What Is Your Face Telling Others About You?

Even though phone calls, emails, SMS and online chat are such important parts of the way we transmit ideas and information in today’s world, the most important conversations and decisions are usually saved for face-to-face meetings. One major reason for this is because facial expressions and movements are still so integral to human communication. So much of what we think about others depends on what we see in their faces.

The features on a person’s face can change or determine how they are perceived, and we are all subconsciously affected by these cues. Every time we see a face, we make judgments on that person's character and personality, and all this happens instantly and automatically in our brains.

Even when most of us think that a person’s facial features shouldn’t matter, we rely on them far more than we imagine, to decide things like how trustworthy, how friendly and how dependable others are.  In fact, there is a lot of evidence that people in roles of leadership in business, politics, military and sports, for example, are often given those roles based on their facial features and not necessarily based on their ability.

Your facial features can determine your destiny

A Cure For Baldness : Stem Cells Could Be The Answer For Hair Loss Sufferers

A breakthrough in stem cell technology could mean the end of hair loss woes

One in four women suffer from some degree of hair loss or thinning hair. In men, balding can begin as early as the age of 21, and by the age of 35, 30% of men will already be experiencing noticeable balding.

Hair loss, particularly male pattern balding is largely determined by genes, and alopecia areata (hair loss in one area of the scalp) affects about one in 100 individuals. More than 60% of hair loss sufferers say they would rather have more hair than money or friends, which gives you an insight into the negative impact of losing your hair. Hair loss, particularly in women and in younger men, can lead to depression and low self-esteem.

What is the Ideal Female Body Shape and Why?

What is the ideal female body shape? It depends if you're asking a man or a woman.

For women, the ideal will be a fashion model's body, a tall, willowy body with a modest bustline, a small waist-to-hip ratio, and thin, muscled thighs. According to women's ideal of the perfect female body, she should be 70 inches tall, have a BMI of 16.5 (underweight BMI), and have a hip size that is just 46 percent larger than her waist size.



A composite of celebrity body parts showing the differences of men & women's ideas of the perfect female body

Which Facial Treatments Really Work? Part 2 - The Best From The Rest

This post is part two of my two-part post on facial treatments that really work. Read part one here, to read more about the supposed and actual benefits of treatments such as gold, diamond, snail mucus, bee venom and caviar.


This post at beautyeditor.ca discusses why spa facial treatments are not really good for your skin. This New York Times article also explains why dermatologists don't recommend facials for optimal skin health and beauty. This article quotes Professor of Dermatology, Doris Day, MD about spa facials: "I call it 'spa science' because there isn't a lot of science behind many of the claims." She further adds,"Think of a facial as a treat rather than a medical treatment." Good at-home daily facial care can preclude the need for costly facial treatments. 

Do You Have Dry Skin? Top Five Causes Of Dry Skin

Dry skin conditions often contribute to irritated, sensitive skin, and can lead to premature aging symptoms such as wrinkles and a dull complexion. 

If your skin often feels rough and dry, consider if these factors may be the cause:

Hyaluronic Acid - Every Skin's Best Friend

If you keep your ears to the ground in beauty matters, the ingredient hyaluronic acid should be something that is familiar to you. Often touted as a "fountain of youth" component of skincare, hyaluronic acid can be found in skin lotions, creams, serums, and is used as an injectable dermal filler, but what exactly is it? 

How Bad Is It To Sleep With Your Makeup On?

Journalist Anna Pursglove of MailOnline.com took up the challenge to not wash off her makeup for 30 days. By the third day of the experiment, her skin felt dry and taut and tiny white cysts had started to form around her eyelashes. In a week, her skin had become flaky and lumpy, and her friends commented that she looked tired. By the end of the month, she had visibly blocked and enlarged pores all over her nose, dry skin across her lips and cheeks, and red eyelids, and her eyelashes had developed dandruff.

