Body

[BEAUTY PICKS] SEPHORA Natural Allure; Feel-Good Beauty Redefined

/ Fiona Seah / 40 Comments

Hello everyone!

With sustainability becoming a global business trend, even the beauty and personal care industry has joined the growing green movement by incorporating natural ingredients in their products. This news comes as music to the ears of beauty enthusiasts afflicted with troubled skin like yours truly because not only do some of the synthetic cosmetic ingredients found in many products cause skin irritation and toxic reactions, they are also detrimental to our health if used on a long-term basis.

(Scroll to the bottom of this post for an exciting giveaway!)

This season, Sephora pays homage to Mother Nature with a bounty of skin-loving goodness inspired and powered by the very best of nature as they are filled with plant-based ingredients that are absolutely gentle on the skin!

An overview of my beauty picks from the Sephora Natural Allure range

An overview of my beauty picks from the Sephora Natural Allure range

Among the brands I will be featuring from this theme are a handful of new faces such as UK brand This Works and a new product from Fresh. The key natural ingredients for each product are denoted in teal.

new

Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Serum

Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Serum

Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Serum

Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Serum

Fresh Rose Deep Hydration Face Serum

Inspired by the iconic cult-favourite Rose Face Mask, the new Rose Deep Hydration Face Serum is an expansion of the Rose skincare collection. This lightweight serum absorbs almost immediately and the hyaluronic acid, angelica leaf extract and porphyridium cruentum formula penetrates deeply to restore the skin’s natural glow.

The key natural ingredient in this face serum is rosewater, a venerable elixir suitable for all skin types which helps to maintain the skin’s pH balance and prevent excess sebum production. It can be used as a makeup base (but do allow some time for the skin to absorb the serum before applying your makeup) and the size of the bottle is small enough to be carried around all day.

RETAIL PRICE: S$88 in-stores and online

This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray

This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray

This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray

This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray

This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray

This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray

This Works Deep Sleep Pillow Spray

Insomnia is one of the most common sleep problems in Singapore as can be understood from a 2014 study which showed that we are among the cities in the world with the least hours of sleep. Considering how fast-paced and stressful life can be in these current times, it is almost inevitable not to be able to unwind at the end of the day. But not all hope is lost because with This Work’s Deep Sleep Pillow Spray, you will likely find yourself having better sleep or falling asleep faster as you inhale the invigorating yet soothing scent of a combination of three pure essential oils – lavender, vetiver and wild chamomile. To experience the wondrous effect of this spray, do ensure that you spritz it on a clean pillow case as you wouldn’t want such fragrance to blend with the intoxicating smell of your sweaty hair and saliva 😉

This natural alternative to prescription sleep aids calms and relaxes the mind and body while you have sweet dreams at night. Some health benefits of the key natural ingredient (lavender) include its ability to eliminate nervous tension and improving mood, thereby uplifting your spirits in the morning. If you’re still unsure of what to get for your insomniac father this Father’s Day, then look no further and get this in your shopping cart right now!

RETAIL PRICE: S$32 in-stores and online
(also comes in supersize 250ml at S$66)

This Works In Transit Camera Close-Up

This Works In Transit Camera Close-Up

This Works In Transit Camera Close-Up

This Works In Transit Camera Close-Up

This Works In Transit Camera Close-Up

Freshen up your morning with This Works in Transit Camera Close-Up, an all-in-one product which works (no pun intended) as a leave-on mask, moisturiser and primer, to banish any signs of fatigue and make you look camera-ready in no time. It has creamy and slightly thick texture but does not leave a tacky or greasy finish. Instead, it leaves the skin feeling hydrated, supple and smooth. Smell-wise, it reminds me of clinical hand creams – no overpowering artificial fragrance whatsoever.

It contains hyaluronic acid and caffaine, combined with Bio Boost – a revolutionary blend of echium and sunflower oils that restores, heals and brightens and tightens the skin.  Echium is also known for its emollient qualities and anti-inflammatory effects, hence making it extremely suitable for eczema-prone skin. This product can be used daily or as a pick-me-up throughout the day to give your face a dewy appearance.

