Quick life update. Sorry for the radio silence, but 2020-2021 has consumed me because of work, and i've neglected this space because i didn't have the energy to share. Hopefully things would pick up in the next few months and 2022 and i look forward to reconnecting with you guys. For those of you who've been following me through the past >10 years, i'm sure you would understand how our life priorities have changed. Some of you would have moved on to a different stage in life, took on more responsibilities at work, got married, have kids and in the process... AGED (i can say this because it applies to me as well). That's the harsh reality of life LOL. Additionally because i'm very active, i end up looking more tired/older when i lose my face fats (such a double-aged sword).

At some point, facials, serums, lifting and wrinkle creams, and LED face masks can only help that much. That's when an extra boost is needed. Since the start of this year, i've looked into several of these anti-aging procedures and Ultherapy stood out for me.

Ultherapy is non-invasive ultrasound therapy to lift your skin and promote collagen production, resulting in firmer and tighter skin. It uses microfocused ultrasound (previously HIFU) or sound energy to generate a thermal effect for lifting and tightening of saggy areas on your face, neck and chest. I would not go deeply into the technical details, but basically the sound waves target the deeper layers under the skin (about 3-5mm), to stimulate fresh collagen. Due to the deeper targeting, you would also not experience any downtime after the treatment (YAY). Plus, the effect gets better with time, and it takes about 2 to 3 months to see the best results and improvements can continue and last up to a year.

There are many clinics offering Ultherapy but I choose to go back IDS Clinic after trying their products and services earlier this year. I consulted Dr Michelle Wong and she recommended me the IDS Baby Lift, which is their proprietary treatment for Ultherapy. The Baby Lift uses less lines (shots) compared to the full course and targets a depth of 3.5mm as compared to 4mm, and was recommended because my skin laxity isn't severe. Treatments are customized to each patient's needs and Dr Michelle Wong focused on the lower half of my face to treat my laugh lines and double chin. 

The whole process took about 1.5 hours for me, which includes time for the numbing cream to work. The numbing is to minimize any discomfort or pain, and i was glad there was none!

While some people may experience temporary flushed skin or swelling and tenderness after the treatment, it was all fine for me and i was able to head out for my dinner date immediately. For me, the tenderness was more from the pressure of the handpiece, which is a slight dull ache (feels like bruising), but there was no visible signs of swelling following the treatment and the ache went away in about a week.

I'm definitely looking forward to the effects of the IDS Baby Lift! Follow me at my Instagram if you like to check in on my Ultherapy progress - https://www.instagram.com/msskinnyfat/

If you like to read up more about Ultherapy, you can do so here or book an appointment with IDS Clinicto understand more in person.

Recently i tried the Pico Laser at IDS Skincare, which Dr Michelle Wong recommended to help with skin rejuvenation and brightening, and also pigmentation reduction. I understand that this laser could be done monthly as the intensity is not that high, which also means that the downtime is shorter (about 1 - 2 days), and is good for maintenance.

The “Pico” in “PicoLasers” refers to Picosecond, which is one trillionth of a second. This is approximately approximately ten times faster than nanosecond Q-switched lasers and theoretically works more efficiently in targeting the specific tissues with less surrounding tissue damage. 

For the laser, my skin was cleansed first before numbing cream was applied. The numbing process takes about 15 - 20 mins but i thought it felt shorter than that. I was then quickly ushered into the treatment room and Dr Michelle started on the laser immediately. 

I was a little tense as it had been some time since my last laser treatment. I must say that the pain was a little more than i expected as i thought my face would be completely numb. I would say the pain was 3-4 on a scale of 10 but thankfully it was in short bursts. It was definitely more intense than IPL, plus i could smell the burn. Sensitive areas such as the upper lips also hurt more. Dr Michelle Wong concentrated the laser on my cheeks and nose for purpose of reducing pore size and pigmentation. Anyway before i knew it, the treatment was over and that took maybe 5 minutes. 

It has been a month since i started on the skincare products by IDS Skincare (read Part 1 of my review here) I've been told by Dr Michelle Wong that i'm likely to experience some break outs as the products help to purge the underlying blackheads and impurities. Well even though that was expected, i was quite concerned with the additional spots, which unfortunately i picked at. SOBS. 

Apart from that, the dry skin condition has eased with the Recovery Serum and Moisture Boost combination! No more annoying flaky spots!