Sleeping Well Actually Helps You Look Well - Study Finds Link Between Beauty Sleep and Facial Appearance

We're all familiar with the term beauty sleep, but most of us think the effects of sleep-deprivation are minimal or temporary. A study by researchers at the University Hospitals Case Medical Center evaluated the skin of 60 women aged 30-49 years of age, and found that those who rated their quality of nightly sleep to be poor actually had increased signs of skin deterioration and aging. Their skin also showed a decreased ability to recover from environmental factors such as wounds and sun damage. 

How to be Beautiful - Finding Your Facial Harmony

If you ask a person why they would consider plastic surgery or cosmetic treatments, usually they will tell you they dislike their nose, or wish they had bigger eyes, or want to change their chin. Some would ask for Angelina Jolie's lips or Scarlett Johannsen's nose, thinking that the fuller lips or perkier nose would make them more beautiful. 

Yet study after study has failed to identify the 'Perfect' nose or chin or lips, because it is not the specific shape or size of each facial feature that makes a face attractive, it is how all of those features harmonize with each other. This is the study of facial harmonics, or profiloplasty. By improving the harmony of facial features in relation to each other, we can improve an individual's features so they look like themselves, but more aesthetically pleasing.

Eating Well To Look Well

True or false : your diet affects the aging of your skin. Answer: True!

An article from Prime Journal by Howard A. Epstein, PhD, titled "The Effect of Diet and Nutrition on the Skin" showed that diet greatly affected the ability of the body to defend itself from oxidative stress.


An apple a day keeps the wrinkles at bay ...

Our skin naturally produces compounds that protect us from free radical damage. Oxidative stress UV rays, however, break down the antioxidant compounds, so the body has to produce more to replace them. Wrinkling, acne, hyperpigmentation, dry skin and poor wound healing are just some of the long-term effects from oxidative stress. The body needs many compounds such as vitamin C, retinol, and minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron and zinc to fight against skin damage and aging.

A study was conducted among individuals from various ethnic groups, from different countries, to examine if there was any relationship between their diet and the condition of their skin. The study showed that a diet high in green leafy vegetables, fruits, and legumes gave great protection against oxidative skin damage. Plant foods often possess anti-inflammatory properties, and have been shown to boost the immune system as well as replenish antioxidants. Foods such as tea, apples, onions, garlic and eggplant were found to be associated with reduced wrinkle formation, whereas a diet high in dairy products, fat, meats and sugar was found to be associated with wrinkle development.

Olive oil, legumes, fish, vegetables and cereal foods were some of the foods eaten by the group with the best skin aging profile.
Mice studies have also shown that a diet high in green tea could inhibit cell damage from UVB radiation, preventing the formation of cancerous skin cells and regulating cell function at the DNA level.

Our choice of foods have been shown to impact the health of the body as a whole, but it is less well understood that skin aging and damage can be affected as well. Rather than expensive lotions and treatments, the secret to a youthful look may well be no further than what's on your plate!

-- CosMed, MD  

Dr. Liow Tiong Sin is an aesthetic practitioner who practices in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia. He has more than 12 years of expertise with non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and  conducts training courses for other doctors from all around Asia. To connect with Dr. Liow, Like Cosmedmd's Facebook page. or email. 

BBL Keeps You Forever Young

 

Scientifically Proven Way Of Reversing The Aging Process

Before - Age 43. After - Age 55. BBL treatments have been shown to reverse the appearance of aging skin




Mankind has been searching for the secret to eternal youth without success for millienia, but a new study has found an aesthetic treatment that may actually deliver. A new study published in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology (2013) has shown that BBL (Broadband Light) treatments are able to change the gene expression of skin cells so they are rejuvenated and act like younger cells.

While most aesthetic treatments can only help to mimic the appearance of youthful skin, BBL treatments are the first to be a proven functional anti-aging therapy, where the process of aging is actually reversed and the skin is able to be renewed and rejuvenated from within.

What You Need To Know About Cosmetic Lasers

What You Need To Know About Cosmetic Lasers -

10 Common Myths  About Laser Treatments

Many of my patients are new to the concept of cosmetic lasers, and are understandably concerned about their use. They have heard so much about the potential of lasers to damage and permanently scar the skin, and often are swayed by claims made in the media and advertising about the ability of various creams or beauty treatments to replace the effects of laser treatments. Here I have listed some of the common misconceptions about cosmetic laser treatments, and I hope to help dispel some of these common myths.

