Aesthetic Clinic in Singapore

Lines, wrinkles and sagging skin are the result of aging, due to the loss of elasticity, thinning and increase in dryness of the skin. 

Our skin ages through 2 processes:

1. Extrinsic aging

2. Intrinsic aging

“Intrinsic aging” (“chronological aging”) refers to a natural, inevitable, genetical ageing process. Intrinsic aging could be due to hormonal shifts in our bodies, our bodies’ inability to repair cellular damage, or dependent on factors such as anatomical variations and ethnicity. 

"Extrinsic aging". refers to the aging changes of the skin due to external factors from our environment (eg. sun exposure, smoking, stressful lifestyle, lack of sleep and more recently blue-light rays (also known as 'high energy light') from the sun and emissions from LED screens from our computers, TV and handphones. 

"Photoaging" is a term frequently used by healthcare professionals to describe the skin changes caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation from sun exposure. The term ’photo’ refers to ‘light’. UV light and blue-ray light penetrate into the inner layers of the skin and create free radicals that can breakdown collagen and elastin and cause inflammation to the skin.

The signs of photoaging are:

1. Increase in wrinkles and lines to give a ‘weather beaten’ appearance of the skin
2. Discoloration of the skin (eg. pigmentation and yellowing of the skin)
3. Increase roughness and dryness of the skin
4. Increase blotchy redness of the skin due to visibility of the fine blood vessels
5. Increase in harmful skin growth that can eventually lead to skin cancer (eg. actinic keratoses and Bowen's disease).

These changes can be explained by the:

1. Loss of collagen and elastin, that maintain our skin structure and elasticity.
2. Loss of hyaluronic acid, that holds the water in our skin to maintain its suppleness.
3. Reduction in the immune cells in our skin that protect our skin from cancer and infections.
4. Reduction in the sebaceous activity in our skin follicles, leading to dry skin.
5. Decrease turnover of the cells in our skin, making it slower to heal and replace itself.

In aging skin, one will start to notice fine lines appearing around the eyes, forehead and mouth. Frequent facial expressions like squinting, and frowning for example can aggravate these fine lines. These fine lines can gradually progress to become deep furrows also known as wrinkles. Some may notice that as they age, they experience loss of volume and support from underlying tissues that can lead to a saggy appearance, resulting in ‘jowls’.

WAYS TO REDUCE PREMATURE AGING

Daily sun-protection and protection against HEV-blue light are the most important ways of reducing extrinsic aging of the skin.  UVA, UVB and blue-light rays enter the earth's atmosphere from the sun and create free-radicals that damage the skin.  Many of our home devices (eg. TV monitors, computers and smartphones) use blue-light (400-490nm) to illuminate them. 

Wherever you are, be it indoors or outdoors, sun protection in the day is essential. Wear protective clothing, apply a sunscreen with broad-spectrum UV protection of SPF 30 (or higher), and include environmental blockers that protect your skin from HEV-blue light and pollutants.

IDS’ SPF 50 Sunscreens contain non-chemical ingredients and offer ‘broad-spectrum’ protection as well as water-resistance.

IDS Dermashield contains ingredients like Marigold extracts that can protect against blue light as well as improve the radiance of our skin.

EAT A HEALTHY, WELL-BALANCED DIET

Studies suggest that eating plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables that contain lots of antioxidants can help to prevent damage that leads to premature skin aging. We should also reduce the intake of sugar or other refined carbohydrates that can accelerate aging.

EXERCISE REGULARLY

Moderate exercise aids blood circulation and boosts the immune system. This, in turn, gives the skin a more energized and youthful appearance. Improvement in our health naturally shows in our skin appearance. 

Treatments

Topical skincare products

IDS A+ contains a patented Vitamin A molecule, retinaldehyde,  formulated with a potent antioxidant, Niacinamide.

