Male customers from Singapore usually opt for IPL to remove the unwanted hair on their chest, he said.

Another leading aesthetic clinic on Batam is Miracle Aesthetic, which has two doctors and several beauty therapists.

Located at the Batam Centre, it is close to the ferry terminal.

It opened three years ago and also offers both medical and non-medical treatments. Prices are comparable.

But unlike Prestige Aesthetics, Miracle Aesthetic is a chain of clinics that can also be found in other parts of Indonesia like Surabaya, Jakarta and Bali.

The manager, Ms Yatmie, who is in her 20s, said the Batam clinic has a regular group of Singaporean customers.

Every weekend, about five Singaporeans go there, but most usually opt for the spa and facials.

She said the clinic's cheaper rates, compared to Singapore's, are what attracts Singaporeans.

Her clinic has tied up with a ferry operator so that customers who produce their ferry tickets will get a discount.

Arrangements can also be made for staff to pick up Singaporean clients from the terminal.

But a Singaporean housewife, Madam Elsie Teo, 48, said she would not go to Batam for such treatments.

'I still find Singapore doctors are more experienced and I trust them more. The fees may be lower in Batam but I doubt their expertise. What if something goes wrong? It's not worthwhile to go for corrective surgery.'

Plastic surgeons in Singapore whom The Sunday Times spoke to also advised Singaporeans to find out what they are in for when they head to Batam for a nip and tuck fix.

Dr Martin Huang, director and consultant plastic surgeon at The Cosmetic Surgery Clinic, said cosmetic procedures could be cheaper in Batam because of the lower cost of doing business there.

Nonetheless, Singaporeans going over there should ask whether those doctors are properly trained and accredited to do the medical procedures.

They should also question their quality of work and if they are using the best medical products available, he said.

'I am not saying they are using lower quality products, but these are some questions they should ask,' Dr Huang added.

But Dr J.J. Chua of JJ Chua Rejuvenative & Cosmetic Surgery felt that Singaporeans should just stay at home for such treatments and not take the risk.

'In a developing country, of course everything is cheaper, but you can't be certain of the medical licensing and the products they use...You may not get what you want,' he said.

While both doctors have had clients who went to them after botched overseas treatments, they were careful to add that none was a Batam case.

They emphasised instead the importance of aftercare. Dr Chua said: 'Fifteen dollars per unit of Botox? That's the same price I charge...and my customers get free aftercare.'

Dr Hartono, too, said his clients' safety comes first.

He said he knows about new and even unorthodox cosmetic treatments and methods that have emerged but, for him, it is 'the right treatment' for his customers that is most important.

carolynq@sph.com.sg

This story was first published in thesundaytimes on Nov 2, 2008.

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