How To Avoid Botox - Prevent Wrinkles With A Healthy Lifestyle

Can skincare help you avoid Botox? Not as much as lifestyle choices

I was recently asked to contribute some quotes for a local magazine, and one of the questions the reporter asked was, 'how early in age would women have to begin using anti-aging skin products so they could avoid the need for treatments such as Botox.' I think this question is very interesting, because it shows that many people are unaware of the ongoing effects of environment and lifestyle choices on their skin.

Many people only start worrying about wrinkles in their thirties, when the stresses of hectic, active or unhealthy lifestyles start showing up in the form of dull skin or fine lines on previously pristine complexions. By their forties, the damage would have worsened enough that indeed, Botox, lasers and skin tightening therapies would be a god-send. Applying anti-aging products at that stage may not be enough to reverse or delay the damage that was already done. 

Should women be using anti-aging skincare in their teens and twenties to prevent effects of aging in later years? Anti-aging creams and lotions have certainly improved vastly in previous years, and many have proven skin smoothing and tightening qualities, but most are designed to replenish and boost insufficient collagen production, which is not a concern in such a young age. Others contain retinoids, which work by encouraging the rate of exfoliation and skin renewal, also not a concern when the skin is young and healthy and able to renew itself naturally. These anti-aging skin products are mainly focused at the 30s to 40s age group, when natural skin rejuvenation qualities of the skin have been compromised or decreased as part of the aging process.

Skincare products can be helpful but should not be the key focus when the goal is to prevent signs of premature aging. Aging is a process that begins as early as birth, and some scientists even argue it is a process that commences at the moment of conception. The key building block of healthy skin, collagen, declines at a rate of about 1% per year, so a 30 year old woman will have lost about 30% of her collagen, although these factors, as outlined below, may cause that rate of deterioration to be accelerated. 

Botox or Fillers? For Best Results, You May Need Both

A growing trend in aesthetic medicine is for a combination therapy approach to rejuvenation and correction, and botox and fillers are one such winning combination. The latest research has found that the two procedures have equal applications, but together, they can produce a synergistic effect that last longer and looks better.

Botox, or neurotoxins, work on the underlying muscle structures under the skin. The muscles not only provide movement, but affect our facial positioning and expressions. Certain large muscles such as those in the jawline, around the lips and eyes, as well as the forehead areas, can change the entire facial structure noticeably. Deep frown lines can make a person look permanently angry, while pronounced jaw muscles can give someone a belligerent or argumentative demeanor. Proper usage of botox not only relaxes the facial expression, but also can give a more pleasant, uplifted look.

Dermal fillers work hand in hand with botox to restore fullness to areas that are sunken or lined, and also helps to reshape and redefine the overall facial structure. By combining fillers with botox, the volume of both substances can be reduced to achieve a more natural, harmonious look.

Many patients find that in areas of the face that are in constant motion, such as in the mouth area, fillers do not last very long, as the muscle motion works to break up the fillers faster. A combination treatment including botox decreases muscle activity, so that the fillers are not broken down so quickly.

A combination of botox and fillers can relax and fill out deep frown lines
even better than either product can do alone.

The synergistic effect of botox and fillers is such that the combination of both is better than either treatment alone, and it has been theorized that effects of this dual-treatment lasts longer because the collagen production stimulated by fillers help the skin to form correctly in a way that muscle movement would have disturbed.


- Cosmetic Medicine, MD

Dr. Liow Tiong Sin is an aesthetic practitioner who practices in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia. He has more than 12 years of expertise with non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and  conducts training courses for other doctors from all around Asia. To connect with Dr. Liow, Like Cosmedmd's Facebook page. medical centre website or email. 

Facial Symmetry - Do The Two Sides Of Your Face Match?

脸部对称－您左右脸对称吗？

Most people do not realise the importance of facial symmetry. If you draw a line directly down from the middle of your forehead down to your chin, the two sides of your face will most probably have some differences.