RETAIL PRICE: S$61 in-stores and online

* * *

Estelle & Thild Biocleanse Deep Cleansing Detox Mask

Estelle & Thild Biocleanse Deep Cleansing Detox Mask

Estelle & Thild Biocleanse Deep Cleansing Detox Mask

Estelle & Thild Biocleanse Deep Cleansing Detox Mask

Estelle & Thild Biocleanse Deep Cleansing Detox Mask

This multitasking Biocleanse Deep Cleansing Detox Mask by Estelle & Thild promotes glowing skin as it protects the skin’s delicate natural moisture levels. On top of that, the natural bentonite clay of this certified organic mask draws out impurities and toxins and shrink your pores while the black elderflower decongests and detoxifies for a firmer and more radiant complexion.

This mask does not require a lot of your time as you would only need to let it sit on for five minutes before you can rinse it off with warm water. Given the minimal time needed, nobody would suspect a thing in the event that you feel like cleansing your face in the midst of your work!

RETAIL PRICE: S$57 in-stores and online

Erborian Yuza Doudoune for Hands

Erborian Yuza Doudoune for Hands

Erborian Yuza Doudoune for Hands

Looks are important, but so are our hands. We always shower our face with so much tender loving care and neglect the most valuable tool we have that is often overworked. Since our hands have fewer oil glands than the rest of our body, they are susceptible to drying out, especially in air-conditioned environment.

Application

Application

Prevent your hands from aging prematurely with the Erborian Yuza Doudoune for Hands which acts as an antioxidant barrier and powerful protective agent to reduce moisture loss. It keeps the hands soft and smooth with liquorice, yuzu peel extract and vitamin E and has a nice citrus scent. Yuzu, the key natural ingredient of this product, is also a good source of antioxidants that can help replenish dead skin cells.

RETAIL PRICE: S$17 in-stores only

REN Rosa Centifolia Cleansing Gel

REN Rosa Centifolia Cleansing Gel

REN Rosa Centifolia Cleansing Gel

Dehydrated skin is a common concern but one that is often mistaken to be solely caused by inadequate water intake. In fact, the issue may well be brought about by the use of soap as their high alkaline levels could damage the skin barrier function and allow greater water loss. The solution? Use soap-free products, of course, starting from the most sensitive part of our body – our face!

REN Rosa Centifolia Cleansing Gel is a soap-free facial cleansing gel that removes makeup, oil and pollution without the harsh effects of sulphates found in traditional cleansers. Formulated with aloe vera and rose otto oil for its therapeutic healing and regenerating qualities, this cleanser balances, tones, decongests and soothes the skin to promote healthy skin metabolism.

RETAIL PRICE: S$50 in-stores and online

June Jacobs Neroli Hydrating Mist

June Jacobs Neroli Hydrating Mist

June Jacobs Neroli Hydrating Mist

Seal

Seal

June Jacobs Neroli Hydrating Mist

June Jacobs Neroli Hydrating Mist

Every office desk needs a pick-me-up to get you through the work day. June Jacobs Neroli Hydrating Mist does just that by providing a surge of moisture to refresh your skin. It contains bitter orange from the south of France to calm the over-active production of sebum especially on oily and acne-prone skin. Other ingredients such as neroli oil and a powerful patent-pending blend of tea extracts revitalise the skin and stimulate cell regeneration to combat the visible signs of aging.

RETAIL PRICE: S$74 in-stores and online

Burt’s Bees Intense Hydrating Nourishing Facial Water

Burt's Bees Intense Hydrating Nourishing Facial Water

Burt’s Bees Intense Hydrating Nourishing Facial Water

In the heat of everlasting summer in Singapore, one can never have too many moisturisers. Infused with clary sage to regulate oil production and reduce inflammation, Burt’s Bees Intense Hydration Nourishing Facial Water is a toner that replenishes your skin’s natural moisture. Applied using hands or cotton pads, it absorbs into the skin readily and leaves a visibly softer and smoother appearance.

