Skin issues such as wrinkles, dryness and even sagging skin can dampen self-esteem. However, with the assistance of these aesthetic clinics in Singapore and their range of medical-grade clinical facials, like pigmentation facials and hydrafacials for glowing skin, you’ll be on your way to tighter, brighter and better skin. We tried out some of these specialised aesthetic treatments; here are our reviews.
Dr Yvonne Goh Aesthetics Clinic
Aesthetic treatment: Needleless Rejuran Healer Facial
At the age of 45, my skin is showing signs of wrinkles on the forehead and loss of elasticity. Though I’d like to slow down the signs of ageing, I’m averse to invasive facial treatments.
So I was intrigued by the Needleless Rejuran Healer Facial, a clinical facial that uses sonophoresis ultrasound instead of needles to deliver skin-boosters deep into the dermis.
Dr Yvonne explained that the primary active ingredient of Rejuran Healer is PDRN. (Read more on the science below.) It is suited to all skin types, and to anyone looking to brighten and rejuvenate dull skin. The healing properties of this facial are great for antiageing, wrinkle reduction, uneven skin tone, sun damaged skin, or skin under stress.
For me, she combined the PDRN with hyaluronic acid and amino acids to stimulate skin cell metabolism, boosting collagen production, moisturising and brightening the complexion.
Cleansing and exfoliation was followed by steaming to promote easier extraction, prepping my skin for the application of Rejuran Healer with ultrasound. Also, a gentle yet expert face and shoulder massage boosted absorption. My face covered with a sheet mask coated with yet more Rejuran Healer, I dozed off for the next 10 to 15 minutes while my skin bathed in goodness.
Finally, a layer of sunscreen was applied, plus a multivitamin moisturiser to lock in the rejuvenation. After a very pleasant 90 minutes, I walked out with visibly refreshed skin and a natural glow.
This treatment addresses fine lines and wrinkles, pigmentation, skin elasticity, collagen and uneven skin tone. And it works! After this outstanding clinical facial, my skin tone remains bright and the lines on my forehead have also softened. It would be optimal to do it monthly, says Dr Yvonne.
– Patricea Chow
The science behind it:
Polydeoxyribonucleotide, or PDRN, is a therapeutic compound derived from salmon DNA. It’s biocompatible with humans, so safe for long-term use. Ultrasound waves increase permeability, improving the effectiveness of transdermal delivery. The skin products used at the clinic have been formulated by Dr Yvonne Goh for all the various skin types.
Dr Yvonne Goh Aesthetics
#09-05 Camden Medical Centre, 1 Orchard Boulevard
6462 2559 | dryvonnegoh.com
Cutis Medical Laser Clinics Singapore
Aesthetic treatment: Imperium Deep Cleanse & Lift with Sonoblade 25 & RF Spheres (from $150, depending on the areas treated)
Knowing I’d be lying there for 90 minutes, I was delighted to have bubbly Belinda as my therapist. Today, she was driving the highly technical Imperium Med 400 machine, used in the medical aesthetic field to treat various imperfections. Different handpieces and technologies deliver cleaning, repairing and also nourishment to the skin, along with non-invasive lifting effects.
Cleansing is the first step in any facial. For this, Belinda used Imperium’s Sonoblade 25 handpiece. (See the science below.) Next, after applying cold gel, she got going with the RF Spheres handpiece. This uses bipolar radiofrequency to lift and tighten skin by generating endogenous heat, followed by deep muscle contraction and bio-stimulation to literally give the facial muscles a workout. It can also soften fine lines and wrinkles, tighten the jawline (yes, please!), lift the brow, enhance cheekbones and minimise nasolabial folds.
Even I could see my glowing skin as I left the aesthetic clinic, skin tauter, tighter and visibly lifted. Best of all, the collagen stimulating effects of RF truly kick in two to four months after treatment. In anticipation, I’ve decided to start counting my birthdays backwards.
– Verne Maree
The science behind it:
Imperium uses diathermy – a high-frequency electric current that generates heat to stimulate collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid production. Its Sonoblade uses the elastic wave (low-frequency ultrasound 25kHz) to transmit a series of vibrations that deliver not only deep cleaning but also epidermabrasion. It also hydrates, stimulates skin cell turnover and gets rid of superficial dark spots.
Cutis Medical Laser Clinics
#08-07 Pacific Plaza Medical Centre, 9 Scotts Road
6801 4000 | cutislaserclinics.com
SW1 Clinic’s Uplift Facial for glowing skin
Aesthetic treatment: 24K Uplift Facial (from $540, or from $2,700 for 6 sessions)
This aesthetic clinic in Singapore is more like a luxury spa, decorated in calming tones of dusty pink and gold. I was ushered into a room to snuggle under a blanket while my face was cleansed with an oat and honey foaming cleanser. Then my therapist applied a 24K gold exfoliant, followed by an oxygenating mask which bubbled and fizzed on my face while exuding a delicately woody green scent.
Slightly worried that the spa-like experience might give way to less comfortable clinical procedures, I was relieved to find the ultrasound completely painless: just a feeling of growing warmth in each area treated.
Next, she painted a cooling 24K gold mask to cover my face, including my mouth and eyes – after first asking if I was OK with that. I lay there happily for 10 minutes, while enjoying a soothing hand massage.
The skincare aftercare products applied are all available to buy from SW1, many including 24K gold. Before being sent on my way, I was told not to exfoliate for a week, and to apply all products to my face in an upwards motion. There’s no downtime after this aesthetic treatment. Results are instantly visible and last for at least a week or two. However, you’ll see best results if you do three or four sessions of this clinical facial within two-to-three months.
