The sagging face....... PART 1 ( The Why?)

In my years of aesthetic practice, one of the most common complaints I have from patients is that they feel that their face is sagging. Most complain of jowls seen under the jawline making them look older. So they start consuming products to sort of enhance their collagen to improve the sagging skin but most products do not seem to work.

Before you can treat the problem, you need to understand what it is. As we age, our body undergoes a lot of changes in terms of anatomy and fat, muscle, or tissue redistribution. Here is a nice picture depicting the changes of ageing taken from The Journal of Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North America.

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1. Thinning of hair and receding hairline.

2. Forehead rhytids and ptosis.   ----> (Forehead lines and loss of volume)

3. Glabellar Rhytidosis.    ------>  ( Also know as frown lines)

4. Brow ptosis.

5. Temple rhytidosis and ptosis.

6. Upper lid redundancy and ptosis.   -----------> (Lid droop)

7. Lateral canthal rhytidosis.    -------------> (Crow's feet)

8. Nasal root rhytidosis.       ----------------> (Bunny lines)

9. Lower lid redundancy and rhytidosis    --------------> (Under eye wrinkles)

10. Lower lid fat pseudoherniation.     ---------> (eye bags)

11. Malar bag formation.                       ---------> (eye bags)

12. Cheek rhytidosis.

13. Periauricular rhytidosis.                  

14. Nasal tip ptosis and dependency.

15. Cheek sagging and fat atrophy changes.      ----------------> (face hollowness)

16. Deepening nasolabial crease                     ---------------> (laughing lines)

17. Facial rhytidosis and sagging.                  ---------------> (cheek wrinkles and sagging)

18. Perioral rhytidosis.  --------------------------> (perioral wrinkles or smoker's line)

19. Upper lid flattening and lengthening.

20. Thinning and atrophy of the vermillion (red lip)

21. Chin pad ptosis and retraction.

22. Jowl formation  ---------------------------> (jowls or face sagging)

23. Cervical rhytidosis    ----------------------> (Neck wrinkles)

24. Submental fat accumulation   ----------------->  (double chin)

25. Platysmal banding

26 Rhytidosis and midneck hollowing

27. Submaxillary gland ptosis.

I like this diagram because it covers all the possible facial ageing signs on a persons face. Yes, it is also a very ugly picture. Most people may have only 5 or 6 on the list after a certain age, but ageing is not just chronological. It also depends on your sun exposure, your lifestyle, nutrition, genetics, etc. 

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So what was once upside down triangle face that most people regard as youth, slowly, gravity starts pulling downwards until the triangle becomes bottom down. 

This image shows a more colourful and easier diagram than the first of what happens as we age. Our eye sockets appear bigger due to reabsorption of the bone and the shifting of the fat pads to either due to prolapse or loss of volume. The prolapse seen around the eye also is related to the increase laxity of the surrounding ligaments. Bags form around the eyes develop from laxity of the tissue surrounding it. Lines form on the face from loss of volume and movements that form expressions of the face. Combined with thinned out, unhealthy skin, it can look worst in some people.

So basically, the phenomenon of sagging of the face is not as easy as taking strings and pulling it to make you look tighter. It involves a more comprehensive knowledge and practical approach to getting the best results that is suitable for you.

Usually, my approach would be to see what bother's my patient most. And from there, we decide, what is the likely cause i.e. loss of volume in the temples or malar fat pads, reduce skin elasticity due to exposures to sun, over wrinkling due to over expressions, or other reasons that contribute to the sag look that the patient is not happy with. By explaining the cause of sagging, then only can the doctor prescribe the best form of treatment to a patient and whether surgical intervention is more likely a better choice in the patient's best interest.

So is there a treatment for sagging? 

The answer is, not a single treatment but more likely a series of combined treatment treating each and every problem located above. Honestly, looking at the above diagrams, most of us would have more than 1 issue. What is more important is to sit and discuss treatment options and costs and do a proper planning of how to achieve the best results.

I will continue in my next blog on what are the treatment options available to treat the sagging face.

For more questions or appointment enquiries please email to drmmclinic@gmail.com or msg us at 0123301585, or call 0321106608.

Its All About the C's

Its the start of spring and we are entering the second quarter of the year. Busy schedules and a lot of hard work for most of us due to the current economic slow down that is happening worldwide. In the hustle and bustle of keeping up with the rat race, it is really important to keep our health intact to meet up with our expectations. So for the next couple of weeks, I will be explaining about vitamins, minerals and supplements required for the body to function better. 