I unfortunately didn’t find the smell all that pleasant. It actually reminds me of the chemical-ish smell of unscented lipsticks, though not that strong. But then again, it could just be me so do pop by Sephora to have a whiff of it 🙂

RETAIL PRICE: S$30 in-stores only

Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet

Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet (S$46)

Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet

Illustrated instructions within the box

Illustrated instructions within the box

Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet

Caudalie Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet

Everything about this moisturiser – down right to the lovely baby pink packaging (I’m not ashamed to admit that I love everything pink, heh) – is just so noteworthy! Formulated with advanced skincare technology, this gel-cream transforms into a liquid on contact with the skin just like a sorbet.

Application

Application

For those who are not familiar with Caudalie, it is one of the few beauty companies to harness the properties of grape seed into their formulas to maximise anti-aging properties. Suitable for dehydrated and sensitive skin, this sweet-scented moisturiser contains both merlot (a kind of grape used for making red wines) and muscat grapes from the south of France which integrate to create the key natural ingredient: Organic Grape water®. It increases skin hydration levels by 127% with each application and together with other natural ingredients such as chamomile, this moisturiser soothes skin and reduces redness.

Retail price: S$46 in-stores and online

Edible Beauty On The Fly Travel Kit

Edible Beauty On The Fly Travel Kit

Edible Beauty On The Fly Travel Kit

Edible Beauty On The Fly Travel Kit

Edible Beauty On The Fly Travel Kit

Edible Beauty On The Fly Travel Kit - #1 Cleansing Milk

Edible Beauty On The Fly Travel Kit – #1 Cleansing Milk

Edible Beauty On The Fly Travel Kit - #2 Citrus Rhapsody Toner Mist

Edible Beauty On The Fly Travel Kit – #2 Citrus Rhapsody Toner Mist

Edible Beauty On The Fly Travel Kit - #3 Exotic Goddess Ageless Serum

Edible Beauty On The Fly Travel Kit – #3 Exotic Goddess Ageless Serum

Edible Beauty On The Fly Travel Kit - #4 Vanilla Silk Hydrating Lotion

Edible Beauty On The Fly Travel Kit – #4 Vanilla Silk Hydrating Lotion

Gear up for your upcoming vacay with Edible Beauty On The Fly Travel Kit! This travel kit contains all four of Edible Beauty’s core products and covers all your skincare needs on-the-go.

Perfect for any climate around the globe (save for the extreme ones, of course), No. 1 Belle Frais Cleanser cleanses and purifies the skin with coconut oil during winter while No. 2 Citrus Rhapsody Tonique refreshes the skin with a unique blend of antioxidant rich fruits and herbs to protect you against the sun when you hit the beach. No. 3 Exotic Goddess Angeless Serum increases the skin’s elasticity with Edelweiss and No. 4 Vanilla Silk Hydrating Lotion hydrates with cocoa butter extracted from the cocoa bean when the air turns dry and colder in autumn. These portable skin-lovin’ goodies may merely occupy 1/8 of your luggage space but they will definitely be your go-to items to keep your skin in tip-top condition!

Retail price: S$73 online only

* * *

Dying to get something listed above but have already emptied your bank account for your summer holiday? Here’s your chance to lay claim to one of the coveted products above because I’m about to throw a…

1 MILLION MILESTONE GIVEAWAY

WOOHOO!! That’s right! This site has recently passed the one million mark in visits! I wouldn’t have gotten this far without your support 🙂 In celebration of this huge milestone and as a gesture of appreciation to everyone who has supported this blog, I would like to reward one reader with an Edible Beauty On The Fly Travel Kit worth S$73 (as featured above) to prep you for your next holiday!

To win, simply follow these steps:

(don’t worry, nothing too burdensome if you’re already following my social media accounts!)

1. Like my Facebook page here
2. Follow me on Instagram here
3. Comment on this post what you like about fionaseah.com or what you would like to see more on this blog! 🙂 This is for me to know your interests better! It can be related to any category I’ve covered on this blog
4. Remember to leave your e-mail address for me to reach you if you win

And guess what? This contest is open internationally because how could I forget about my foreign readers? You guys are equally awesome! Postage will be fully borne by yours truly so all you need to do is sit back and wait for the parcel to arrive at your doorstep! 🙂 It’s that simple!