Photographer Julian Wolkenstein took pictures of many different people, and created a whole face out of the two sides of each person's face. The difference between the left side face and right side face of these people can be very obvious and pronounced, as you can see in these pictures.

许多人没有发现脸部对称的重要性。如果您从额头至下颚画一条中分线，您很有可能会发现您的左右脸有一些差异。

摄影师Julian Nolkenstein拍摄了许多不同人的脸部照片，将他们脸部划分为左右两边，再将同一边的脸组成完整的头像。她发现许多人左右边脸的样貌有明显的差异。

Some scientists believe that facial symmetry is an indication of the effects of environment and nutrition during their growth and developmental stages. So, the more symmetrical the face, the more we find it to be attractive, because this indicates that the person is healthy and has good genes. 

You can see the symmetry in the faces of these famous people -

一些科学家相信脸部对称是一项指标，显示环境和营养对生长期与发育期的影响。因此，一张脸越对称，我们就觉得越有吸引力，因为这显示了此人拥有健康及良好基因。

您可看看这些人的脸部对称。

就如下图所示：

Scarlett Johanssen

Penelope Cruz

Justin Bieber

Eva Longoria

Do you agree that people who are symmetrical are more attractive? You can examine the symmetry of your own face at Echoism.org.

您赞成越对称的脸，越具吸引力吗？您可在Echoism.org测试自己脸部的对称。

-- Cosmetic Medicine, MD

Dr. Liow Tiong Sin is an aesthetic practitioner who practices in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia. He has more than 12 years of expertise with non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and  conducts training courses for other doctors from all around Asia. To connect with Dr. Liow, Like Cosmedmd's Facebook page. medical centre website or email. 

Collagen Supplements - Do They Really Work? What Does?



Old or young? The difference is collagen

I've had many patients come to me and say they take excellent care of their skin,with a regimen that includes regular beautician visits, expensive skincare and that latest must-have - collagen supplements. Usually available in a drink, and costing up to USD100 per bottle, these supplements are not cheap, but come with a lot of promises for prolonged beauty and general health.

 

Collagen - is it really so important?

Collagen is a natural protein component of the skin that acts like a scaffold and the main building block for cells, tissues and organs. About a third of the protein content in your body is made up of collagen, which is found in the bones, muscles, and tissues of the organs. Collagen, keratin and elastin give the skin its strength, elasticity and structure.

The body naturally produces the collagen that it needs, but this production is gradually disrupted as part of the natural aging process. Women produce less collagen than men, and this collagen is lost at a rate of about 1% per year. This means that a woman has naturally lost almost half of the collagen from her skin by the age of 50.

Collagen is also greatly affected by environmental stresses such as sun exposure, nutrition, skin damage, and exposure to toxins such as pollutants, cigarette smoke and recreational drugs. With decreased collagen, the skin loses its natural elasticity and firmness, and fine lines, wrinkles and sagging appear.

 Poor collagen levels also affect the bones, and this picture (right) shows how collagen loss affects facial shape in extreme age degeneration.

Here's to your youth - anti-aging drinks claim to deliver beauty in a bottle, but do they really work?

 

Collagen supplements claim to offer a range of benefits, including

• reducing wrinkles
• reversing age of skin
• tighter skin
• plumps up skin
• improves skin elasticity

The truth is, however, that there is little to no evidence that beauty supplements, pills and drinks can do what they claim. Collagen is a type of protein which when ingested, is broken down by the digestive system into individual amino acids to be recombined by cells according to their needs.  

So many companies have jumped on the collagen bandwagon that it is very hard for consumers to realise that there is actually no scientific proof that collagen supplements have any effects on skin health and appearance at all. There is no guarantee that drinking collagen drinks would be any more effective than any source of protein such as meat, cheese, eggs or beans at restoring the collagen in your skin.

So if you can't get collagen through a drink, what about collagen in skin care products? Most collagen molecules applied to the skin in lotion, cream or gel forms are far too large to be absorbed into the dermis - they merely lie on the surface and get washed or rubbed off. There are some companies that are selling micronized collagen which are meant to be small enough to be absorbed into the skin, but it is unlikely these micro molecules would be in any form useable by skin cells. It is also highly likely that any collagen that actually manages to penetrate the skin would be challenged by the body's immune system as a foreign body. They would either cause an allergic reaction or simply be destroyed by the white blood cells before they manage to be of any benefit to the skin whatsoever.