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Let's start with the big C. Vitamin C is a very important nutrient for our body. Humans are the only mammals in the world that does not produce their own vitamin C. Other animals produce C's internally and it plays a major role in their immune system and survival. Because of this, we need to consume vitamin C's on a regular basis to keep our stores up.

In humans, the benefits of vitamin C has been established more and more. It is involved in the formation of certain proteins to make skin, bones, cartilage and blood vessels. It is also useful in wound healing and formation of scar tissue, repair and maintenance of bones, cartilage and teeth, and it also aids iron absorption. 

It also plays a strong role in aiding the immune system and helps alleviate colds, flus and otehr viral illnesses. Historically, it was used to avoid scurvy but nowadays, this problem is relatively rare due to reduced long sea travels. It is also used to maintain gum health, treatment of acne, treatment of bronchitis, H. pylori bacter related stomach ulcers, control of HIV, treat tuberculosis, dysentry, skin infections and help in curing infections of the bladder and prostate.

Recent studies also shown the benefits of Vitamin C in relation to brain functions. It helps reduce depression, Alzheimer's disease, reduce physical and mental stress, improve concentration, improve ADHD and reduce fatigue. It has also shown in a study recently that it reduces heart rate during exercise and reduces the perception of fatigue and exertion. 

Latest studies also show that it aids in heart disease and diabetes by improving endothelial functions and reducing inflammation thus improving the outcome. However, you will need to take more than 500mg daily in order to see the benefits. With improved endothelial functions, there is a reduced risk of artherosclerotic disease which is involved in stroke and heart disease. 

Other benefits of Vitamin include improves glaucoma, prevent cataracts, prevent gall bladder disease, relieves constipation, improves dental caries, improves Lyme disease, helps with heat stroke, hay fever, asthma, cyctic fibrosis, infertility, chronic fatigue syndrome, autism, collagen disorders, arthritis and bursitis, back pain and disc swellings and improves osteoporosis.

High doses of vitamin c has also been used in alternative cancer treatments and as adjuncts to chemotherapy to reduce chemotoxic effects and has shown to improve patient outcomes. It is also an anti-aging supplement that helps reduce signs on aging, whether applied topically, consumed or given IV.

The next popular question that I normally get is how to take the vitamin. Well, for skin problems, the best is to apply topically. If you can get a 'medical grade' vitamin C more than 20% concentration it would definitely benefit your skin by reducing wrinkles after 6 weeks of diligient bidaily application of serum. If you notice I purposely highlighted medical grade, because a lot of cosmetic skin care claim to have more than 20% vitamin C inside their products but in actual fact, when you test them most don't even hit 10%. Sometimes, they put 20% concentration prior to manufacturing and after processing, the vitamin C being a water soluble vitamin, the percentage reduces. If you want to try a good medical grade Vitamin C serum, we do carry a few brands.

The next easiest method is to consume orally. However, most people do not realize that the gut can only absorb 600mg of Vitamin C per 4-6 hours and this also depends on how good your digestive system is. Most Malaysians have really bad digestive system due to diets high in fats and carbohydrate and lack of fiber. We also have a lot of irritable bowel syndromes and leaky gut syndromes which causes poor absorption in the gut. Now with our hair profiler system, we can screen for leaky gut syndrome and improve your gut health with just a simple test. The other issue with concuming orally is the form of vitamin C that you are consuming. Some believe L-ascorbate is the best form to take, the clinical data on it is scarce. And at the end of the day, how much vitamin C can the body actually absorb in a day? Maybe 2 grams. However, really high doses of vitamin C taken orally can cause nausea, diarhoea and abdominal discomfort.

Some medical practitioners advocate intravenous vitamin C in high doses for immune curve shifting. This is to avoid gut wastage of the C's and deliver accurate high doses. The idea has been used for many years in treating people with cancer and severe immune problems and now some are advocating as an anti-aging regime. Personally, I did try 10gms of vitamin C over 30 minutes with a combination of glutathione 600mg, ALA and B Complexes. The infusion was a little bit uncomfortable despite being diluted with normal saline, and I felt stiff in the arm during the infusion process. Immediate effect for me was actually lethargy but I noticed improvements in my skin tone, pigmentation and feel. Immune wise, I guess I improved, because my sinuses improved without needing antibiotics. However, one off therapy wouldn't be sufficient and usually you will need a course to achieve a good concentration. Being water soluble, the vitamin gets excreted out by 3-7 days. However, the high dose concentration for a few hours is what gives the body that extra boost to jumpstart the immune system.