This vitamin A derivative helps with increasing our cell turnover, improving collagen production, and controlling our sebum production on the skin. As a result, it can help to improve signs of aging, even out skin tone and reduce acne woes.

Niacinamide stimulates and boosts cellular turnover without irritation, resulting in a reduction in fine lines and wrinkles. Also shown to be effective in targeting blemishes via comedolytic, anti-inflammatory effects.

IDS RC is one of our anti-aging products. It is designed to counter the ravages of time, environmental and sun damage on your skin. It contains unique ingredients like zinc and magnesium chloride and hydrolyzed elastin to boost collagen and elastin production, dramatically reducing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines like never before. Skin appears firmer, smoother and revitalized.

IDS’ ‘C-Plus’ has Ascorbyl palmitate phosphate sodium (APPS) – a highly-effective Vitamin C derivative coupled with a Nobel prize-winning compound - Fullerenes – a ‘super antioxidant’, and Vitamin E to produce highly visible anti-aging results. It acts as a powerful antioxidant, reversing the damage to the skin by free-radicals generated from UV exposure. Vitamin C also stimulates collagen production in the skin and improves elasticity of the skin.

Anti-wrinkle treatment serums and creams like IDS’ A+, C+, Rejuvenating Complex, and Rejuvenating Complex+ are specially formulated and contain powerful, but safe, ingredients to visibly reduce aging concerns like fine lines and wrinkles. See details in https://jyx.shop/ids-skincare.

Oral Supplements

Numerous studies have attested to the effectiveness of oral supplements in preventing the skin changes of aging, and also, to some extent, improving the visible changes of fine lines and wrinkles, texture and tone. Most of the supplements tested are antioxidants from varying sources.

IDS’ “LYCO-WHITE” contains a powerful tomato extract – lycopene – which has antioxidant properties. Lycopene, taken on a regular basis, is able to protect the skin against free-radical damage which may cause wrinkling and laxity, but also prevent UV-induced pigmentation.  Studies have shown that the fern extract (also found in ‘LycoWhite) is able to reduce the inflammation on the skin and the post-inflammatory darkening of the skin after UV exposure.  Together with the topical sunblocks, it is a comprehensive way of protecting our skin when we are under the sun for prolonged periods of time. 

In-clinic Procedures

Reversal of the many changes of aging can also be achieved by the use of various lasers and other devices, supplemented by injectable procedures like Botox and fillers.      

At IDS clinic the procedures that can help to rejuvenate and reverse some of the aging changes on the face are:

1. Botox

2. Skin fillers

3. Use of energy devices (eg. lasers, IPL, radiofrequency or high-intensity ultrasound) to rejuvenate the skin

4. Chemical peels

Injectables 

Botox

Botox is a brand of botulinum toxin. Hyperactive muscles create repetitive wrinkling of our skin, which accelerates the appearance of wrinkles on our faces.  Botox reduces the appearance of facial wrinkles by weakening these hyperactive muscles.

Common facial areas Botox is used on are:

• frown lines, also called glabellar lines or “elevens”
• wrinkles around the eyes, known as crow’s feet
• horizontal creases in the forehead
• dimpling of the skin on the chin

Results can be seen as early as 2 days later and repeat treatments are recommended every 4-6 monthly. 

Fillers

Dermal fillers are gel-like substances that are injected beneath the skin to restore lost volume, smoothen lines and soften creases. It can also create a lifting effect, improving saggy skin.

Compounds used in fillers include Hyaluronic Acid (Restylane and Juvederm), Calcium Hydroxylapatite (Radiesse), and Lactic Acid (Sculptra). The rejuvenating results from fillers may last up to a year or more and the procedure may be repeated as often as required.

The results of skin fillers on the face are:

1. Lifting of the sagging cheeks and softening of the nasolabial folds
2. Sharpening of the jawline
3. Restoration of youthful contours of the cheeks, temple and the forehead
4. Lifting of the droopy eyebrows

Other popular injectable options include:

1. Rejuran Healer (also known as 婴儿针 in Mandarin)

The active ingredients are polynucleotides (PN) derived from salmon DNA, which promotes skin cell growth through inducing fibroblast and collagen production.