When i headed back for my review, Dr Michelle Wong assured that my skin was fine and that the Hydro-Therapeutics Treatment (HTT) ($198+) would help with clearing my skin further. This treatment works through various levels of deep cleansing to remove accumulated dirt, product build-up and clogged sebum that no regular cleanser can. It also helps with lines and wrinkles too!

The 60 minute facial is suitable for all skin types and leaves you with clearer and brighter skin. Check this out if you don't believe. 

Before

After

The facial started with double cleansing followed by HydroD, a water dermabrasion which uses a multi minerals solution to remove surface impurities. Though dermabrasion may sound invasion, but you'd only feel a light suction on your skin. A deeper cleansing using ultrasound was next and you'd experience some light tingling zapping sensation (not painful at all). Then the usual extractions. I was told that my skin condition was pretty ok so that provided some assurance to my concerns. 

After the cleansing, Vitamin C is applied and with the help of the ultrasound device, you could expect better penetration of the serum. Lastly, a whitening mask was prescribed based on my skin condition.

The HTT treatment was very soothing and i was surprised at how bright my skin was immediately after. Will certainly do this facial again. 

IDS Clinic

INTERNATIONAL BUILDING

360 Orchard Road

#02-02 International Building

Singapore 238869

T: +65 6450 3555

NOVENA SPECIALIST CENTER

8 Sinaran Drive

#05-09 to 10

Singapore 307470

T: +65 6568 3555

2020 has taken a toll on me this year, mentally and physically. The combination of stress, and a lot more outdoor workout on my roof terrace has resulted in dull and slight uneven skin tone, and also the slightly more clogged pores. I decided to put an end to this in 2021 by restarting a more diligent skincare regime and i started with a visit to IDS Skincare.

IDS is quite established in the aesthetic and clinical dermatologist market and they have their own line of IDS Skincare product, which is the result of constant innovation. IDS's proprietary formulation of Neulastin- consisting of key ingredients such as Hyaluronic Acid, Collagen, Elastin, Adenosine, Zinc & Magnesium, and includes a technology called Enhance® Delivery System, facilitates the absorption of active ingredients into the skin and improves and eliminates wrinkles other than repairing and restoring damaged skin. 

I met with Dr Michelle Wong for a consultation and she was quick with her assessment of my condition and suggested some products to combat my combination skin. There's also some sensitivity/dryness around my mouth area so she suggested some products for that too. 

For cleansing, I went with the sensitive series of the cleanser and toner (C2 and T2), which contains anti-inflammatory and antioxidant botanical extracts to help combat redness, environmental stress and soften the skin. I liked how there isn't a tight and dry feeling after washing my face, as compared to the DrX cleanser that i'm currently using. In addition, i also got the Facial Scrub (FS), a super gentle scrub with ultra-fine crystals with Jojoba oil that can be used daily. 

For the clogged pores, the Pore Formula (PF) helps to refine pores and reduce blackheads and whiteheads. The creamy texture is quickly absorbed into the skin. There's a calming tea tree oil scent to it but can be a little stingy, but that could be due to my currently sensitive skin. I use this on my T-zone and problem areas. 

Then my favorite C Plus (C+), age-defense serum formulated with a potent form of Vitamin C to combat dull skin and stimulates collagen! Having tried a similar product before, i knew this is going to be my favorite. 

Lastly for moisture, i was recommended the Recovery Serum (RS) and Moisture Boost (MB). RS helps to reduce redness and irritation, which i use on the dry spots. It could be blended together with the MB for extra moisture to the face. I really liked the combination of these 2 products for a hydration boost. My dry patches have improved after 3 days of usage. 

I love how the products are quick to absorb and are not sticky. For daytime, i'm also using the S3 New Tinted sunscreen, which has a matte texture. I prefer the tinted version because i'm not very fair. If you're very fair, you could consider the regular sunscreen. 

For a weekly treat, I'm also trying the Dermashield Mask (DM). It's supposed to help protect against the blue light emitted from digital devices and environmental pollutants which lead to early signs of aging like fine lines, wrinkles and hyperpigmentation. 

Excited to see the results of a more consistent and diligent skincare regime. Will update more. To be better and prettier 2021.

You can visit www.idsskincare.com for more about their products or www.idsclinic.com if you wish to know more about your skin. 