Regardless, if you are unsure or planning to start high dose vitamin C regimes, please consult a medical practitioner that is well verse in the indications, contra indications and side effects. There are some contra indications to the use of high dose vitamin C that you will need to discuss with your doctor to ensure it is safe for you.

For more information please email us at drmmclinic@gmail.com or call us at 03-21106608 or send a msg to 0123301585.

Thermage - To do or not to do?

Doing freelance without an office has really made my life go upside down trying to keep up with the stuff I have to do. Recently I have just been appointed as a consultant and module writer for a Basic Aesthetic Course for supporting staff under Open University Malaysia. Its a tedious job, but I feel honoured to be given the chance to contribute to the younger generation. So on and off, I see some of my aesthetic patients in Gleneagles. Its not really the Shangri-La, but for the time being, it will do to keep the service running. Perhaps the coolest thing there is my Consultant owns a Thermage that he barely uses, so he's allowed me to use it instead. Yay.

So what is Thermage?

Thermage is a machine created for skin tightening. Using radiofrequency technology, it generates a controlled heat at the end of the tip to allow equal heating of the dermis. Studies have shown that controlled thermal injury to the skin leads to collagen remodelling subsequently which takes between 4-12 weeks depending on extent of stimulation. Thermage technology has been around for more than a decade with constant improvements to the machine. So far it is still one of the best technologies for skin tightening that is able to deliver results with just 1 treatment. Other radiofrequency devices usually require 4 or more treatments for similar effects. I have been studying this technology since I started Starhill and it has been impressive.

Areas of treatment

The Thermage was initially created for face tightening with focus on to the eye area to delay need for eye lid surgery. As we age, the skin becomes lax and starts to droop. Some physicians use botox to keep the lid up, but even botox requires a good skin elasticity to allow the effect to occur. Thermage made its name as the first non-surgical device to give eye lid tightening. And the results are pretty much impressive.

Other indications would be face tightening, jaw line definition, neck and body. But as all other aesthetic procedures, results will vary based on individual and also the doctor who conducts the treatment. 

Pain Concerns

Yes, I admit many people claim Thermage is painful. Personally, I would give it a rating of 9/10 for pain for the older generations. The newer ones i.e. the CPT with built in vibrator functions drops the pain score to around 7/10 without any topical anaesthesia. Although some may argue that topical anaesthesia is a placebo effect, all my patients admit it is less painful on areas with local and areas without. I can also offer some Ultracet prior to the procedure to make it more comfortable. Other factors influencing pain is the steadiness of the hand doing the procedure, the speed and the area that is being done. In a well trained practitioner, the pain felt is negligible and confined to perhaps at most 1 hour after the procedure.

Downtime

The coolest thing about this treatment, there is no social downtime. Yeah, there maybe some redness up to 1 hour after the procedure, or maybe slight oedema swelling the next day, but its still concealable and does not look so obvious. 

The Cost

Well this is the real pincher. The cost for 1 treatment properly done at 900 shots is between RM 10- RM 12K locally. Yes, I said it, it costs a bomb. But the justification for this is that you only need 1 treatment done properly and the results will last you between 6 months to 2 years, depending on the severity of your problem. But look at it this way, 1 treatment for 10K spread over 12 months, it's only RM 833 spent a month compared to other tightening treatments for example Gentle-YAG (Yes, you can use this machine for tightening) RM 1200 per session X 4 weekly during the initial stage, then monthly X 3 and then probably repeat after 6 months (RM 9600 over 8 visits per annum) or other medical tightening devices whose selling price is usually approximately RM 800/session but you will need around 10-16 sessions to get close to the tightening effects of thermage. When you add up the transport and time costs, sometimes it could be more. And let's not even mention the beauty salon grade RFs - Yes, they look nice immediately but you will not have any lasting effects because of the Joules limitation on their machines. In order to start the collagen remodelling cascade, the dermis and up to 20mm into the subcutaneous tissue needs to be heated up to the range of 42-55 degrees. 

What to Expect?

