Checklist: Botox Do's and Don'ts

Checklist: Botox Do's and Don'ts

This is the last part of a 6 part series about Botox on Skinacea.com. The first five parts discussed what Botox can do for your skin, how much it costs, whether it's safe, what side effects to expect, and what mistakes inexperienced Botox injectors tend to make.

This section is a final checklist for the things you should and shouldn't do before you get Botox, during a Botox treatment, and after you get Botox injections so you can get the absolute best results.



What to do BEFORE Botox

Here are steps you should take to prepare for a Botox treatment so you ensure a good experience:

    Select a doctor who knows what he/she is doing - As I've repeatedly emphasized, choosing a board-certified and experienced doctor is very, very important. Good Botox depends on the skill and technique of the Botox injector, so do your research and find a doctor who specializes in facial anatomy and has been successfully administering Botox (with few patient complaints) for several years already. Ideally, get more than one Botox consultation.

    Be transparent with your doctor - For your safety, tell your doctor as much about your medical history as possible so he/she can determine whether you are a good candidate to receive cosmetic Botox. Tell your doctor:
        What medication, supplements, herbs, etc. you are taking
        What allergies you have
        If you have any medical conditions, illnesses, or diseases
        If you have or will have any medical procedures (i.e. recent Botox, surgery, other treatments, etc.)
        If you are pregnant, breast-feeding, or trying to conceive
        Anything else you can think of
    If this is your first time getting Botox, tell your doctor. Some doctors may be more conservative with first time Botox patients to gauge how the patient will react to the Botox and to give a better long-term result.

    Make sure Botox is the right treatment for you - A reputable and experienced Botox injector will know what Botox can do for your skin and what it can't. For instance, you may be better off getting fillers instead of Botox for certain wrinkles on your face, so make sure you and your doctor discuss the best therapy for your skin issues.

    Be on the same page as your doctor - Make sure both you and your physician are clear about what facial areas you want to treat, how you ideally want them to be fixed, and what the ideal final result may be. Different people have different aesthetics. For instance, if the "frozen face" look is your doctor's definition of successful Botox but you disagree, you better make sure both of you are aiming for the same target or you'll end up with a result your doctor thinks is beautiful but you think is horrific.

    Have realistic expectations about what Botox can do - Botox results can be drastically good, but your post-Botox results may not be as perfect as you expect them to be. Having realistic expectations about your results will save you from unnecessary disappointment.

    Stop taking medication that can thin the blood - A week before you get Botox injections, stop taking:
        Aspirin
        Ibuprofen, either generic or Advil, Aleve, or Motrin
        Exedrin
        St. John's Wart
        Vitamin E
        Fish oil or Omega-3s
        Ginko Bilboa
        Ginseng
    This will minimize any potential post-Botox bruising. If you have to take pain medication, Tylenol is okay. Also, avoid drinking alcohol a few days before you get Botox.

    Don't be afraid to ask questions. Make a list of questions you want to ask your physician and bring it with you to your Botox consultation. That way you won't forget what you want to ask. Ask how much the treatment will cost, how many units of Botox you will need, how long the he/she has been giving Botox injections, etc. Ask about side effects, risks, and how you should take care of your skin after Botox and how often someone with your skin condition should get Botox.

    While you can read about all of this online, it's best to hear it straight from your doctor's mouth. Also, ask about what your doctor will do on the off chance that something goes wrong with your Botox treatment. If you have significant bruising, will he give you a discounted v-beam laser treatment to minimize the bruising? If you end up with Spock brows, will he fix them free of charge? What if your Botox wears off in a week, will he give you an additional touch-up for free? Do not be afraid to ask questions! It's better to have answers before than after.


What to do DURING Botox

What you do during Botox is not as important as what you do before and after Botox, but here are some things you should keep in mind for a good treatment session:

    Go au naturel - Your skin will be cleaned with rubbing alcohol or an antiseptic before you get Botox, so feel free to show up to your appointment with nothing on your skin. If you wear makeup, they will take it off anyway.

    Stay still but pay attention - If you are afraid of needles, don't make yourself writhe with discomfort by thinking about them. Set your mind on something random, like monkeys juggling pineapples. The Botox will be over before you know it. Stay still but pay attention and follow your doctor's instructions. He/she will tell you to smile, relax, frown, etc. during the injection process.

    Use an ice pack - Ice before, during, and after Botox can help reduce any potential signs of bruising.



What to do AFTER Botox

What you do after Botox and how you take care of your skin is very important. Here are some things you should and shouldn't do after getting Botox injections:

    Don't touch your skin where the Botox was injected. Avoid rubbing and massaging the treated area for 24 hours because you don't want to make the Botox spread to other unintended muscles.

    Avoid strenuous physical activity.

    Avoid consuming large amounts of alcohol.

    Avoid getting facials, chemical peels, microdermabrasion, etc. for 24 hours.

    Avoid taking the blood thinning medications mentioned above.

    If you get a Botox bruise, topical vitamin K and arnica can help. Or you can get v-beam, pulsed-dye, or KTP laser treatments to make the bruising go away faster. Green or yellow concealers can also help cover up the bruises.

    Go back for touch-ups if you need it or are unsatisfied with your results.

    Call your doctor or seek medical attention if you experience any side effects or complications from the Botox treatment.

Taking these measure before, during, and after Botox will help you get both a better Botox experience and better Botox results.

We've reached the end of this section about Botox! Thanks for reading and I hope you learned a lot about Botox. If you choose to get this injectable for your skin, I hope it gives you great results! Feel free to ask questions or share your experience in the comments below.

adapted from : http://www.skinacea.com/facials/botox/botox-dos-and-donts.html

This Is the Age You Should Start Preventative Botox, According to Dermatologists

This Is the Age You Should Start Preventative Botox, According to Dermatologists

This Is the Age You Should Start Preventative Botox, According to Dermatologists

 

In today's not-so-shocking news: People are officially interested in injectable, non-invasive treatments. (It's about damn time, folks.) We've recently reported that, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), an estimated 7 million injection procedures, including Botox, were performed in the last year alone. And that number just continues to rise. According to the experts, they've seen an influx of younger patients opting for preventative treatments sooner rather than later. But how soon is too soon? For the full picture, we reached out to dermatologists across the country to nail down the exact age, if interested, to begin Botox. The takeaway? Whenever you damn well please. Yes — really.
In Your 20s:

"My advice to patients is to start to treat lines when they begin to stick around. When you smile or frown, lines may develop during the expression. They generally go away when the face is relaxed. However, when lines start to stick around at rest, that's when you can consider getting initial Botox treatments. I personally feel that Botox is not necessary until those lines start to show at rest. In some people, this may be in the mid-twenties, while in others after 30. It is rare for someone to come in asking for Botox under the age of 25. I've found that there has been a shift in the age of women asking for Botox now, compared to even five years ago. Now more than ever, I have patients coming in asking for Botox in preparation of their thirtieth birthday. A few years ago, it was extremely rare for any woman in her twenties to be considering this option." — Joshua Zeichner, the director of cosmetic and clinical research at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City


"For preventative measures, that typically means prevention of wrinkles. For this, I would have a hard time doing any Botox on a patient younger than 24 or 25 years old, and that would likely be for a patient who squints quite a bit and is at risk for developing the '11' vertical lines over the nose. Even as a write this, I feel a bit shallow and have concerns about having a patient get started on a cosmetic procedure at such a young age without them really understanding the implications." — Miami-based dermatologist and RealSelf contributor Jeffrey Epstein

"The earlier you start Botox, the better since it is best used as a preventative measure to avoid getting fine lines and wrinkles. It works by relaxing the muscle; once relaxed, it relaxes the overlying skin, so you don't get wrinkles. We have a lot of patients in their mid-twenties who start Botox, which is a good age if you have an expressive face and lines." — Debra Jaliman, a New York City-based dermatologist

"The average age of my preventive 'Baby Botox' patients is about 25, but that is not a hard and fast rule. It's just often unnecessary to inject someone earlier for cosmetic reasons. Many facial lines seem to have a genetic or hereditary component, and once a young person starts to see lines that they see in their older relatives, then it's time for Botox. I have not injected anyone under 21 — not for any reason other than the fact that none of my patients younger than 21 have needed or have asked for it. I treat everyone individually, so if someone younger than I'm used to injecting came in asking about forehead lines, I would be open-minded to inject a small dose of Botox." —Amy Wechsler, New York City-based dermatologist
In Your 30s:

"Depending on the level of sun damage, the amount of muscle movement, and whether or not the person has "Resting Bitch Face," all of these factors play into the decision at which age to start using Botox. So, if there was a strong frown, it may be appropriate to start as early as 20. If not so much, 30 — at the latest 35. Recent studies have shown that too much mobility in the muscles does lead to premature wrinkling." —Ava Shamban, a Beverly Hills-based dermatologist and founder of SkinxFive

"The earliest I've done Botox [on someone] is in the mid-twenties, and that's if someone is genetically predisposed to wrinkles on the face. Or sometimes I've also seen a person at that age who was constantly frowning and that was a good reason to do the treatment. In general, for prophylaxis, if someone is taking care of their skin I recommend Botox starting in their thirties." — Paul Nassif, a Los Angeles-based plastic surgeon, RealSelf contributor, and star of E!'s Botched
In Your 40s:

"The most appropriate age to start Botox will depend on the skin color and the type of lifestyle (more versus less sun). In general, Caucasian women (who were not lifeguards) usually do best when they start Botox between 35 and 40. If they were a lifeguard, maybe 30. For darker skin tones, the appropriate age to start Botox tends a bit higher, more like 40 to 45, but it will also depend on the circumstances. If someone has gotten a lot of sun exposure or their lifestyle is harder on the skin (i.e. smoker, lives in high altitudes, etc.), then it could be earlier. The chronologic age to start Botox is often irrelevant. It is more important to look at the dynamic wrinkles themselves. When the movement wrinkles on the upper part of the face start to linger after the movement has stopped — like seeing crow's feet but not smiling — that's the best time to start treatments." — Elizabeth Tanzi, founder and director of Capital Laser & Skin Care and associate clinical professor, department of dermatology at the George Washington University Medical Center in Washington, D.C.

adapted from : https://www.allure.com/story/preventative-botox-age-dermatologists

Why are so many girls in their 20s hooked on Botox? Especially as experts warn it will actually make them look OLDER

Why are so many girls in their 20s hooked on Botox? Especially as experts warn it will actually make them look OLDER

Why are so many girls in their 20s hooked on Botox? Especially as experts warn it will actually make them look OLDER

When Geniene Reese and her friends went en masse to make inquiries about having Botox injections, the consultant, based at a reputable clinic in Liverpool, assured the group it was better to ‘start young’.

In fact, he said Geniene, then just 25, was the perfect age to start, while one of her friends, who was almost 30, had already left it ‘too late’.

‘The consultant told my friend that he couldn’t iron out all the wrinkles between her eyebrows — he said the damage was irreparable, which was upsetting for her,’ says Geniene, who runs her own business development consultancy based in the Wirral.
Across Britain, the goal among today's youth-obsessed 20-somethings seems to be age prevention

Across Britain, the goal among today's youth-obsessed 20-somethings seems to be age prevention

‘No one wants to be stuck with wrinkles. He said that the younger you start, the better.

‘He explained that Botox would weaken my muscles, so wrinkles wouldn’t develop in the first place.

‘I didn’t even know much about Botox at the time — what it was or how it worked.

‘All I knew was that it stopped wrinkles and made you look younger. And that was enough for me.’




Looking back, Geniene admits she scarcely had a line on her face. But in her circle, almost all her friends have Botox as a matter of course.

Across Britain, the goal among today’s youth-obsessed 20-somethings seems to be age prevention.

In fact, according to a recent Superdrug survey, women become concerned about the effects of ageing at just 29, with their top worries being wrinkles and crow’s feet.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Anne Marie Gillet, of Transform Cosmetic Surgery, says the company has seen a 56 per cent year-on-year increase in inquiries for wrinkle-smoothing treatments among 18 to 25-year-olds.

She believes demand is fuelled by programmes such as The Only Way Is Essex, which show men and women in their early 20s having such treatments.

Botox fans Rachel Rigby-Jones (L) and Fran Rowe (R), both just 26

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2227753/Why-girls-20s-hooked-Botox-Especially-experts-warn-probably-make-look-OLDER.html#ixzz4qkLiQ1Qw
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Botox fans Rachel Rigby-Jones (L) and Fran Rowe (R), both just 26

‘Appearance is everything for this age group, and they are much more aware of the treatments available to prevent the signs of ageing,’ says Gillet.

Geniene admits that ‘most of my friends are partial to a bit of Botox — it’s the norm to us. I’m more shocked by people who haven’t had it done’.

Geniene, now 32, has spent £2,000 on 12 Botox treatments and says she is thrilled with the results.

‘A few weeks ago, I was asked for ID when buying cigarettes. There can’t be many women in their 30s who can say that,’ she says.

‘I don’t think I’ve aged since I was 25. My lifestyle isn’t particularly healthy — I go out drinking and smoke socially — so I put my youthful skin entirely down to the Botox treatments. It’s an easy way to stay young.’

