If you have been following my blog for a while, you would probably have read about my positive experience with Dr Dylan Chau from CeleVenus Wellness & Aesthetic Clinic for non-invasive aesthetic procedures. 

This time, I was introduced to Sculptra, the first anti-aging facial injectable that gives you subtle results over time. Unlike fillers, it is not a quick fix and results are not immediate, but it is long-lasting and promises a more natural appearance without giving you away, which is what we all want at the end of the day isn’t it? 
 
I have had dark eye circles for as long as I can remember, but they look far worse when accompanied by sunken under eye hollows (otherwise known as tear troughs) which only deepen with age. While there is little that can be done to eradicate dark eye circles for good, you can however get rid of your sunken tear troughs with non-invasive aesthetic procedures like Sculptra. 

What is Sculptra?

The loss of collagen is the main cause of facial ageing, which leads to deeper lines and more sunken eyes. Made from Poly-L-lactic acid, Sculptra targets the root of the problem by replacing lost collagen over time. Poly-L-lactic acid is gradually and naturally absorbed into the body, and has been used in dissolvable stitches and as a facial injectable since 1999 in over 30 countries.

It starts to work within the deep dermis and as Sculptra replaces your skin’s lost collagen, the reinforced collagen structure forms the foundation that gradually plumps up wrinkles, folds and sunken areas to restore the look of fullness.    

How does Sculptra work?

In general, Sculptra is not meant to be injected into the eye and lip areas.How does it correct under eye hollows or tear troughs then? It is injected into the upper cheekbone area to plump up the skin, which in turn corrects the hollowness in the tear trough area. 

 This is the key reason why you should engage an experienced aesthetic doctor who knows the dos and don’ts of the Sculptra procedure at the back of his hands.  

Dr Dylan Chau is a Sculptra Trainer for doctors in Singapore and is one of the pioneers in Sculptra procedures since its launch in Singapore. Dr Chau’s qualifications, coupled with the fact that he has an eye for aesthetics, assured me that I would be in good hands.

Sculptra requires a series of 3-4 treatments spaced a month apart as time is needed for your skin to generate collagen. It is also important to administer injections in small dosages to achieve the best results.

Does it hurt?

Numbing cream is typically applied for about 20-30 minutes prior to the procedure. There was some discomfort during the injection but it wasn’t particularly painful for me.   

Numbing cream application prior to Sculptra Injection

How long does it last? Is there any downtime?
It can last for more than 2 years, but as with all aesthetic procedures, individual results may vary.  

What can you expect immediately after Sculptra? Is there any downtime? 
 There is no downtime. However, I experienced slight redness and a little bruising after my first session, but I hardly had any bruising after my second session. In any case, all you need is a dab of concealer to cover up any imperfections.

Here are some pictures of me before Sculptra to give you a better idea of how sunken my tear troughs look. 

Sunken tear troughs (without makeup) before Sculptra Injection

Sunken tear troughs (with make-up) before Sculptra

Plumped up under eye area immediately after Sculptra Injection

  
At the end of 1 week, you will probably notice that the initial fullness around the tear trough area would have disappeared. This is normal, as the Poly-L-lactic acid is gradually absorbed into the body and your body starts to generate collagen to plump up the sunken area.

Here’s a photo of me taken 1 month after my second session of Sculptra. Don’t you agree that I look more awake and less tired (even without my eyelash extensions)? What I love most about the treatment is that I no longer have to apply thick layers of make-up to conceal my dark eye circles. Now, all I need is 1 light layer of concealer, which translates to extra time savings for me!

CeleVenus Wellness & Aesthetic Clinic

Address: 
391B Orchard Road
#16-03/04 Ngee Ann City Tower B
Singapore 238874

Tel: 
+65 6410 9621 / +65 6410 9622
 

Email: 
beauty@celevenus.com.sg

Website:
http://www.celevenus.com.sg/ 

After my nasolabial fold filler treatment, I visited Dr Dylan Chau from Celevenus Aesthetic Clinic again for nose fillers, a procedure that I was initially rather resistant to as I thought it would alter my appearance very drastically.

 I have seen how a higher nose bridge and sharper, more prominent nose shape can dramatically alter a person’s overall appearance. In fact, some end up looking like completely different people altogether or worse still, they end up looking like one another! 

I personally prefer subtle enhancements that preserve the individuality and unique characteristics of my original features. Thankfully, after consulting Dr Chau, I realized that nose fillers would actually fit the bill.

  
The pictures of me that you see above were taken before I had nose fillers. I looked exceptionally tired in the first picture taken at the clinic as I headed there after a long day at work. Nonetheless, from all the pictures, you can tell that my nose bridge was relatively low and the tip of my nose was somewhat wide.

If given a choice, I would prefer a higher nose bridge and a sharper tip. So, why did I choose fillers and what were some of my considerations?

Why did I choose fillers?

Filler treatments are probably one of the fastest and most natural ways to enhance your nose because the final look depends largely on the characteristics of your existing nose. Unlike, rhinoplasty, otherwise known as a surgical nose job, you can’t show your doctor a picture of your favourite celebrity’s nose and get him/her to recreate the exact same nose with fillers. I have no intentions of looking like anyone else, not even my favourite celebrity and since preserving my individuality is a key concern, I chose fillers.