Initially you will see instant tightening of the skin due to dehydration of the cells from the heat and you may appear a little bit flushed. The results may be good or average on the first day with subsequently there may be mild oedema lasting up to 3 days. After 2 weeks you will start to notice improvement in skin texture. The pores start to appear smaller and many say they feel the skin softer. The initial tightening effect will start after the first month with the best results seen after 3 months, so be sure to keep a photo to compare. Sometimes, the changes appear subtle, sometimes very marked. Depending on your initial skin condition, if your skin is still supple, effects can last up to 2 years. If you are very sagged, lax or you are targeting shaping a fleshy face, you may need to repeat every 6 months to achieve the desired results.

Results?

Here are the few results obtain from a good treatment.

Pretty amazing results huh? For more information or to enquire treatments, contact us via email at faceworksclinic@gmail.com or call us at 014-2233268. Please be reminded that we are no longer in Starhill so please contact us before dropping by. Thermage is available in Gleneagles for a limited time only so do contact us early to avoid disappointments.

Célebre - Aphrodite's secret potion leaked out....

Finally, I have some quiet time to sit and write my blog. I have this issue of requiring a wide open space to write, ideally with trees, a breeze and natural sunlight. Mornings are the best, after my little minions are sent off to school. Being unwell since Chinese New Year which makes it close to a month now, a lot of my activities have been limited. Although some people may feel that its bad, I actually find peace in my inability to speak much and keeping silent. A silent mind brings forth fresh ideas, and it helps rationale things better. Oh yeah, I am actually enjoying the voice rest, I have a good excuse not to call people or pick up the phone.

Anyway, let's talk about Célebre. Célebre is the name of a Company in Geneva that specialises solely in Cell Therapy and advanced anti-aging specialties. Its team comprises of their own medical doctors, stem cell therapy consultants, researchers, chemists, biotechies and developers to create their own line of 'stem cell' products. The team has been around for quite awhile but this line of product was only introduced in 2012.

So why are the Europeans so hyped up about cell therapy and stem cells? The idea of stem cells as a form of alternative healing for humans began as early as 1931 where Dr Paul Niehans, a swiss doctor amazed the conventional world by saving a woman with her parathyroid glands accidentally removed during thyroid surgery. He took parathyroid glands from a sheep, crushed them, diluted with saline and reinjected the concoction into the surgical area. The woman survived, without much complications. He was also said to have treated a lot of celebrities with an amazing stunt of allowing an 80 year old an to impregnate his wife for their last child. In 1954, he was called to the aid of Pope Pious XII who was dying. The poor Pope was in critical state with only glucose infusion as he cannot tolerate any food or water. For 2 months, he nursed the Pope and within a few weeks he was able to tolerate orally and his power regained. Hence why the Anti-Aging Medicine world dubbs Dr Paul Niehans as the Father of Stem Cells. Even in the older days he managed to heal and prolong life, makes you wonder what more can he do with today's technology? Regardless, such extreme treatments received a lot of criticism from the medical world and professionals especially with the cost of treatments which are somewhat excessive.

                                

     I am a believer of stem cell therapies, but I am very skeptic as many parties try to take an idea, try to duplicate at a lesser cost (hence reduces quality, efficacy, dosing etc) and then mass promote with an extreme marketing gimmick. So hence my approach to Celebré was also very skeptic. So what better way to find out rather than try it myself. (And no, the Company did not sponsor the placenta supplements). What I am bound to write are the effects based on my own experience consuming this supplement, it may differ from individual to individual.

So I decided to test out the oral sheep placenta capsules. I have been trying a few brands over the years, but I guess this one did catch me by surprise. It comes in a standard box of 30 soft capsules. It is quite big, but swallowable. The good thing is the absence of any after taste that you get with some other supplements. It has a slight scent, but not smelly. I take one every morning on an empty stomach. I always take my supplements ideally on an empty stomach, because only then the best absorption occurs. For something this expensive, I'd want it to absorb as much.

The first week, I did not feel much difference. I was a little bit sleepier the first couple of days, but subsequently resolved. My energy level remained the same, and so was my appetite. But after consuming more than 7 days, I started noticing my skin texture feels softer, by the end of the second week, it felt as soft as my little girl. Even my staff noticed. My skin appeared to glow. It was cool. After the first box, I did notice some of my pigmentation appeared lightened. The skin remained soft. I guess this placenta focuses more on skin health rather than anything else. 