2. Skin Boosters (also called 水光针 in Mandarin)

Skin Booster contains hyaluronic acid that restores hydration in the skin, resulting in more supple and glowy skin. Hyaluronic acid injection into the superficial layers of the skin has shown to increase collagen in the skin as well.

These are procedures where therapeutic ingredients are injected with very fine needles into the superficial layers of the skin to result in a ‘total’ rejuvenating effect, including reduction of fine lines and wrinkles, and improvement in texture and skin tone.

Laser Rejuvenation

1. Laser resurfacing

Ablative lasers such as erbium lasers are used to remove the surface layer of the skin in a controlled fashion to stimulate collagen production and remodelling deeper layers of the skin.

2. Non-ablative lasers

Newer lasers attempt to stimulate collagen synthesis under the skin without damaging the epidermis.  These procedures are almost painless with little side effects and no downtime. These lasers can be done on a regular basis, once a month, to rejuvenate the skin.

Lasers used in the IDS Clinics include

• Q-switched and Picosecond lasers
• Long-pulsed Nd:YAG lasers
• Aerolase 650 microsecond laser
• Dual-Yellow Copper Bromide laser
• Fractional Erbium Glass laser

Skin-tightening Procedures

Ultrasound (HIFU- High-intensity focused ultrasound)

High-intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) is a skin-firming procedure that uses ultrasound technology to achieve skin firming effects. This non-surgical procedure reaches the deeper dermis, papillary dermis as well as SMAS (Superficial Muscular Aponeurotic System) layer. One can expect some immediate and progressive improvement to the treated area for three to six months after the treatment. This is the time the healing process in the skin takes to complete.

THERMAGE™

Thermage is a non-invasive radiofrequency treatment that can smooth, tighten and contour skin for an overall younger-looking appearance.

Uses mono-polar radiofrequency to produce deep bulk heating in the skin and the layers under the skin to produce immediate contraction and tightening of all the tissues. The best results are seen over the next 3-5 months when the skin heals and produces collagen and elastin. 

One can expect to see an improvement in wrinkles and shape of the face after the treatment.

Intra-oral Laser Rejuvenation

This procedure uses a non-ablative Er:YAG laser of wavelength 2940nm using a completely safe handheld device to target the insides of your cheeks, as well as the inner corners of your lower and upper lips. This controlled and gentle bulk heating from the inside of your mouth stimulates collagen contraction for overall improvement of skin tautness and elasticity.

Fractional Radiofrequency Microneedling (SYLFIRM®) 

• Uses microneedling with bipolar radiofrequency to tighten the skin, through the stimulation of collagen.
• It has been shown to strengthen the basement membrane of the skin and reduce the spread of pigmentation to the deeper layers below it.
• It reduces the superficial blood vessels in the skin, thereby, reducing the stimulatory effects on the pigment cells in melasma.
• One can expect to see an improvement in texture, pigmentation and redness on the skin after a series of monthly treatments.

Ultherapy

• Uses high-intensity ultrasound waves to target the layers under the skin called the SMAS(superficial musculoaponeurotic system). It is this layer that is addressed during a surgical facelift. 
• In fact, it is the only system that has been shown to be able to non-invasively lift the eyebrows on the face.
• This treatment is specially used to treat patients with a heavy sagging lower cheeks and a poorly defined jawline.

Fractional Erbium Glass laser(Mosaic laser):

• A non-ablative laser that sends micro- columns of laser into the skin and heat and coagulate the proteins in the skin.
• New collagen is formed around these laser columns as early as 2 weeks after the treatment and results in gradual improvement in wrinkles and tightening of the skin.
• The outer layer of the skin, where the laser columns enter the skin, is renewed resulting in an improvement in the colour tone and texture.