IDS Clinic

INTERNATIONAL BUILDING
360 Orchard Road
#02-02 International Building
Singapore 238869
T: +65 6450 3555

NOVENA SPECIALIST CENTER
8 Sinaran Drive
#05-09 to 10
Singapore 307470
T: +65 6568 3555

Want that unicorn hair but still want smooth tresses still? I feel ya. It's hard to achieve the vibrant colors without bleaching your hair. After that one time of bleaching my hair say 2 years ago, i've been doing treatments every 1 - 2 months just so that it doesn't get all dry and tangly, especially with all the hot yoga that i do. 

K Gloss is a new hybrid treatment with multi-benefits, which helps to strengthen and smoothen your hair, especially brittle bleached ones. What it does is to rebuild the holes in your hair using proteins, amino acid, hydrolysed collagen. Think of it as a botox for your hair. 

What's awesome is that it's quite a fast treatment and could be done under an hour, or together with other treatments. Trust me when i say it's highly raved by celebrities, influencers, and normal folks like me. 

The treatment starts with a wash and blow dry, before application of the K Gloss treatment. After which, your hair would be blown dry and ironed. And that's it. 90% frizz will be eliminated and the treatment is said to last up to 4 months. That is if you DO NOT wash your hair and avoid sweating for the next 72h. Ok the first 72h is going to be a little unbearable because your hair will feel stiff with the dried up product in your hair.

Your hair betrays your age. While this is true for most, some of us also face the problem of pre-mature ageing and it manifests in the form of WHITE HAIR! Over the course of my working life, I've noticed that the number of white hair on my head has increased significantly! :( It has bothered me enough to the point that my hair stylist has resorted to covering up my roots every time I visit her. SOBS. 

 

After hearing about TK TrichoKare's new anti-ageing hair treatment – Advanced Age Defying Hair Treatment, I had to check them out. I expected to be in good hands of the award-winning hair and scalp care centre of course (they won numerous awards from the ELLE Beauty Treat List 2017 – Best Treatment for Hair Loss, Her World Spa Awards 2016, Harper's BAZAAR Hair Awards 2016, and the Singapore Women’s Weekly Hair Awards 2016 among others).

TrichoKare's certified trichologist - specialists who study and diagnose hair and scalp problems, helped me discovered my hair age through their Advanced Tricho Hair Test.

Traveling takes a toll on my hair- sun exposure, harsher water, hotel shampoo (because it's to troublesome to bring my own). After all the traveling in the first quarter of the year, i headed to Silkcut Salon to give my hair some TLC. This time, Wendy recommended their latest Japanese Milbon Deesse 4 Step Treatment to moisturize my dry and unruly hair post Niseko snowboarding. 

No time to spare but need a quick beauty fix? Pop over to one of the conveniently located PPP Laser Clinics for a quick treatment to revitalize your skin for a clearer and more radiant complexion. PPP Clinic's panel of qualified and accredited Doctors does medical aesthetic treatments focusing on the use of low dosage laser to minimise downtime and maximize results. 

I recently tried their newly launched 360 Solution treatment that consists 5 steps to improve Color, Consistency, and Contour of your face.

I know it has been kind of proven by doctors that there is no such nonsense as detox through juicing, or hot yoga, or whatever trends and fads there may be out there on the market (because our liver is what cleanses our bodies of toxins). But I love to work out and I love to sweat, and it makes me feel super awesome and lighter. So if you do kind of believe in detoxing, then you have to check out Cheryl W Weight and Wellness Management. 

Crowned the Herworld Spa - Best Detoxifying Treatment Editor’s choice, the Signature Body Flush treatment is said help you sweat and burn fats by speeding up your metabolic rate and enhance  absorption of nutrients. Physical benefits also include smoother and brighter skin.

The first step to every treatment at Cheryl W is a detailed consultation to cater to the individual needs of every customer. So for the skinnyfat me who doesn't require weight loss treatments, my sessions were focused on detox and firming. The first step to the Flush treatment is the use of a customized machine and I tried the Slim Up firming treatment to help with localised inch lose and toning of my thighs (that's the fat part of this skinny). With the help of a machine, infra-red rays combined with electric muscle stimulation produces a slimming action and inches were lost immediately. I KID YOU NOT. Of course, to maintain the inch loss and toning, you gotta continue to work out of course but the initial boost is definitely helpful! :)

Next, an Aroma Steam Bath to relax the body and open up the pores for products to be better absorbed by the body. This is followed by a customised Sea Salt Body polish with a lymphatic massage. Whenever i use this body polish, i have a tendency to lose more water! This helps with combating water retention very well. Of course, it is also exfoliating and my skin is left smoother and brighter. The lymphatic massage helps with the 'drainage' of waste better through the lymph nodes. 

