What is your ideal chin?
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Each of these beautiful faces have a chin that complements their facial shape. ​

What can we do to arrest the ongoing hair loss? 

(1) Diagnosis
A diagnosis should be achieved using a combination of presenting history, physical examination and relevant blood tests. Other diagnoses such as telogen effluvium, alopecia arreata should also be entertained.

(2) Topical Therapy
Topical Minoxidil 2-5% is encouraged as a scalp shampoo to prolong the the growth phase of the scalp hair. 

(3) Low Level Laser Therapy
Low level laser therapy in the form of a comb or helmet can seek to improve overall hair density, commonly seen after usage for at least 6 months. 

(4) Nutrient & Growth Factors Injection To Scalp
This aims to provide the scalp with sufficient nutrients and an ideal environment for hair to grow and recover. 

(5) Hair Transplantation
Should the area of defect be large, a hair transplant can be considered to target severely affected areas. 

How do we address Hair Loss in Men - Androgenetic Alopecia?
The key lies in a combination of treatments, aimed to arrest the progression of hair loss and also to reverse the miniaturisation of the hair follicles. 

(1) Anti Hair Loss Medications
Commonly, these include finasteride and minoxidil. The main consideration here is that it is a ongoing therapy, which means it will be a semi life long decision. If the decision here is to start and stop every now and then, this therapy will result in rebound hair losses rather than arresting the loss of hair. 

(2) Stem Cell Hair Regeneration / Growth Factors 
By utilising fats and hair grafts with technology to give a solution that is then reinjected back into the areas of poorer density. The improvement varies between 10 - 30% increase in density for patients. 

(3) Hair Hyperstimulation Laser Therapy
Employing the use of either a specialised laser to give improved diameter and greater hair counts, thereby allowing increased hair growth and better density. 

(4) Definitive Hair Restoration Using A Hair Transplant
 A Hair Transplant still remains the definitive restoration by taking hair from the occipital region and grafting them to areas that are bald or have poor density. Results are definite and survival rate of the grafts ultimately depends on the team involved in the hair transplantation and also post treatment care. 
​

Yet, in certain circumstances, one may desire for them to be removed.
How do we achieve it? 
The answer is using photoacoustic laser tattoo removal!

(1) Evaluation of Tattoo
This is crucial and will determine how many sessions it may take to clear up the tattoo.
Factors that influence the resultant number of sessions include
(A) Your Skin Color
(B) Location of The Tattoo
(C) Color Pigments of The Tattoo
(D) Amount of Ink In The Tattoo
(E) Any Scarring or Layering Involved

(2) Photoacoustic Laser Removal Treatment 
This involves the practitioner using an optimal power to treat the tattoos. An optimal power will result in fewer sessions rather than always treating at a suboptimal power. 

(3) Post Treatment Care
Blisters, bleeding, redness, swelling, scabbing are common from treatment and the key is to manage them properly. Usually, these can take between 5 - 14 days to recover depending on your skin. 
I recommend using an antibiotic ointment from your doctor, twice a day across the areas affected. 
As with any laser, treatment at optimal power requires optimal recovery. Usage of RAI Post Laser Intensive Recovery Serum is recommended to achieve the optimal recovery with minimisation of side effects.

(4) Repeat Sessions
These will be conducted at one month intervals as the skin takes time to clear off the fragmented pigments.

Is there a way for us to resolve Rosacea? 
We are looking at a combination of steps to treat this effectively! 

(1) Avoidance of Trigger Factors
This includes all of the above and also encompasses the regular use of sun protection. 

(2) R2 Glow Laser Resolution Treatment
A cornerstone of treatment which allows us to reach a definitive resolution against rosacea. 

(3) Importance of Skin Care
Usage of quality skin care products that deliver a calming anti inflammatory effect helps to keep rosacea at bay. 
I recommend RAI Post Laser Intensive Recovery Serum which uses natural herbs to create a calm soothing environment for skin afflicted by rosacea. 

Is there a way to treat PIH effectively? 
The answer to it is to use a combination of treatments. 

(1) Removal of triggers to inflammation 
This can be as simple as putting a stop to scratching the affected area. Minimising inflammation to the area prevents the area from progression to more areas which can develop PIH. 

