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, you’ll be on your way to tighter, brighter and more youthful skin. We tried out some of these specialised facials in Singapore, that have revitalised our skin like never before!
Laser Clinics Asia
The aesthetic treatment: Hydrafacial
What a treat it was to visit Laser Clinics Asia at Parkway Parade! This aesthetic clinic in Singapore was so inviting, and it’s also the sole distributor of the most amazing product line from Australia, including Dr Roebuck’s and Skinstitut. These two wonderful brands are on display as you enter the clinic, and are available to buy for home. They’re designed for sensitive skin and target a range of skin issues.
I was greeted with a wonderful smile by the staff and was lucky enough to meet Sarah, Global Head of Tech Training for Laser Clinics – she’s normally based in Australia (and she has the most amazing skin I have ever seen!). Sarah guided me through the products, how they work, who they’re for and how much research and development has gone into each and every single product. I immediately thought of my daughter Maya Rose (age 12), who is now starting her own skincare journey, and how hard it is to find a product that works for a tween or teen and doesn’t contain nasties. I immediately started sharing with Sarah a few bad incidents my daughter experienced trying out drugstore brands and her unfortunate skin reactions from them.
That is why Laser Clinics Asia has aesthetic treatments that cater to your specific skin type and issues. Before buying a product, the qualified staff ensure you’re getting the ideal solution for your needs by asking questions about your skin. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the treatment menu here; there’s a solution to every single problem you might have – from hair removal to body sculpting and cosmetic injections.
There are rooms catering to the specific aesthetic treatments – and they’re not cluttered with machines or intimidating in any way. Also, an in-house doctor is available if you have questions regarding treatments. Dr Gabriel Tan – who also has amazing skin! – is very calm and friendly. His experience covers Botox, fillers, body treatments and more.
I’m not personally ready for fillers just yet, so I decided, on Dr Gabriel’s advice, to freshen up my face with an anti-ageing Hydrafacial. What is that exactly? In simple terms, it’s a facial where they remove all the dirt and impurities. They gently sand your skin to remove the thicker, uneven outer layer with the use of a special suction device, removing dead skin cells from the surface of your face. It sounds quite harsh, but I promise, it was quite relaxing!
This facial has three stages – Cleanse and Peel, Extract and Hydrate, Infuse and Protect – and lasts about 60 minutes. I was shown how murky the water was from purifying my face; I was honestly surprised – it goes to show how polluted our environment is! I walked out of Laser Clinics Asia with an ultra-radiant and clean face, and will definitely be back next month. If you have any skin issues, or if you want to improve your skin, go for a visit – they’re very welcoming and not pushy at all!
– Susan Knudsen-Pickles
#B1-156/158 Parkway Parade, 80 Marine Parade Road
8876 5494 | laserclinicsasia.com.sg
Mendis Aesthetics
The aesthetic treatments: HA Hydrating Facial and Transdermal Anti-Ageing Facial
Specialising in bringing back hydration to your skin, Mendis Aesthetics’s HA Hydrating Facial ($200) increases the moisture levels in the various skin layers and acts as a filler for intensive wrinkle smoothening. This clinical facial also boosts cell renewal and protects against harmful environmental influences and free radicals. They use Triple Active Hyaluronic products, which have different-sized molecules, that penetrate different skin layers for a complete transformation of skin that’s parched or mature.
They also provide Transdermal Anti-Ageing Facial ($200) that targets concerns such as acne scarring, skin abnormalities and ageing. The clinical facial is a two-step procedure, with the first involving the use of microdermabrasion. This is to aid in increasing the level of product absorption, stimulate microcirculation and promote tissue regeneration. After that, transdermal therapy is done, whereby an ampule of retinol is applied to the face before the skin is introduced to the transdermal handpiece which uses dermo-electroporation techniques aimed at rejuvenating the skin.
Mendis Aesthetics is certainly one aesthetic clinic in Singapore to try if you’re looking for a way to renew and recharge your skin!
#04-17 Mandarin Gallery, 333A Orchard Road
6235 1728 | drmendis.com
W Aesthetic Plastic Surgery
The aesthetic treatment: Hydrafacial
Don’t let the term “facial” fool you; this is no trip to the spa! The Hydrafacial at the W Aesthetics clinic is a quick and highly effective way of transforming your skin in less than 45 minutes. It follows the same steps as a classic facial, with cleansing, exfoliating, extractions and moisturising, but on a more intense, medical level. It’s obviously less relaxing, but the results are very gratifying and worth the minor edge.
The Hydrafacial uses a patented technology from North America and involves the use of three different-sized tips that glide over your skin and involve suction and infusion in one function, to dislodge impurities and push out a cocktail of super serums into your skin. After two rounds of cleansing, the process includes a mild peel using a low concentration of glycolic acid to help soften impurities. This part made my skin feel a bit raw, but the tingly sensation lasted only about two minutes. The subsequent extraction – using the smallest of the tips to remove debris from pores – was entirely painless. The final part includes the infusion of deep hydration using hyaluronic acid and some antioxidants to quench the skin with nourishing ingredients to brighten up the complexion.
I will say that this is one of the few aesthetic treatments in Singapore that makes a big difference to skin; mine was glowing, hydrated, plump and dewy for several days after. Having said that, I think the big USP of this treatment is that it’s ideal for a one-off treatment before a special occasion. But I can totally imagine a lot of people, myself included, getting hooked on the effects!