Then, the Thermal Heat Therapy to helps you sweat it all out. The heat improves circulation as it increases your core body temperature which leads to an increase in heart rate. Lying in the thermal blanket is said to burn an equivalent of 2 hours of non-stop exercise. Well I still like exercising better but this helps when there aren't good classes at the gym.

The flush treatment ends with Cheryl W's in-house wellness "flush dark plum natural cleanse" drink. This drink is tasty and super filling and I believe it has some sort of cleansing powers to clear your bowels! Heh. 

Keen to check out Cheryl W? Here's a treat for you. It's only $68 for 3 Sessions of Award-Winning Signature Royal Flush Body Treatment (worth $1080).

Use this special link cherylw.com.sg/msskinnyfat and you will receive an additional 3 Sessions of Body Wraps and a complimentary door gift (worth $200). :)

Cheryl W
Ngee Ann City
391 Orchard Road #05-18/18A, Podium Blk Singapore 238872
Tel: 6694 6352/6452

Jean Yip Loft
307 New Bridge Road #04-01 Singapore 088757
Tel: 6634 2709 / 6834 3035

Jurong Point Shopping Centre
1 Jurong West Central 2 #03-02 Jurong Point Shopping Centre Singapore 648886
Tel: 6898 4890

Pretty unicorn hair comes at a cost, that means bleached, dry, and unmanageable hair. But i'm always well taken care of at Silkcut Salon. Wendy always prescribes a hair treatment (or 2) to go with any chemical coloring. And most recently, I tried the brand new Kerasilk Keratin treatment to smooth this mess! 

That's the after of course. Now let's take a look at the before! 

Actually my hair doesn't look this bad. This is the post-hot-yoga-pre-hairwash look, hence the maximum fuzziness. 

I didn't use to care for my skin at all. Well when you are young, you think you're invincible and that your skin will always be perfect. So years of sun tanning had obviously caused some damage, which was improved with the Derma-RX products. Recently, I've been trying out different products in order to find a good mix to my skincare regime and was introduced to the Italian Vagheggi products at Bejeweled Singapore. Bejeweled is a one stop shop for your beauty fixes from nails, face, to your eyes and they have expanded from their 1st location at International Plaza to open a second outlet at Breadtalk IHQ in the east.

Shirlene, my beautician did a quick check on my face condition and i was recommended the White Moon facial treatment ($228/90mins) as I do have some spots that are starting to surface (SOBS) because of all the terrible sun damage in my younger days (girls, please use sunscreen and stop suntanning). This facial is touted to help even the skin tone and control melanin production, smooth the surface of the skin and acts as a barrier against pollution and free radicals. The effect, a radiant skin with more even skin tone.

We started with a cleansing foam to purify the skin, followed by the Fizzy Mask 1 and Activating solution 2 which work as a gentle peel for the brightening effect.

A smoothing concentrate solution helps to  renew and even the skin, followed by a brightening mineral mask. The effect is further enhanced with the Protective brightening emulsion which is rich in Vitamin C to provide protection against UV rays and smog. Cooling balls were used to massage the solutions into the skin.

Before

After- I still look the same without makeup!

I couldn't believe that my skin looked pretty unblemished despite the extraction. Serene was very gentle with that though. But honestly that glow! I had dinner with J after my facial and the first thing he said was how radiant my face was. Yay to all that natural goodness in the facial. 

Bejeweled also offers aesthetic eye treatments such as eyelash extension and perming, as well as nail services. I foresee I'd be coming here pretty often for my beauty fixes. 
Bejeweled

30 Tai Seng Street #02-01 

BreadTalk IHQ Singapore 534013 

Tel: +65 6443 9789 

Daily: 11.30am - 8pm

10 Anson Road #02-48 

International Plaza Singapore 079903 

Tel: +65 6222 2526 

Weekdays: 11am - 8pm 

Sat: 11am - 4.30pm 

Closed on Sunday & PH 

I've not gone without colored hair since i was 18 (oh but that was just a couple of years back HAHA). Anyway, with all that chemical treatment, the only way to keep my tresses strong and healthy is with lots of hair treatment! I was introduced to the latest Olaplex hair repair treatment by Silkcut Salon and Geri informed that this treatment is taking the hair community by storm (especially in Hollywood)! If you have bleached hair, this is definitely the best treatment for you. 