Cosmetic dermatologist Dr Darren McKeown, who runs clinics in Glasgow and London, says that despite the risk of side-effects such as drooping eyelids or eyebrows, Botox has become a modern-day status symbol for age-fixated 20-somethings.

‘I’ve had women as young as 19 ask me for Botox,’ says Dr McKeown. ‘There is no way anyone of that age needs Botox, but they see Katie Price and other celebrities having it, and it’s seen as just the same as carrying around the latest designer handbag.

‘While older people think the Botox look appears weird and unnatural, young women see this look as fashionable and desirable.’

Both Courtney Cox and Demi Moore have confessed to using Botox to help turn back the years

Kim Kardashian once tried out Botox on her reality show whilst Kylie Minogue is also a fan but once hit out at rumours on Twitter that she couldn't move her face anymore

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2227753/Why-girls-20s-hooked-Botox-Especially-experts-warn-probably-make-look-OLDER.html#ixzz4qkLnqlCe
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At just 26, recruitment consultant Fran Rowe has been having Botox for the past year and plans to continue having the £260 injections twice a year.

‘Treatments such as Botox and fillers are becoming so normal for young women,’ she says.

‘Nowadays, it’s almost like having a facial. You can do it in your lunch hour and no one bats an eyelid.’

Fran started Botox when she noticed she had developed frown lines from staring at a computer screen all day.



WHO KNEW?

There is no legal age limit for Botox, but most doctors don't advise having it before 30


‘I felt I had more wrinkles than other girls my age, so I had several injections in my forehead,’ says Fran.

SHE adds: ‘After five days, my skin started to get this shimmery glow and my make-up went on really smoothly. After a week or so, my lines were more relaxed and my face was smooth. I loved it.

‘No one has really noticed the difference in my skin since I started having Botox, but I think that’s the point and it shows the benefits it’s having. It’s not just about wiping out wrinkles; it’s about preventing the ageing process.’

Fran sees herself spending more and more on such treatments as time goes on.

‘I intend to have several small tweaks throughout my life rather than a huge facelift at 50.’

She declares her attitude to be ‘smart’ and admits she’s inspired by eternally youthful celebrities.

Psychologist Dr Linda Blair believes society’s attitude towards older women is responsible for the increase in 20-somethings having anti-ageing treatments.

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay was led into Botox by his good friend Simon Cowell

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2227753/Why-girls-20s-hooked-Botox-Especially-experts-warn-probably-make-look-OLDER.html#ixzz4qkLuTYi5
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Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay was led into Botox by his good friend Simon Cowell

‘This idea that older women  are redundant in society only reinforces the sense that women who show signs of ageing are unattractive,’ she says.

‘For example, there are plenty of older male TV presenters and newsreaders, but their female colleagues disappear at a certain age and are replaced by much younger women.

‘It does seem that women have to stay looking young to be valued in society.’

However, whether it’s truly worthwhile — or effective — to have your facial features frozen at a young age remains open to debate.

Many experts doubt such treatments have any youth-enhancing effects when carried out at such a young age and accuse clinics that administer Botox to 20-somethings of putting profit over ethics.

Other experts worry about the psychological well-being of women who seek out anti-ageing treatments so young.



WHO KNEW?

An estimated 2 million Botox procedures are carried out in Britain each year

Harley Street dermatologist Dr Michael Prager believes women who ask to eradicate wrinkles that are barely there are experiencing age dysmorphia: seeing lines that others don’t. He also warns that such treatments are addictive.

‘The earlier you start, the more obsessed you risk becoming,’ he says. ‘If you get rid of every tiny little line, you lose sight of what looks normal.’

And, says Dr McKeown, there is scant medical evidence to back up the popular belief that having Botox before wrinkles develop actually prevents them.

‘At best, it’s a waste of money; at worst, there’s potential to make people look older in the long term.

‘One complication of Botox is muscle atrophy, where muscles begin to waste away if they’re not used for a period of time. In younger women, the effects can be  quite significant.

‘As the muscle thins around the eyes, you lose volume and padding and can end up seeing the outlines of bones. This can result in an aged appearance.
Anne Marie Gillet, of Transform Cosmetic Surgery, believes demand is fuelled by programmes such as The Only Way Is Essex, which show men and women in their early 20s having such treatments

Anne Marie Gillet, of Transform Cosmetic Surgery, believes demand is fuelled by programmes such as The Only Way Is Essex, which show men and women in their early 20s having such treatments

‘Ironically, these young women who believe that they are holding back time could, in fact, be making themselves look older.’

Women like Geniene, though, remain unconvinced. She says: ‘I’ve been having Botox for eight years and I look a lot younger than  most women my age. I’d stop only if I noticed I did start looking older.’

Convincing Botox’s 20-something advocates they should reconsider their habit is not an easy task, especially when there are surgeons prepared to state otherwise.

Rachel Rigby-Jones, a model who has appeared in campaigns for Dior and Selfridges, was just 23 when she first sought the advice of a cosmetic surgeon.

'These days you can get Botox in your lunch hour and no one bats an eyelid'

Her goal was to enhance her cheeks, which she felt lacked definition. She was so happy with the results of her cheek fillers that she returned for Botox a few months later because she had begun to notice wrinkles developing on her forehead.

Now 26, Rachel, from London, has had Botox three times, and has also had lip fillers. The treatments have comfortably slipped into the routine of her life.

‘I’m not worried about pain, and I accept there will be some when it comes to beauty,’ she says. ‘I don’t really plan in advance when I’m going to have it done — I just book myself in when I think I need it.

‘Looks are a major part of my job, so I’m obviously worried that if they go, then so does my work.’

Rachel says most of her friends in their 20s use Botox, too, explaining: ‘We all feel the same fear about  getting old.

‘I do care about my health, and am intelligent enough to realise that’s the most important thing in life. So yes, I would consider giving up Botox if I was shown scientific research that proved it ages women prematurely or is damaging.

‘But so far I haven’t seen anything that suggests it causes any harm at all. Right now, doctors insist it’s safe — and that is good enough for me.’


adapted from : http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2227753/Why-girls-20s-hooked-Botox-Especially-experts-warn-probably-make-look-OLDER.html

Botox Injections

Botox Injections

Botox Injections

You may have read about Botox Cosmetic in advertisements, blogs and celebrity gossip magazines, or heard about it from your friends. But there are a lot of misconceptions about Botox treatment and how it is used.

Botox Cosmetic has been available by prescription in the United States since the FDA approved it in 2002. The exact same Botox injected for medical purposes (such as uncontrolled muscle spasms) was first approved by the FDA in 1989.
Woman receiving Botox Cosmetic injection in her crows feet.
Botox Cosmetic is FDA-approved to smooth the frown lines between your eyebrows, though it is used off-label for other facial wrinkles as well.

