Anti Aging Blog

Get your copy now before it’s sold out (yes that’s what happened for the last issue!). What you’ll find inside:

Aesthetics 101

-       Top 10 Aesthetic Treatments & Plastic Surgeries

-       Aesthetic Tips: How to find a suitable doctor

Imperfections Special

-       Whatever your problem or budget, there’s a treatment here for you.

Laser Genesis - A non-ablative solution for younger-looking, glowing skin.

Fraxel Dual - Get rid of pigmentation faster with this new laser.

Revlite – Treat melasma and other pigmentation with this gentle laser.

Matrix IR – Smooth away wrinkles without downtime with the revolutionary elōs fractional technology.

Ask The Dermatologist

-       Dr Ang Chee Beng talks about laser treatments and how they can help improve skin.

Breast Fillers - Get shapelier breasts without surgery.

LPG - Knead and roll your way to a slimmer body.

Indiba - This treatment uses heat to burn off fats.

Beauty

-       Beauty Chat: With entrepreneur Merry Riana

-       Tried & Tested!  YouTube Guru Sarah Chaudhry and her top five beauty picks.

-       Ask The Beauty Expert: We get beauty and health tips from Lily Kew, founder of Glow Spa.

-       Acne Away! Top 8 grooming tips for men.

-       Ask The Beauty Queen: All your fashion and beauty woes answered.

Anti Aging Special

-       All About Fillers with Dr David Loh

-       New Face Lift: Sculptra: Find out about a new collagen treatment that will help put back what time has taken out.

Lifestyle and Wellness

 Hydrafacial – A cutting-edge technology in non-laser skin resurfacing for clearer  and more beautiful skin.

Cool Sculpt – Latest non-invasive procedure to selectively reduce fat in problem areas using a patented cooling technology.

PPx Pro  - Photopneumatic Profusion (PPx Pro ^TM) is five times safer, faster and more effective in treating acne, eradicating pigmentation and removing unwanted hair.

Exercise

-       Power Plate Workout: Shape up faster and more efficiently with this workout of the stars!

Ask The Plastic Surgeon

-       Find out how you can reverse signs of aging with facial rejuvenation by Dr Marco Faria Correa

5 Minutes With…

-       Dr Joyce Lim: This skincare doyenne talks about pigmentation and her solutions to skin imperfections.

Ask The Dentist

-       Dr Edward Liew from St Andrews Dental Surgeons clues us in on how to have a perfect smile.

Ask The Lasik Surgeon

-       Q&A with Dr Steve Seah from Optimax Lasik Centre

Industry Happenings

-       A sneak preview into the latest products and machines for all your beauty concerns.

What’s In The News: Cosmeceutical Skincare, Latisse, UltraShape 3, Vaginal Resurfacing

Excites!

Now you can!

Check out this entertaining software that lets you try out breast augmentation, rhinoplasty and other procedures for free before you take that major decision.

Or just give yourself a virtual plastic surgery makeover just for a laugh!

Plastic fantastic! Download free makeover software here:

http://www.plasticsurgeryguide.com/download.html

Dr Georgia Lee thanking everyone for showing up

When Dr Georgia Lee throws a party, the whole world shows up. And this was the case today at Escentials. Despite the downpour, head honchos of local media graced the soiree of the relaunch of her skincare line – now called DrGL. Of course, it also helps that your BFF is expert party organiser, Dr Frank Cintamani, who organised the Audi  Fashion Show last year.

Montage of new DrGL logo

DrGL skincare range

With a slick new packaging and branding done by award-winning creative director, Theseus Chan, with visuals shot by renowned photographer, John Clang, DrGL looks ready to take the local (and regional) beauty market by storm. Her products boost quality ingredients like gingko and perform multi-tasking roles – for example, her blusher has anti-blemish  and anti-pigmentation properties.  She also has a new Eye Repair cream which comes in handy capsules that can be resealed after use.

DrGL Eye Repair

Personally, I’m a big fan of her Collagen Essence which I use diligently twice a day and attribute my glowing skin to. In fact, when I told Dr Lee about it, she said that she’ll supply me enough to use on my body too! *Happy dance*

DrGL Collagen Essence

Not one to stinge on quality, the doorgift came in a gorgeous packaging and inside…another bottle of my favourite Collagen Essence! YAY!

DrGL is available at Escentials, 4th floor, Paragon. Here are more photos from DrGL’s event:

Live model in display at DrGL launch

Make-up collection of DrGL

DrGL

Yoga has become my new boyfriend. I’m constantly thinking and talking about it, I buy nice outfits to wear for it and downward dog is my favourite position. If I had a choice, I’d do yoga everyday as it has so many facets that I’d never tire of it – there’s yin yoga if I want a relaxing stretch, pranamed for some solace and vinyasa if I want to get my heart racing. My favourite is hatha and I always get butterflies in my tummy when I go on my Saturday date with hatha 3.