After the first box, my skin looked so healthy that people started to ask me what have I been doing. I didn't even need to apply much lotion, my skin kept hydrated.

The most question I get when I tell them I am on placenta supplements is about menses cycle and break outs. I have to admit, the first month I had more breakouts than usual and more menses pains compared to usual. But towards the second month, the breakouts lessen, and I was without much menses pain. I guess, it does affect your hormones as well. Another question people do ask me is about how hot do I feel taking the supplement? Compared to other supplements, I would say it is tolerable. I think I sweat a bit more, and probably feels warmer to touch compared to when I am off it, but its not as bad as consuming deer placenta (super heaty).

So I've taken myself of the capsules for a bit, just to observe the effects. My skin remained super soft and hydrated for a good 2 weeks after stopping, and even now, although I feel that it can be softer, I feel that it was much better than before. According to their protocol, they advise to take 3 months directly then subsequently maintain by consuming two to three times a week. A box of celebré costs RM 880 for a months supply of 30 tablets. I'm waiting to restart on my 3rd box and then maintain.

This brand also comes in IM forms of placenta extracts, fetal extracts, fresh frozen cells, and they even have a Vegetal extract. However, as you guessed the products are in their thousands, and it is a science which many still argue about till today. Still, I have seen some people on the direct innoculation forms, and have seen how much it has kept them un-aged. Personally, I would subject myself to these alternative treatments once I start to feel my changed healthy lifestyle unable to ward off the signs of aging.

For the record, I do not smoke. I sleep early. I do not consume any form of alcohol and I am on a low to no sugar diet daily. I also exercise daily and do not take preserved foods, MSG and other chemically infested food products. I wear sunblock religiously and I drink at least 3 litres of water daily. So, your results may vary with what I have experienced. Lifestyle plays a very important role for skin health. The supplements will help, but for the best results, you will be required to do a few life style modifications. It is not just for placenta but other supplements as well like vitamin C, glutathione etc etc.

For more info or to order do contact us at faceworksclinic@gmail.com or call us at +6014-2233268.

Happy Malaysia Day....... 2013

Its 16th of September, Malaysia Day. The Day in history where the whole Malaysia was united i.e. the peninsular, Sarawak & Sabah approximately 50 years ago. It is only recently the country announced the celebration for this day, hence adding an extra public holiday for Malaysia. This country has the most numbers of public holidays in the world. Sometimes I do wonder whether it is beneficial to the country in the long run.

Of late, I have been super busy with so many things and traveling. Towards the year end, usually there will be a lot of conferences and training and other things. This year, my heart is left in Langkawi. The beach, the sun, the sea air - living in KL for most of the part, the change in scenery is welcoming and exhilarating.  Despite the hectic schedule, I did manage to test out a few products which can be ordered through the clinic.


1. Dermaceutic Foamer 15 - Face Wash

I have been trying out the Dermaceutic range on and off and recently, they have changed their formula a bit to suit Asian climates and skin. The in-house peels are marvellous but some of the skincare initially was too rich for our hot and humid weather. Now, they have come up with a new packaging and formulation and I was given the opportunity to try out some of them. This is one of my favourites, the Foamer 15. Foamer 15 is a foaming cleanser with glycolic 15% as an active ingredient. For my skin, it would be ideal since I do have on off oily skin due to my hectic and active lifestyle. It not only helps to strip off excessive oils but it gives you a mild exfoliation to keep your skin looking vibrant and fresh on a daily basis. It has a very clinical smell i.e. no perfumes as the UK standard usually clinical skincare are without any fragrance. It is good for people with oily skin and also those who are slightly more mature. Some people may experience dryness with this foamer, but it is always a must to use moisturisers after washing your face with any type of soap. Personally, I did not experience any dryness. In combination with this foamer, you can opt for other lines of Dermaceutic products such as Hyalceutic or Light Ceutic for mild pigmentation. This range is affordable with each product costing less than RM 200 per bottle. Some products are available in the clinic, but most require pre-order. Ask us today.

2. Aknicare Range

This is a new acne range brought in by Neostrata. It was launched last year, but I only had the opportunity to try it out this year. What attracts me to this product is the different specific range of items it has at very affordable price. The usual face regime would include a cleanser, a lotion and a treatment cream that cost only RM 350 for all three products. The usage on a daily basis is minimal hence would last you 2-3 months. They have conducted few studies on this product and in Singapore, it is recommended as a first line for acne treatment before giving Ro-accutane or doing other more invasive procedures to treat acne. It is hypoallergenic and is suitable even for teenage skin.

