Dr. Calvin Chan Aesthetics – Botox, Fillers & Tattoo Laser Removal

I’m no stranger to Botox or fillers – I wouldn’t say I’m well versed, but have previously had Botox twice in my life, and facial fillers once – before I met with Dr. Calvin Chan. Dr. Calvin Chan is the medical director of Calvin Chan Aesthetic & Laser Clinic, a clinic that was recommended to me by a girlfriend of whom I trust with such matters. I wasn’t after a plastic fantastic result, I just wanted some light Botox touch ups and a few small filler injections to help lift my under eyes up, decreasing dark circles. The aim of the game was to look fresher and brighter, but keep it as natural as possible.

My previous experience with fillers was extremely painful – I’m not sure if I just expected them to have the same sensation as botox (which, aside from the slight needle prick upon entering the skin, for me is pretty painless), but my fillers really hurt. THEY HURT. I actually vowed never to venture there again, but when I had my consultation with Dr. Chan, I felt reassured, comforted and trusted in his expertise and background experience. So I signed myself up for some Botox & Fillers to the face AND tattoo laser removal! Of which I had no clue I could even get beyond a tattoo shop. More on that later. First, allow me to introduce you to the doctor himself:

Dr. Calvin Chan

Dr Chan completed his basic medical and surgical training in Australia in 1997, received his aesthetic and laser training in 2002 and subsequently started his practice of aesthetic medicine at Wheelock Place, Singapore. Dr Chan keeps up to-date with the latest techniques and advanced technologies by engaging in numerous international workshops and conferences and has visited and studied with renowned dermatologists and plastic surgeons from Japan, Korea, Thailand, Hong Kong, Italy and USA.

Dr Calvin Chan is appointed as the Key Opinion Leader for Solta Medical which carries Thermage, Fraxel, Clear & Brilliant and Liposonix as well as Discovery Pico, NeoGen Plasma and Allergan products such as Botox and Juvederm. Dr Chan has a keen interest specifically in dermal fillers and is one of the few in Singapore who has undergone the training for MD Codes, a specific technique, developed by renowned plastic surgeon, Dr. Mauricio de Maio.

Botox & Fillers

My first question to Dr. Chan, was the obvious – what’s going to be injected into my face? I did what most people do, took to Google and ended up viewing a load of horror stories of Botox gone wrong. “In my practice, I use hyaluronic acid fillers like those from Juvederm,” states Chan, settling my nerves. I’m aware that hyaluronic acid is made naturally and broken down naturally by the body, which is of course the safest product then to inject into the body. Common sites for filler injections include the cheeks, nose, temples, jawline, chin and forehead, and I was after the forehead and eye area only.

I was wondering if I am too young or maybe even too old to start Botox injections, and whether, once I start, it will be a slippery slope and I’ll have to keep it up every 3-6 months. When it comes to the age matter, there isn’t a specific age at which ageing happens, as this is also attributed to lifestyle and genetic factors of individuals. The loss of facial definition happens from the onset of fat and bone loss, which occurs as part of the ageing process. The face starts to sag as the facial structure starts to lose volume and bone mass, this is accelerated by the effects of gravity.

I wanted to also know, how fast will it be (I am TERRIBLE with needles) and what are the immediate after effects and aftercare? Once you finish consulting, you then get the numbing cream, which can take 10-20 minutes to ensure it has worked effectively. Then the procedure itself takes around 10 minutes. You can expect some swelling or bruising immediately after treatment, which usually resolves in a day or two. Avoid sports and exercise a day after the treatment.

Okay enough questions! Let’s get on with it!

I am so happy to say… aside from my personal anxiousness with needles and sweaty palms, the procedure was uncomfortable but no real pain. Sure, you feel the needle pricks and with dermal filler, you can feel the product, as it is cold, moving into the skin layers, but it’s not as bad as what you think it will be. I always work myself up into a mess worrying things will go wrong, but Dr. Chan was so reassuring and chilled me out, even making me laugh during the process. It’s over quicker than you first think too, and there was no weird feelings afterwards. The pain level of the filler injections was no where near as bad as my first experience, leading me to declare I will always go back to Dr. Chan for my aesthetics.

What I also enjoyed, is the clinic’s attention to detail – taking 3D photos before and after treatment, then allowing me to view the immediate changes side by side. Check them out:

Tattoo Removal – Pico Laser

 

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A post shared by Calvin Chan Aesthetic & Laser (@calvinchanaesthetics) on Oct 27, 2017 at 9:38am PDT

As for the tattoo removal, like I said earlier, I had no idea I could even get this done at an aesthetics clinic. I thought it would be at a tattoo parlour. I have this regrettable (yes, my mother was right, I would regret it) tattoo across my lower back, of which I’ve wanted gone for years. Dr. Chan says I can do it in the same session as my facial injections, saving me another trip. The laser removal treatment is Discovery PICO – it is currently the most powerful laser of its class in the market, with the ability to generate consistently higher energy levels even when using large treatment spot sizes.

So how exactly will it get rid of my terrible tattoo?

Discovery Pico Laser is a non-ablative laser that is mainly used for removal of pigmentation, acne scars, skin rejuvenation, brightening and tattoo removal. When the picosecond pulses are delivered, it creates a photoacoustic effect to blast pigment into a ‘dust’ which is subsequently much easier for the body’s immune system to eliminate, giving faster and more complete clearance of pigment issues in fewer sessions.

Did it hurt? SO MUCH. Dr. Chan warned me, it’s not fun. It is painful. I had to sit cross-legged on the bed and grip onto the bed with my hands as he performed the treatment. Luckily, the laser covers a large area at a time and was over as quickly as I could have wished for. Unfortunately, tattoo laser removal is not a one-go quick fix, it takes many sessions, and I have to wait 2 months in-between my sessions too. Below is taken just after my first ever session, so I’ve got a long way to go yet before I am be happy with my lower back area.

Of course, the above treatments are not the only procedures available at Calvin Chan Aesthetic & Laser Clinic. Hair Removal, Stretch Marks, Stubborn Fats, Acne, Scars, Mole Removal, Lip Fillers, Non-Surgical Chin Reduction…he covers all of these and so much more. I highly recommend his clinic and I am, now lockdown has been and gone, booking myself back in for a cheeky Botox top-up and some more tattoo removal.

To enquire for yourself, click here.