Contest ends 24 June 2016 and the winner will be notified by 26 June 2016 (GMT+8). More giveaways (lipsticks included… yup) will be coming your way to mark this significant milestone so stay tuned! 🙂

Contest has ended! Thank you for your participation! 🙂

Thanks for reading, lovelies! And good luck!

find out which other products made it to the ‘green’ list! SEPHORA Natural Allure is now available online and/or at all Sephora stores in Singapore.
DISCLAIMER: PRODUCTS FEATURED were sent to me for review purposes with information provided by sephora BUT OPINIONS, AS ALWAYS, ARE MY OWN.

Infrared Therapy and Remedy at Rexults medSpa

/ Fiona Seah / Leave a comment
SPONSORED

Hello everyone!

In this day and age of fast-paced lives, we are constantly confronted with overwhelming responsibilities and workplace challenges, so much so that it may be too much for our body to handle and gradually, it starts to show signs of distress. But more often than not we choose to turn a blind eye to these symptoms, perhaps because of commitments, and put ourselves at risk of many health problems such as depression and heart diseases. Hence, it’s important that we reward our body the good lovin’ it deserves before our health takes a turn for the worse.

How, you may ask. Of course, there are many ways in which you can unwind that doesn’t cost a single dime, like taking a peaceful sunset walk along the beach or going for a swim. But this one is for the sun-hating professionals who are ever feeling lethargic from work and in dire need of some reinvigorating. If that describes you, then be sure to check out Rexults medSpa at Orchard Road.

(If the name rings a bell, that’s because I had earlier reviewed its sister company Rexults Clinic, just directly opposite Rexults medSpa on the same level of Tong Building. Read my Liposonix experience at Rexults Clinic here!)

Rexults medSpa

Rexults medSpa

Walking into Rexults medSpa instantly gave me a feeling different from what I experienced on my first visit to Rexults Clinic. The dimly-lit interiors of the medSpa, in contrast to the illuminated waiting area at the clinic, provided a calming effect even before I embarked on any therapy. Although the doors of Rexults medSpa were only recently opened by its founder & director Mrs Elizabeth Wong in 2014, the venue was home to Renewal Day Spa which had occupied the same premises since 1994 (the first of its kind day spa in Singapore introduced by Mrs Wong).  In observing that today’s generation of people are subjected to high levels of stress, have unhealthy eating habits, and are exposed to a more polluted and ozone-depleting environment, Mrs Wong thought it was the perfect time to let people into a place that would address these bad effects of modern city living.

Rexults medSpa

Rexults medSpa

With more than 20 years of experience under her belt, Mrs Wong is truly considered one of the pioneers in Singapore’s spa industry. Her expertise, knowledge and understanding of the various types of spas worldwide has paved the way for the first-ever unique medSpa concept in Singapore. Using the latest scientific breakthroughs in ingredients and medical-grade equipment to boot, it provides specific set of therapies that focused on advanced aesthetics and bodyworks – all designed to combat health issues resulting from stressful urban lifestyle and at the same time help you enhance your skin health and well-being.

Rexults medSpa

Rexults medSpa

Be treated to a luxurious and therapeutic medSpa experience accompanied by the unparalleled skill and expertise of the therapists who uphold a high benchmark in service skills, grooming and etiquette – a hallmark of professionalism that Rexults medSpa prides themselves in possessing. You can rest assured that you will be well taken care of by the therapists, so just sit back and let them do their magic.

Consultation room

Consultation room

Following a consultation with one of the Client Care Manager at Rexults medSpa who wanted to know more about my lifestyle, healthy habits (or lack thereof) and concerns, I was scheduled a week later for a 30-minute Infrared Therapy for the body and a 90-minute Remedy for the skin (i.e. face). Do allow up to an hour of buffer time for changing, showering and other post-therapy activities.