In 2015, it was the top nonsurgical cosmetic procedure in the U.S. among both women and men, with 4,267,038 injections (of Botox, Dysport and Xeomin) performed by physicians and their physician assistants and nurse injectors. Men received 10.3 percent of the injections.*

In this article we present only the facts, as well as recommendations from respected medical professionals. After reading it, please feel free to contact us with any questions you might have by using the form below.
What Is Botox Cosmetic?

Botox, or onabotulinumtoxinA, is used for three main purposes: muscle spasm control, severe underarm sweating and cosmetic improvement. In this article we concentrate on the third use, achieved with the product called Botox Cosmetic, which contains botulinum toxin type A (the active ingredient), human albumin (a protein found in human blood plasma) and sodium chloride.
Best Candidates

facial lines and wrinkles

    Procedure time: about 10 minutes
    Typical results: smoother, younger-looking skin; lasts about three to six months
    Recovery time: a couple of days to a week to see full effects
    Cost: around $250 to $350 per region


Botox Cosmetic is used for the temporary smoothing of glabellar lines (also called frown lines), which are the lines between your eyebrows that can make you look tired, unhappy or angry.

It is FDA-approved for this use and in this area only. However, it is often used off-label for horizontal forehead lines, crow's feet, marionette lines at the corners of the mouth and smoker's lines around the lips.

Don't confuse Botox Cosmetic with injectable fillers. Dermal fillers work differently, plumping up tissues so that lines and wrinkles diminish or disappear (Restylane, Radiesse and Juvederm are examples).

Your practitioner can help you decide which product(s) will solve your particular appearance issues, though as a general rule, Botox is used mostly in the upper portion of the face, and fillers are used mostly in other areas.
How To Know If You Are A Candidate For Botox

In the United States, the FDA has approved Botox Cosmetic for people aged 18 to 65. But you shouldn't use it if you:

    Are allergic to any ingredients in Botox or Botox Cosmetic.
    Are allergic to another botulinum toxin brand (such as Myobloc, Xeomin or Dysport) or had any side effect from these products in the past.
    Have a skin infection or other condition in the injection area.
    Have ALS (Lou Gehrig's disease), myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton syndrome or another disease that affects your muscles or nerves.
    Have breathing problems, such as asthma.
    Have difficulty swallowing.
    Have bleeding issues.
    Plan to undergo surgery.
    Have had facial surgery.
    Have weakness in your forehead muscles.
    Have drooping eyelids.
    Are taking or have recently taken certain medications, vitamins or supplements (see below).

Botox Cosmetic is not expected to travel far enough through the body to affect a fetus or breastfeeding infant. However, for ethical reasons, clinical studies have not been done on expectant or new mothers, so nobody knows for sure.

Therefore, the manufacturer (Allergan) advises that you should not have Botox injections if you are planning or trying to conceive a child, are pregnant, are planning to breastfeed or are currently breastfeeding. It's better to be safe, and you can always have Botox later on.
How Botox Injections Work

A wrinkle in the skin is typically formed perpendicular to a contracting muscle located directly beneath it. For example, the muscle in the forehead is a vertical muscle, and when it contracts (such as when you raise your eyebrows), the lines that form (wrinkles) will be horizontal.
Botox is not a dermal filler. Instead, it blocks nerve impulses that cause muscles to contract and cause forehead wrinkles.

Likewise, the two muscles that are responsible for the frown lines are positioned slightly horizontally between the eyebrows, so when they contract, the frown lines appear vertical.

Botox Cosmetic is injected into muscles, where it blocks nerve impulses to those tissues. The muscle activity that causes the frown lines is reduced, and a smoother look results. Without a contracting muscle beneath it, the skin has a difficult time wrinkling.

Facial lines that exist when your face is totally relaxed are not very good candidates for Botox. These lines are better handled by the dermal fillers. Botox can frequently "soften" these lines but not always get rid of them.

The injections take about 10 minutes, and you should have no downtime afterward.

Normally you would see improvement within a few days. Botox requires two to four days for it to attach to the nerve ending that would normally stimulate the muscle to contract. The maximum effect usually occurs at about 10-14 days. Therefore, whatever effect is obtained two weeks after the injections should be considered the maximum effect that is going to occur.
Is Botox Painful?

Any injection can hurt, but the needles used for Botox injections are very small, so pain is usually minimal. The area can be numbed with a topical anesthetic cream or cold pack 10-20 minutes before the injections are given, so you may not feel much pain, if any.

You may feel a little discomfort later, once the anesthetic cream has worn off. Other side effects are listed below.
How Often Should You Get Botox Injections?

You're probably wondering how long Botox lasts. Most people see effects for three to four months, but several factors may shorten or lengthen that period:
Botulinum Toxin Use

Number of Botox, Dysport, and Xeomin Procedures in the United States, by Age
[Enlarge]


    Your age. Older people with less muscle tone may see results diminish sooner than those with younger, firmer facial muscles.
    Your facial structure and expressions.
    Whether you smoke.
    Your diet.
    Whether you take good care of your skin; use facials, microdermabrasion or other resurfacing methods.
    How much sun you get and how much sun damage your skin already has.
    Whether you use Botox repeatedly or not. However, this seems to differ from one person to another. Some obtain a longer-lasting effect with repeated use, while others seem to develop a resistance to the drug and need more frequent treatments.

Doctors disagree on which of the above factors are the most important; it's a good question to ask your practitioner. In any case, it is not recommended to have injections in the same injection site (such as for crow's feet) more frequently than every three months.

As with the injection of any medication, your body's immune system can develop antibodies to the medication, which render the drug less effective or possibly cause development of an allergy to the drug. The more frequently the drug is injected or the more quantity that is injected, the higher the risk for these antibodies to be formed against the drug.
Botox Side Effects

Potential Botox side effects include pain at the injection site, infection, inflammation, swelling, redness, bleeding and bruising. Some of these symptoms may indicate an allergic reaction; other allergy symptoms are itching, wheezing, asthma, a rash, red welts, dizziness and faintness. Tell your doctor immediately if you have any breathing issues or a faint or dizzy feeling.
Don't get injections at a "Botox party" at somebody's house. A medical setting is safer, and any side effects can be treated immediately.

Also, dry mouth, fatigue, headache and neck pain have been reported.

You may have heard of other side effects as well, such as numbness, droopy eyelids, muscle spasms or twitching, and migration of the substance.

Numbness as an absence of physical sensation is not really an issue with Botox, because Botox is not an anesthetic. Numbness as the result of the inability to move a muscle is an issue for some people.

Muscle spasms in the area of the Botox injections do not occur while the Botox is effective. After all, Botox is used to treat spasms related to benign essential blepharospasm, hemifacial spasm, cerebral palsy, fibromyalgia and temporomandibular joint disorder.