What really works?

The abundance of collagen supplements on the market tells us that many people are genuinely concerned about their skin health. So, based on the best dermatological and anti-aging expert advice, what can be done to ensure we show up at our 20-year school reunions with our best faces forward?

Reduce collagen degradation
To ensure sufficient collagen in the skin, first prevent loss of the collagen that you already have. If you are not already on a proper sun care regimen, that should be your first priority. Studies have shown that sun protection is one of the most important ways in which you can combat aging. Cigarette smoke, like sun exposure, has also been shown to greatly degenerate collagen, and there is also evidence that improper and insufficient sleep has a negative effect on skin health. Read more about tips for choosing a good sunscreen in this previous post.

A nutritious diet
Eating the right foods and getting good sources of antioxidants from fruits and vegetables is very important for collagen production. Brightly coloured produce such as tomatoes, grapefruit and watermelon contain the powerful antioxidant lycopene, which helps prevent collagen degeneration. Fruits such as oranges, strawberries and red peppers also contain Vitamin C, something that is key for the optimum condition of the skin. Vegetables such as broccoli, leafy greens and cauliflower provide our skin with glucosinolates, which fight the free radicals that attack our collagen. Also key to skin health is the omega-3 fatty acid known as eicosapentanoic acid or EPA, which has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory effects to help protect and heal the skin. Omega-3 is readily available from food sources such as oily fish and spirulina. Avoid starchy foods and sugary substances; this helps
reduce inflammation which interferes with the body's natural collagen production processes.

Proper skin care
The right skin care helps regulate the optimum skin condition so that it is protected from extreme stresses. What works? Regular exfoliation with a gentle exfoliator scrub, or with alphahydroxy acids (AHAs) can help to 'exercise' the skin, and ensure healthy cell renewal. Skin care products that have been proven to help combat aging include products that have antioxidant properties, examples of which include green tea extracts, coffeeberry and DHEA. Try products with retinol, a Vitamin A derivative, sometimes known as Retin-A, which works to both stop collagen degradation from the effects of UV exposure while boosting collagen production.


Collagen Stimulating Dermal Fillers
Hyaluronic acid, a natural water-binding component of the skin, helps to stimulate collagen production by surrounding fibroblasts - the skin cells that produce collagen  - with plenty of water. As the skin ages, this important component of the skin also suffers a decline. 
 
Researchers at the University of Michigan medical school found that Restylane injections (Restylane's key component is hyaluronic acid) not only stimulated the fibroblasts around them to increase collagen output, but also seemed to be protective of the existing collagen in the area as well. The two top hyaluronic acid dermal filler brands are Restylane and Juvederm, and they work by immediately filling the area to plump out lines and wrinkles. The effects of the filler are enhanced by the collagen stimulation, so patients tend to need repeat sessions less frequently. 

Just like hyaluronic acid, poly-L-lactic acid or PLLA, has been shown to stimulate collagen growth. PLLA is a major component in Sculptra dermal fillers, which are injected deep into the dermal layer in a three-session treatment program which lasts up to two years. Sculptra has been proven to correct both collagen loss and fat atrophy, and is also FDA approved for AIDS patients who have severe cheek lipoatrophy (fat loss).

Radiesse, which has calcium hydroxylapatite as its collagen stimulating active ingredient, is another dermal filler that works very effectively in restoring volume in patients with deep lines or sagging skin. The effects of the collagen stimulation allows the volumising effect of Radiesse to last for about 12 months or more. 

Laser and RF collagen stimulation
Collagen production slows with the aging process, but where the skin is injured, collagen production is increased as part of the skin healing process. Aesthetic equipment such as carbon dioxide and Fraxel lasers, and radiofrequency modalities such as Thermage and Ultherapy all work by subjecting the skin to controlled damage, so that collagen renewal can be stimulated. All of these methods work very well to tighten the skin and improve its appearance, although lasers are designed to stimulate regrowth on the surface and epidermal (top layer) areas, and radiofrequency skin tightening works in the deeper dermal areas for greater wrinkle and line rejuvenation.



