Archive for November, 2009

Vaser – ultrasound fat removal

Friday, November 20th, 2009

Vaser is a revolutionary ultrasound technology that uses ultrasound energy to gently break down or melt unwanted fatty tissues beneath the skin. Through a few tiny access points (2 to 3mm opening in the skin) strategically located and hidden on the body, we are able to safely and gently reach the unwanted fat compartment. In doing so, the fatty tissues resistant to diet and exercise are effectively removed whilst preserving surrounding blood vessels, nerves and supporting tissues. This means:

•    Enhanced safety for the patient
•    Reduced operating times, leading to greater safety, cost effectiveness
•    Minimal bleeding
•    Minimal bruising, pain and swelling
•    More effective removal of fatty tissue
•    Shorter recovery times
•    Greater patient satisfaction in terms of sculpting, contouring and fat removal

FAQ

Is Vaser at Freia safe?

We are one of the few institutions that have earned the Ministry of Health of Singapore’s accreditation and this stamp of endorsement is based on our training and experience, clinic facilities, safety record and most importantly, patient feedback. Our doctor and staff are fully trained to ensure the smooth and safe outcome for our Vaser patients.

Is Vaser at Freia Painful?

Vaser liposelection is considered as a surgical procedure, but it is also known to be very gentle on the patient. As such, most patient do not feel any discomfort throughout the procedure. The patient is given a sedative. In addition, the area to be treated is first infused with a numbing agent to further minimise discomfort. Most patients are asleep while the doctor and his team gently and carefully get to work, creating that highly desirable and sculpted body contour. Post-op, most patients will experience some aching discomfort and they are prescribed painkillers for that reason.

How long does the procedure take?

Depending on the area of concern, it normally takes between 1 hour (e.g. double chin) to 4 hours (both thighs)

How long is the recovery period?

This would depend on the area treated and the nature of the patient’s work and social requirements. Patients are normally given 3 days of medical leave and 2 weeks of light duty. They can gradually return to their normal social and daily activities, including exercise, after 2 weeks.

Are there any risks associated with Vaser?

As with all surgical procedures, there are inherent risks when Vaser is performed. These range from minor side effects such as infection, bleeding, excessive scarring to very serious but thankfully very rare complications. These are greatly minimised by the following factors:
•    Patient selection and careful pre-operative screening
•    Never packing our surgical list to the point our efficiency and patient safety drops
•    Consistently updating our doctor and staff with the latest skills and protocols for the benefit of our patients
•    Ensure strict compliance with international and national standards in terms of patient care, facilities management, sterility and equipment maintenance

Are there any side effects of Vaser?

There are no side effects of the procedure, but there are certain risks including infection, excessive bleeding, pain and bruising. There have been internationally documented serious complications that are thankfully very rare. These are minimised when it is performed by an experienced doctor, supported by well-trained staff in a well-equipped centre.

Will there be scars after Vaser?

The access points measuring 2 to 3 mm that help us reach the fatty areas will be sited in skin folds, greatly aiding recovery of the access points. In addition, the access points are usually placed in well-hidden areas. They become very inconspicuous within a few weeks, and even experts struggle to find the scars after a few months. Unless a patient is prone to keloids or poor wound healing of skin, it is unlikely that there will be permanent scars after Vaser.

Will the fat go to another area of my body after removal by Vaser?

The fat that is removed during Vaser treatment will not migrate to another area. There is no scientific basis for such a claim.

How long before I see the difference after Vaser?

You will immediately notice post-op that the treated area is slimmer than before, but the final result will be obscured by some swelling and bruising, This normally takes 2 weeks to resolve. Based on our experience, you will enjoy the final optimal result after 2 to 3 months.

Will the fat recur in the same area?

It is theoretically possible that the fat may recur if there is no effort to live a balanced and healthy lifestyle through sensible diet and exercise. As such, we always advise our patients to adopt a healthy lifestyle as part of the maintenance process.

Are the results long lasting?

There are a few variables that may determine how long your Vaser-sculpted body will maintain that way:

•    Gaining weight due to neglect of exercise/diet
•    Over-eating
•    Excessive alcohol consumption
•    Unhealthy lifestyle/habits: lack of exercise or sedentary lifestyle
•    Pregnancy

In our experience, for patients who are motivated to keep a healthy sensible lifestyle, our results are long lasting. 5 to 10 years is not impossible to achieve in most cases.

What should I do if I am interested to find out more about Vaser?

Call us at +65 6346-7752 and arrange to see our doctor for a detailed assessment and consultation. As a general guide, candidates should be in good general health, have a body mass index of less than 28 and should be leading a healthy lifestyle.

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Posted in Lipo | No Comments »

Ways To Remove Body Hair

Friday, November 20th, 2009

Lots of people have to deal with unwanted hair on several parts of the body and have struggled in vain with techniques of removing them for good. A number of considerations such as the area and density of hair growth, your skin sensitivity and your skin type can decide the hair removal technique most appropriate for you.

