1. What are some skincare mistakes many Singaporeans tend to make?

Don’t forget your sunscreen! In my practice, I have seen many patients who admit the lack of sunscreen in their daily skincare routine. Many women often rely on the Sun Protection Factor (SPF) in their makeup or oral sunblock. Please remember to use a separate sunscreen! Just because your foundation or moisturiser comes with SPF doesn’t mean you can skip sunscreen. Furthermore, sun protection from makeup such as foundation is insufficient as most of us simply don’t apply that thick a layer of makeup enough for adequate UV coverage. Makeup and skincare with SPF and oral sunblock are not designed to replace sunscreen, but to complement protection against harmful UV damage. When applying sunscreen, you generally need a coin-sized amount for effective sun protection. If you’re spending the day outdoors, reapplying sunscreen once every two hours is also essential.

Another common mistake is not removing your makeup before going to bed or after a workout session at the gym. Never head to the bed without removing your makeup as sleeping with makeup on can clog pores and aggravate acne formation. Increasingly, Singaporeans are beginning to be more health conscious and are hitting the gyms and spinning studios much more than before. Whether you’re stopping at the gym on the way to work, heading there right after work, or squeezing in a lunchtime workout sesh, it’s best to do so with a clean, makeup-free face. As your body heats up during a workout, your pores open and you don’t want that makeup to settle back into the pores. It’s also very important to cleanse the skin following a workout to remove bacteria and sweat residue that accumulated during your workout.

Who doesn’t love the benefits that come from using acids in skincare? However, applying too much acids can result in over-exfoliation. This may cause irritation or allergic reactions, which can lead to itching, increased skin sensitivity and redness. It is also not advised to use a facial scrub daily. Many patients have the misconception that they can reduce or remove the bumps on their faces through daily scrubbing. Some are also over-zealous in wanting to amortise their new facial exfoliation gadget. As a general guideline, scrubbing two to three times a week is sufficient. If you’re uncertain, always pay a visit to your skin doctor to get the correct diagnosis and recommendations.

Another common skincare mistake is the overzealous squeezing of acne which can result in scars or post inflammatory hyperpigmentation (PIH). Use an anti-blemish product diligently and allow your acne to heal properly. Keep your fingers off your face. Alternatively, if the products are not working, see your skin doctor for a cortisone jab.

2. What are some key aesthetic trends to know for the new year?

For the new year, key aesthetic trends will be centred on skin quality, skin tightening and ‘prejuvenation’. Prejuvenation refers to preventive beautification in young adults, typically in the early 30s or even late 20s. Patients in this age group are leaning towards the concept of prevention to slow down symptoms of ageing for as long as they can, instead of getting aesthetic treatments only when there’s a need to correct the more advanced signs of ageing.

Thanks to social media filters, the demand for smooth glowing skin has been increasing. People want treatment procedures that offer better skin quality and firmer looking skin with minimal to no down time. Combinations of minimally invasive procedures and nuanced use of injectables can offer such synergistic, natural looking effects.

3. What are some treatments that are linked to some of the upcoming trends people should try out?

Popular treatments that can help improve skin quality include microinjections such as Rejuran, Juvederm Volite, and Profhilo, the newest addition to the ever growing list of injectables that’s taken the aesthetics world by storm.

Combining treatments for skin tightening such as HIFU, Thermage, or microneedling with radiofrequency, can be done on its own or coupled with injectables such as botox and fillers, as recommended by your healthcare professional.

Body treatments also continue to be in focus and the latest must-try is CoolSculpt, which targets fat bulges through freezing and killing fat cells for a better and more sculpted body contour.