Very few people retain their strength and vitality till the middle age. More people are looking much older than they actually are, thanks to the highly-stressed, sedentary and polluted lifestyles we lead.  However, you would be happy to know that our body has the unique ability to renew or regenerate at the cellular level. One way to do that is to practise yoga. Here’s how yoga can help you reclaim your vitality:

Yoga Keeps the Spine Young: According to Indian philosophy and Indian sages, age is measured not by the number of candles on your birthday cake, but by the flexibility of your spine.  Yoga works to improve the elasticity of the spine through its thousands of postures or asanas. These myriad postures, done in conjunction with deep and rhythmic breathing, work the spine and muscles of the body through a dual action of push and pull.

Yoga Makes Skin More Youthful: A German study of a group of women showed that yoga can reduce stress, thereby reducing the appearance of wrinkles and smoothing over the lines in the forehead. Yoga may work its magic by reducing oxidative stress. Oxidative stress is linked to a host of aging conditions and illnesses from wrinkles to heart disease to Alzheimer’s. Apparently, by practicing inverted yoga postures, you can turn back gray hair to its natural color (upside down class here I come!).

Yoga Eases Aches and Pains: As we get older, our joints and muscles lose their elasticity. Yoga helps to restore the dryness and tightness that is associated with debilitating conditions like arthritis and back pain by its ability to stretch and improve the circulation and mobility of these restricted regions.  Any cardiovascular exercise promotes optimal levels of oxygen, but this dual action that yoga demands forces oxygen into tight areas of the body thereby improving oxygenation throughout the entire body.

Yoga Keeps You Happy: Chronic pain, constant stress or loneliness is strongly correlated with depression and decreased energy. As people with a chronic ailment adopt a consistent yoga practice, not only do their physical symptoms start to improve, but their mood does as well. The better we feel, the better we look as our outer appearance starts to reflect the vitality we feel inside.

Yoga Keeps Your Mind Agile: Research is revealing that keeping your mind active is just as important to reducing the effects of aging as eating a healthy diet.  Since many of the asanas in yoga require concentration as we not only focus on the movements themselves, but also how the breath corresponds to each movement, our minds are continually being challenged (try doing a standing mermaid and you’ll know what I’m talking about!). These subtle but powerful brain exercises are like feeding our minds heaping bowls of Superfoods, keeping them young, alert, healthy and alive.

Ommmmm…

You can't miss DrSpa, located below TLC, Dr Lee's clinic

A medical spa is a hybrid between a medical clinic and a day spa that operates under the supervision of a medical doctor. Medical spa menus vary, but you can usually get medical spa treatments like laser treatments, laser hair removal, IPL (intense pulsed light) treatments, microdermabrasion, photofacials, injectables like Botox and fillers, chemical peels and skin tightening. Most medical spas also tend to have a more clinical atmosphere than day spas even though they offer relaxing services like massages and body treatments. Medical spas are ideal for people who would like a more holistic experience. Unlike aesthetic clinics where you zip in and out after your treatment, customers at medical spas can choose to top up their laser treatments with a massage and enjoy the relaxing amenities of the spa. This new hybrid blends the best of both worlds – a relaxing spa experience with the procedures and expertise found at a doctor’s office.

Love the Lego-like effect of the logo

It was only a matter of time before this celebrity doctor opened a spa to cater to her burgeoning patients, some of whom don’t have the patience to wait three months to see her (yes, she has a waitlist!). Now, they can enjoy her treatments in the comfort of her new spa – DrSpa.

Facial room at DrSpa

“I envisioned what I wanted in a spa and created treatments and services based on that, ” said Dr Lee. “For example, I don’t have the patience to lie down for more than one hour, and when I do a facial, I would also like extra treatments like a massage to lift my face. That’s why I have incorporated my facials with machine work whether it is to slim down or firm up. It is really a place for the time-pressed modern woman,” she explains.

Dr Georgia Lee showing the hair treatment room

One of the highlights at the stylish-looking spa is the hair treatment, where she has bought a special chair from Japan which allows the client to lie comfortably the entire time. The treatment uses patented technologies which Dr Lee has spent time researching, combined with growth factors to strengthen hair roots. A stickler for top-notch service, she has even concocted special teas that help slim the body, glossify hair and add a glow to your complexion. These teas will be customised and served complimentary to all clients before their treatment.