The most popular means of getting rid of unwanted hair is shaving. Even though shaving is effective and cheap, the problem is that it is only short-term and you have to keep on shaving on a routine basis in order to maintain hair-free skin. For instance, men shave their beards every day. Shaving is also widely practised for the removal of chest hair and leg hair. The only downside is that shaving might lead to thickening of body hair, and injury to skin, leaving skin sore and even infected at times. Shaving can be very laborious and time-consuming, if one has to shave very often to keep skin hair-free.

Another option is waxing hair off the body. However, the procedure is messy and normally cannot be done without help from others. The advantage is that while waxing, the hair is extracted from the root, which gives a longer span of hair-free skin as the hair takes about a fortnight to start growing back. However, you must remember that waxing causes a lot of pain and hence, it is not suitable for sensitive areas.

Application of hair removal cream is yet another commonly used technique, and since its application is simple, you can do it on your own. It does not hurt, but the results don’t stay as long as those of waxing. There is another risk that your skin may react to the chemicals in the cream, resulting in a rash.

Lastly, laser hair removal treatment is afast becoming a popular option for ladeis and men who want a permanent solution to hairy problems. Permanent freedom from hair is the most desirable advantage of laser treatment. Pain-less, fast and effective, that is the promise of modern day hair removal systems available in many clinics today. However, in order to prevent skin damage and scars, the treatment must be done only by qualified experts, using quality machines. One’s skin type, location of treated area and hair quality  are very important considerations when choosing energy settings for permanent hair removal. Only experienced personnel should be handling powerful laser systems on delicate skin.

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Posted in Body Hair | No Comments »

Causes Behind Acne Scars And Their Treatment Options

Friday, November 20th, 2009

Acne is a nagging problem particularly for women, with its surprising appearance and the lasting scars that it leaves behind. No matter how much you abhor it, acne is a part of most teenagers’ lives and a fair amount of effort should be put in fighting these ugly bumps and preventing their recurrence.

Acne is a condition caused due to the reaction of bacteria and excessive sebum secretion by the glands in the skin. As the condition heals, collagen, which is a protein, is produced in the inner surface of the skin. On the amount of collagen going below normal, tiny depressions are created on the face and on its level being excessive, distinct protrusions appear. Both these situations cause acne scars. Teenagers are generally the worst affected from acne as the hormone levels shoot up during puberty resulting in more sebum discharge.

Among the typical reasons of acne infection are use of beauty products that are not compatible with the type of skin, taking contraceptive medication, intake of medicinal drugs, and hereditary reasons. Some of the lifestyle factors like tension, unhealthy diet, and living in a polluted area can also result in acne. But contrary to what a majority of people believe, scientists have not discovered any relation between oily food and acne.

In spite of availability of numerous herbal skin-care products and creams for the treatment of acne available in the shops, it is advisable to consult a doctor if the infection aggravates or appears again and again. In order to make sure that acne does not increase, it is better to abstain from pinching the lesion or poking it with sharp things.

Many affected people now resort to various cosmetic procedures to make the scars disappear and regain a glowing skin. Laser based procedures and surgery are also being done increasingly for getting rid of acne scars, along with many new cures that have been discovered by medical science. You should consult a good dermatologist or cosmetic surgeon who can assess the skin type you possess and suggest a suitable treatment.

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Posted in Acne Treatment | 6 Comments »

Different Alternatives For Breast Enhancement

Friday, November 20th, 2009

Many women over the ages have looked for multiple ways for breast enhancement, so that they can feel more attractive and become confident about their looks. These days, there are many well-known and varied breast enhancement techniques used by women across the world. Not all claims are true, some disappointingly so. Several of these techniques are successful and safe for women.

Traditionally, breast enhancement,  enlargement or augmentation conjures up images of scary surgery and painful recovery, leaving a patient with undesirable scars and a less than natural look and feel- the so called “porn star” effect. In Asia particularly, we are not culturally as accepting of silicon implants compared to the West, and this pattern has not changed over time. Thankfully, the advent of breast filler injections has transformed the scene entirely in the past 5 years. With more and more ladies subjecting themselves to the procedure, breast filler enhancements have gained momentum as news of its beautiful results, increasing safety record travel across internet chatrooms and the real world alike.

The wonderful thing about breast fillers is that it leaves no scars, no prolonged downtime and no risks of the silicon implant bursting under pressure. Taking just over an hour to perform, the procedure ensures maximum privacy, minimum downtime away from work and other important social activities.

There are 2 main filler materials used in Singapore and across the world today: namely Macrolane, a hyaluronic acid synthetic and Aqualift, a non-toxic polyamide. They are both manufactured in Europe with the CE mark of safety and standard. Macrolane lasts about 1 to 1.5 years while Aqualift lasts between 3 to 5 years.

Both have a very natural look and feel and sometimes, even experts find it hard to distinguish between  a natural bosom from a filler-enhanced one.