- Cosmetic Medicine, MD


Dr. Liow Tiong Sin is an aesthetic practitioner who practices in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia. He has more than 12 years of expertise with non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and  conducts training courses for other doctors from all around Asia. To connect with Dr. Liow, Like Cosmedmd's Facebook page. medical centre website or drop him an email at cosmedmd@gmail.com  

The Miss Malaysia Controversy - Too White For Malaysia?

Kimberley Ann Estrop-Leggett
Miss Malaysia 2012

Recently there have been a few articles in the newspaper and on the internet about Kimberley Leggett, the 2012 Miss Malaysia title holder being 'too white'. These are the words of a journalist at The International Business Times, who wrote that Miss Leggett certainly resembled Europeans and North Americans much more than she did a country that was predominantly made up of Malays, Chinese and Indians.

I followed the development of this controversy with some amusement as people rose up to defend the Miss Malaysia program and its winner. The argument goes that the beauty pageant win was based on overall looks, presentation and ability, and was certainly never meant to conform to any defined racial looks.

Miss Leggett, certainly a very beautiful and personable young lady, who I previously have had the pleasure of meeting in person, owes her caucasian looks to her British father and Serani (mixed European and Malay) mother. Like Deborah Priya Henry, her Miss Malaysia predecessor, Kimberley Leggett probably represents the pan-Asian look that we previously discussed as the beauty ideal for many Asian women. The subject of her eligibility to compete as a representative of an Asian nation aside, certainly these women have the multi-racial looks that tend to earmark successful competitors at international beauty pageants.

Certainly as the world becomes more global, racial boundaries become less defined, and cultures and races intermarry, the ideals of beauty have similarly evolved. It also has been noted before that many previous winners of international pageants hail from Latin American countries such as Venezuela and Puerto Rico, where the majority of the population is comprised of mixed races.

Having no idea of the judging criteria or machinations of the beauty queen selection process, I cannot be the judge of the fairness of Miss Leggett's selection as the face of Malaysian beauty. However, as I have previously noted - in this article here, as a species humans tend to favor individuals from a mixed background, as they tend to have a 'genetically average' look - ie. do not have any of the negative characteristics that are seen in persons seen as typically Chinese or Indian or British, for example. Studies also suggest that we find these people more attractive as their genes have a greater variety and tend to give them advantages of better health.

To read more on genetic averages and understand more about this, here are some articles of interest:

Health Correlator - Pretty Faces Are Average Faces: Genetic Averages And Health

Discover Magazine - What Average Genetic Variation Can Tell Us Or Not 
The Mail Online: Brits Believe Mixed Race People Are The Most Attractive And Successful
Psychology Today: Mixed Race: Pretty Face?

What do you think about this theory of genetic averages? Do you agree that mixed race individuals tend to be more attractive? I've love to hear your feedback.

Cosmetic Medicine, MD

Dr. Liow Tiong Sin is an aesthetic practitioner who practices in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia. He has more than 12 years of expertise with non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and  conducts training courses for other doctors from all around Asia. To connect with Dr. Liow, Like Cosmedmd's Facebook page. medical centre website or email. 

It's true - vitamins can make you look younger!

Botox Efficacy Improved By Zinc Supplementation

More reasons to hit the vitamin shelves - a recent study has shown that zinc supplements can help to boost the effectiveness of botox injections, not just in cosmetic applications such as wrinkle treatments, but also in medical treatments such as for eye spasms, migraines and bladder incontinence.

Oculoplastic surgeon Dr. Charles Soparkar showed that the duration and efficacy of a botox treatment was improved by up to 30% when a  mix of zinc and phytase was given in addition to normal botox injections. The result has been less frequent botox re-injections, and better effects from each treatment session, meaning patients save more in the long run. 

