Tell us more about yourself and your background, and what made you want to specialize in aesthetic treatments. In addition, talk to us about the early days of MY Medical Aesthetics and how it has evolved to what it is today.
I’m Dr. Lim Ming Yee, Founder and Medical Director of MY Medical Aesthetics. I've been in the medical practice since 2000 in restructured hospitals and have been posted to various departments in Singapore General Hospital, KK Women's and Children’s Hospital, and Alexandra Hospital.
I’ve loved arts and science since young and have always been curious about how humans age and how to reverse signs of ageing. That drove me to eventually venture into aesthetics medicine. I began learning more about aesthetic procedures, attending workshops and conferences, and practicing aesthetic medicine more than 10 years ago
I remember clearly how mesmerized I was when I saw how happy a patient was after her aesthetic procedures. Since then, this job has been very fulfilling, and I push myself to improve in the aesthetics field.
MY Medical Aesthetics was founded in 2017 and was located in Bugis with only three treatment rooms. I formulated the MY Face Sculpting treatment, which my patients loved. In five years, our patients and team have grown rapidly, and we needed a bigger space. We moved to a larger space in Orchard Road in 2022 with 10 private treatment rooms.
Can you tell us about the aesthetic procedures landscape in Singapore now, and how it compares to a decade ago? What are the most notable changes?
Back then, we were trained to treat and target the patient’s area of concern directly. However, as time passes, the aesthetics field and medical advancements are evolving. Nowadays, there are many aesthetic treatments that also involve prevention. Therefore, aesthetics today is more advanced and supported by more clinical studies.
For example, the most common concern that many women have is the appearance of laugh lines. Instead of going straight to fill and plump the area up, an experienced doctor will assess the skin condition, fat pads, and bone structure, followed by looking into other underlying factors, such as age, gender, and the patient’s beauty goals. By doing so, the doctors will know whether to treat the laugh line directly or other areas that might be affecting the appearance of the laugh lines, creating a more natural-looking result.
What are some of the misconceptions about aesthetic treatments that are baseless, and you would ultimately like to clear up?
Those in the aesthetic field might have often heard people's misconceptions that injectable procedures, such as Botox or fillers, will give you an unnatural or fake result. Due to this misconception, many people are afraid of undergoing injectable procedures and avoid doing so. However, not all injectables will result in unnatural or fake results. It is important to do your research and choose a reputable clinic and trained doctor. Good results from injectable procedures can be very natural and hard to detect by the natural eye. These good results depend on the product, the injection location and depth, and most importantly, the doctor's skill.
At MY Medical Aesthetics, what is the percentage of female and male clients? Can you share the most common procedures both genders usually go for?
I would say the ratio of female to male clients is roughly 6:1. However, in Q4 2022, there has been a rise in male patients turning to aesthetic treatments.
Female patients go for a wide range of treatments, including skin, face, and body treatments. Having seen thousands of patients since venturing into aesthetic medicine, most women want to prolong their best self for as long as possible. In comparison, male patients go for aesthetic treatments for a very specific reason. It could be something that has been bothering them for quite some time and affecting their self-esteem. They usually go for pigmentation, acne/acne scars, wrinkles, and eyebag reduction treatments.
It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to aesthetic treatments and procedures. How does MY Medical Aesthetics customize treatment plans for its patients and clients?
At MY Medical Aesthetics, we emphasize listening to our patients' concerns and guiding them through achieving their beauty targets. We see ourselves as their partner in this journey. I will do a detailed 1-to-1 assessment of their skin quality, fat pads, and muscle and bone structures. These are crucial areas that need to be assessed in-person.
Let's explain this through an example of High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) treatments. HIFU is a skin tightening treatment that targets skin, subcutaneous fat, and the superficial muscular aponeurotic system (SMAS) with a triple-layer lifting effect. However, HIFU is not suitable for everyone. For instance, if one’s condition is too advanced and they expect a surgical facelift result, they should go for a surgical procedure. Also, if one has fewer fats and volume loss in multiple areas, it is not ideal for HIFU as well. Therefore, they will be advised on other appropriate treatments to achieve the lifting effect, such as a filler or collagen stimulator procedure to stimulate their collagen and achieve a natural lifting effect.
For 2023, can you share some insights into the medical aesthetics industry, as well as current trends and future developments?
I noticed the demand for aesthetic treatments has been increasing. To my surprise, the new groups belong to those in their early 20s and male patients. In 2023, people are more focused on achieving good quality skin. Both my female or male patients seek ways to have good skin with no blemish or breakouts, hydrated skin, and a glowy and radiant complexion. Furthermore, some of them also look out for non-invasive face enhancement treatments.
For those who are considering aesthetic treatments for the first time, what is the best advice you can share? How should they prepare?
I would advise those who are considering aesthetic treatments to do research on your area of concern, suitable treatment options, and medical aesthetic clinics that offer the treatments. Set aside a rough estimation budget for the aesthetic treatments.
During the in-person consultation with the doctor, feel free to ask as many questions as possible and seek explanations from the professional on whether the treatment is suitable. Most importantly, communicate your goals with your doctor and whether they are achievable via non-invasive aesthetic treatments.
Who should not consider aesthetic procedures and why?
Everyone can undergo common aesthetic procedures, which include laser, medi-facials, facial enhancement, and non-invasive body contouring. Unless people have been specifically advised by a professional not to undergo any aesthetic procedures due to medical circumstances, almost anyone can undergo aesthetic procedures.
For more information, visit mymedicalaesthetics.com
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