinkles, reduce sweating and decrease oiliness in the skin.

What are the uses for B*tox?

Classically, B*tox is injected to erase lines on the forehead, between the eyes (the glabellar frown lines) and the crow’s feet. Less lines means less shadows across the face which looks neater and fresher. Or younger.

A novel use for B*tox would be to reduce the size of the jaw muscles. B*tox is injected into the biting muscles at the back of the jaw to cause the muscle to weaken and shrink. This then gives a slimmer and more triangularly shaped face.

B*tox can also be used to define a jawline and also to lift the skin of the neck.

And then there is Intradermal B*tox (previous also called Microb*tox or Mesob*tox). Multiple tiny injections of b*tox are placed within the skin to decrease the “opened-pores”. And btw, the intradermal b*tox also reduces sweating and oil secretions, which gives another level of refinement to the skin. Conditions like mild acne and rosacea responds well to this treatment.

B*tox is also quite often used in the treatment of hyperhidrosis. Injected into the skin of the armpit or the palms, it will reduce sweating for 6 months of more.

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Ok, how to get the best results?

The best results depend mostly on the aesthetic doctor’s skill and experience. Hence prices also differ greatly among doctors. This is a situation where you really get what you are willing to pay for.

For those who have only bad experiences with B*tox, you have only yourselves to blame. Because among all the available aesthetic treatments in the world, B*tox gives the most predictable results in trained and experienced hands. If the intention is to erase a line, and if it is technically feasible,  it will be successful in more than 90% of the time. No laser treatment comes close to this kind of results.

So why is it that sometimes there are no results? The results and duration of action (longevity) are dose-dependant. If an area needs 20 units of the product, but you are only willing to fork out money for 10 units (“just to try”, many patients will often say), then of course the results will be sub-optimal and it will not last.

Also, it is not wise to dictate that your doctor treats one set of muscles only. Adjacent muscles compensate and may give rise to unfavourable results – like the “Spock sign”. Always treat anatomical zones in totality.

The take home message, if you want the best results from your B*tox treatment, is to go to a trusted doctor and listen to her/him. Otherwise ask Dr Google to inject for you.

Should you go to unlicensed beauticians? As you would expect, skill and experience differ already among trained aesthetic doctors. What more with people who have not had medical training on hygiene and facial anatomy. We cannot stress more about this point.

Dr Phoon Yi Shan

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davidlohsurgery

Qualms no more about Cosmetic Surgery

If aesthetic treatments and cosmetic surgery are still taboo, it is because of the stereotypes still perpetuating in popular media. These stereotypes tend to portray aesthetic treatment or cosmetic surgery patients as being vain or narcissistic, or that they cannot reconcile with their bodies (a condition called body dysmorphia syndrome). And that cannot be further than the truth!

The vast majority of patients who come forward for aesthetic treatments and cosmetic surgery are actually highly motivated and very driven individuals. Their underlying motivation is about taking control over their appearance and hence their destiny. Whether it is to find a life partner or to look sharp for job and business prospects, aesthetic treatments and cosmetic surgeries give them a sense of empowerment over their own destiny. It is this sense of empowerment that defines the modern day patient for aesthetic treatments.

Modern day aesthetic treatments with little or no downtime fits fits right into this whole frame of mind. Where the individual takes control over his or her destiny, appearance and competitiveness.

And very often, they are so empowered they will travel the world to seek out the best treatments and best practitioners.

And these individuals usually have no qualms about admitting to having work done. So there you have it, the modern day aesthetic and cosmetic surgery patient.

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Aesthetic Doctor
davidlohsurgery

Dr David Loh teaching in various Asian countries

[nz_dropcap type=”empty full” color=””]I[/nz_dropcap]f he is not busy treating patients an his Wheelock Place clinic along Orchard Road, Dr David Loh travels to teach doctors throughout the region. In fact, Dr David Loh has trained a generation of doctors on the art of administering B*tox and facial fillers since 2006. Some of his trainees are now experts in the field themselves.

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Back in 2006, he was appointed as one of the original trainers for the Restylane range of HA fillers. This was when Q-Med still owned the Restylane brand. And there was only Restylane and Perlane. Q-Med was the only serious filler manufacturer at that time. Of course in the years since, Q-Med was acquired by several parties and it is now owned by Galderma. And Allergan has since risen to also be a global player in the aesthetic field. It too was a target of mergers and acquisitions. Despite all the upheavals in the industry, Dr David Loh remained steadfast in honing his skills and techniques with some of the best in the industry from Australia, Brazil to France (You know who you are!).

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Dr David Loh has worked closely with Allergan since 2009, and is now a faculty member of the Allergan Academy. The Allergan Academy formalises B*tox and facial fillers training for doctors progressing from basic to advanced levels.

