We live in a world that’s abound with endless anti-ageing solutions that can help stave off the effects of time. However, with treatments such as lasers, injectables, and more easily accessible today, many individuals in Singapore now face the paradox of choice: Does having excessive options always bode well?

As an aesthetic doctor, I firmly believe that choosing the right treatments that are in tune with our needs is key to achieving long-term results – and in order to do this, you need to choose an aesthetician you can trust, as they’ll be able to offer anti-ageing solutions that are uniquely suitable for you.

Additionally, I would like to add that without the help of a doctor, you’ll be more susceptible to  purchasing trendy anti-ageing products that are not HSA-approved. This can include wonder products that claim to brighten your skin in record time, or antioxidant face creams that are  abysmally ineffective in preventing or reversing the effects of ageing.

Do you truly know if your anti-ageing regime is aiding or hindering you in your pursuit of youthfulness? 

Allow me to break it down for you. 

What are the best anti-ageing treatments available in Singapore? 

Botox, fillers, and lasers are one of the most popular anti-ageing treatments available in Singapore today. 

Here’s a quick look at what they are and how they combat ageing:

• Botox: Facial muscles contract when you smile, talk, or laugh, which can lead to wrinkles and other signs of gradual ageing. As an anti-ageing procedure, Botox works by relaxing the muscles in your face.
• Fillers: Fillers replace the lost volume in your face and fill up lines and wrinkles, thus  resulting in more youthful-looking skin.
• Lasers: Anti-ageing laser treatments work by firing laser energy  into your skin to rejuvenate your skin and help treat pigmentation related to ageing .

Your safety comes first, so please make it a point to check with your doctor if they have not just the credentials, but the experience administering an appropriate range of anti-ageing treatments.

Most of all, please make sure the treatments are HSA-approved to ensure that the treatments are proven safe and effective! 

Why are my anti-ageing treatments not working?

Everyone has well-meaning friends and family who have tried and go on to recommend various anti-ageing treatments. However, everyone is different, which is why a doctor’s in-depth consultation and assessment is paramount when it comes to choosing a treatment regime that works for you.

One common mistake that many individuals make is undergoing anti-ageing treatments that are simply not suitable for them, or have stopped being suitable. Our needs inevitably change as we age, which is why your doctor should regularly assess your needs and advise more suitable dosages or treatment options if need be.

For example:

• Person A, whose issue is volume loss due to age will look younger with fillers.
• Person B, whose issue is to do with the sagging of heavy cheeks, will benefit more from face contouring treatment that simultaneously slims down their cheeks. 

Regardless of age, everyone is different. I have seen younger patients who require higher treatment doses than an older client. This is because genetics[1] play a big part in how we age. Thankfully, Asians tend to age generally well compared to our Caucasian counterparts – think cherubic baby fat versus thinner skin and stronger facial bone structures that may result in a gaunt look.

Are botox and fillers a must?

When it comes to botox and fillers, less is sometimes more. You don’t want to make the same mistake many celebrities do – which is end up with pillowface syndrome, the puffy and uncharming result of undergoing too much treatment.

Personally, having no facial lines at the cost of not having any expressions at all is a big no-no. I always remind my clients that the key to looking better and feeling better is looking like yourself.

This can be achieved with a step-wise approach, which means starting off with a lower dosage and increasing the dosage later if needed. This is especially so for first-timers as individuals can react differently to the same treatment.

As such, I recommend the following:

• Opt for consistent and holistic anti-ageing treatments
  
  • A yearly collagen-stimulation treatment for skin tightening, firming and lifting.
  • Twice-yearly injectable and skin quality treatments for lines and wrinkles.
  • Monthly lasers for skin rejuvenation and pigmentation treatment and maintenance.
  • Daily skincare regime involving skincare products and oral supplements containing hydrolysed collagen and/or antioxidants.
    
• For first timers, start with a low dosage and increase it later if need be
  Subtle is more. Overdoing treatments in a rush will only draw unwanted attention to yourself. And as the anti-ageing journey is a long one, there is really no need to rush to do every available treatment at once. It’s crucial that you address your apprehensions and misconceptions with a doctor who is patient and understanding.

Additionally, since all treatments come with potential complications, undergoing minimally invasive and reversible procedures where complications can be conveniently treated are best. For example, overdone hyaluronic fillers can be dissolved using hyaluronidase.

