Banish freckles, sun or age spots and tighten pores with painless laser treatment by Dr Donna Chow at Arium Clinic
From going for facials to consuming supplements and bird’s nests, there are a million things to do to achieve flawless skin. While topical creams and gels give your face an instant but temporary glow or boost hydration, there is only so much these products can do to provide skin suppleness and smoothness.
This is where laser facial comes in. It uses energy — usually a combination of light and heat — to stimulate skin cells while removing the top layer of dull, dry skin cells. The word “laser” is usually associated with more invasive procedures. However, it is now being used more commonly in the medical spa world.
Thanks to ever-advancing technology, laser technology has come a long way to become what it is today — a powerful non-invasive cosmetic tool to be used for hair removal, skin resurfacing, and removal of scars. With hardly any downtime, these treatments have also proven to show immediate results, surpassing what you could achieve from a single facial session.
While laser treatments are known for their immediate effects with little to no downtime, Dr Donna Chow, founder and medical director of Arium Clinic, explains that there may be some mild side effects such as laser burns or blister rings, which she reassures will heal in a few days.
Chow started Arium Clinic in early 2020, opening just a few days before the circuit breaker. It was a tough time for her as this is her first venture out on her own, after being attached to four previous clinics. Having been in the medical aesthetics space for close to 12 years, Chow says, “After gaining the experience I needed, I wanted to start my own business, so that I can perform treatments that I strongly believe in while being able to also have my own customer base.”
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Apart from being a medical aesthetics professional, Chow is a mother to three boys and also a distinguished children’s book writer, having published her own book The Three Muttsketeers, while being a “mom-fluencer” and managing her own blog.
Chow started Arium Clinic in early 2020, opening just a few days before the circuit breaker. Photo: Arium Clinic
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Options had the chance to speak to Chow and try out Arium Clinic’s “Perfect Clear 3-Step Programme”, a fuss-free and quick treatment programme with three simple procedures to treat a variety of skin concerns, including oily skin, dry and sensitive skin, pigmentation or saggy skin. It is also perfect for treating skin conditions as a result of Singapore’s sweltering weather, such as freckles, melasma and sun age spots.
To tackle these conditions, the programme will comprise a laser treatment and two other procedures selected from a range of over 10 treatments including intense pulse light, chemical peel, brightening face mask, lifting and more. The good thing is that each session is customised and adjusted according to the customer’s skin condition on the day and based on the outcomes of the previous session, further making it a highly customisable programme that is designed to specifically target each customer’s needs.
The programme starts with a consultation session with Chow as she assesses the skin condition and recommends the treatments for the day. Having oily skin with some pigmentation, Chow recommended me for a combination of chemical peel, pigmentation laser and pore reduction laser.
This was my first time doing any sort of laser treatment, hence I was rather nervous. But luckily, I had Chow to chat with to calm my nerves. After cleansing the skin, Chow performs a chemical peel treatment on my skin, dabbing an acid-base solution on my skin. This treatment felt tingly and a tinge itchy, as the acid worked to dissolve the dead skin cells to make way for softer and smoother skin.
Right after that, Chow went on to start the pigment laser. This particular laser treatment was almost painless, as it felt like light electrical shocks with every laser pulse — honestly nothing unbearable. Plus, Chow worked relatively fast and it was over before I knew it, it was over. This treatment treats the pigmented areas on the skin, resulting in a more even skin tone after.
In the third step of pore reduction laser, Chow explained that this will help tighten the pores on my skin, thus minimising oil production and making skin less oily. This treatment was very comfortable and not painful at all. It was just a warm and comforting light going around my face.
Right after I completed the 3-Step Programme, I had to just feel my face and it was significantly smoother and softer. It was a large difference after the treatment. But I did notice some redness around my under eye and cheek areas, as those are typically sensitive skin areas for me and where there is more sun damage on my skin. This, Chow assured me, is normal and advised me to apply moisturiser and sunblock for the next few days, as the sensitivity subsides. Aside from the slight redness, there was no downtime and I was back to work and even working out later that day.
For new clients, Arium Clinic is offering a special trial promotion of just $180 for two sessions of Perfect Clear 3-Step Programme. If you have never tried any laser treatments, Arium Clinic is a great place to start, thanks to its value trial promotion and Chow’s expertly performed treatments. Apart from facial treatments, Arium Clinic also provides women’s health screening, weight loss programmes and treatments, hair loss treatments and more.
Main photo: Shutterstock
