Health Articles

Aesthetic medicine branded as an expensive treatment is definitely an issue to debate about. It really depends on what one is willing to spend to achieve a certain result. Then again, managing expectations is a big concern when it comes to Aesthetic Medicine.

The age of multimedia has set unrealistic expectations amongst many people. More-so, in a country like Malaysia, whereby doctors cannot advertise their services. In countries like Korea and Thailand, advertisements by doctors on the procedures they carry out are permitted, we see a higher level of education and understanding of aesthetic procedures. This in turn translate to better compliance and realistic expectations, with higher patient satisfaction achieved.

Back to the issue of Aesthetic Medicine treatment being expensive, it really isn’t, for the amount of results one may achieve. For example, a simple treatment of crows feet wrinkles ( wrinkles around the corner of the eyes) may cost as little as Rm500 to Rm700 with BTA, of which the results would last at least 4 months. On the contrary, an eye cream that claims to treat the similar condition can cost almost the same but only BTA gives a significantly drastic improvement over the later.

There is a heavy misconception amongst the public that Aesthetic Medicine is expensive. The funny thing is that many of our patients have, at some point in time done Aesthetic Medicine treatment at unauthorised/ unregistered centres, and at times, with untrained personels for exorbitant prices with the promise of unrealistic results. Only to visit us when things turn out not the way they were promised.

More often than not, the damage done is beyond repair and this is heartbreaking for us doctors who are passionate in the field we love for these irresponsible personels have tarnished the reputation of Aesthetic Medicine in Malaysia.

I cannot remember how many times I have heard the same stories over and over again, where my patients were promised unrealistic results for ridiculously priced procedures performed in unauthorised premises by untrained and unregistered personels. It’s only human for us to want to hear only the exaggerated unrealistic results aesthetic medicine can produce. Like I call it, we always want to have sugar fed to our ears! But, sometimes, if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is!

I have high faith in the ethics of many Malaysian doctors practising Aesthetic Medicine in keeping expectations low and realistic, while providing treatments that delivers more then is promised!

Thus, my advice to all would be to visit a doctor which you have faith and comfort with and stick with him/her throughout!Remember, Aesthetic Medicine is an Art. The doctor you are receiving treatment from is an artist performing an art piece with your body as a canvas! You are paying for talent and not a product!!

I love public education, and what better industry to be in other than being an educator in the aesthetic industry?

In the aesthetic industry, there are so many myths and false information spreading around. Some of which are even broadcast through supposedly reliable source (eg; TV, Newspapers.. etc). And it is heartbreaking to think that thousands, if not millions are being misinformed on a daily basis!

Throughout my practice, I’ve met so many wonderful people whom are cheated by misinformation. It’s not enough that they are cheated for thousands (sometimes, hundreds of thousands dollars), what’s worse is the irrepairable damage done on their physical appearance and self esteem!

What truly is aesthetic? Is it just a beautification of a person on the outside? In my opinion, aesthetic is the enhancement of ones self esteem, rather than merely physical appearance. After all, everyone perceives beauty differently!

Being a relatively young field of medicine in Malaysia, it has not been easy for healthcare providers to get proper training in the field of Medical Aesthetics. It’s shocking that many at times, aesthetic doctors have been trained/coached by the medical reps who represent certain medical device/pharmaceutical company that supplies the treatment materials.

This poses a bias of treatment options and narrows the options of treatments which the healthcare provider would be able to treat their patients.

My passion in both educating the public and healthcare providers alike without prejudice has spurred me to seek educating myself in the broad field of Aesthetics. I’ve been privileged to have received training all over the world, mainly in Belogna, Italy ; Seoul, Korea and Singapore.