What can you expect during the treatment?

The make-up on my nose area was thoroughly removed and a thick layer of numbing cream was applied to my nose. After about 30 minutes, my nose was completely numb.

Then, it was time for Dr Chau to work his magic. Juvéderm® VOLUMA® Lidocaine was used in the procedure. He started with the top of my nose bridge and slowly worked his way down to middle, followed by the tip. Dr Chau also ensured that the injection was administered gradually and carefully to reduce the likelihood of bruising.

After the injection, my nose was moulded to shape. Dr Chau shared that ideally, ladies should have button-like noses for a softer look, which helps to retain their femininity while men should have higher and straighter noses as it would enhance their masculinity.

Finally, here’s the side view of my new nose. As you can see, my nose bridge is significantly higher but the curvature is remarkably natural.

Here are some pictures of me about two hours after the procedure, taken at home without any make-up except for some eyeliner. My nose looked very prominent during the first 2 days, which was normal and expected due to swelling, but it settled in nicely thereafter.

3 days later 

If you follow me on my instagram account (@reginachow_sg), you may have spotted this picture which was taken 3 days after the procedure. I had some bruising then, but it was completely concealed by make-up. The swelling had gone down as well and my nose looked more natural.

For a better comparison, I also included my ‘before’ and ‘after’ pictures below. All the pictures in the post have not been digitally enhanced.

Side View 

Front View

If you observe the pictures carefully, you would probably realize that my eyes looked bigger in my ‘after’ picture. Well, that is actually one of the effects of nose fillers as well. Besides a sharper nose, your features, especially your eyes, will also look more defined.

For those of you who want bigger eyes and a sharper nose, fillers can help you to achieve your objectives! 

Is there downtime?

There is no downtime at all. I headed out to do Christmas shopping immediately after the procedure! This is an important factor for most of us who have to head back to office the next day or immediately after the procedure. 

I experienced some slight bruising for about a week, but with the help of foundation and concealer, nothing was visible to the naked eye.

Is it painful?

It  is a relatively painless procedure as numbing cream is applied and Juvéderm® VOLUMA® Lidocaine, the filler that was used in my procedure, contains Lidocaine, an anesthetic drug to minimize pain.

In fact, the procedure was absolutely painless for me, which left me pleasantly surprised. On a scale of 1-10, the pain factor was 0. 

Is the treatment reversible? 

Filler treatments are not permanent and yes, they are reversible. Fillers such as Juvéderm® VOLUMA® Lidocaine are made of hyaluronic acid, which occurs naturally in our body. If complications arise, which are generally uncommon with an experienced doctor, or you are dissatisfied with the results, the fillers can be easily dissolved and removed from your body. 

Of course, to reduce unnecessary risks, you should always do your research and engage a qualified, experienced doctor to ensure that more than half the battle is won! Dr Dylan Chau, for instance, has 9 years of experience in medical aesthetics and has a wealth of experience in administering filler treatments. 

How long will fillers last?

Fillers typically last between 12-18 months but it varies from individual to individual because everyone breaks down or metabolizes fillers at different rates.

Are there any other non-permanent aesthetic treatments for nose enhancements?

During my consultation, Dr Chau told me that I could try another procedure for nose enhancement, which involves injecting sutures (or threads, similar to stitches for patching up open wounds) into the nose. The results from this procedure is likely to last at least 2 years, which is slightly longer than fillers which are estimated to last between 12-18 months.

I was tempted to try this but I wanted to have the flexibility to assess if I preferred a higher nose bridge before deciding on a more permanent option. I would probably try this treatment after the fillers wear off.

For now, I am very satisfied with the results of my nose fillers. As always, I am awed by Dr Dylan Chau’s sense of beauty, aesthetic judgment and wonderful skills, and I would highly recommend him for all aesthetic treatments.  

I will be heading back to Celevenus in early January for a review, but meanwhile, here are some pictures of me 1 week after the procedure:

Email: 
beauty@celevenus.com.sg

Website:
http://www.celevenus.com.sg/

 I was invited by Celevenus Wellness & Aesthetics to try out their anti-ageing aesthetic treatments recently. Helmed by Dr Dylan Chau, who is able to blend science and artistry to bring out the best in his patients, Celevenus specializes in aesthetic treatments to reverse the effects of aging, achieve clearer, more radiant skin as well as improve facial contours and features. 

I was certain that I was in good hands as Dr Dylan Chau has 9 years of experience in medical aesthetics and is well versed in resolving dermatological problems as well as administering anti-aging treatments. He is also a Sculptra trainer for doctors. Sculptra is one of the latest and most revolutionary treatments in the realm of anti-aging treatments.

Age has taken its toll on me now that I am past 30, and I can feel that my skin is beginning to lose elasticity and firmness. One of the most noticeable telltale signs of aging on my face has manifested in the form of more pronounced nasolabial folds, and I have been thinking of doing fillers for these deep lines.