Corridor of rooms

Corridor of rooms

Ah, yes, I was required to shower before and after the Infrared Therapy in a very spacious restroom. They have practically everything one would need to clean and prink herself there – hairdryer, hairbrush, cotton pads, moisturiser, cleanser, shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and more I haven’t discovered.

In the restroom - changing room (left) and shower room

In the restroom – changing room (left) and shower room

Huuuge dressing table

Huuuge dressing table

Thereafter, I was brought to another room to have my blood pressure checked to ensure that I was fit enough for the Infrared Therapy. I like that everything was done in a systematic manner because not only do I feel that my safety is of the medSpa’s utmost importance, it also speaks volumes about their professionalism.

The Infrared Therapy (u.p. S$95) heats the body directly (as opposed to the air) in a sauna that uses soothing dry far infrared heat, a treatment that is completely safe and will never inflict burns to the skin.  Since the (naked) body would be sweating excessively, the body eventually feels a tad lighter because calories are burnt throughout the 30-minute session. Besides, it also removes toxins and reduces inflammation and is proven to assist in pain relief as well as improving blood circulation and skin rejuvenation.

Infrared therapy sauna room

Infrared therapy sauna room

What sets the Infrared Therapy from other spas are the added features of LED lighting for improved skin rejuvenation benefits and music to make the experience most enjoyable.

Blue lighting

Blue lighting

The sauna is equipped with a countdown timer, a semi-hard bed and a towel to dry yourself. Heat is generated through the mesh panel at all four corners to guarantee perspiration within the first 5 minutes. Being rather tolerant towards heat, my first beads of sweat only formed after the 15-minute mark and before I knew it, my whole body was already engulfed in perspiration. In spite of that, the whole session was painless and relaxing and I found myself taking a short nap soon after.

I was only awoken by a staff who checked on me from outside the room to make certain that I didn’t faint midway through the process. The sauna experience was phenomenal – I was more refreshed and my skin also felt more supple after the therapy.

Post-Infrared Therapy

Post-Infrared Therapy

After taking a quick shower, I was ushered to another room for my next therapy, Remedy (u.p. S$220). Remedy is a full service face therapy that protects the skin from negative effects of pollution, stress and sun damage which would lead to acne, early aging, dehydrated skin and dull and sallow complexion. Prior to your face therapy, your therapist will invite you to select from a menu ranging from cool jazz to cool exotica to play while the therapy is under way. On top of that, you also get to bask in your preferred colour of LED lighting in the treatment room. I wanted a beach-like atmosphere with not-so-glaring light so I opted for blue LED lighting and spa sense music (sounds of crashing waves and seagulls).

List of songs to choose from:

cool jazz – instrumental jazz ballads
beatitude – music for the soul and heart
romance – soft instrumentals for romantics
spa sense – lush soothing spa music
cool exotica – slow world music beats
chill out – calm ambient contemporary slow beats

List of colours of LED lighting to choose from:

blue, bluish-green, yellow, orange, purple, red, green

Face treatment room

Face treatment room (with blue lighting)

That blissful look which plastered my face when the therapist massaged and cleansed my face at the same time

That blissful look which plastered my face when the therapist massaged and cleansed my face at the same time

 

 

Remedy begins with double cleansing and followed by Microdermabrasion to exfoliate and suck up dead skin cells. This was done so that the skin would be more receptive to the deep infusion of a high performance antioxidant Rexults moisturising serum. Unlike my previous Microdermabrasion experiences, the suction power of the system was strong enough to make me feel that my pores were being unclogged.

Microdermabrasion

Microdermabrasion

No matter which beauty parlour you visit for facials, you are bound to be subjected to some form of discomfort from the dreaded extraction process. Rexults medSpa is no exception, but the pain I felt was especially bearable and there wasn’t a single time I flinched in agony. This was definitely unexpected considering that the last time I had extraction was four months ago (that’s how much I hate it) which I believe is more than enough time for tons of blackheads to accumulate on the face. The process was done professionally, chop-chop, so it went by in a blink of an eye.