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Posted in Breast Enhancement | 5 Comments »

Methods Of Getting Rid Of Unwanted Body Hair

Friday, November 20th, 2009

Lots of people have to deal with unwanted hair on several parts of the body and have struggled in vain with techniques of removing them for good. A number of considerations such as the area and density of hair growth, your skin sensitivity and your skin type can decide the hair removal technique most appropriate for you.

The most popular means of getting rid of unwanted hair is shaving. Even though shaving is effective and cheap, the problem is that it is only short-term and you have to keep on shaving on a routine basis in order to maintain hair-free skin. For instance, men shave their beards every day. Shaving is also widely practised for the removal of chest hair and leg hair. The only downside is that shaving might lead to thickening of body hair, and injury to skin, leaving skin sore and even infected at times. Shaving can be very laborious and time-consuming, if one has to shave very often to keep skin hair-free.

Another option is waxing hair off the body. However, the procedure is messy and normally cannot be done without help from others. The advantage is that while waxing, the hair is extracted from the root, which gives a longer span of hair-free skin as the hair takes about a fortnight to start growing back. However, you must remember that waxing causes a lot of pain and hence, it is not suitable for sensitive areas.

Application of hair removal cream is yet another commonly used technique, and since its application is simple, you can do it on your own. It does not hurt, but the results don’t stay as long as those of waxing. There is another risk that your skin may react to the chemicals in the cream, resulting in a rash.

Lastly, IPL or laser hair removal treatment is fast becoming a popular option for ladies and men who want a permanent solution to hairy problems. Permanent freedom from hair is the most desirable advantage of IPL or laser treatment. Pain-less, fast and effective, that is the promise of modern day hair removal systems available in many clinics today. However, in order to prevent skin damage and scars, the treatment must be done only by qualified experts, using quality machines. One’s skin type, location of treated area and hair quality  are very important considerations when choosing energy settings for permanent hair removal. Only experienced personnel should be handling powerful laser systems on delicate skin.

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Posted in Body Hair | 2 Comments »

Popular Methods Of Breast Enhancement

Friday, November 20th, 2009

A lot of women over the ages have searched for ways for breast enhancement, so that they can feel more attractive and gain confidence about their appearance. These days, there are many popular and varied breast enhancement techniques used by women across the world. More often than not, these techniques may not produce any result at all.

There are many claims today that can enhance one’s bustline including intake of special tablets, bust creams and even massage techniques. It is also claimed that taking an appropriate diet can have a significant effect on breast growth. The “perfect diet” must include a lot of milk and other items which can provide necessary nourishment.  Unfortunately, there is no scientific evidence that such methods work.

Until recently,  surgical breast enhancement was the only proven method to increase one’s breast size. It has been used by some well known celebs, which has led to an increase in its popularity. In this method, incisions are made around the patient’s breasts, through which an implant is placed. The effect of this method on the breast size is quite significant. However, you must remember that like most other kinds of surgeries, this is a drastic measure. There is always a danger of side effects, and it might require a long time for complete recovery. Besides, the cost of the surgery itself is prohibitive for most women.

Posted in Breast Enhancement | 4 Comments »

Causes And Treatment Of Acne Scars

Monday, November 16th, 2009

Acne is a constant worry, especially for girls, as it appears all of a sudden and its scars remain long after the acne is gone. Irrespective of your dislike for it, acne occurs throughout the teenage years of almost everyone and considerable effort is needed for removing these bad looking scars and checking them from reappearing.

Acne is the result of a reaction between bacteria and sebum discharged by the glands present in skin, giving rise to an infection. In the healing stage of this infection, a protein called collagen is created under the skin. If collagen goes beyond normal levels, it causes a swelling, and if it is below normal, it causes small depressions on the surface of the skin. Either of these factors can give rise to acne scars. Adolescents usually suffer more than others because the amount of hormones rise at a high rate during the period of puberty causing increased release of sebum.

Some of the usual factors that result in an acne infection include consumption of medicines, regular use of oral contraceptives, using cosmetics that are not suited to the skin type and hereditary reasons. Various other reasons such as anxiety, improper food habits, and even pollution can cause acne. However, there is no conclusive proof behind the common myth that acne is caused by consumption of oily food.

Notwithstanding the variety of herbal skin-care products that claim to heal acne and that are being sold to consumers at different shops, it is advisable to get medical opinion if the situation gets worse or if it happens repeatedly. Avoiding squeezing the lesion or jabbing it with any pointed object is a must to avoid worsening of acne.

An increasing number of people are also opting for cosmetic treatments to get rid of acne scars and to get back a skin free of scars and blemishes. Laser based procedures and surgery are also being done increasingly for removing acne scars, along with several new cures that have been discovered by medical science. You should take suggestions from a well known skin doctor who would be able to assess your skin type and recommend a proper remedy accordingly.

Posted in Acne Treatment | No Comments »