It is possible for the Botox to spread a little beyond the intended injection site and affect surrounding tissues. For example, if you receive injections into the forehead close to your eyebrows or your upper eyelids, they could be affected and may droop temporarily.


adapted from : http://www.allaboutvision.com/cosmetic/botox.htm

How Soon Can I Get A Facial After Botox Treatment?

How Soon Can I Get A Facial After Botox Treatment?

How Soon Can I Get A Facial After Botox Treatment?

Botox is used to correct wrinkles caused by repeated muscular contractions. These contractions happen when we frown or squint, which are things we do every day. These wrinkles are referred to as dynamic wrinkles and can also form due to the effects of aging. It is impossible to stop the signs of aging completely or spend our days trying not to squint or frown but Botox can give us a more youthful face with smoother lines. Botox is an injectable made from a purified protein designed to relax the muscles that create these dynamic wrinkles. Because it is an injectable, Botox is a quick and safe procedure offered at many plastic surgery clinics.

How Soon Can I Get A Facial After Botox Treatment

Botox and facials

If you’re thinking about getting Botox or have recently had it done you may be wondering how long afterwards you can get back to your normal skincare routine. It is recommended that you wait at least 24 hours after having Botox to get a facial. Your skin needs time to heal and facials often involve the rubbing and massaging of the area where Botox is usually injected. Besides surface facials, you should wait 24 hours before having deeper skin work done, such as chemical peels and microdermabrasion. If you don’t wait 24 hours before having a skin-care procedure done you could risk aggravating the area that was Botoxed, causing it to spread to other muscles.

Bruising after a facial

Although, getting a facial 24 hours after Botox is generally recommended, you should be aware that aggravation to the area where the Botox was injected can be subject to vasodilation, which leads to bruising. Vasodilation is the widening of blood vessels when the smooth muscle cells within the vessel walls of the large veins, arteries and arterioles are relaxed. This can cause some slight bruising, so tell your facialist that you’ve recently had Botox before they get started on your skin. If you are someone that bruises easily, you should take this into consideration and maybe wait 48 hours instead of 24.

Facial before Botox

You can also have a facial before you have Botox. Since most facials are shallow and done only to remove blemishes, acne and refresh the skin you will not have to wait 24 hours and can probably have both done on the same day.


adapted from : http://www.fairviewcosmeticsurgery.com/botox-treatment/how-soon-can-i-get-a-facial-after-botox-treatment/

14 Things I Wish I Knew Before Botox

 14 Things I Wish I Knew Before Botox

 14 Things I Wish I Knew Before Botox

Botox is an incredibly popular non-surgical cosmetic treatment with a RealSelf Worth It Rating in the high 90s. It's no wonder that millions of people in the United States get Botox every year to fight wrinkles as it is affordable and effective.

Although it’s a well-known and fairly simple treatment, there are some things about Botox you may not know. We relied on the expertise of RealSelf doctors and members to compile this list of 14 things to know before your first Botox treatment.


1. Everyone offers Botox. How do you pick a provider?

When getting Botox, your first inclination might be to contact a plastic surgeon or dermatologist, but you may also see other providers, or even spas, offering the treatment. While Botox injections are relatively simple, the treatment still needs to be done by a trained and experienced medical professional. If the injections are too deep, too low, or in the wrong spot, you could have negative side effects, like a droopy eyelid.

“I once went to a doctor who did this on the side. She was an gynecologist who decided to offer this at her office,” RealSelf member paducahapss wrote in a RealSelf review. “The results there were poor. The dermatologist and plastic surgeon who did these on me were great.”


2. Do your homework.

So how do you find a highly qualified injector with proven results? Research. Start by reading reviews of doctors in your area. When you meet for a consultation, ask to see before and after pictures.

“The risks far outweigh the benefits when price shopping for discount Botox,” New York oculoplastic surgeon Dr. James Gordon said in a RealSelf Q&A. “You should have any procedures performed by a board certified physician who has experience, track record, and a good reputation.”


3. Know how your doctor charges.

The price of Botox can vary dramatically from practice to practice. Some providers charge per unit of Botox. Others charge per treatment area.

Most Botox providers who charge per unit charge between $10 and $20 per unit. The location and experience of your provider will also impact the cost. The average Botox treatment costs $550 based on more than 5,000 RealSelf reviews.


4. What’s it like to get Botox?

The process of getting Botox should be quick and simple. The practitioner will make a few injections in your treatment areas, and you will be on your way.

“I felt nothing more than a prick,” member Mr. Rick said in a RealSelf Review. “Went to work an hour later. Nobody noticed a thing.”


5. Pain, swelling, and bruising.

Many patients report minimal pain. There may be some initial mild redness, swelling, or bruising, which should resolve quickly. The reaction is similar to getting a shot at your general practitioner.

“I had swelling around the injection sites for five minutes, it was totally gone by the time I left the clinic,” member Krystalgem said in a RealSelf Review.


6. What results should you expect?

When done correctly, in injection amount and technique, Botox should give you a more youthful look. Typically, the results take a few days before they start to show.

“Most patients will see the results of their Botox injection begin to appear after three or four days and continue to improve until about two weeks, when the results are at their maximum,” Montreal plastic surgeon Dr. Arie Benchetrit said in a RealSelf Q&A. “The effect will gradually wear off over the next four months or so.”


7. What are the possible side effects?

If injected correctly, most patients don’t have issues beyond minor redness, bruising, or swelling. If injected incorrectly, the Botox can spread too far and impact muscles it wasn’t intended to. That can cause effects like a droopy eyelid.


8. Getting rid of Botox.

If you have a complication from Botox or aren’t happy with your results, you must wait it out. It will wear out, it just takes time.

“Time and patience,” member Trippy65, wrote in a RealSelf Review. “That's it in a nutshell. I'm five months post-op and only recently feeling better. No magic cure.”


9. How long does it last?

How long Botox lasts will be different for everyone. It also depends on the areas treated, and how many units were injected. On average, most Botox treatments last between two and six months.

“The average length of time that Botox remains effective is four months,” Dr. Dana Goldberg, a Jupiter, Fla., plastic surgeon said in a RealSelf Q&A. “I have a few patients who swear it wears off after two to three months, and others who see the effect for more like five to six months.”


10. Botox may change more than a few wrinkles.

Botox is known for battling wrinkles, but it could also have some impacts you didn’t expect or desire.

“You relax the muscle in one area and that affects another,” member Amaxy wrote in a RealSelf Review. “My crow's feet are gone, but my under-eye [area] now has awful bags and wrinkles.”