Botulinum toxin A is very highly dependent on the availability of zinc for it to work properly. It has been shown that botox injections do not work very well in low zinc conditions. However, many people are zinc deficient, due to zinc binding substances in our food. The addition of phytase works to inhibit the activity of these zinc binders, or phytates, so it helps the zinc to be better absorbed by the body. 

A new zinc supplement, Zytaze (USD60 - 80 per box) has been introduced in the US, specifically to be used in conjunction with Botox injections. Will it be available here in Asia? We will have to wait and see. 

Cosmetic Medicine, MD

Dr. Liow Tiong Sin is an aesthetic practitioner who practices in Kuala Lumpur and Melaka, Malaysia. He has more than 12 years of expertise with non-surgical cosmetic treatments, and  conducts training courses for other doctors from all around Asia. To connect with Dr. Liow, Like Cosmedmd's Facebook page. medical centre website or email. 

First Malaysia Singapore Conference for Aesthetic Medicine, July 2012

Here are some photos from the conference jointly organised by the Malaysian Society of Aesthetic Medicine, and the Society of Aesthetic Medicine (Singapore), recently held at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Kuala Lumpur. Kudos to the organisers who put together a very illuminating and worthwhile event. Much knowledge was gleaned from experts from Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, France, Thailand and many other countries.

The Health Minister, YB Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai with the President of the MSAM,
Dr Louis Leh 

The Health Minister enjoying a chat with some of the organising committee members

A photo opprtunity with Datuk Seri and the MSCAM organising committee 

The minister made a very encouraging speech in which he urged aesthetic practitioners
to strive for international excellence in line with the push for medical tourism. 

The HM cutting the ribbon to officiate the opening of the first Malaysia Singapore
Conference For Aesthetic Medicine

A light-hearted moment as the minister is invited to examine some of the tools of the aesthetics trade

I was also honoured to have been invited to speak at this conference. This presentation
is on the Fraxel Re:store Dual, the latest platform in the fractional rejuvenation market

A very interesting talk by Assoc. Prof Chin Sze Piaw on the power of stem cells for
anti-aging and healing

One of the most popular exhibitors - Many attendees grabbed the chance to purchase some very rare  medical books

At the booth of one of the largest exhibitors, Allergan 

The crowd turnout was surprisingly good, given that this was the first such effort
from the organisers. Committee members are already planning for a bigger and better
bash in 2013. 

The good response to the conference pointed to the growing interest in the opportunities in the aesthetic market, and was an excellent chance for many up and coming new practitioners to learn the ropes from the old hands in the field. With technology and globalisation fuelling the growth of the aesthetic practice in Malaysia, we can foresee only positive changes ahead. The growing innovation and sophistication in the aesthetic and cosmetic market can only mean cheaper, more effective, pain-free and best of all, more aesthetic results for everyone.

CosMed, MD

Looking Younger without Surgery

Nobody enjoys the process of growing old, and it is especially distressful when external factors such as sun, pollution, stress, poor sleep habits and so forth cause premature aging of our skin. Fortunately science can lend a helping hand and erase or minimize the damage. From wrinkles, to lax skin, pigmentation and deepening lines, the signs of aging are thankfully very easily dealt with, even if you are hesitant to undergo surgery. If you're looking to improve the ravages of time on your complexion, here is a short list of some of the most popular non-surgical options available out there.

1. Botox
Botox is the most popular anti-aging treatment available, and for good reason. Just one session with your doctor will give you 6 - 9 months free of wrinkles and lines, and at about the same price as a set of branded anti-aging skin care products. It is quick, about as painful as a paper cut, and can make you look 5-10 years younger in a matter of days.
Botox has always suffered from a poor reputation as some people have had bad experiences, but in the hands of a trained professional, the results you get will amaze you. Some people are concerned about getting 'addicted' to Botox, but I find it comparable to a maintenance regime not unlike having a regular facial or haircut. Botox is also useful in the treatment of headaches, neck and back pain, muscle spasms and bladder disorders, which is always helpful when age starts to create more physical concerns in areas other than the face.


