No Ifs And Cuts
We’ve all wondered what might enhance our appearance, and while a full plastic surgery has always been an available option among aesthetic procedures, advanced medical technology expands our options with non-invasive procedures. Shorter and less painful recovery add to their appeal.
We interviewed three prominent local aesthetic doctors to enlighten us about Facial Thread, Injectables and EMFACE Facial Treatments, non-surgical aesthetic options offered by their clinics.
FACIAL THREAD
Dr Low Chai Ling, SW1 Clinic (www.sw1clinic.com)
What is Facial Thread and what concerns does it address?
Facial Threads can be used to address a variety of aesthetic concerns and to help patients achieve a more youthful, refreshed appearance.
The threads are placed strategically within the facial tissues (including the lower face, brows and forehead, nose and neck) and can be used to lift and reposition sagging skin, reduce wrinkles, and provide a naturallooking, volumising effect to the face.
The threads also help to stimulate collagen production, helping to create firmer, more resilient skin over time.
Individuals who have signs of ageing such as wrinkles, sagging skin, or heavy nasolabial folds would benefit from facial threads.
What does the procedure typically entail from start to finish?
The areas to be treated will be numbed with topical cream – if needed. Then a small local anaesthetic is administered. The doctor will then carefully mark out the optimal positioning of facial threads for them to deliver optimal results. There are no cuts or incisions, this treatment is done purely by little injections as the threads are tiny and can be delivered in this innovative manner.
The number of facial threads used will depend on your desired results. The procedure takes anywhere from
40 minutes to an hour. The result of facial threads is immediate and even more noticeable with time as your skin produces even more collagen over the next few months.
Like any procedure using a needle, there is a chance of bruising and swelling. However, in most people, the bruising and swelling is minimal and, if it does occur, usually resolves in less than a week and can be covered with makeup easily. Some patients report mild discomfort post-treatment; however, this generally resolves in a day.
What can patients of Facial Thread expect post-procedure?
Results are immediate after a Facial Thread procedure. There may be some slight bruising or swelling but these usually resolve in less than a week. When done by an experienced doctor, the results are natural looking. Over the next few months, the threads will stimulate collagen production, and patients will also see an improvement in skin texture.
INJECTABLES IN SKELETAL AUGMENTATION
Dr Wong Chin Ho, W Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
(www.waesthetics.com)
How does ageing affect the youthfulness of a human face?
Ageing of the human face occurs in a specific and predictable manner. The facial skeleton resorbs and retrudes in specific areas. As a result, the overlying soft tissue loses support and projection, and therefore sags more than other areas of the facial skeleton that do not retrude as much.
The soft tissue of the face itself also loses some of the volume and fullness of youth. With ageing, the contours of youth fade gradually and progressive sagging of the overlying soft tissues gradually occurs.
What procedure would you recommend to combat these effects of ageing?
A very effective non-invasive treatment would be the use of fillers (injectables) to selectively augment the facial skeleton in these areas where selective bone loss has taken place. This requires the selection of the appropriate filler material, a detailed and in-depth knowledge of specific areas of bone loss with ageing and the artistic skill of using the appropriate amount of this filler to achieve the desired outcomes without overfilling.
What is the process of using injectables for skeletal augmentation like?
A detailed consultation is done with the patient to understand his or her areas of concern. Numbing cream is applied to the areas to be treated. The injection of the filler may then be done carefully to ensure minimal discomfort.
Depending on the areas to be treated and specific requirements of the individual patient, one or several types of fillers of different viscosity or firmness may be used. The treatment takes 10 to 20 minutes with minimal discomfort. The patient may return to work with minimal swelling. There is no down time with this non-invasive treatment.
The result would be very profound and significant – with patients noticing fullness and firmness in the treated areas immediately after the procedure. Patients look fuller, fresher without any tell-tale sign of the filler-enhancement.
EMFACE® FACIAL TREATMENT Dr Rohan Mendis, Mendis Aesthetics & Surgery
(www.drmendis.com)
Tell us about EMFACE® Facial Treatment. What makes it distinct from the others?
EMFACE® is a facial treatment that was launched in the USA late last year and Mendis Aesthetics has launched it in Singapore in March 2023.
Emitting synchronised RF and HIFESTM energies simultaneously affects both facial skin and muscles. The end result is less wrinkles and more lift. It is ideal for men and women in their late 20s onwards who notice signs of ageing and want a natural looking facelift. It’s also suitable for those who are averse to needles, threads or surgery, and want a procedure that is safe and non-invasive.
Walk us through the process of receiving the EMFACE® Facial Treatment.
EMFACE® is a non-invasive and completely safe procedure with zero downtime. During your treatment session, all you have to do is relax; the machine does all the work. Initially, an assessment of the patient’s condition is carried out and the procedure is explained to the patient.
In the treatment room, a small patch is applied to the patient’s lower back to conduct the electromagnetic pulses and pads to each cheek and forehead. After a quick cleanse, the pads are connected to the face lift device and the treatment starts.
A treatment lasts approximately 20 minutes. Once the patient gets used to the sensation of the muscle contractions, the power is gradually increased to 100%. Other than facial muscle contractions, the patient will feel a comfortable warmth. There is no pain whatsoever. For optimal results, four to six sessions, spaced 2 to 7 days apart, is recommended.
What can patients expect after the procedure?
EMFACE® has zero downtime. You may expect results starting from the very first session and continue to improve for several weeks following the last treatment. In clinical studies it was found out that simultaneous emission of the Synchronized RF and HIFESTM energies used in the treatment significantly reduces the effects of the facial ageing process.
The long-term effects of this face-lift device is observed after completing all treatments: Skin is rejuvenated, smoother and more youthful, and muscles feel more defined and toned. The overall appearance of the face is firmer and slimmer with less sagging, and an improvement in such areas as the forehead, eyelids, cheekbones, marionette lines, and jawline. The overall skin condition and contour, amongst others, also improve.