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Reduce Stretch Marks
Caused by rapid expansion of skin, sudden weight gain or loss, stretch marks are a common occurrence with pregnant mums.
And once you get them, they usually don’t go away.
You can, however, reduce the appearance of stretch marks with these treatments.
• Velashape
WHAT: This treatment tightens and smooths skin by using bipolar radio frequency (RF) and infrared light energy to shrink fat cells, and mechanical vacuum massage rollers to contour skin and improve lymphatic drainage.
You’ll experience a warm, bearable sensation from the RF and infrared light energy, and what feels like a deep tissue massage with the rollers.
After the treatment, you might get some redness and swelling at the treated area, which will subside in a day.
COST: $300 per session
WHERE: ClearSK Group of Medi-Aesthetics Cliniques, tel: 6397-7282 (24 hours);
#03-16/17/18 Orchard Central; #10-01 Novena Medical Center;
Block 177 Toa Payoh Central #02-134/136; #01-03 Tampines Telepark
• Vbeam Laser
WHAT: This alleviates the look of skin redness, broken capillaries and stretch marks, especially those that were recently formed, by delivering longer, gentler and deeper laser wavelengths into skin with a pulsed dye laser.
Skin is comforted as cool air is sprayed over the treated area before the laser pulse is delivered.
You might experience a warm, tingling sensation during the treatment.
Right after treatment, there might be some temporary skin redness.
Dr Low Chai Ling of The Sloane Clinic recommends four to six treatment sessions, done three to four weeks apart.
COST : From $600 per session
WHERE: The Sloane Clinic, #03-18 Ion Orchard, tel: 6509-8108;
#03-01 Chevron House, tel: 6533-2522;
#01-68 The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands, tel: 6688-7377
• Fractional CO2 Laser
WHAT: This works by giving skin a controlled injury with an ablative laser to get skin to regenerate, and for collagen remodelling to take place to smooth your skin texture and stretch marks.
The deep skin layers are stimulated for new collagen production, and as the new collagen thickens and firms up the skin, it fills in to the stretch marks, reducing their appearance.
Dr Lim Hock Bin, medical director of Clariancy Aesthetic Clinic, recommends six sessions done in monthly intervals. COST From $250 per session, depending on the treatment area
WHERE: Clariancy Aesthetic Clinic, #02-15/18 Raffles Hotel Arcade, tel: 6338-2619
Tighten loose tummy skin
Tighten loose tummy skin
Pregnancy stretches your skin extensively so it’s inevitable that you are left with loose skin at the stomach after giving birth.
To help firm up this area, check out these treatments.
• Freeze Multipolar Radiofrequency
WHAT: This 40-minute treatment helps to promote the production of collagen factories, also known as fibroblasts, to aid skin repair and regeneration. As radio frequency energy is delivered into your skin to transform collagen fibres, you’ll feel a warm sensation as skin tautness and elasticity improves.
COST: $400 per session; $3,500 for 10 sessions
WHERE: NU.U Medispa, #09-22 Paragon Medical Suites, tel: 6235-3456
• Thermage CPT System
WHAT: This treatment tightens and virtually flattens the saggy “pouch” left at the stomach area after you give birth.
It combines radio frequency energy with Comfort Pulse Technology (CPT), a new, patented technology that uses an instrument with a vibrating tip (a fresh one is used for every customer) for a deeper and more uniform heating action at the deep skin layers and the subcutaneous tissues.
It is said to be suitable for stretch mark reduction as well.
You’ll feel a bearable warm sensation, which can be adjusted by your doctor.
COST: From $5,000 per session
WHERE: Eileen Tan Skin, Laser and Hair Transplant Clinic,
#12-01 Medical Centre, Mount Elizabeth Hospital,
3 Mount Elizabeth, tel: 6733-8898
• SKN Lipo-cryo
WHAT: This treatment uses a controlled cooling technology to “freeze” fat cells and reduce up to 20 per cent of the fat cells in the treated area.
The experience is likened to being pinched at the abdomen area; and you will not feel cold at all even as fat cells are crystallised to as low as 3 deg C.
These frozen cells will be eliminated through your lymphatic system over the next two to four months.