11. Is it preventative?

Although you may not have wrinkles yet, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider Botox. Starting treatment before wrinkles start forming can limit their development and reduce the treatments needed later.

“Treating wrinkles now helps slow the development of deeper wrinkles in the future, and makes it easier to treat these creases as well,” Toronto plastic surgeon Dr. Jerome Edelstein said in a RealSelf Q&A. “That means you'll look younger for a longer time.”


12. It's not only for wrinkles.

Botox can be beneficial for many other issues, including treating muscle spasms, heavy sweating, and migraines.

“More and more uses of Botox are being discovered,” Austin dermatologic surgeon Dr. William Ramsdell said in a RealSelf Q&A. “Botox into back muscles can be quite effective.”


13. Does Botox train your muscles?

With continued and consistent Botox treatments, you could see an increase in longevity. That's because repeated use can cause a gradual relaxing of the muscles. The less active they are, the less they work to create wrinkles.

“The duration of action for Botox will increase over a period of years after repeated treatment,” Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Young Cho said in a RealSelf Q&A. “This is because the muscles may decrease in caliber after extended periods of inactivity.”


14. Expert tips from long-time Botox fans.

Pick your Botox provider wisely, and make sure they use good quality product. Finding a board-certified plastic surgeon should help.

“I was often surprised to find that sometimes I had great results and other times not so great,” member octonc said in a RealSelf Review. “I have learned that some doctors are better injectors than others, and that fresh Botox is far better than day-old or week-old Botox.”


adapted from : https://www.realself.com/forum/14-knew-before-botox

Who is a candidate for this procedure?

Who is a candidate for this procedure?

Who is a candidate for this procedure?

Most healthy adults with large masseter muscles are good candidates for this procedure.It is particularly popular, however, with Asian females, many of whom naturally have broad jawlines.

Sometimes people who regularly chew gum or eat tough foods also have a well-developed masseter.

Those with dental or skin infections should wait until they are healed before receiving Botox, and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should also wait.
What can I expect from this treatment?
If you think you might benefit from masseter Botox, book a consultation with Dr. Torgerson so that he can confirm that you are a good candidate.

Expect that you will begin initially with a series of two to three treatments over the course of 2 to 4 months. If further treatments are required, they can continue once every 6 months until the muscle has atrophied enough to give the desired shape.

You will be fully awake for the procedure, which is performed in only a few minutes in the office, and it is not painful at all for most patients. In fact, if you have the time, it can even be done on your lunch break. There is no downtime. Once you’re finished, you’ll be able to drive home, go back to work, or otherwise continue with your regular routine. After 2 or 3 weeks, you will begin to notice gradual, natural-looking results.

If you feel that your jawline is a little more square-shaped than you would like it to be, you’ll be happy to know that for most people, this is something they can change. Through the simple procedure known as masseter Botox, you can have the more delicate jawline you desire.

adapted from : http://drtorgerson.com/non-surgical-procedures/botox-toronto/masseter-botox-for-an-improved-jawline/

BOTOX Jaw Reduction FAQ: Using Botox to Get a Smaller (Note: Sharper) Face

 BOTOX Jaw Reduction FAQ: Using Botox to Get a Smaller (Note: Sharper) Face

I'm sure many of you have heard of Botox treatments and how they can help reduce your wrinkles, but how many of you know that you can use Botox to get a smaller face shape?

Uh huh, that's right! You can use Botox to get the much-desired V-shaped face! Of course, you can also go under the knife and do the "bone-shaving" operation to make your face smaller, but I've heard that that's freaking painful, and honestly, most of us do not have the time to take months off work for the surgery and downtime involved. (And most of us definitely do not want our colleagues gossiping about what surgery you went for.)

So it seemed pretty obvious to me that Botox was the best way to do it. Sure it wears off after about 4-6 months (some up to 8 months or even a year), but it doesn't involve anyone cutting you up and you possibly ending up with a face shape you don't like permanently.

I've had many friends ask me about this, and since there are so many curious folks who wish to get this done, I thought I'd share my experience through a little FAQ. My experience was with Dr Zhang Yijun of The Face Aesthetic Clinic, and thanks to him, the entire process was fuss-free, and pretty much painless. =D


What is Botox?
Okay some dry background, but you might want to know what exactly is going into your body. I've read about so many fears with regard to Botox injections, and how it might be harmful to your body. Botox is short form for Botulinum Toxin, a neurotoxic protein produced by a kind of bacteria called Clostridium Botulinum. Wait, TOXIC??? Will it kill me???

Yes, possibly, if you are using it in excessive doses and not administered by a medical practitioner.


So How Does It Work?
This Botulinum Toxin causes muscle paralysis, and if not properly administered, can paralyse muscles that you don't want to. But it is also because of this property that it is used medically to treat certain conditions, like Blepharospasm (the uncontrollable twitching of the eyelid), Strabismus (or what we refer to as Pak Jiao or Cock-eyed, in which both eyes are not properly aligned with each other), excessive sweating, chronic migraine, stroke, or even cerebral palsy. It works by relaxing the muscles that are causing the problem. So yeah, Botox is not a bad thing if you use it properly.

How does it work on the face? You know your jaw muscles that you use for chewing? The part that some men like to clench to show off their strong jaw? I don't want a strong jaw, so I don't want that on my face. You can feel the muscles by putting your hand on your cheeks near the jawline below the ear, and then clenching your teeth and relaxing them. That part that bulges out is called the masseter muscle, and will be where the doctor will inject.
You know how when you go to the gym and when you work on a certain muscle it will just get bigger and more defined, and if you don't work the muscle, it gets smaller? Botox does that by helping you to partially (I say partially because the dosage is very low) paralyse that muscle so you don't use it.

Oh if you have a problem with bruxism or teeth-grinding, like I do, Botox injection in the masseter actually helps make it better. =)


Will I Still be Able To Chew My Food?
Yes, chewing of foods is not affected, and you can still eat as per normal.


Are There Side Effects?
I'd be lying if I told you there isn't. That's why always go to a doctor you trust. I entrust my face to Dr Zhang because unlike some doctors who will just inject what you ask (and sometimes because we are so hiao we will ask for the maximum dosage it takes to not kill us so it lasts longer), he is pretty conservative in his advice and administration. That's also because he prefers the "natural" look as compared to the very tight but expressionless and face-very-shocked look. Lol. He will inject what he thinks is necessary, and then in a week or 2 when you return for your review, decide and discuss with you if you need more, then inject again if necessary.

Because everyone's muscles differ slightly, it might cause surrounding tissues or muscles to be paralysed as well. The first time I went I couldn't smile properly after a month. And then after that I felt that the apples of my cheeks were not as high as before, as though they have drooped or something. I thought it was because I was getting old, but it turned out that as the botox wore off, the apple of my cheeks got higher again. Think I'm weird as not many people have these problems, but Dr Zhang took note and adjusted the injection points as well as the dosage accordingly. Now I can smile properly and still have my high cheekbones.