Nasolabial folds are the lines that run from the sides of your nose to your lips, also more commonly known as smile lines. Did you know that
nasolabial folds deepen over time because our cheeks sag with age?
Smiling and facial expressions are contributing factors too, but they
are most certainly not the main cause.

Nasolabial folds
can make one look older than he or she actually is, and they are a pain
to get rid of because unlike wrinkles, topical creams or moisturizers
have no effect on these stubborn lines. The most common way to minimize
their appearance is through aesthetic procedures such as fillers. 

I was a little nervous during my consultation session with Dr Chau as I have never done any aesthetics treatments previously, but Dr Chau put me at ease instantly as he listened patiently and attentively to my concerns about my deepening nasolabial folds before going on to explain how fillers could be used to plump up the folds and improve their appearance. I liked how consultative and informative the entire session was. He also gave a detailed explanation of what I could expect after the treatment. As my cheekbones are pretty high and I have rather full cheeks, Dr Chau candidly shared that my nasolabial folds would not go away completely. Nevertheless, there would still be a visible difference.

I also took the opportunity to ask Dr Chau for his expert opinion on my facial proportions. He felt that my features were generally fine, but if I wanted to, I could add some height to my nose bridge and sculpt the tip of my nose. In addition, I could also consider botox to reduce my slightly squarish jaw for a sharper face shape and Sculptra for my tear trough. I have to admit I was tempted to try out all these procedures, but given that I have never done any aesthetic treatments previously, I decided to take it slow and address my nasolabial folds first.

As I had an important event to attend shortly after my consultation, I scheduled another appointment for the procedure to be done on a separate day. If you like, you can go ahead with the procedure immediately after consultation.

This is a ‘before’ picture of myself on the day of the procedure, after the approachable and friendly staff at the clinic prepped my nasolabial folds with numbing cream.

Here I was, all numbed up and ready for the procedure.

Dr Chau used the latest Juvéderm® VOLUMA® Lidocaine for my treatment. The addition of Lidocaine reduces pain and provides additional comfort during and after treatment. 

Juvéderm® VOLUMA® with Lidocaine is hyaluronic acid facial filler specifically made to restore lost facial volume in the cheeks, cheekbones and chin. It uses hyaluronic acid, a sugar that
occurs naturally in our skin, to add fullness to areas that need more support or enhancement. Developed to be smoother than other hyaluronic acid facial volumizers, it is also easier to inject during filler treatment. Juvéderm® VOLUMA® with Lidocaine was developed with VYCROSS™ technology to deliver a natural look and feel that can last up to 18 months.

Most importantly, Juvéderm® VOLUMA® is unlikely to result in lumpiness or product migration, both of which are common side effects of other facial fillers.

I was told that the nasolabial folds are one of the more painful areas for injection but Dr Chau administered the procedure expertly and skillfully with utmost precision, resulting in minimal pain. In fact, the filler injection felt more like tiny ant bites. 

Dr Chau also chatted with me throughout the entire duration of the procedure, which was very reassuring and comforting.

The following pictures will give you a better idea of what to expect during the procedure. Essentially, the fillers were injected directly into my nasolabial folds at three different points on each side.

As I bleed easily, Dr Chau shared that I am likely to be more inclined to bruising. The key to reducing bruising is to apply pressure at the injection site immediately after injection.

And there, my right nasolabial fold was done in the blink of an eye. Can you tell that the fold is almost gone?

My left nasolabial fold is much deeper in comparison, partly due to the way my lips tend to curl up towards the left when I smile, hence a larger quantity of JUVÉDERM® VOLUMA™ was required to plump it up sufficiently.

Now, here are the final results. The photo on the left is my ‘before’ picture and the one on the right was taken immediately after the procedure.

I went out immediately for an event after the procedure as I did not experience any swelling or bruising till the end of the next day. The clinic called me the very next day to check on me as well, which I felt was a very thoughtful gesture. The bruising lasted a couple of days, but all I needed was a touch of foundation and concealer.

Here’s another comparison of my ‘before’ picture with the final results after 2 weeks:

Before

After

Pictures say a thousand words. I like how my cheeks look lifted now thanks
to my less obvious nasolabial folds, which also contributes to a more
youthful appearance. 

 What I really liked about the treatment was that it naturally enhanced my looks without drastically altering my overall appearance. My friends and
family could not tell that I had anything done to my face,
but many of them commented that I looked fresher and younger. Just so you know as well, the pictures in this post were not digitally enhanced.

I am very satisfied with the final results and I know I have Dr Dylan Chau to thank for reversing the effects of aging and restoring my youth. I would highly recommend Dr Chau for any of your dermatological or aesthetics concerns. In fact, as you are reading this, I have already made plans to head back to Celevenus for a round of laser treatments to address my skin pigmentation issues. 😉

Celevenus Wellness & Aesthetics

Address: 
391B Orchard Road

#16-03/04 Ngee Ann City Tower B

Singapore 238874

Tel: 
+65 6410 9621 / +65 6410 9622
 

Email: 
beauty@celevenus.com.sg

Website:
http://www.celevenus.com.sg/