(2) Sun protection and sun avoidance
Avoidance of excessive UV lights helps in preventing the production of more pigments. Regular use of susn block in recommended. 

(3) Laser Therapy 
A combination of both the Pigment Removal Laser and the R2 Glow Laser is crucial to target both pigments and underlying inflammation, reaching a optimum speed of improvement for the areas of PIH affected. 

(4) Post laser care
Usage of skin lightening agents can be employed. The best choice will be the use of one that calms the inflammed areas down and decrease the production of pigments at the same time.
I recommend RAI Post Laser Intensive Recovery Serum. 

What can we do to stop Acne Vulgaris?
​The answer lies in breaking the cycle of acne.

I would recommend the following steps to break the cycle effectively.
Other additional steps maybe added for specific skin types.

(1) Thorough Evaluation of Skin Care Regime 
These are the products that we use on our face daily and forms the foundation in our battle against acne. Any comedogenic products should be removed and the texture and consistency of products should be evaluated.

(2) Adjuvant Laser Therapy
A combination of R2 Glow Laser and Pigmentation Removal Laser aims to achieve the following results.
(A) Decreased Inflammation (B) Decreased Bacteria Counts (C) Lightening of Pigmentation & Redness

(3) Chemical Peel / Hydrafacial Microdermabrasion
Chemical peels help to remove excessive dead skin cells which can predispose to clogging of sebaceous ducts which in turn results in comedone formation. 

** You should always have your condition evaluated by a trained doctor to ascertain the diagnosis before commencing any form of treatment. 

Grading To Acne

(1) Clear
No lesions to barely noticeable ones; very few scattered comedones and papules

(2) Almost clear
Hardly visible from 2.5 meters away; a few scattered comedones and a few small papules; and very few pustules, comedones, and papules

(3) Mild
Easily recognizable; less than half of the affected area is involved; many comedones, papules, and pustules

(4) Moderate
More than half of the affected area is involved; numerous comedones, papules, and pustules

(5) Severe
Entire area is involved; covered with comedones, numerous pustules and papules, a few nodules and cysts

(6) Very severe
Highly inflammatory acne covering the affected area, nodules and cysts present

What can we do to control it?
The answer lies in understanding Melasma, arresting the aggravating factors, then rebalancing the skin profile!

Arresting The Aggravating Factors
Avoid UV radiation 
Use of broad spectrum sunscreen can achieve up to 26% improvement as early as 3 months. Regular application of broad spectrum sun block can reduce melasma incidence by up to 90% and decrease its intensity by 50%.

Hormones 
Increase in pregnancy hormones or use of oral contraceptives can trigger melasma. 

Avoid over-exposure to heat 
Professions such as bakers who are exposed to oven can have aggravation. 
 
Avoid exposure to high light intensities
Professions such as dentists are more resistant to treatment of melasma. Visible light can induce hyperpigmentation via opsin 3 which is a specific sensor in melasma. Sunscreens containing iron oxide confer protection against these visible light of shorter wavelengths.
 
Avoid use of photosensitizing cosmetics
Found in a range of cosmetics where they can aggravate melasma. 
​

Rebalancing The Skin Profile
The key here is to select treatments that are sustainable in the long term with minimal side effects.
​
Use of Skin Lightening Agents
I recommend RAI Post Laser Intensive Recovery Serum for a few reasons:
(1) Herbal extract with skin lightening components.
(2) Calms down inflammation in skin which is associated with Melasma.
(3) Zero risk of exogenous ochronosis
*a permanent darkening that occurs with prolonged use of certain skin lightening agents such as hydroquinone.
(4) Improvement in overall skin profile, texture and quality.

Use of R2 Laser
(1) Targets underlying inflammation implicated in melasma.
(2) Helps to balance and normalise the production of pigments rapidly.
(3) Disperses areas of concentrated pigmentation.

Other Modalities Involving chemical peels, growth factors can be considered on a case by case basis.
​On a personal note, I do not advocate oral medications for long term management of melasma.

Enquire with your doctor today to find out what is the best way to control your melasma and restore clear even skin tone!