With my pores emptied, they were now virtually ready to absorb anything that is applied on my face. The therapist proceeded to lay a piece of penetrable fabric and a thick coat of green-coloured mask above it. The application process was so enjoyable (imagine having your face caressed with a feather – the exact same feeling) that I drifted off to sleep once again.

The last part of the facial therapy

The last part of the facial therapy

Face mask application

Face mask application

Throughout the entire therapy, I was repeatedly surprised with soothing massages on the face after each segment was completed. Still, nothing beats the ultimate neck and shoulder massage I received towards the end to effectively relieved my tense muscles. Eye serum and tinted sunblock were finally applied on my hydrated face to conceal any redness (there was close to none in the first place, very surprisingly). Although the therapy lasted for a little more than 2 hours, I felt no time had passed at all.

Immediately after the face therapy, with tinted sunblock on. Notice the redness? Me neither!

Immediately after the face therapy, with tinted sunblock on. Notice the redness? Me neither!

Bare-faced, taken on the day after the therapy (pardon my just-woke-up look)

Bare-faced, taken on the day after the therapy (pardon my just-woke-up look)

The next day I woke up to a much softer and smoother face. My skin was just recovering from an acne outbreak (hence, those awful scars) triggered by my previous menstrual cycle and the therapies had visibly reduced most of the pores.

Rexults medSpa has kindly offered a special rate for my readers who are interested to try out BOTH therapies featured above. Trust me, the price is not going to be anything that will make you scrimp and save for the rest of the month. In fact, I think even tertiary students who are earning a decent amount of income would be able to afford it too.

**FIONASEAH.COM READER PERKS**

Enjoy your first trial of Remedy face therapy (U.P. S$220) with a complimentary 30-minute Infrared Therapy worth S$95 at only S$68.

(That’s a ridiculous discount of S$247! You wouldn’t be able to find such a price at a renowned medSpa especially in a prime location like Orchard Road)

Limited to new clients only. Offer is valid until 31st December 2016. Prior appointment and booking is required. 

To make an appointment, please call +65 66532979. Remember to quote my blog to enjoy this irresistible offer!

Should you have any enquiries, do not hesitate to raise them with the friendly therapists who are always very happy to clear your doubts 🙂

Thanks for reading, gorgeous people!

Rexults medSpa

302 Orchard Road ⋅ #17-02 ⋅ Tong Building ⋅ Singapore 238862
(Beside Paragon)
For appointments and enquiries, please call +65 66532979
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Liposonix at Rexults Clinic

/ Fiona Seah / 2 Comments
SPONSORED

Hey everyone!

If you’ve been following this blog, you know that I have been dealing with insecurities about my weight. Granted, I am not morbidly overweight but living in a world (or more specifically in Asia) where size matters greatly has undoubtedly given me undue pressure to be thin. Hence despite weighing a healthy 55kg by BMI standards, I am dissatisfied with my relatively bigger body frame, especially my upper arms which I have been trying all means and ways (without costing a fortune) to tone. I have used various slimming products (as you might have seen from the myriads of reviews I have done) and results were pretty much futile.

Seeing how my resolution to lose those jiggly arms has failed year after year, I almost wanted to give up.. until a beam of hope came knocking in the form of Rexults Clinic. Just a few days before the Lunar New Year, I was at the premier medical aesthetics clinic located at Orchard Road to try out their services. At that time I was so overwhelmingly occupied with my final-year project and work commitments that I had to be really selective in who I choose to work with (reviewing is a lot of work). Furthermore, past unsuccessful slimming attempts had lent me a slight sense of scepticism – I didn’t want to promise to promote something that may not do for me. But hopping over to their website, I was immensely impressed by their level of professionalism and transparency. Not only are the credentials of the doctors explicitly stated, but the prices (which many beauty companies I’ve worked with are very reluctant to publicise) for every treatment are listed there as well! The information certainly reassured me that I would be in good hands. Needless to say, their website was the deciding factor for me 😉

Rexults Clinic Patient Care Managers

Rexults Clinic Patient Care Managers provide excellent service that is extremely professional (photo credit: Rexults Clinic)

That professionalism stretches far beyond their website and into their spacious, spick-and-span clinic on the 17th storey of Tong Building. The ladies behind the front counter greeted me with much gusto when I entered and served me biscuits and a cup of hot tea at the waiting bay while I waited for the doctor. Probably noticing how hungry I was (had gone there without breakfast), they offered to replenish my biscuits and tea! Talk about awesome customer service!

