Dr Vivian Yong

Smile lines/ laugh lines - or medically known as nasolabial folds (NLF) - are slightly curved, downwards sloping lines that extend from the sides of the nose down to the corners of the mouth. It is a natural occurrence, even in the very young, and usually worsens as we age. The anatomical basis for NLF is due to the attachments of our cheek facial muscles to the corners of the mouth, which enables us to smile - thus the colloquial name of smile lines. To prevent it totally is near impossible, unless one can stop smiling or do any facial movements that move the corners of the mouth upwards.

How each doctor performs injectables such as Botox (botulinum toxin) and fillers differ slightly, and it depends on the patient factors as well as the doctor's experience. For jaw muscle relaxation to achieve facial slimming, there are a few variable patient factors: the size of the muscle, the current facial shape, the desired end result, any concurrent issues such as bruxism (teeth grinding), as well as previous treatment results. Generally the larger the muscle, the more Botox is needed, and the more points of injection for the Botox to diffuse over the larger muscle.

Chickenpox scars result when the wound healing process produces insufficient collagen and skin connective tissues to compensate for the tissue loss from the inflammatory process. Most often than not, the end result is a an atrophic scar of the boxcar variety, whereby the flat-bottom depression is sharply demarcated from the surrounding skin by vertical edges. This scar can be shallow or deep, and variable in size (usually 1. 5 - 4mm).

Hi, thanks for the question. Normally, the color of hair and skin is determined by melanin. Vitiligo occurs when the cells that produce melanin die or stop functioning. Vitiligo affects people of all skin types, but it may be more noticeable in people with darker skin. The condition is not life-threatening or contagious. There are treatments for vitiligo that may restore color to the affected skin. But it does not prevent continued loss of skin color or a recurrence. The main sign of vitiligo is patchy loss of skin color.

Although keratosis pilaris is harmless, to remove it completely or to prevent it from ever coming back again is difficult. Depending on what you have tried before, and how much it bothers you, you might want to consider clinic treatments, or home care treatments. Clinic based treatments include: 1) Prescription creams - retinoids. These are vitamin A derivatives, and help to normalise cell turnover, reducing the keratin plugging of the hair follicles. However, they can cause some initial irritation and skin photosensitivity, so be sure to apply sunblock to the areas of treatment as well.

Hi there, Thanks for your question. Mercury, which is a toxic heavy metal, is strictly prohibited for use as an ingredient in cosmetic products by Singapore Health Sciences of Authority. Regular application of skin products containing mercury can lead to rash, skin discolouration and blotching. Additonally, long-term exposure to high levels of mercury in cosmetic products may cause some serious health consequences, which includes damage to the kidneys as well as the digestive and nervous systems.

Hi thanks for your question. It is important that you keep your skin well hydrated and moisturised aftera face laser skin resurfacing. Any use of products with alcohol will drythe skin further and affect the results of the healing process. Here are some tips for you to take note after your laser treatment :1. Any excessive sun exposure may cause hyperpigmentation and irritation. Do stay out of the direct rays of the sun. 2. Use a UVA UVB sunscreen of at least SPF 30 or more even if you will bein the shade. Use a hat, umbrella and UV protected sunglasses if you mustbe out in the sun. 3.

Unwanted underarm hair has always been a concern, especially among ladies. Apart from the age-old methods of shaving, trimming, waxing, plucking and application of depilatory creams, which are largely temporary measures, the main treatment focus nowadays is on semi-permanent hair removal with light-based devices. Temporary hair removal methods remove the visible hair shaft, but leaves the hair follicles and hair roots intact. Semi-permanent hair removal methods destroys the hair follicles and hair roots, thus reducing the hair growth.

Dark eye circles are a common concern among many of my patients, and sometimes they can be confused with eye bags. Eye bags appear as swelling/ puffiness under the eyes. These are more common as we age, as the muscles and skin that normally support the lower eyelid weaken. Fats that surround the eyeball can then bulge through the weakened overlying structures and cause the lower eyelids to appear swollen and puffy. With an overhanging swellling, a shadow is cast underneath the swelling, causing the appearance of darkness at the lower eyelids.

Your concern about those large pores are shared by many. At 26, your skin still looks pretty sebaceous - still on the oily side - which is normal at your age. No matter what treatment you choose to do, I think the most important part is to retard/ prevent what is causing the open pores in the first place. Even with the best treatment that improves the skin texture, continued excessive sebum secretion will still cause the large pores to reappear. Consider using a retinoid regularly to control sebum secretion.

Rejuran Healer is one of the newer Korean beauty crazes that has hit Singapore, known especially among those familiar with aesthetic treatments. Though popularized by the Koreans, it has actually been used in other countries, such as Europe, since the 2000s (Plinest, manufactured by an Italian biopharmaceutical company), with clinical research stretching even to the past 40 years. The principal ingredient is polynucleotide (PN) derived from salmon germ cell, which essentially is the building block of our DNA. The main effects are anti-inflammatory and regenerative.

Most of my patients in their 20s have more of combination skin or oily skin. At this age range, the sebaceous (oil) glands are still quite active, causing the T-zone to be oily while the rest of the facial skin is normal. From the mid to late 30s, the skin tends to become more dry and coupled with collagen loss, and fine lines and open pores tend to become more apparent. Dry skin can happen at an earlier age if accompanied by pre-existing skin conditions e. g. eczema, or if one is using certain topical products or taking certain medications.