Always feedback and communicate with your doctor, and let them know any allergies or prior experiences if you've had any. They were taught certain rules and guidelines, but they also understand that each individual is different and needs to be catered to differently. Also, if you are pregnant or on any medication, do let your doctor know as well. Just in case.


I'm Terrified of Needles! Is it Painful?
This was my concern intitally, as they applied numbing cream on the target area about 20 minutes before they began the procedure. Numbing cream means there will be pain involved without it right?

Okay, one thing about numbing cream and injections that go deeper than the skin layer - they are pretty much useless. Lol. Sorry for breaking it to you guys, but think about it, if the numbing cream is applied on your skin, then only your skin will be numb. Maybe the part JUST underneath the skin might be numb, but I don't think it'll reach so deep into your muscles. If so then why do dentists need to inject anaesthetic medication into your gums (which in itself is so damn painful already) before they perform any local dental surgery?

Personally, I think the numbing cream acts as some kind of psychological placebo. During the injection, I could feel the needle. But get this -

IT DIDN'T HURT!

Okay Dr Zhang asked me to clench my teeth (he'd ask you to "bite"), so he could feel where the muscle is, then asked me to relax. After which he injected into the target area. All it felt like was someone pushing my jaw with a pen. I just felt a bit sore, but nope, no acute sharp pain. Phew~!

To confirm this I actually went without numbing cream the second time, and it still felt the same! So I conclude - numbing cream is only good for surface treatments like Laser. LOL! Okok conclusion is BOTOX for masseter reduction is painless! =D *happy* "No Pain No Gain" doesn't necessarily apply to vanity okay!


How Long is the Procedure? Will I Need to Take Leave?
The actual procedure took me less than 10 minutes. So you can schedule your appointment during lunch time! Of course, there is the consultation with Dr Zhang, and depending on how busy he is, you might have to wait a while. The consult should be done in about 15 minutes, but if you have other concerns that you might want to bring up or other procedures that you might want to do, it might take up to 30 minutes.

After the consult, his assistant will walk you through the price, this will take about 5-15 minutes, depending on how fast your decision-making is. When you are okay to proceed, they will apply numbing cream on your face, after which you will have to wait about 20 minutes. But if you are okay with no numbing cream, they can just proceed. (So you can save time and still have some time leftover to go and dabao lunch back to the office!) Just ask him for a stress ball. You can ask for it even if you applied numbing cream of course. It doesn't do anything much physically, but it'll make you feel better having something to squeeze when you are nervous. =)

So the whole appointment for just BOTOX for Masseter Reduction will take about an hour-ish for the average person.

BOTOX for Masseter Reduction:

15min consult + 15min price walkthrough & hesitation & decision-making + 20min numbing(optional) + 10min injection ≈ 1 hour

A safe gauge would be 1 hour and a half (waiting time factored in).

For those of you whose office is near the clinic, you might want to schedule the consult and the procedure on 2 separate appointments, especially if your office is near the clinic and you don't want to be hungry.

Is There Any Downtime?

This is a picture immediately post-injection.

Spot anything? Mmm hmm. The needle is very fine, so there shouldn't be obvious holes. At most you'll notice a slight bump, smaller than a mosquito bite. But because it's at the side of your face, if you don't tell, no one will notice. ;)

How Much Does It Cost?

I'm not allowed to reveal the prices here due to MOH guidelines, but TFAC charges reasonably, and they do have a price list which lists the rates according to area of injection, like there is a price for the masseter, there is a price for the crows' feet, and so on. So you don't have to worry about them trying to knock you off because you look richer than others. Also, many of their satisfied patients bring friends, and friends compare prices, yes? =) 

Oh in case you're wondering, because they charge by location, you don't have to worry about paying more during your review. Your review, plus any top-up if necessary, is free of charge. That being said, I strongly advise against requesting for more top than required, because seriously, you want to look good, not look plastic and shocked.

How Long Does It Take to See Results?

For surface injection to help reduce wrinkles, you can see results in a few days. For jaw reduction, results are optimal about 4-8 weeks after injection. That's when you will see your face the smallest. And when friends come asking you if you've lost weight. ;) So if you have an important function to attend, you might want to schedule your appointment about 4-6 weeks in advance. 

What Kind of Results Can I Expect Exactly?

It differs from person to person of course, but you will definitely have a smaller face, if the cause of your roundish face shape is your masseter muscle. If however, your cheeks are all just fat, then you might want to consider other kinds of treatments. I can't tell you for sure what your problem is, so you have to let Dr Zhang or whichever doctor you choose assess and advise on what you can do. 

Okay here are my results. I did this photoshoot before the jab, and I was so horrified with the pictures, I think that was why I asked Dr Zhang for help. Don't get me wrong, the pictures were nice, but I had higher expectations of myself, and I certainly got a shock when I realized I had let myself "go".

Unedited okay. When I smiled I had excess cheek behind my dimples. O.O

I mean, okay, the eyebrows looked great, since it was for an eyebrow embroidery ad, but oh my goodness when did my face grow that chunk at the side??? For this picture my face was already tilted down for the small face effect, and STILL looked chubby. *cries*

This is 2 months after my visit to Dr Zhang for the jab:

Notice how it's more defined?

Sorry I didn't do any photoshoot during that period so selfies are the best I've got. But the jawline is really a lot slimmer.

 These were all taken about 1-2 months after the injection. =>

And this is about 3-4 months in? I don't really like to eat meat, and generally prefer soupy stuff, porridge and kway teow. So that probably explains why my effects last for quite a while. I do notice a difference when I have been eating a lot of meat, like beef. My masseter muscles GROW~~~

How Long Does it Last?

I've been keeping my face small at The Face Aesthetic Clinic for a while now, and I realized that with each shot, it tends to last longer than the last. I've also had friends who tell me that your will require lesser and lesser shots each time, or take longer to go for the next shot. The doctor will tell you that the effects differ from person to person, and it's true. Some last for 3 months, others much longer. But a good gauge is between 3-8 months. I haven't had a shot since August, and I think my face still looks pretty decent. Any rounding is probably due to too much X'Mas and CNY feasting.

How to Maintain the Desired Face Shape and Prolong the Effects? 

Eat less chewy foods like beef that's really hard, or chewing gum. Chewing hard works the masseter muscles, and will cause them to redevelop again. Of course, it's inevitable to chew food, unless you want to eat porridge and drink soup for the rest of your life. (Although, you will lose weight and have an even smaller face.) This is also why it differs from person to person - how much chewing you actually do in those few months can affect how long the effects remain. 