– Danielle Rossetti
The science behind it:
The uplift comes from Sygmalift HIFU (high intensity focused ultrasound), especially targeting the lower half of the face to lift, tone and boost collagen renewal. Focused ultrasound is a clinically proven, effective and non-invasive way to stimulate bioactivity for glowing skin. Sygmalift’s unique ultrasound applicator targets various depths of skin simultaneously to regenerate tissue.
SW1 Clinic
#13-03 Paragon, 290 Orchard Road
6817 8888 | 8218 3273 | sw1spa.com
W Skin and Laser Clinic pigmentation facial
Aesthetic treatment: Limelight Photofacial ($380, or $1,520 for a package of 6)
While Dr Wang Yi Shi took a good look at my bare face, we discussed the pigmentation on my cheeks and broken veins on and around the nose – plus what to do about my wrinkly neck and décolletage. The Limelight photofacial would address the first two issues, and she recommended I try retinol as a slow but effective way to improve skin texture on my neck and deliver glowing skin.
After numbing cream had been on for 30 minutes, Dr Wang delivered the IPL (Intense Pulsed Light). It stung a little, but only on and around my nose. That was a great relief! The procedure took less than 20 minutes and was quite relaxing – apart from the bright flashes of light. (But you wear proper protective goggles.)
This was a wonderfully rejuvenating treatment with zero downtime. I was told that the pigmentation spots would flake off and fade after a few days, and the redness or telangiectasia would decrease. My mottled complexion should also clear up. I didn’t flake much afterwards, but there’s already a marked improvement in the redness and veins around my nose. I’m happily using my retinol at night, too, so let’s see how that goes!
Two or three treatments done a month apart should help achieve a nice, clear skin tone. For maintenance, it’s best to repeat the photofacial every two to three months, and use sunscreen. I was so happy with it, I’ve already been back for my second session. And I’ve also booked a third so I have glowing skin for an upcoming wedding I’m attending!
– Rebecca Bisset
The science behind it:
Limelight IPL is a light therapy using multiple wavelengths of light energy to reverse sun damage and signs of ageing, like blotchy pigmentation, redness and broken capillaries.
Note: This aesthetic clinic is inside Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital, accessed by a separate set of lifts for the specialist rooms.
W Skin and Laser Clinic
#06-28/29 Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, 38 Irrawaddy Road
6570 2528 | wskinandlaser.com
Bay Aesthetics Clinic for a Hydrafacial
Aesthetic treatment: Bay Deluxe Hydrafacial ($680)
I’m a big fan of Hydrafacials, so I’m always excited to try one. The new Bay Aesthetics Clinic in Marina Bay Link Mall, headed by Dr Bernard Tan, is in a great location. What’s more, the Bay Deluxe Hydrafacial promises immediate results.
Starting with a double cleansing of the face, we went straight into lymphatic therapy, which uses negative pressure to encourage lymphatic flow and reduce puffiness of the face and eye area.
Then came the classic three-step Hydrafacial: cleanse and peel, extract and hydrate, and fuse and protect. My therapist applied a mild lactic acid to exfoliate dead skin cells and soften clogged pores, paying special attention to the T-zone, before doing a gentle extraction. Then followed a needleless serum infusion of hyaluronic acid, PDRN and glutathione serum to hydrate and plump.
Finally, I relaxed for 30 minutes with a gold collagen mask and photobiomodulation (light) therapy. My skin felt wonderfully refreshed after this amazing Hydrafacial – and that feeling really lasted.
– Jacqui Young
The science behind it:
This 90-minute deluxe treatment uses three systems – the Hydrafacial device, the Dermoelectroporation device for needleless serum infusion, and the Dermalux medical grade red LED device – that work in synergy to deliver an outstanding Hydrafacial experience.
Another option at this clinic is the Bay Signature Hydrafacial (30 minutes; $280).
Bay Aesthetics Clinic
#B2-12 Marina Bay Link Mall, 8A Marina Boulevard
8428 2811 | FB: @bayclinicsg | bayclinic.sg
Mendis Aesthetics Clinic & Surgery
Aesthetic treatment: HA Hydrating Facial ($200)
My face had been feeling a little tight and dry, so I was thrilled to head to Mendis aesthetics clinic for a HA Hydrating Facial. Over a cup of calming ginger tea, the very friendly Dr Rohan gave me a skin consultation. He noticed my skin looked dehydrated almost immediately, which was impressive. (He knows his stuff!)
Clinician Yun then settled me into the treatment room and cleansed my face with a gentle in-house cleanser with citrus notes. Explaining every stage in relaxing tones, she applied the first of the three masks, the micro-peeling mask, and massaged it into my face and neck. I liked the way she addressed various pressure points, relaxing tension I’d been holding in my jaw.
The bubble mask felt like a kaleidoscope of butterflies gently caressing my face. I’ve never felt anything quite like it, and I could sense the moisture penetrating my epidermis. Finally, she slathered on a jelly mask that felt incredibly cool, dense and moist. Left to rest for around ten minutes, I very nearly fell asleep.
After she’d removed the mask and applied a light moisturiser, I left looking fresh and dewy. I was surprised how plump my face felt over the following days, quite the antidote to my dry skin woes.
The entire experience was heavenly, one I’m already planning to repeat for glowing skin!
– Georgina Hockley
The science behind it:
This clinical facial boosts moisture and acts as a filler for intensive wrinkle repair. It also promotes cell renewal and protects against harmful environmental factors. The clinic’s Triple Active Hyaluronic products have molecules of different sizes to penetrate the different skin layers for a complete rejuvenation of dry skin.
Mendis Aesthetics Clinic
#04-17 Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Road
6235 1728 | drmendis.com
This article on aesthetic clinics in Singapore first appeared in the April 2023 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!
To make the most of living in Singapore, read our latest City Guide here for free! Enjoyed these reviews of aesthetic treatments? Read our spa facial reviews too!