Overseeing Takashimaya from where I was!

Overseeing Takashimaya from where I was!

Curtain around every table to protect the privacy of customers!

Curtain around every table to protect the privacy of customers!

Rexults Clinic (formerly known as EPW Laser + Medical Aesthetics Clinic) is the sweat and blood of Dr EP Wong who has more than 30 years of experience as a medical aesthetics doctor. Dr. Wong has built a following of patients from Singapore and around the region (Indonesia, Cambodia, Brunei and Malaysia) due to his reputation for effective skin correction for 23 years – helping people to clear acne, oil bumps, pigmentation and address skin ageing. Many of his patients have continuously been seeing Dr. Wong since his foray into medical aesthetics in 1993.

Dr Melvin Tan

Dr Melvin Tan

Restoring the confidence of troubled patients alongside Dr Wong is Dr Melvin Tan who also happens to be my designated doctor. He is known for his individual tailored combination treatments for his patients because he doesn’t believe in one-size-fits-all approach. For instance, he customises treatments to cater to different pain threshold and downtime preference. When he learnt that I was more concerned about my flabby arms than my tummy, he recommended me to try Liposonix even though it’s more widely used for the latter.

Liposonix is one of the treatments offered under the clinic’s Body Perfecta Programme. It is a non-invasive high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) procedure which breaks down fat cells instead of minimising them (which in that case may expand again once you stop watching your diet) and hence very suitable for patients with smaller, more stubborn areas of adipose tissue (fat) that will not shift with healthy eating and exercise (omg, that’s me). The ultrasound energy heats the deep fatty tissue and breaks it down, without damaging the surrounding and overlying tissue. 

After each treatment, a circumferential reduction of 2.5 cm at the waist can be expected after 90 days. This is approximately one dress size less in females, and one belt notch less in males.

NOTE: It is not suitable for those who have less than 1cm depth of fat in the area to be treated or have a BMI of more than 30. In addition, it is not suitable for those who are pregnant, have a blood clotting disorder, a history of cancer and related onditions or cardiovascular devices fitted – e.g. Pacemaker. [source]

I opted for the treatment to be done on the same day I had my consultation with Dr Tan so I didn’t have to make a second trip. Once changed into the clinic gown, I was brought into the resting room to fill my stomach with more biscuits and drinks before popping some pills meant to prevent any nausea.  All these were done two hours before the procedure were carried out on me to allow ample time for the medication to take effect. I wasn’t prepared to wait so I didn’t have anything to keep me busy in the meantime.

Resting room equipped with a TV and a nice, comfy couch. What's more, a nice view of Orchard Road!

Resting room equipped with a TV and a nice, comfy couch. What’s more, a nice view of Orchard Road! The colour scheme of this room is absolutely therapeutic too. May consider going for similar look and feel when I get my own house teehee!

On top of the clinic attire that I was required to change into, I also had to wear disposable bathroom slippers!

On top of the clinic attire that I was required to change into, I also had to wear disposable bathroom slippers!

Friendly clinic assistant running through the health screening questions with me

Friendly clinic assistant running through the health screening questions with me

Had a cuppa hot Milo and lemon puff biscuits before taking some pills

Had a cuppa hot Milo and lemon puff biscuits before taking some pills

More tea!

More tea!

To further illustrate the clinic’s professionalism, everything there is done in a very systematic manner and to top it all off, the rooms were also designed to serve a particular purpose. Apart from the usual consultation and treatment rooms, there is also a miniature photography studio (solely for photo-taking) where I had pictures of my arms taken for the clinic’s documentation purposes.

Where can I get that lighting equipment? They made my makeup look so good!

Where can I get that lighting equipment? They made my makeup look so good!