The vacuum strength can be adjusted to your comfort level. After the treatment, the tummy area will feel slightly numb and there could be slight redness, which should go away after a few of hours.
According to Dr Alvin Wong, medical director of SKN Mediaesthetics, results can be seen after three weeks, and the body will continue to naturally eliminate fat cells for up to six months.
COST: $350 per session for one treatment area
WHERE: SKN Mediaesthetics Clinic, #03-21/22 The Centrepoint, tel: 6732-7658; #05-01 Parkway Parade, tel: 6440-3789
• Ultrasound Lipolysis
WHAT: This helps to slightly reduce the size of the tummy as it utilises ultrasound waves to break down fat cells.
While it cannot remove excess fat, it claims to be able to contour, firm and tone up loose skin, which can leave you with up to 2cm of circumferential loss after one session.
You’ll experience a slight warm sensation during the session.
COST: From $400 per session
WHERE: Healthsprings Laser and Aesthetic Clinic, #10-01A Liat Towers, tel: 6836-8386
• Coolsculpting
WHAT: Targeting an after-baby tummy area that consists of loose skin and fat bulges, this non-invasive treatment helps to zap fat cells and firm up skin at the same time. It uses a controlled cooling method called Cryolipolysis to target, cool and eliminate fat cells.
A cooling gel is applied to the area before a suction applicator is placed tightly onto your fatty bulge for 45 minutes. Be prepared for a somewhat intense pinching sensation, which will decrease gradually but not disappear.
Over the following days, you will feel slightly bruised; the feeling will go away after a few days. Over the next two to four months, the crystallised fat cells break down and are naturally eliminated from the body.
COST: $1,500 per session
WHERE: ClearSK Group of Medi-Aesthetics Cliniques, tel: 6397-7282 (24 hours);
#03-16/17/18 Orchard Central; #10-01 Novena Medical Center;
Block 177 Toa Payoh Central #02-134/136; #01-03 Tampines Telepark
Firm saggy breasts
Firm saggy breasts
While invasive treatments like fillers provide instant firming results, these non-surgical ones can also help to keep your bosom buddies perky.
• Focus Wave Radiofrequency Body Tightening
WHAT: This penetrates into the deep skin layers to stimulate collagen-producing fibroblasts with radio frequency energy that produces new collagen and elastin (building blocks of firm skin).
You will notice firming results after the first session, says Dr Lim Hock Hin of Clariancy Aesthetic Clinic, who recommends six sessions at twice a week intervals. COST $300 per session
WHERE: Clariancy Aesthetic Clinic, #02-15/18 Raffles Hotel Arcade, tel: 6338-2619
• Suction Pressure Massage
WHAT: Combining traditional cupping and a vacuum action, your breasts are covered with futuristic-looking breast cups as circulation and lymph nodes are stimulated to boost collagen production and overall circulation for a firmer bust. Dr K K Chew of NU.U Aesthetics & Wellness Clinic, recommends one treatment, every one to two weeks.
COST: $200 per session; $1,800 for 10 sessions
WHERE: NU.U Medispa, #09-22 Paragon Medical Suites, tel: 6235-3456
• Bipolar Radiofrequency Treatment
WHAT: With a hand piece moving in a calculated movement, long wavelength heat energy is delivered deep into skin to heat up collagen, producing an instant skin-tightening effect.
You will experience a warm, comfortable sensation during the process as it also helps to boost blood circulation.
COST: $350 per session
WHERE: SKN Mediaesthetics Clinic, #03-21/22 The Centrepoint, tel: 6732-7658;
#05-01 Parkway Parade, tel: 6440-3789
Warnings!
WARNINGS!
Just had a caesarean operation?
“It is best to wait for six months after your caesarean operation before you go for any treatments at the stomach area.
"Nonetheless, always check with your gynaecologist before opting for any aesthetic treatment if you have just given birth.” – Dr K K Chew of NU.U Aesthetics & Wellness Clinic Are
You Breast-Feeding?
According to Dr Low Chai Ling of The Sloane Clinic, all the non-invasive treatments, such as laser treatments for stretch marks, Coolsculpting and Thermage, are suitable for breast-feeding mothers.
If you are unsure, it is always best to consult your gynaecologist before committing to any aesthetic treatments.
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