I hadn’t registered that the lovely old building housing Core Collective (near Baker & Cook at Dempsey) now includes a new medispa. It’s on the corner of Minden and Loewen Roads and as Expat Living was one of the first tenants in that area years ago so it feels especially comfortable for me! It’s a great location for having a facial or a body treatment like the TruSculpt one I had; it’s easy to get to, the parking is free and you can pop in for a coffee next door afterwards. Perfect!
For the owner of Aesthetic Studio Wellness, Dr Jonathan Lee, it was about creating an accessible place where clients feel more comfortable; a place for the non-invasive face and body treatments he’s designed as an extension of his main services. The treatments at this medispa are based on science and delivered through the latest and most advanced technology and techniques, in a more relaxing environment than Dr Lee’s main aesthetic clinic at Mount Elizabeth. I tried out an efficient combo of a medical grade facial treatment and body-shaping machine – yes, all in one appointment!
The Medical Grade Facial
We started with a skin analysis by Ivy, one of the skin therapists. She looked at all the layers of my skin and the result was pretty positive, which was nice. (I think some places like to frighten you into thinking that your skin is terrible just so you’ll sign up for more treatments!) All these years of facials and the minerals I take are paying off!
Then I went through to one of the large treatment rooms, and it was so peaceful! The music is perfectly relaxing and plays quietly in the background. Ivy started with a lavender aroma press, which helped me relax even more, followed by a double cleansing and microdermabrasion. Next, she used an aqua peel therapy consisting of a cocktail of glycolic, lactic and salicylic acid to exfoliate, extract and deeply cleanse the pores.
This was followed by a lovely massage. Ivy chose the 75-minute Enhance Facial to detox, lift and hydrate my skin. Akin to a workout for your face, this treatment uses micro-electrical current to invigorate facial muscles for a tighter and toned appearance. It’s recommended for those needing a deep clean and instant face-lift without the pain and downtime. The hyaluronic acid is encouraged to reach the deeper layers through light therapy.
The medical grade facial go beyond skin deep to tackle skin concerns in each layer of the dermis. They use a combination of skincare and technology, including microdermabrasion, micro-needling, LED light therapy, radiofrequency and cryotherapy, to improve the texture and appearance of the skin by stimulating collagen production at a cellular level. With certain concerns she will tell you what can be better treated by a doctor (at The Aesthetic Studio Clinic).
The Body Treatment (TruSculpt)
Once the final hydrating mask was applied, I opted to use the application time for a stomach treatment using the studio’s TruSculpt Flex machine.
This body treatment is said to be the equivalent of doing 54,000 crunches, lunges and squats in just 45 minutes! I am rubbish at crunches – they always hurt my neck; so I was happy to lie here with a face mask and let a machine do the work. The alternative is sweating it out somewhere else – or not even bothering, as is normally the case! Perhaps that’s why the middle age spread has spread so much…
I’ve tried some other devices in the past and I feel they do help. This machine is much stronger than the others I remember, though. While we kept it on a lower strength throughout, even then I could really feel it getting through to the lower layers as well as breaking down the top layer of fat. Only certain elements are uncomfortable – like when it starts to feel like a jackhammer! The squeezing and contraction parts are easily manageable.
Once the machine was done, my mask was removed and I was free to go. It felt like this was a very efficient use of time; my skin looked plumped and uplifted and my tum looked deflated. I like this combination!
The aim of this medispa
Dr Lee still carries out his procedures and surgeries from his Mount Elizabeth clinic. The Dempsey medispa, however, is an important extension of what he does. It also works because mums can choose to have these medical grade facials without going into town.
He also wanted to create facials and ancillary services for acne, and chemical peels for those with acne scarring, while helping them learn how to deal with the discomfort and manage their skincare at home. It’s an easier entry level for most people than a doctor’s clinic.
Dr Lee has encountered a lot of clients over the past two years who’ve been going on Zoom and not liking what they see; or they’re just being more self-conscious of their skin in general. With his knowledge of anatomy – he studied and still practices surgery of the hand, for example – he can pinpoint the structural issues, look at the core problems and make a plan to include solutions that are better and which give greater satisfaction.
The medispa treats clients holistically, and in a safe and structured way, to really maximise the benefits of each session. Many people are scared of the potential pain, or worried about the cost or the chemicals used in procedures. However, Dr Lee has a robust plan for patients and enough years of experience to make them feel comfortable.
So, whether it’s an express facial or a more specialised approach like a medical grade facial, this seems to be the perfect solution; a beauty salon that also brings medical and anatomical knowledge and expertise to the table.
Special offer!
Book an Enhance Facial at $198 (usually $298) or enjoy a session of TruSculpt Flex at $188 (usually $550) when you quote “Expat Living”. More frequent sessions will obviously enhance the outcome. First-time trial only; one offer per customer.
Every medical grade facial includes an aroma press, double cleansing, exfoliation, a specialist machine, a mask, and the application of toner, moisturiser and sun protection. Variations include dermabrasion, micro-needling, LED light therapy, radiofrequency and cryotherapy.
8699 7188 | info@aestheticstudiowellness.com.sg
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