Adjacent to the photography studio is a massive treatment room surrounded by full-length tinted windows to cut out harsh light. The station where my weight and arm measurements were taken is tucked at a corner.

This room makes the claustrophobe in me so happy!

This room makes the claustrophobe in me so happy!

The station where my measurements were taken

The station where my measurements were taken

Weighing myself

Weighing myself

My dominant writing hand is thicker in circumference than the other

My dominant writing hand is thicker in circumference than the other

At Rexults Clinic, you can be assured that all procedures, regardless of how insignificant it may seem, are performed only by a qualified doctor. Prior to my Liposonix treatment, my arms were marked up and numbered in a grid pattern with a non-permanent marker pen to clearly indicate the targeted area. Dr Tan then proceeded to place the head of the Liposonix machine on each individual square, starting from the uppermost area of the arm. Each individual square was treated thrice during the procedure.

Liposonix system

Liposonix system

Getting ready to be "zapped"!

Getting ready to be “zapped”!

Arms marked up and numbered in a grid pattern with a non-permanent marker pen

Arms marked up and numbered in a grid pattern with a non-permanent marker pen

Liposonix procedure

Liposonix procedure

At a push of a button on the machine, energy is released into the surrounding tissue. Painless at first, the burning and prickly sensation intensified as the machine moved towards the end of the upper arm where there were lesser fats. The third zap usually hurt the most because the heat felt like it was penetrating into my bones! Thankfully the discomfort lasted barely for three seconds so it was still very bearable.

According to the studies on Liposonix, the destroyed fat cells at the treated area are reabsorbed by the body over the following 12 weeks after the treatment is completed. Maximum results are expected to be observed in 8 to 12 weeks and as long as additional weight is not gained (through healthy eating and regular exercise), the fat cells will not return to the treated area. Moreover, since only a small area of fat is being treated, the amount of fat being destroyed and liquefied will not be enough to create a sagging of the skin!

Despite being warned that my arms would look red and might feel tender with some swelling or bruising after the treatment, I experienced none of it, save for some slight tingling sensation akin to muscle aches during the next couple of days. I could still work out (although not advisable by the doctor) with no issue at all so I didn’t know if I should laugh or cry because that could also mean that the treatment didn’t work for me. But as time passed, my upper arms began to feel a lot tighter and even my boyfriend had noticed improvement in the size of my arms.

Right arm

Right arm

Left arm

Left arm

I went back to the clinic a few days ago (about a month after the treatment) for a quick review and indeed, my arms had shrunk according to the latest measurements. My left and right arms shed 1cm and 0.6cm of flab respectively. What a pleasant surprise! I had honestly thought the reverse would happen knowing that I had lost control of my diet during the Chinese New Year period 😆 Further, bearing in mind that the maximum effect of Liposonix can only be observed after 12 weeks, I really did not expect to see results after merely four weeks? Incredible!

Of course, Liposonix is just one of the many treatments and programmes available for the body at Rexults Clinic. If you would like to find out more about Liposonix or other aesthetic options and techniques, be sure to attend a free external educational talk by Dr EP Wong and Dr Melvin Tan, happening this April. Or, if you’ve been contemplating about getting an aesthetic procedure done to fix your skin or weight woes, here’s your once-in-a-blue-moon chance to consult not one, but two highly qualified doctors as they will also be taking questions from the audience.

Educational Talk:
“Be Your Best Self”

Customised aesthetic options and techniques.

Attend this talk by Medical Director, Dr. EP Wong and Associate Doctor, Dr. Melvin Tan (Rexults Clinic)

Date: 2 April 2016 (Saturday)
Time: 2.00pm – 4.30pm
Venue: Rexults medSpa (302 Orchard Road #17-02 Tong Building Singapore 238862 ⋅ Beside Paragon)

Registration is required. To RSVP, call +65 6235 5533. 

Thanks for reading!

Rexults Clinic

302 Orchard Road ⋅ #17-01 ⋅ Tong Building ⋅ Singapore 238862
(Beside Paragon)
For appointments and enquiries, please call +65 6235 5533
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