Ageing is definitely something really annoying. As we age, we tend to try to look younger by dressing up, stepping up on our beauty regime and even adopting more youthful makeup techniques. However, the effects of ageing are something inevitable. From that few fine lines appearing from nowhere to that loss of volume at the cheek areas and saggy skin over at the chin. The law of gravity is seriously no joke. Although these changes are natural, I would prefer to look younger and fight this battle against ageing. Hence, I have decided to go for a consultation at Halley Medical Aesthetics to address several concerns on my face.
Some of you may have remembered Halley Medical Aesthetics back when it was located at the shophouse along River Valley Road. It has since relocated to a more centralized area at Orchard Gateway. I was totally elated as it is only a 3 minutes walk away from Somerset MRT! After I have filled up a form with my personal details, I was brought to see Dr. Terence Tan – the Director of Halley Medical Aesthetics.
During the consultation, I shared with Dr Terence Tan my concerns with the loss of volume on my face as it made me look rather haggard and perpetually tired. Besides addressing those concerns, Dr Terence Tan also pointed out that the hollow area under my eyes and my deep laugh lines were some of the reasons that made me more matured looking than I would have wished for. On top of that, I have a rather unique face shape which is not so commonly seen in most Asians; my face being smaller and flatter (in my own opinion). Hence, he advised to add some volume at my cheek areas to make my face look "fuller". He also recommended, adding volume to my tear trough and nasolabial lines to smoothen the etched-in lines, making my face look more youthful. One final enhancement he prescribed is a nose filler, which is a subtle enhancement to help project my facial features forward and the result, he explained, will give me a more attractive, refined look.
To address my concern on the loss of volume on my face and achieve a more youthful look that I was looking for, Dr. Terence Tan suggested the using of the Belotero range of fillers. This includes Belotero Soft, Belotero Balance and Belotero Intense. If you have not heard about Belotero, it is an US FDA approved dermal filler which is made from hyaluronic acid. Basically, hyaluronic acid is found naturally within our skin that has a unique property to retain water. But as we age, our skin starts to produce less hyaluronic acid which causes skin dehydration, resulting in visible loss of firmness and plumpness. Hence, Belotero is safe in adding volume and filling in those areas of volume loss, fine lines, wrinkles and rehydrating the skin. The effects are usually immediate with no downtime.
While preparing for the procedure, Dr. Terence Tan unpacked the fillers in front of me and even let me "inspect" them.
Prior to the procedure, numbing cream was applied (after having most of my makeup removed) and left on for about 20 minutes to make sure I would experience as little discomfort as possible. What I really like about Belotero is there is Lidocaine included in the filler. Therefore, one can expect the filler experience to be almost painless (or at least this is how I have felt).
Dr Terence Tan from Halley Medical Aesthetics used a microcannula to inject the filler instead of a needle. The use of this flexible, blunt tip cannula greatly reduces, the chances of injecting into a blood vessel and causing friction while moving under the skin as compared to traditional needles. Thus, bruising, bleeding and complications are minimised while ensuring the filler is distributed more evenly throughout the treatment area. The whole procedure took about 45 minutes and I kid you not, it was almost enjoyable with very minimal discomfort experienced.
Despite having done several filler procedures in the recent years, I am still a tad nervous whenever I stepped into the treatment room. However, Dr Terence Tan from Halley Medical Aesthetics was very patient in explaining the whole procedure and products used. He even cracked a few jokes to lighten the mood so that I will not be so tense.
So here are my results! Other than a few needle prick marks, there was no downtime. But what I have gained is a fuller and more lifted cheek which makes me look younger, the dark circles under my eyes also looked less visible. This is what I really like about filler treatment, it was swift, fuss-free and almost painless. It felt as if I have found a new sense of confidence as I walked out of Halley Medical Aesthetics.
3 days after the treatment, I flew off to Myanmar for a media trip., During the trip, I received comments from a few fellow bloggers whom I have met during the previous trips that I looked very fresh and good. When I told them my age, a few of them have this jaw dropped expression which to date, I find it really funny. Thank you, Dr. Terence Tan, for making me look pretty and younger than my actual age.