2. Fillers
Fillers and botox are almost like husband and wife; they complement each other and work together to create a harmonious effect. Botox works to relax muscles and smooth out wrinkles while fillers work by volumizing deep facial furrows such as the naso-labial folds and deep glabellar lines (frown lines). Fillers are also effective in increasing the fat pads on the cheeks and the sides of the forehead, to reverse the effects of gravity. Fillers can also be used to reduce lines around the lips, volumize the lips, plump up sunken under-eye areas, and have been used to replace lost fatty deposits in areas such as the breast and buttocks. There are too many filler brands to count, such as Radiesse, Juvederm, Restylane, Esthelis, Macrolane and many more. Different fillers are indicated for different uses, but in general are all very successful at volumizing lines, wrinkles and sunken areas. Sculptra is one that is especially designed for long-term re-volumizing, and helps to boost collagen production as well as fill in sunken areas.


3. Skin Tightening & Lifting Therapies
Skin tightening and lifting is important as gravity and collagen loss create the sunken areas and deep lines that are seen on aging faces. While a face-lift will always provide the most dramatic results, a range of non-surgical therapies such as Thermage, Ultherapy and Exilis are available.
Thermage burst onto the scene about 6 years ago with its promise of non-surgical, non-invasive skin tightening, with a single treatment, no less. Since then, Thermage has become a brand icon, and it has expanded its range from lifting skin on the face, neck and eyes to upper-arms, hands, abdomens, buttocks and thighs.
Thermage works by using radiofrequency waves to heat up the collagen in the skin and produce a rejuvenating, tightening effect. Results are not immediate, but the treatment gives a progressive uplifting effect as the collagen remodels over the next few months. Some patients report an improvement in their facial wrinkling and overall condition of the complexion as a pleasant side effect of the treatment.
Exilis is another therapy that utilizes radiofrequency (RF) to target collagen deposits and boost their production. Commonly used in the facial, neck, decolletage, abdomen, thighs and buttock areas, Exilis is also effective in spot fat reduction. A typical course is 4-6 sessions, and is a quick and painless way to more youthful, tighter skin.
Ultherapy uses ultrasound waves to similarly heat up and remodel collagen, helping to tighten brow lines, smoothen skin on the cheeks, lift sagging eyelids and refresh the overall look of the face, results which are visible from the second or third treatment.
While these skin tightening therapies are not indicated for the elderly where collagen is very minimal, or for those who are severely saggy due to extreme age or weight loss, they can restore youthful tone and give a refreshing uplift for those who are just starting to notice the ill-effects of aging and poor skin care.

4. Fractional Laser Resurfacing
Laser resurfacing modules work by damaging the top most layers of the skin to remove fine wrinkles, pigmentation and scars. Fractional laser resurfacing means that instead of treating all of the skin surface at once, only a fraction of the surface is treated, so pain is manageable and healing is faster. Examples of these treatments are Fraxel, Pixel, ProFractional and Mosaic, which all work in the same way to remove the top-most problematic layer, and allows the growth of younger, healthier skin in its place. A further benefit of this treatment is that skin texture and tone will also improve.

Fraxel - Before and After

5. Platelet Rich Plasma
Plaetelet Rich Plasma therapy involves the use of a patient's own blood, from which platelets are extracted and re-injected into facial areas to boost collagen production. Generally, treated areas include the cheeks, peri-ocular (around the eyes), neck, decolletage, jaw line and back of hands. Results include improved skin texture, tone and overall appearance. Platelet-rich plasma is an established medical procedure which has been used in long-term pain management, joint healing and a proven record in facilitating healing.

5. Stem Cell Therapy
As stem cells are the body's own healing components, stem cell therapy has been hailed for its ability to improve the body's overall condition. Promised results include a better complexion, thicker hair, brighter eyes, improved memory and libido, greater energy and stamina and a better general well-being. There are various methods used in stem cell therapies, from stem cells extracted from a patient's own fat or bone marrow, or in some procedures, using stem cells collected from human or even animal embryos.
While scientific evidence is still contentious as to the true value of such treatments, many are convinced of their anti-aging and medicinal value. This article on USAToday.com highlights just one such satisfied customer, a baseball player who amazed his fans with his brilliant sporting performance after undergoing stem cell therapy.

- CosMed, MD