How Do I Know When to Go Again?

When you feel that your face is fat and roundish again. Or when you can bite and feel that muscle protrude out by quite a bit. About 4-8 weeks after your injection you can clench and try to feel the muscle. It shouldn't protrude. When it does you know that the muscle is building itself back again. That's when you might consider a second visit. 

Where Can I Find Dr Zhang Yijun & 

The Face Aesthetic Clinic?

TFAC is located at 20 Malacca Street, Singapore 048979. 

Do call them at 62236788 to make an appointment as they can be really busy sometimes! 

You can also visit their website at www.thefaceaestheticclinic.com.sg for more details on what they do.

If you are taking the train, alight at Raffles Place and go towards One Raffles Place. They are just beside, along the DBS stretch. 

If you drive, park at Golden Shoe Carpark. It's the cheapest in the area, unless you can find parallel parking lots (coupons) along Phillip Street.

Here's to a V-Shaped Face! XOXO!

adapted from : http://thatsilvergirl.blogspot.co.id/2015/03/botox-faq-using-botox-to-get-smaller.html

5 medical body treatments you have to know if you’re curious about non-surgical slimming procedures

5 medical body treatments you have to know if you’re curious about non-surgical slimming procedures

Healthy diet and regular exercise are definitely the surest ways to help you achieve svelte-looking body. However, when it comes to stubborn fat that refuse to go away no matter how hard you try, you can consider treatments to help you achieve your ideal body shape without breaking a sweat. Here are five you need to read about.


1. Cryo-Lipolysis

The second generation of the Cryo-Lipolysis by Zimmer Z Lipo and Z WavePro has recently been released. This German-engineered technology uses cold therapy to freeze fat within a 60-minute session.

Best for: Localised fat deposits on arms, hips, abdomen, buttocks, thighs, including areas that are hard to reach

How it works: Two innovative aesthetic machines, the Z Lipo and Z WavePro, which are designed for fat freezing and body contouring, are used in the treatment. Z Lipo targets fat deposits and chills them down in a controlled manner so that they are destroyed. Dead fat cells are eventually flushed out by the lymphatic system naturally. Then, Z WavePro transmits radial shockwave to tighten skin and regenerate collagen to achieve a firmer look.

When can you see results: Dead fat cells are usually removed through the lymphatic system in 10 to 12 weeks.

 

Get it at: Prive Clinic. Helmed by Dr. Karen Soh who graduated as a Raffles Top Scholar before pursuing studies in medicine, Prive is committed to intensive training, advanced technology and quality treatments, with a focus on safety. The clinic is located at #03-03 Palais Renaissance (Tel: 6767-6639).


2. Sculpsure

This technology created quite a buzz in the United States when it was first introduced because it promises to deliver results within a quick 25-minute session. The non-invasive treatment is the world’s first FDA-cleared laser treatment for lipolysis of the flanks and abdomen.

Best for: Midsection (belly flab, love handles, hips)

How it works: Using 1060nm wavelength laser, Sculpsure targets selectively at adipose tissue (fat). Over time, the body naturally eliminates the fat cells that were broken down. The procedure is pain-free and has no down time.

When can you see results: Positive results are seen as quickly as in six weeks, and optimal results are usually observed at 12 weeks. You can expect long-term results if you maintain your weight with regular diet and exercise. Clinical trials report an average of 24% of fat cells reduced after one session.

Get it at: The Urban Clinic. Conveniently located at Raffles City, The Urban Clinic is helmed by Dr. Xu Yanni who has a rich portfolio of experience in numerous aesthetic procedures, and one of which is in body contouring. Dr. Xu received her qualifications from King’s College London School of Medicine, where she graduated with the second highest score in her year. The clinic is located at #01-15 Raffles City (Tel: 6254-0407).


3. Intensive Body Perfection Programme

This first-to-market aesthetics “bootcamp” for the body is designed specifically by EstheClinic to achieve body contouring results. It combines two aesthetic technologies that are non-invasive and pain-free.

Best for: Overall re-shaping of body contours, and firming and tightening skin

How it works: The treatment combines lipocavitation ultrasound therapy to burn off deeply-imbedded, stubborn fat cells, and thermo-controlled radiofrequency therapy to dramatically tighten and firm loose skin, and smoothen out cellulite. It is recommended for the treatments to be repeated regularly, so that there’s a progressive and cumulative stimulation of collagen, and destruction of fat cells

When can you see results: The session is to be repeated twice a week for three to five consecutive weeks of treatments for best results.

Get it at: EstheClinic. EstheClinic was founded by aesthetics doctors with over two decades of experience in France, and has since branched out across 15 locations all over the world. It has three branches in Singapore, located at 72 Tras Street (Tel: 6221-4797), 44/45 Rochester Park (Tel: 6254-9913), and 424 Joo Chiat Road (6344-0121).


4. Thermage

This may not be the newest technologies in town, but the versatility of usage makes it a common procedure available at most aesthetic clinics. One of the reasons why doctors and patients like it is because there are several ways to customise the procedure to achieve the results that patients want.

Best for: Love handles, eliminating the look of cellulite around hips and thighs.

How it works: Using radio frequency energy, Thermage is able to penetrate deep into subcutaneous tissues so that metabolism is boosted and skin is tightened. It is also great at restoring elasticity to treated area to achieve overall body contouring results.

When can you see results: Results tend to unfold over a period of months but improvements in skin tightness is usually observed immediately.

Get it at: Dr. Vanessa Phua Aesthetic Clinic. Dr. Phua believes in tailoring programmes for her patients depending on their lifestyle. Educated in the UK with an Ophthlamology surgical background, she is also a trainer for aesthetic medical procedures, and is known for her body contouring treatments. The clinic is located at #05-06, Lucky Plaza (Tel: 6235-8411)


5. Liposonix

Don’t be fooled by its name, Liposonix has nothing to do with liposuction, and the way it’s administered is very different. A non-invasive treatment, it uses ultrasound energy to kill fat cells.

Best for: Reduction of fat around the waist line

How it works: Liposonix uses High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), which is able to disrupt fat cells in a safe and effective manner.

When can you see results: Your body naturally processes and removes the destroyed fat cells over the next eight to 12 weeks after the procedure.

Get it at: EHA Clinic. Founded by Dr. Elias Tam, who began professional practice in 1993, and is a specailist trainer for various pharmaceutical companies. He develops and tests the latest and most innovative aesthetic procedure, which makes him a pioneer in many new technologies. The clinic is located at #15-01 Shaw Centre (Tel: 6235-3325/8168-7235)


adapted from : https://dailyvanity.sg/beauty-reviews/best-slimming-aesthetic-treatments/