Treatment teas at DrSpa

Treatments at DrSpa don’t come cheap - with facials starting at $250 and a full body 90-minute massage going for $500. However, with extras thrown in like complimentary valet service, organic essential oils and even desserts made from bird’s nest, in the works. This is an indulgent experience that every woman should treat themselves to!

Goodie bag (or box)!

One of the ways I keep my heart (and my face, hopefully) young is to go on frequent getaways. And, if respite is what I’m after, the Bvlgari Resort Bali resort is the perfect antidote…and more!

Perched high on a cliff overlooking the Indian ocean, this resort is stunning with its sleek and modern interiors made of volcanic rocks and timber. Consisting of only 59 exclusive villas (from US$800 per night) – including the ultimate Bvlgari villa (US$6700 per night) which apparently has a pool bigger that the resort’s own pool, each villa is assigned a personal butler to cater to guests’ whims 24 hours a day. These freestanding villas with terraces and private plunge pools are sumptuous inside and out, with ocean views, open-air living areas and Bang and Olufsen audio and visual systems. Service is impeccable and unobtrusive. We were acknowledged by our names the whole time and no request is denied – including a desperate call back to the resort when I could not find a restaurant in Seminyak. Another case in point: when I called for breakfast for myself because my partner, Kevin, was not hungry, my butler asked me after I placed my order, “Mr Kevin is not eating?”. How’s that for personal service? Not to mention the plates of desserts that magically appear every night…

I ushered in the new year on a friend’s boat sailing across Marina Bay, I’d like to think that this means I’ll have my head above water in 2011 no matter what happens! The day started off early in the afternoon and with more than nine hours to midnight, I had plenty of time to do some reflection (ok, I’ll stop with the water references!) on my life.

Blessed is the first word that jumps into my head when I did that. In my life, I have gotten most of what I wanted, and if I didn’t, those things were not important after a while. I won’t bore you with my super-long gratitude list, however, I must say that I am most thankful for my wonderful health, strong network of friends and family, fulfilling work that allows me time to indulge in my other past-times (yoga, etc) and being financially able to buy whatever I want and travel at whim. What more can a person ask for, really?

This past year has been amazing - workwise, I feel like I’ve really grown and expanded my repertoire, my fitness level is at its peak and I visited four countries. I always count my blessings mind you, but yesterday was somewhat more poignant as it was the cusp of a new year. 

Being quiet and listening to the people around me (which is what I like to do usually), our chatter centred around trying new experiences, wanting to travel more (or less!), starting a new fitness regime, how our pets did at doggy school, amongst other fun but mundane subjects. Not once did we talk about the scarcity of food, life-threatening diseases, recession, natural calamities or violent crimes – issues that are very pertinent around the world, even for our close neighbours. We are all indeed blessed! Appreciate your life as it is, because it will always be as it is – good or bad, it’s all in your perception.

In case you’re wondering what this article has to do with anti-aging? It doesn’t but you still read it right? Haha. Happy new year everyone!

Aesthetics & Beauty Guide Jan 2011

Finally finished wrapping up Aesthetics & Beauty Guide (ABG) January 2011 issue (it’s a coincidence that it looks so Christmassy btw). People, especially women, are always envious of me whenever I tell them what I do – which is review beauty treatments for work. Indeed, I have to admit that my job is pretty amazing and in this issue, I get to try out an array of procedures to treat skin problems as well as test-drive the latest slimming machines (goodbye love handles!) in our Imperfections Special! In fact, you will even read about the very treatment that super-svelte Dr Georgia Lee uses on herself to maintain her figure!

Find out what the top 10 most popular aesthetic treatments are and the kind of research you should do on your doctor before going for a procedure. Want to improve yourself but not keen to go under the knife? Then check out our feature on Sculptra – a non-surgical face lift, and breast fillers for shapelier breasts in 60 minutes flat! I also chat with successful entrepreneur, Merry Riana, to find out her success and beauty secrets, and if this multi-hyphenate (author, businesswoman, motivational speaker, mentor and mother) can keep herself groomed to perfection, you have no excuses!

ABG will hit newsstands end January, look out for it! Now, I just to to finish my other magazine, The Republic (http://www.therepubliconline.com/) and I’ll be freeeeeeee…:)

Merry Christmas everyone!

‘Tis the season to be jolly….and weight gain, with parties galore and lots of festive bingeing. You don’t have to stay at home and be a recluse in order to maintain your  hard-won numbers on the weighing scale. Just follow these secrets of successful dieters and you’ll still be able to fit into your skinny jeans.