My manager has hormonal acne due to change in contraception pills and I guess our set came in just in time. After a week of using the product, most of the redness have disappeared and the formation of new comedomes were significantly less. However, when she skipped 2 sessions, acne started to form again so perhaps it is really like a treatment which requires twice daily application. Otherwise, the skin is less oily and looks clearer. Personally I tried out the spot treatment. I sometimes get spots like these popping up especially if I am highly stressed up.

Its a small bottle which is convenient since you need to apply 6X a day to reduce the acne within 1-2 days. As you can see, it is just the size of your lippy, so it makes carrying it around in your purse minimal hassle. I used it 3X only and the red flaring pimple dried up nicely and went off in 2 days. Definitely keeping this in my purse for emergencies. Initially when you apply the roller onto the acne it does feel a lil bit tingling especially if there is a break in the skin. This range also comes with a back and chest acne care for those who has body acne breakouts. It comes in a spray bottle to ease application, but I still find it difficult to apply onto the back without help. So I've been applying more in the front and I did notice a reduction in acne around the chest area. So now even my chest looks a lot nicer with less congestion. For those curious as to how the system works, here's a hand summary of the mechanism of action. 

For more information about these products, email us at faceworksclinic@gmail.com or call us at 03-21440080 / 014-2233268 or just Like our FB page and send us a PM there.

Miss Universe 2012 is Miss China....

I think my blog roll have collected some cobwebs since I have been super busy with a million and one things to do on a day to day basis. From patients to management issues, to children and bffs jumping off the plan for an unplanned holidays and the so many events after fasting month, oh yes, I have my plate pretty full. 

Anyways, last couple of months Miss Universe World pageant came to an end with Miss China crowned as the Miss Universe World for 2012. She also won the Miss talent award and she is actually the 2nd person from China to win such a title in the whole 61 events in the past. Congratulations to Miss China.

Personally I love watching Miss Universe pageants. I caught the last bit of it recently as they were crowning Miss China. Its a show full of glitz and glamour and not to forget the pretty girls. Looking at each of the girls features, you can see similar traits that signifies beauty - flawless skin and symmetry. Although for these beauty queens it is actually loads of make-up to get the flawless effect. But proper skincare and supplements can also help you achieve that effect. When dealing in the aesthetics world, we need to have a good eye for beauty, and what better way to train yourself than watching and appreciating beauties.

Coming back to Miss China, she is definitely beautiful and talented. But perhaps the more attention is that she is Asian, and yes the Asian look is becoming more appealing to a lot of people. (think K-Pop). Semi slanted big eyes, with dark hair and eye brows, yellow tinged skin, full lips and a high nose. Despite Asians typically having a flatter nose bridge, the advancement of fillers have made it possible for Asian's to have a higher nose bridge thus enhances the look. Skin fairness is often sought by most Asians - seriously I am wondering why Asians are so obsessed in being fair? Hence so many supplements claiming to help improve skin tones and fairness are being sold like hot cakes. My personally opinion on it - I'm cool about it as long as it does not cause any harm. Some skin bleaching products were taken off market due to risk of cancer and other more harmful conditions. Some of the beauty supplements have unknown ingredients so a proper evaluation of their safety is impossible.

Skin fairness depends on a few factors. The first is of course genetics. You cannot expect to be Korean fair if your family comes from a line of dark tanned people. Nor would you get Caucasian pink skin if you were a pure Asian. Some may argue about this, but unless you are an albino, you would be as tan as your parents were. The second factor is of course sun exposure. You cannot expect to be fairer is you are exposed to the sun most of the time. The sun in the equator tend to be most consistent and thus people near the equator tend to be tanner than those living in the Arctic. Vitamin C supplements, glutathione etc are just temporary measures. As long as you take the supplement you can maintain the skin tone. Pretty expensive investment for something unnatural perhaps. But everyone's perception of beauty is different, hence why we hear the proverb beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. So what do you think is beautiful?

Radiofrequency Tightening - RF

I think a lot of us are aware about radiofrequency devices which are used for tightening and contouring. Beauticians and doctors alike are fascinated by the discovery of what these machines can actually do. However, in the past a lot of misconceptions have been translated to patients and customers by over promising results and also lack of understanding of what it actually does. 

