The concept of having a slimmer face and sharper profile for ones face is actually aesthetically very sound. The angle of ones jawline should slope 9-12 degrees to give a beautiful V shape to have a more beautiful face. If you do not believe it, look at the hollywood actresses and most of them will have a nice V face shape. Go to the toy store and look at barbie dolls. The makers of these dolls are also very up to date in their definition of beauty. Try naming some actresses who have a U face shape?… not many? Thought so…

Thankfully for the advancements of aesthetic medicine, we have now an array of treatments to slim the face. Surgery is still an option but I think it is a little too drastic an option. Right now we have in our arsenal of weapons – BOTOX! Yes BOTOX! Botox as i explained in my earlier blog is a deattenuated toxin that relaxes muscle activity. By placing botox into the mas setter muscle located just below your ear lobe we can relax that muscle and magically create a slimmer face. The reduction of muscle activity means the muscle pushes outwards less and so the jawline is leaner and sharper. There is no side effects if the botox is injected in the right muscle and you may only feel a little more tired chewing on steak or beef jerky. It is simple, almost painless and absolutely amazing. The only downside is that you need to repeat the procedure every 4-6 months. However, the longer you do it, the longer the time span in between treatments become. ( click on this link to see my husband, dr Z do botox injections in Singapore at the jaw to slim the face ).

But Doc!! Wait!! I may have strong muscles at the back of my jaw but I also have chubby cheeks all over.. This is what some of you reading this blog may be thinking. Thats true. Besides the muscle, some people really have chubby cheeks which is more fat rather than muscle. Enter ULTHERA, the latest in ultrasound technology. This wonder treatment
shoots small little pulses of ultrasound rays into the fat layer. This causes the fat layer to be ‘melted’ away and reduces the chunky chubby cheeks. Ulthera when done properly with the right depth, strength and hands will yield beautiful contouring results. We used to have to do liposuction to take the fat out of the cheeks but now with this , 30
minutes and you are done! Some people may need a few sessions but from what I have seen, no one seems to be complaining.

So There you go, botox and ulthera to give one a slimmer and more defined jawline. Fast, effective and non invasive. Its the way to go in the 21st century!

Dr. Z Teo

So here goes! For my first entry, I would like to talk about one of the most common (and misunderstood) beauty treatments of the 21st Century – BOTOX! Just today in my clinic, i had a patient who was squirming over the mere sound of the word BOTOX. Her exact words “IT’S A POISON!”. It struck me as i sit down in front of my computer to maybe clarify the common myths of this “POISON”.

YES! Botox is a poison… but so are thousands of other medicines that we pop into our system everyday. The truth of the matter is that botox is a deattenuated toxin, which means that the toxin is not dangerous to our bodies anymore. Much like a knife that is so blunt that you can try cutting your hand with it but it will never cause bleeding. Botox was first used by doctors to help to cure medical problems like migranes (it is still being used for that purpose), it just so happened that when they reviewed the patient, they found that they seemed to have caused wrinkles to disappear. That was how doctors and scientist began to see that botox had a way of relaxing the muscles so that the wrinkles do not become so active which usually causes the dreaded wrinkles or age lines. A word of caution however, that the use of botox should still be administered by a trained and experienced MEDICAL DOCTOR as placing the botox in the wrong set of muscles can cause various side effects. These are usually temporary and hardly fatal but undesirable to say the least.

To me, Botox is a wonderful wonderful tool of beauty. A miracle drug to combat the signs of aging. It has so many uses and up to this day, new indications are still being discovered and tested. It is now widely used to give a slimmer jawline, reduce bulky undereyes, minimize pores, give a neck lift, eliminates sweaty armpits and palms and feet…the results, even though temporary are almost immediate and always dramatic. It is one of the main tools a cosmetic doctor should master to give to the patient unrivaled reversal of age. I always say to my patients, ‘ Botox is a miracle drug ‘ ! So as long as you find an experienced doctor to do the botox for you (Call up Allergan and ask for individual doctors that buys the most botox and you will have an idea of who does the most), you will be a happy, younger and refreshed you! After all, when you look good, you will feel good!! B! for Botox and Beauty : )

Dr. Z Teo

Dr Z became interested in aesthetics surgery three years ago when he attended a conference at the National Skin Centre. It was also there that he met his wife, Aivee, a well-known dermatologist in the Philippines. They now run a thriving aesthetics business here in Singapore as well as in Manila, where Dr Z’s patients go for more expensive and complicated surgeries like face lifts, rhinoplasty, eyebags and double eyelid surgeries, and multiple areas of liposuction.

“The standard of cosmetic surgery is very high in the Philippines due to the high demand for it, yet it only costs about half of what it does here. With the ongoing global economic recession, the cost of medical aesthetic treatments is all the more crucial now. It is a great offer when you can get the same treatment in the Philippines for half the price, with no compromise in quality,” says Dr Z. Flights, hotels, transfers and surgeries are arranged for the patients and Dr Z also personally flies up there with them to ensure that they feel comfortable and are at ease.

Patients usually fly out on Friday and the procedure is done on Saturday or Sunday. On Monday, they relax and recover, and fly back on Tuesday and visit Dr Z on Wednesday for follow-up. “Patients feel reassured that I have recommended the surgeons, and they feel more comfortable as I fly out with them when they have their treatments in the Philippines,” says Dr Z.

You can feel the enthusiasm this friendly physician has for his work when you chat with him. He readily shows you before and after photos of his patients on his phone as well as the thank you messages his patients send him after their treatments. “I get a huge satisfaction when I help my patients – whether it is to boost their confidence after clearing their acne problems or helping them look prettier to save their marriages. They actually become my friends, and I hope to be able to help them throughout their life, from solving their acne now to treating their saggy skin in future,” adds Dr Z. One of the outstanding cases he’s helped includes a 65-year-old man who could not get a job because he looked too old. Dr Z administered a series of laser treatments and Botox injections and made him look 10 years younger, and he managed to get a job after that!

Dr. Z believes in giving patients what they really need, that is why he does not sell packages at his clinics. “Everyone is different, not fast food, so I prefer to mix-and-match to customise a treatment programme for them. By combining treatments like chemical peels, microdermabrasion and laser treatments, patients will also be able to get optimum results,” he explains. As for the future of cosmetic medicine, Dr Z shares, “There will definitely be less big surgeries and more non-invasive procedures. Everyone will also look about 10 years younger due to increased awareness of skin care and from them starting their aesthetic treatments earlier!”