Charming Dempsey Hill is one of my favourite spots in Singapore to while away a few hours – and now I have another excuse to pop by. Newly opened Illuminate Medispa is a gorgeous aesthetic clinic and medical spa at Dempsey Hill that offers everything from hydrafacials to face lifting and body toning treatments. Here’s what I thought about my recent visit!
A Bali-inspired medical spa at Dempsey Hill
The first thing you’ll notice at Illuminate Medispa is its tropical, Bali-esque setting. Think towering bamboo and huge rattan lanterns that welcome you through its breezy veranda-style entrance. The interiors are equally inviting with warm lighting, plush armchairs and soothing music. It’s a welcome change from the more clinical, sterile aesthetic that one usually associates with medical spas in Singapore, and I’m all for it.
A full suite of treatments from hydrafacials to body contouring
Inside this spacious medical spa with 12 treatment rooms, you’ll find treatments and programmes catering to various body and skin issues. So there’s something for you whether you’re looking to target pigmentation, uneven skin tone, acne scars, fine lines, hair loss, body contouring, skin laxity or other concerns.
These range from relaxing hydrafacials to advanced procedures administered by in-house doctors. They’re tailored to be minimally invasive yet effective in enhancing a patient’s natural beauty. “Aesthetic medicine is not about vanity. It is about empowerment to be your best and confidence from looking as good as you feel,” says Dr Joanne Lim, one of the medical spa’s doctors. Highlight treatments here include:
Skin health and rejuvenation: Radiofrequency microneedling, ultrasound with exosomes, medical-grade peels, laser therapies for pigmentation, acne and rejuvenation
Anti-ageing: Bespoke injectable treatments like botulinum toxin and dermal fillers, collagen-stimulating procedures and advanced skin tightening
Holistic wellness: Hydrafacials, body contouring, science-backed hair restoration and customised treatment programmes
Our review of this medical spa at Dempsey Hill
Gravity and a slowed metabolism (or is it Singapore’s delicious hawker food?) have resulted in a stubborn pouch on my lower abdomen and cheeks that are starting to droop. So I was excited to find the Onda Pro face lifting and body toning treatment at this medical spa that tackles both in one single session. The best part? It promises to be completely pain-free with no downtime.
The science behind Onda Pro
The Illuminate Medispa team explains that the Onda Pro treatment, which can be customised for the face and body, features a patented technology that emits microwave energy coined ‘coolwaves’ at precisely 2.45 GHz, a frequency that is preferentially absorbed by fat molecules. The microwaves penetrate the skin to dissolve the membranes of subcutaneous fat cells. At the same time, they cause contraction of collagen fibres and stimulate new collagen production.
The customisable and controlled energy can ‘melt away’ localised fat, improve body contour, reduce cellulite and stimulate collagen to improve skin laxity. An integrated cooling technology in the handpiece helps protect the skin layer and ensures a comfortable procedure.
My experience at this medical spa
After a sip of hot tea and in cute jute slippers provided, I was led into a treatment room. There, my lovely aesthetician Jackie took photos of my face and abdomen while we chatted about my goals. She noticed my cheeks required more lifting than fat melting, and recommended using Onda Pro’s new ‘pocket’ handpiece, which is ideal for lifting, firming and tightening the face.
Once I was settled on the comfy treatment bed, Jackie applied oil to help the handpiece glide smoothly. She then massaged it for 10 minutes on each side of my face, focusing on the cheeks, jawline and under-chin. There was zero pain and the integrated cooling kept it largely comfortable, though we paused a few times when my face got a bit hot.
The session on the tummy was a breeze. Jackie first measured the amount of pinchable fat on my lower abdomen (you need between 2cm and 6cm to be suitable). She then carefully marked the designated treatment area and applied the oil. Next, she worked the largest ‘deep’ handpiece around my abdomen in rhythmic strokes for around 20 minutes. This handpiece is specifically designed to target stubborn, localised fat in larger body areas. It felt like an amazing warm oil massage and I almost dozed off!
The verdict
Right after, my cheeks were a bit pink and sore and my tummy felt like I’d done some serious crunches. But these all subsided within a day. Immediately, I saw that my jawline looked more defined. Even my nasolabial folds were lighter, due to the lifting effect. I was happiest about my belly. It looked (and felt) firmer and more toned, and my waistband was quite a bit looser too. Hurrah! To help with lymphatic drainage, I was encouraged by Jackie to drink lots of water after the treatment.
Three to four sessions for the face or four to six sessions for the body, every four weeks, are recommended for long-lasting results. I’m excited to see how the effects progress but am very happy so far. Even more so that it was all done at this gorgeous medical spa at Dempsey Hill, which made the whole experience feel like a lovely spa escape.
Illuminate Medispa
13 Dempsey Road, #01-05
6472 2221 | 8221 5221 | illuminatemedispa.sg | info@illuminatemedispa.sg
If you like this article on this medical spa at Dempsey Hill and treatments like body contouring, face lifting and hydrafacials, read more on our Beauty page! And you can also find out more about Dempsey Hill here.
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