• Take photos from all angles to better pinpoint problem areas
  As we face ourselves in the mirror every single day, we often get too used to what we see. Furthermore, we can’t see ourselves well from every angle, can we? Your aesthetic doctor should  assess you at all angles to ensure you look natural and proportionate always, and offer reliable photo documentation to keep track of how your face is evolving and changing through the years.

Anti-ageing tips for women in their 20s, 30s, 40s

In general, my advice is to act before the signs of ageing become too serious. It is easier and less costly to treat minor signs of ageing with minimally invasive treatments. Severe skin laxity or skin sag in older persons, however, may require much more time, commitment, and invasive surgical methods.

As an example, lasers and energy-based devices stimulate collagen in all age groups, but for clients past 65, collagen stores may have been depleted to too large an extent by then. 

So, if I had to choose a top tip, it would be to start early!

Here are my other anti-ageing tips for women in their 20s, 30s, and 40s:

Tip	How it prevents ageing
Daily sun protection	UV protection is key when it comes to maintaining our youth, especially in sunny Singapore. UV rays do not just cause pigmentation issues, but can also lead to the degradation of collagen[2], leading to premature skin ageing. For the sun-loving types, it is crucial to incorporate additional sun protection, such as the frequent reapplication of sunscreen, and the use of protective clothing and visors.
Find and stick to a suitable skincare regime	Do not excessively apply strong anti-ageing products such as retinol and retinoic acid if your skin is sensitive, as it may lead to skin irritation and damage your skin barrier. Skin hydration is also key as well-hydrated skin[3] naturally looks healthy, plumped up and youthful. Hence, hyaluronic acid serums, which play a central role in the elasticity and hydration of skin, are a staple regardless of which age group you belong to.
Stop habitual frowning	A common problem that women in their 20s to 40s face is frown lines caused by habitual frowning. These frown lines often start off as dynamic lines, only appearing with the relative expression. However, due to repetitive skin creasing, over time, these lines can become static and present even without frowning.  The same can also be said of facial lines affecting the other muscle groups in the upper face, such as glabellar lines (forehead), and crow’s feet (eye area).
Don’t neglect your neck	In recent years, I have noticed an increasing number of patients across all age groups who complain about their neck lines. In general, the neck is a commonly neglected area, but plays a crucial role in our overall visage. A likely contributing factor to this problem is the ‘tech neck phenomenon’ that can occur from the repeated folding of the neck lines. This happens whenever we look up and down from our handheld smartphones. So, get treatments not just for your face but neck as well!
Lead a healthy lifestyle	Needless to say, not smoking, leading a healthy lifestyle, and having a healthy diet applies to all age groups as well.

There is no need to chase the fountain of youth as long as one starts taking care of themselves early and consistently. A nutritious diet[4], daily sun protection, a suitable skin care regime, and hydration can turn out to be some of the most cost-effective ways of combating the effects of ageing, and are not expensive solutions.

It is crucial that you place your youth in the hands of a doctor whom you can trust, so always choose an aesthetic doctor with a good and proven track record.

As an aesthetician, I always try the treatments I offer on myself first, so that I’ll be able to confidently explain how they work and feel to my patients.

I also love sharing my personal tips with clients, friends, and family. Contact me to find out more about the regimes and treatments you should be including in your fight against ageing.

References:

1. Makrantonaki, E., Bekou, V., & Zouboulis, C. C. (2012). Genetics and skin aging. Dermato-Endocrinology, 4(3), 280–284. https://doi.org/10.4161/derm.22372
2. Quan, T., He, T., Kang, S., Voorhees, J. J., & Fisher, G. J. (2004). Solar Ultraviolet Irradiation Reduces Collagen in Photoaged Human Skin by Blocking Transforming Growth Factor-β Type II Receptor/Smad Signaling. The American Journal of Pathology, 165(3), 741–751. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0002-9440(10)63337-8
3. Masson, F. (2010). Acide hyaluronique et hydratation cutanée. Annales de Dermatologie et de Vénéréologie, 137, S23–S25. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0151-9638(10)70005-3
4. Dhanjal, D. S., Bhardwaj, S., Sharma, R., Bhardwaj, K., Kumar, D., Chopra, C., Nepovimova, E., Singh, R., & Kuca, K. (2020). Plant Fortification of the Diet for Anti-Ageing Effects: A Review. Nutrients, 12(10), 3008. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12103008