1. Eat and drink wisely

If you’ve lost weight eating nothing but lettuce and fat-free chips, this may come as a shock but the best weight-loss plan is also the one the healthiest. Most people think of weight management and healthy eating as two separate things. But when you’re managing calories, it’s more important than ever to have a good balance of foods. Fruits and vegetables, lean sources of protein, low-fat dairy and whole-grain, high-fibre foods are the elements of good nutrition and have also shown to help with satiety. You don’t have to reinvent nutrition when you’re trying to manage your weight.

 If you want to cut something out, start with the obvious – empty calories. Cut out sugar and soda if you had to get rid of two foods that would sabotage any diet in the stratosphere.

2. Fill up on low calorie foods

People eat a consistent weight or volume of food each day. So you can eat the same amount of food and get fewer calories by choosing foods that are less energy-dense.

Which foods fill you up and provide you with nutrition without a lot of calories? Fruits and vegetables, which are both rich in fibre and high in water content. Fat packs nine calories a gram, water packs none. When fruits and vegetables constitute the bulk of your plate (and I don’t mean French fries), you’ll lose weight and keep it off. It’s virtually impossible to get fat eating fruits and vegetables, there are less than 100 calories in a vat of spinach!

Lean protein (fish, white-meat chicken and lean cuts of pork and red meat) will also help manage hunger. And, it’s important to reduce fat, but not too much, since fats help you absorb vitamins. A drizzle of olive oil, a “good fat”, is okay. 

3. Slow and steady wins the race

You can lose weight on any fad diet quickly. The problem is that the human body hasn’t evolved beyond its feast-or-famine origins: When you crash diet, the body thinks it has to store fat to survive this time of famine. The answer is a slow and steady weight loss of no more than one kilogram per week, which doesn’t send up the internal red flags that cause our metabolism to slow down. 

You can also apply this concept to the pacing of your meals. First, don’t skip any. Dieters who ate breakfast reported working out more, making them more successful at shedding weight. So get into the routine of eating breakfast, lunch and dinner and two healthy snacks each and every day.

Second, don’t rush. It takes about 20 minutes for your body to register that you’ve had enough, so if you eat quickly, it’s easy to eat too much. 

 Here are a more clever suggestions to fight the temptation to polish off jumbo servings:

-      Buy small (25ml) plates to use at home. 

-      Drink out of tall, thin glasses. 

-      Split food portions with a friend or ask for half of your portion to be wrapped up in a doggie bag at a restaurant before it’s even brought to the table (and save it for lunch the next day). 

-      To avoid overeating when dining out at a restaurant, order a salad with light dressing on the side, broth-based soup or light appetiser and wait until you’ve eaten that to decide whether you want to order more.

However, if you still managed to pile on the kilos, look out for my next edition of Aesthetics & Beauty Guide, out end January 2011, where I review the latest fat-busting machines as well as the secret workout of Madonna, Kylie and Claudia Schiffer, that keeps them lean and mean, in half the time! Happy holidays!

Today, I’m going to talk about my pet topic – my puppy

More than just furry companions, your pet, whether it is a dog or a cat, can keep you youthful and healthy. I know for sure that I’m at my happiest when I’m with Mochi, just seeing her adorable face and funny antics makes me forget my work, and I’ve been guilty of choosing her company over friends on several occasions (sorry people!).

People and animals have a long history of living together and bonding. Perhaps the oldest evidence of this special relationship was discovered a few years ago in Israel—a 12,000-year-old human skeleton buried with its hand resting on the skeleton of a 6-month-old wolf pup. “The bond between animals and humans is part of our evolution, and it’s very powerful,” says Dr Ann Berger, a physician and researcher at the NIH Clinical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

On top of making you feel happy (which in turn keeps wrinkles at bay),  studies suggest that four-legged friends can help to improve our cardiovascular health. One NIH-funded study looked at 421 adults who’d suffered heart attacks. A year later, the scientists found, dog owners were significantly more likely to still be alive than were those who did not own dogs, regardless of the severity of the heart attack.

Another study looked at 240 married couples. Those who owned a pet were found to have lower heart rates and blood pressure, whether at rest or when undergoing stressful tests, than those without pets. Pet owners also seemed to have milder responses and quicker recovery from stress when they were with their pets than with a spouse or friend.

Several studies have shown that dog owners also get more exercise and other health benefits than the rest of us. One NIH-funded investigation looked at more than 2,000 adults and found that dog owners who regularly walked their dogs were more physically active and less likely to be obese than those who didn’t own or walk a dog. Mochi and I go for weekly runs at Botanic Gardens and I walk her several times a day (climbing up and down the stairs of my apartment).

Before you rush out to get a dog or cat, please bear in mind that pets, although cute and good for the health, is a huge commitment (at least 15 years of your life) and can be costly to maintain (if you are a doting mum like me).  If you can’t imagine that, best that you stick to fishes or hamsters.