So what is the science behind radiofrequency treatments? The idea of radiofrequnecy is tissue heating. We all believe that when our skin tissue is heated to temperatures between 40-45 degrees Celsius, the collagen remodelling cascade will start and correct the damaged collagen strings to give us tighter skin.Whether this is completely true or not, or how long should the heat be administered, there is no hard and fast rule, but most believe more than 1 minute. Histological cross sections of skin treated with heat does show a realignment of the collagen fibres and a better structure is formed but whether this applies to all machines that produces heat to the body, it is still unknown. As for fat reduction, most slimming centers would say that the radiofrequency will liquidify the fat due to the heat, but this is not true at all. Heat from the radiofrequency device, or whatever device that increases the tissue temperature merely increases vasodilatation of the small capillaries surrounding the fat cells hence allows more free fatty acids to enter the bloodstream and be used up by the body. What about the instant tightening and slimming effect? I guess the best explanation would be cell dehydration and shifting of fluids into other spaces. Also our elastin fibers recoil to the heat, thus giving a more tighter look.

After reading the technical details behind the technology, you would start wondering whether it would really work. From my observations and trying out many radiofrequency devices in the market, I do believe that they do give significant improvement, but it will be dependent on:

1. The machine as to how much energy does it really transmit to the body and how deep does it go.
2. The ability to achieve the temperature of  >41° and duration it can be sustained.
3. The technique of the user to achieve and overall tightening or slimming effect.
4. The frequency of treatments that shouldn't lapse too far apart from each other to get a cummulative effect. Once a week is ideal, and not more than 1X a month. Too frequent may run health risks instead.
5. The cooperation from the patient to also help maintain the effect via home products for tightening or good diet and exercise.

There are many radiofrequency devices in the market from the lux brand once like Thermage, to others like Relax-F, Accent-RF, Thermacell, etc. Some RF devices are used by beauticians in salons which gives pretty good results but temporary because the energy allowed in their machines are not as advanced as the ones sold to doctors. Yes, there are differences, that is why the price differs greatly as well.

In my clinic, I use a Relax-F and after experimenting on the machine a lot, I find that the best results can be achieved when the treatments are done on a weekly basis with a minimum of 4 sessions. Subsequently, the result can last as long as 6 months given a proper diet and exercise. Otherwise, a maintenance session once a month has proven to benefit the patient to have a better result. It is non-invasive, not painful and most patients say it feels like going for a hot-stone massage. It is also extremely good for post-partum ladies who have loose skin and water retention post pregnancy to tighten up their abs if they are not keen for tummy-tucks. 

Other benefits of Relax-F:

     * Skin tightening and rejuvenation

     * Improvement of scar appearance (also stretch marks)

     * post liposuction treatments for smoother skin 

     * Acne treatment

     * Long-lasting body contour

     * Cellulite reduction

Currently we are having radio-frequency promotions for tummy - kindly refer to Spring Promotions post at http://faceworksclinic.blogspot.com/2012/02/spring-promotions.html . For more info or appointment please contact us at 03-21440080 or info@faceworksclinic.com

New Service from Faceworks.... Milk Peel

We are proud to introduce our latest peel from Dermaceutics - Milk Peel. Milk Peel is a much stronger peel than the classic glycolic peel of 20% because it combines 50% glycolic with 10% lactic acid + salicylic acid making it penetrate deeper but with less pain. In combination with our whitening Intense C serum, you can see how it instantly lightens superficial pigmentation and even the deeper ones. Look closely at the picture and you will also notice an improvement in texture and reduction of fine wrinkles and this is just immediately after. Some people may experience some redness which normally subsides within the day. As for peeling? Well, some may have some peeling which I describe like having dry glue on your face and peeling it off, otherwise most are fine. The trick to a better lasting results is applying lots and lots of moisturizers and serums immediately after and up to a week since the penetration of products will be superb during this period. Oh.... And do not forget sunblock as it is a must. This short procedure only takes 40 minutes to complete with the given results.

Feel your skin dull and non-radiant, starting to see those big pores and fine wrinkles forming, No time to take off from your busy schedule?? This is definitely the right peel for you. Don't settle for any peel, Choose MILK PEEL - the immediate solution with minimal downtime.

To know more or to book appointment, do call us at 03-21440080 or email to info@faceworksclinic.com