Well, for me, since i color my hair so often (once in 2 months), it's good to know that Olaplex can be mixed in with the coloring products to minimize the damage to my hair. It can also be used as a separate treatment if you don't color your hair.

Other than making your hair stronger and healthier, Olaplex also makes the color last longer. 

This treatment is compatible with all hair types from virgin to extremely compromised chemically treated hair.

A second step is added after coloring for additional repair and strengthening. 

Look at that shine and bounce! 

It is recommended that you take home the Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector for continued use at home. Even after all that sun and sea in Koh Samui, my bleached hair ends are still pretty strong and not frayed as usual. You can check out this treatment at Silkcut Salon and the price starts from $80. I'm gonna head back soon for another treatment. :)

Silkcut Salon

22 Havelock Road #01-693, Singapore 160022
Tel: +65 6275 6108
Weekdays: 11am - 8pm
Weekends and PH: 11am - 7pm

Being on the go (as much as i can) doesn't bode well for my skin. After my recent Laos and Bali trip, i ended up with dry skin, uneven skin tone (no thanks for the crazy sunshine and heat), and pimples. Things that the traveler in transit has to live with.. So of course i immediately booked my facial appointments (yes i needed more than one) with the trusty DRx Medispa.

As one ages, your skin condition changes as well. I went from oily skin in my teenage years, to combination skin currently. With regular use of the Derma-RX products, my sebum level has been controlled. Well, here comes the next problem- dry skin and fine lines. I started noticing that there are laugh lines developing at the corners of my eyes. GASP. Well, together with the lack of sleep, i also developed dark eye circles and the eye bags were especially horrid in this bare-faced picture. 

In an desperate attempt, i gave the Cryotherapy treatment a try as it is supposed to treat dark eye circles and some hyperpigmentation skin conditions, plus it is supposed to help brighten my skin as well, with continuous treatment.

Micro-needles are first 'stamped' over your face to stimulate the cells. It was absolutely painless for me and merely felt like a prickly brush on the skin. Active ingredients, which have been specially formulated to aid in pigment lightening, hydration and skin repair, would then be applied on your face and infused through cold iontophoresis. 

The session was very quick and effective. I was in and out of the spa in 30 minutes flat. While the lines did not all go away (it's not Botox you know), they were slightly less noticeable. This treatment can be repeated over time to improve the conditions without thinning your skin. :)

Pair this with the Essential Facial (Plus) treatment for the perfect radiance. I'd recommend you do the Essential Facial a week before the Cryotherapy since all the junk can be extracted and your face cleansed before you infuse more goodness into your skin. 

For my readers, quote "Blogger Cheryl" to enjoy 40% off on your first trial for Cryotherapy and Essential Facial Plus at the DRx Medispa! 

Oh and for additional goodness, add some juice to that. Loving the convenient baby bottles of cold pressed juices by HIC and they are readily available at their first store, the Shop by Hic at Suntec City Mall. Be sure to check them out too yea!

The DRx Medispa Singapore

302 Orchard Road, #14-02/#16-02

Tong Building (next to Paragon Shopping Centre)

Singapore 238862

Tel: +65 6223 1555

Mon to Sat: 10am to 8pm

Sun: 10am to 6pm

If you are following me on Instagram (you should if you need food or travel inspiration! Find me @msskinnyfat heh), you would notice that I've been spotting a shorter hairdo and I love it! Kudos to the Silkcut team for that. :)

I only head to DRx for all my skincare needs since I'm particular about the products that go on my face these days. Even though I never used to be a fan of facials, I super love the Essential Facial Plus by DRx Medispa and even more so now with their new and improved formulas and treatment. 

It's terribly ironic that i'm a food blogger and a yogi at the same time but i guess it allows me that much needed balance in my diet. I typically eat light on weekdays and brunch/tea on weekends. That said, one can never be too sure that they are getting all the required vitamins for daily sustenance (and beauty) and that's where Swisse comes into my life! Here's introducing Australia’s #1 Multivitamin brand, which has just launched in Singapore.