Chemical peels may sound painful and intimidating, but the first iteration of the treatment dates as far back as to the 19th century, and remains one of the most popular anti-ageing treatments today. By removing damaged layers of skin, chemical peels help to improve skin texture and tone, lessen the appearance of fine wrinkles, and stimulate collagen and elastin, resulting in a tighter, brighter look.

Dermal fillers are injections used to add volume to sagging skin, resulting in facial features that appear to be more symmetrical. They are also used to plump up lips and cheeks, which can create a more youthful appearance, as well as smooth wrinkles and creases. The types of fillers used can vary in chemical make-up, longevity and softness. For example, softer fillers are used in the lips, while sturdier fillers produce more visible results in areas like cheekbones.

Epicanthoplasty is more widely known as eyelid surgery. This procedure is popular among those with prominent epicanthic folds, which are the folds of skin covering the inner corner of the eyes. The result is eyes that appear bigger and brighter.

Fat injections use fat taken from the patient’s own body—often in areas with stubborn fat, such as the abdomen or buttocks—which is then re-injected in the face to enhance fullness, fill creases or build up shallow contours.

The glass skin facial is named for the coveted, ultra-dewy “glass skin” glow made popular by Korean celebrities. Using micro-injections made of hyaluronic acid and microtox, the result is a light-reflecting effect, as the hyaluronic acid molecules act like “liquid mirrors” underneath the skin.

The high intensity focused ultrasound facial, or Hifu, uses ultrasound to create heat in the skin cells within the deeper levels of the skin, causing the body to try to repair them. This results in tighter skin and reduced sagging—and also dramatically improves the appearance of wrinkles. 

Intense pulsed light therapy (IPL) is a permanent hair removal solution that kills hair follicles over time, resulting in less, or less coarse, hair growth. Great for those who prefer to be hairless but don’t want the burden of regular waxing or shaving.

Jawline contouring involves reshaping and defining the jawline to create a more symmetrical, sculpted appearance. This can be achieved through a number of different treatments, including ultherapy, which lifts skin under the chin; Botox, as well as Xeomin, another brand name for botulinum toxin; and fillers, which can help to alter the shape of the jawline.

This hair treatment is a chemical procedure that uses the protein keratin to fill hair cuticles that are open, resulting in glossier, less frizzy and more manageable strands. Keratin is applied to wet hair and left to sit for about 30 minutes before a flat iron is used to seal in the treatment. Particularly in humid Asian climates, this treatment can be a godsend. However, if you have naturally curly hair, speak with your stylist before getting any chemical hair treatment—chemicals can permanently damage certain types of curls.

Laser facials have become increasingly popular as they effectively target some of the most common skin woes, including discolouration, scarring, dull skin, fine lines and wrinkles. This rejuvenation process is done by using light and heat to cause controlled damage to the skin’s surface, causing the body to react by healing the tissue and stimulating collagen production. Laser treatments aren’t a one-time fix, however, as it usually takes between four to six treatments, at two- to four-week intervals, to see results.

Masseter Botox, a procedure that injects botulinum toxin into the muscles, targets the muscles in the jaw in front of the ear, resulting in the appearance of a slimmer face. As a secondary function, it can also improve symptoms of teeth grinding and jaw clenching, which can affect face structure over time.

Nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) are the names of molecules present in all living forms; they are often used to refer to supplements that contain them and that purport to suppress age-related weight gain.

An oxygen facial is designed to deliver oxygen to skin cells using a targeted device which is designed to increase circulation, stimulate collagen production and result in improved skin texture and the appearance of a rejuvenated complexion.

The ponytail facelift is a surgical procedure that pulls the skin and muscles of the face upward, creating a lifted appearance—similar to the way a tightly tied ponytail would. These facelifts are known to be minimally invasive, as many of the scars that can result from the procedure are hidden in the hairline. Laser treatments, like Thermage (see T), can render similar effects with minimal downtime.

Quick treatments that can be done over a lunch break include the likes of Botox (see B) and Thermage (see T), with little to no downtime.

Rhinoplasty is a surgical procedure to change the shape of the nose—aka the nose job. Over the last decade, multiple studies report rhinoplasty as the facial surgical treatment that results in the highest dissatisfaction rate, irrespective of the patient’s demographic or surgeon’s expertise.

Sclerotherapy is a treatment that eliminates the appearance of spider and varicose veins by narrowing the blood vessel wall, either through chemical injections or laser treatments. The former uses a solution called sclerosant, which damages the internal lining of the vein, causing the blood to clot; the latter heats up the blood in the visible veins to coagulate and pop the blood vessel.

Thermage is a non-invasive radiofrequency treatment that penetrates the deep, collagen-rich layers of skin by heating them, resulting in a lifted effect as well as stimulating new collagen growth.

Ultherapy is a non-invasive ultrasound device that stimulates the superficial layers of skin. It targets, and can reduce, the fat present on the lower part of the face to create the appearance of a sharper jawline.

Veneers are a porcelain or composite resin covering used to treat cosmetic dental concerns— including chipped, broken or discoloured teeth. Consultation and planning are key to ensure that the size and shape of veneers are customised to suit the individual’s mouth, not just the teeth. The process is irreversible— the natural tooth’s enamel is stripped to ensure bonding. Although a sizeable investment—it can cost upwards of USD$1,200 per tooth—veneers can last up to 20 years.

Wrinkle relaxers, which are botulinum neurotoxin injectables, relax the surrounding muscle and fill in the wrinkles, creating a smooth appearance. They alter the appearance of dynamic wrinkles that occur due to muscle contractions, such as crow’s feet and smile lines, more so than static wrinkles that develop as a result of collagen loss.

Xeomin is the latest botulinum neurotoxin technology approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. Xeomin is often compared to Botox. While Botox comprises a mixture of proteins, Xeomin is a purified form of the botulinum neurotoxin and prevents the user from developing drug resistance to the chemical over time.

Youthfulness is the result many people still seek through cosmetic treatments; however, rather than attaining unrealistic results, the sentiment has shifted towards maintenance and enhancement of an individual’s features.

According to a 2023 survey conducted by American Society for Dermatologic Surgery, 70 per cent of consumers consider cosmetic surgeries because they want to “feel more confident” and “look as young as I feel or better for my age”.

Gen Z is influencing trends in the cosmetics industry with the generation’s greater awareness of beauty, thanks to social media culture and online discourse about getting treatments done. Make-up trends such as “clean girl beauty” and “siren eyes” have also played a part in the popularity of non-invasive treatments. In 2022, a survey published by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery found that 75 per cent of surgeons surveyed in the US reported a rise in the number of people under 30 seeking cosmetic procedures.

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