– Karin Galley
#06-28/29 Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre, 38 Irrawaddy Road
6570 2528 | waesthetics.com
Aesthetic Studio Wellness
The treatment: Detox and Balance Clinical Facial
It was my first time at this medi-spa, housed amongst greenery in the lovely enclave of Dempsey, and I felt instantly relaxed. The interior is beautiful and calming – the perfect setting to unwind and enjoy the full experience of this much-anticipated clinical facial in one of Singapore’s green getaways.
The medi-spa manager Katri did a full assessment of my face and skin to see which facial would suit me best; truthfully, it was great to have an analysis that’s more than skin-deep to spot any problem areas that this treatment should be focusing on. My skin is fairly normal – not particularly oily or dry, apart from the usual T-zone issues – but my under-eyes always seem dehydrated and, in general, my skin lacks lustre.
The aesthetic treatment rooms are chic and stylish with just the right amount of lighting. My Detox and Balance Facial was the perfect remedy for what my skin needed. Starting with a thorough cleanse and light microdermabrasion to rejuvenate, I underwent an exfoliating regime that involved an aqua dermabrasion machine, which is the most advanced in aqua therapy. It left my skin feeling nourished and hydrated. The facial massage proved to be very relaxing, with sunblock and moisturiser applied as the last steps.
My skin was glowing, and it’s not that often I leave an aesthetic treatment and don’t reapply makeup for the rest of the day. I also lapped up the compliments I got later about my skin – my face was so much more radiant. I’m already planning a return visit very soon!
– Jacqui Young
27A Loewen Road
8699 7188 | aestheticstudiowellness.com.sg
Skinscape
The aesthetic treatment: Signature Medi-Facial
Stepping into Skinscape was an eye-opening experience as co-founder, Angie, took me through the various treatment rooms and services that they provide at this aesthetic clinic. There’s more to Skinscape than just clinical facials; they also carry out a full suite of aesthetic procedures such as injectables and fillers.
As for me, I was there to experience their 90-minute Signature Medi-Facial ($230). The session started with aromatherapy to relax and calm the mind, followed by a two-step cleanse to prepare the skin. A gentle bio-exfoliant peel is applied to remove dead skin cells and then my skin was treated with a hydro-dermabrasion to deep-clean pores. I’d never had a suction tool used on my face for extraction before but it certainly made for a pleasant session – no one enjoys having their face poked and squeezed mercilessly!
After that, electroporation was performed to infuse a proprietary blend of serum deep into the dermis, followed by LED phototherapy for skin rejuvenation. I think it was at this part where I started to doze off as the entire aesthetic treatment was proving to be very relaxing – considering it’s a clinical facial. I also enjoyed an add-on of a Local Dynamic Micro-massage (LDM) treatment (a la carte price is $250), which utilises a dual-frequency ultrasound technology to deliver a micro-massage to the skin. This treatment stimulates collagen and promotes skin tightening and rejuvenation. The final step involved a customised mask for my skin type and condition and before I knew it, time flew by just like that!
My skin felt pampered, in spite of it being a clinical facial; some people might feel that medical-grade treatments need always be painful. But my skin felt rejuvenated and hydrated, two things that it hadn’t been feeling in a while.
– Zawani Abdul Ghani
Special offer: Expat Living readers enjoy a complimentary LDM treatment add-on with the Medi-facial, until 31 May 2022.
#03-17/18 2 Handy Road, The Cathay
6612 7496 | skinscapeclinic.com
Dermstetiq Clinic
The aesthetic treatment: Red Carpet Glowing Skin Clinical Facial
Where once I used to go for a relaxing facial and just expect a nice nap out of it, now my expectations are far greater. I want to relax and come out miraculously looking 10 years younger!
Of course, with anything non-invasive, this never happens, but I was curious to see how different the results would be with a clinical facial (which also uses light, oxygen and other machines in its treatments) versus the salon facials I am used to. A consultation with Dr Tan at Dermstetiq is judgement-free – she says my skin is in pretty good condition but could do with some hydration and brightening.
The Red Carpet facial uses clinical-grade products and machines, and it’s what the rich and famous use before they head out, to give their skin an instant clear, radiant look. Even better, they don’t use needles for extraction but a hydra dermabrasion machine to suck out those pesky blackheads and painlessly clean out the pores.
The clinical facial is only 60 minutes long and was performed by the lovely therapist Stephanie, who included a nice massage and a French mask with real flower petals. I could tell the products were more potent by the constant tingle on my skin, but they never hurt or stung – and the last spray of oxygen and cool hydrating serum served to calm the skin.
Once the aesthetic treatment was complete, my skin felt plump and smooth and looked brighter. I was sent home with some mini products to extend the effects, and with no nap or downtime, I was ready to hit the town!
– Danielle Rossetti
Special offer: While each session is normally $350 when bought in a package of six, a special trial offer of $180 (plus GST) is available for Expat Living readers.
#11-09 Camden Medical Orchard, 1 Orchard Boulevard
9105 7883 | dermstetiqclinic.com
This article first appeared in the April 2022 edition of Expat Living. You can purchase the latest issue or subscribe, so you never miss a copy!
If you enjoyed reading about our review of aesthetic treatments, read more about our spa facial reviews!
