Scars &
Dermatologic Procedures

Procedure Information: Treatment of Scars

Scars can be disfiguring and emotionally upsetting, and may also result in the following symptoms.

Scars may be associated with social stigma and affect self-esteem, contributing to decreased quality of life. Physical deformity as a result of scar contractures can also be functionally disabling.

Scars arise from the skin healing process following an injury. The appearance of a scar and treatment options depend on multiple factors, including the nature and extent of skin injury, anatomical location, and patient factors such as age, sex and genetics. There are different types of scars, including:

Raised, dense scars may be treated by injections that reduce the proliferation of cells within the scar. Depressed or undulating scars may be treated by laser resurfacing, chemical peels, dermal filler, fat transfer, dermal punch lifting and microneedling. Excision of a scar may be necessary when other less invasive treatment modalities are unsuitable.

Pigmentary change, where only the colour of the affected skin is paler, darker or redder than surrounding skin without affecting texture or contour, may be transient, rather than a permanent scar. This gradual improvement may in certain cases be hastened with less invasive treatments such as topical cream/ointment and laser/light therapy.

Procedure Information: Skin Aging

Two primary factors cause facial skin aging: the natural aging process and sun damage.

Although it is not possible to reverse skin aging completely, this process can possible be slowed or minimised while the effects of skin aging may be managed dermatologically. Reasons for treating aging skin include:

Skin aging may produce fine lines and wrinkles, age spots, pre-malignant sun spots, uneven pigmentation, broken capillaries, dull skin texture and colour, and other skin inconsistencies.

Sun damage contributes to skin aging. Ultraviolet light can penetrate the skin surface and damage components of deeper skin layers, including collagen and elastin fibres that give skin its volume and resilience.

Non-prescription anti-aging creams and topical products, known as cosmoceuticals, may address the milder symptoms of aging, such as pore size, oiliness of the skin and minor inconsistencies of pigment.

The effects of skin aging may be addressed in a variety of ways, including laser and light therapy, chemical peels, cryotherapy, photodynamic therapy, muscle relaxant injections and dermal filler.

Procedure Information: Facial Procedures

Dr Leow has expertise in medically-indicated blepharoplasty and treatment of rhinophyma.

Blepharoplasty
Surgical blepharoplasty is a procedure that involves the removal of skin (and sometimes underlying fat) from the upper or lower eyelids. Laser blepharoplasty is a related procedure where an ablative laser is used instead to vapourise the unwanted tissue.

Blepharoplasty may be medically indicated only in certain situations, for instance where there is a history of demonstrated visual impairment or post-traumatic scarring.

Further information is available here.

For purely cosmetic (not medically-indicated) blepharoplasty, we recommend consulting an oculoplastic surgeon.

Laser treatment for rhinophyma
Rhinophyma is a disfiguring dermatologic condition of the nose resulting from overgrowth of skin, sebaceous tissue and blood/lymphatic vessels of the nose. This may result in enlarged pores as well as sponginess and swelling of the nasal skin. It is a condition related to rosacea, one of of the causes of redness, flushing, fine blood vessels and acne-like lesions of the face.

Ablative laser may be used to remove the unwanted tissue, with the aim of causing a controlled destruction of skin that results in a more uniform texture and contour during the healing process.

Risks, benefits, downtime and individual factors
As for any type of dermatologic treatment there are benefits and risks, as well as a period of recovery from treatment. These are discussed in detail with written information provided, as part of related clinical consultations.

Individual responses and individual results vary as the outcome achieved by one person does not necessarily reflect the outcome achieved by others (or even by the same person under different circumstances). Results may vary due to many factors, including genetics, diet and lifestyle.

Procedure Information: Cryolipolysis

As fat is more sensitive to cold injury compared with the skin, sub-zero temperatures may be used to induce loss of fat cells. This treatment is known as cryolipolysis or cold-assisted lipolysis. This minimally invasive dermatologic procedure may be an alternative to liposuction in specific cases.

As for any type of dermatologic treatment there are benefits and risks, as well as a period of recovery from treatment. These are discussed in detail with written information provided, as part of related clinical consultations.

Individual responses and individual results vary as the outcome achieved by one person does not necessarily reflect the outcome achieved by others (or even by the same person under different circumstances). Results may vary due to many factors, including genetics, diet and lifestyle.