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filler expert
Allergan Academy Training

 

Beyond the Allergan Academy, Dr David Loh also works closely with Galderma in China to impart his facial fillers injection techniques and artistry. He has lectured at the 1st People’s’ Army General Hospital’s plastic surgery conference in May 2014, and at a major national plastic surgery (3rd MIAPSD) conference in Shanghai in September 2014.

He works closely with hospitals in Changsha, Guangzhou, Shenzhen and Dongguan to elevate their standards of practice, at least where filler injections are concerned.

Registered to practice Medicine in The People’s Republic of China, Dr David Loh held regular visiting-expert sessions at a hospital in Shenzhen in 2013-2104. “Full face makeover with just Fillers” was his area of special interest, often drawing large crowds.

Besides China, Dr David Loh has also trained doctors in Jakarta and Bali in Indonesia on B*tox and Fillers. Dr David Loh lectured on micro-focused ultrasound at the SWAM conference in Jakarta in 2015.

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Visiting Fillers Expert to Hospital in China
Expert Meeting in Shenzhen China
Facial Fillers Teaching at Hospital in Changsha China
Teaching at Hospital in Changsha China
Facial Fillers Lecture and Workshop at the 1st Army General Hospital in GuangZhou, China
Lecture and Workshop at the 1st Army General Hospital in Guangzhou, China
Lecture at 3rd MIAPSD in Shanghai
Lecture at 3rd MIAPSD in Shanghai
MIAPSD
3rd MIAPSD in Shanghai, China
Facial Fillers Workshop at BIMC Bali
Workshop at BIMC Bali
Facial Fillers Workshop at Rejuvie Clinic in Bali
Workshop at Rejuvie Clinic in Bali
Facial Fillers Workshop at ARC Bali
Workshop at ARC Bali
Workshop in Dongguan China
Facial Fillers Workshop in Dongguan China
Facial Fillers Workshop in Guangzhou, China
Workshop in Guangzhou, China
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preventive antiaging
davidlohsurgery

Preventive Anti-aging

1. What is preventive anti-aging?

This is a whole new concept where we approach the problem of aging way before aging sets in. Look at your mum and you will know how you will age. Why wait till then to seek treatment? It is easier to do treatments to maintain your skin now then treat the problems later.

2. At what age does skin start to age?

Your skin actually starts to age immediately after puberty. However, even though your collagen is lessened, it is still able to heal itself quickly. This starts to slow down in the late 30s and 40s where actual signs of aging like sagging and wrinkles appear.

Your lifestyle also plays a big part in your aging process, so if you smoke and sun tan a lot, your skin’s aging will be accelerated.

3. Do genes play a big part in how we will age?

It does. Genetics determine your skin’s healing process. Certain races age better like Asians and African-Americans compared to Caucasians. Your face structure is also important when it comes to aging well. For example, certain features like thick lips can make a person look youthful.

4. I’m only in my 20s, do I need to do any anti aging treatments? Why?

You need to be aware of what environmental damage can do to your skin and start using skin care that protects. Maintanence is better than cure so you can start doing gentle laser and IPL treatments to regenerate collagen and keep your skin in good condition.

5. Will doing these treatments early make my skin more resistant to them as I get older?

No, in fact, it’s been scientifically proven that fillers actually stimulate collagen and improve skin tone. If you test skin before and six months after it’s had filler injections, you will see that the new skin has more collagen.

These treatments actually improve your skin’s baseline and takes it to a higher level so that you age slower.

6. What are some treatments to do for skin maintenance?

You can start with fillers to improve collagen and IPL to take away freckles, reduce acne and acne marks.

7. How do these treatments compare to anti aging creams?

Unlike the treatments above, creams can only go so far. Our skin is an excellent barrier against dust, oils, etc. That’s why sonophoresis machines have been used to drive the molecules of creams into our skin in some beauty treatments. Creams have to be designed very well to be able to deliver nutrients on its own.

Creams have their own place of course – it is comforting to use them when your skin feels dry. It just has to be formulated very well to be able to deliver its benefits.

8. In your experience, what is the best anti aging treatment available and why?

So far, Ulthera has been the most revolutionary as it is able to look into the many layers of skin and deliver the precise dosage without harming the epidermis. Patients are able to get a firmer and tighter face just from one treatment!

9. What other benefits does Ulthera have?

It stimulates collagen, reduces lines and gives you an overall radiant look.

10. Can we delay our skin from aging and how?

Realistically, we can’t delay our skin from aging but we can hold back the signs of aging that chronological age will show. In the last 20 years, there have been a lot of advances in technology like non-ablative lasers, Thermage, Titan and Ulthera – many affordable treatments that have been scientifically proven to deliver results. So, you can delay the signs of aging even though you can’t delay aging itself!

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