Experts say
Dr. Tan Toh Lick
Obstetric & Gynaecology, Thomson Women's Clinic
Dr Tan graduated from King’s College London in 1997 and undertook his specialist training in London and Kent, UK. He worked in London as a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist before relocating to Singapore in 2013. Dr Tan is on the UK’s General Medical Council and Singapore Medical Council’s specialist registers. He is also a Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, and has RCOG special skills accreditation in minimally invasive surgery, gynaecological ultrasound, subfertility management and medical education. Apart from practicing, he enjoys teaching and currently runs medical education programmes for general practitioners and specialists.
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Erin Chen
Sexual Wellness Advocate, Sex & Relationship Counselor
Erin is an advocate for the inclusion of sexual wellness as part of everyday healthy living. She holds a Masters degree in Sexual Health Counselling from the University of Sydney, and helps people discover and confidently explore intimacy and pleasure within oneself or with another. Her career in sexual wellness began with the founding of Lila Sutra, a company that has disrupted sexual taboos in Singapore. In 2017, she launched SPARK – Asia’s first sexual wellness festival that brings together entrepreneurs, advocates and the general community to advance the modern conversation on intimacy, sexual health, and gender.
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Dr. Felix Li
Aesthetic Medicine, Dr Felix Li Thomson Wellth Clinic
Dr. Li earned his medical degree from the National University of Singapore, and is accredited by the Aesthetic Practice Oversight Committee of the Singapore Medical Council in aesthetic procedures. He regularly attends local and international conferences on aesthetic and anti-ageing medicine, as well as advanced anatomy workshops and masterclasses to keep abreast of the field’s rapid advances.
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What ingredients and claims should people with sensitive skin look out for in products?
Seeking a skincare range that is both effective and gentle can be a frustrating, expensive, or even painful process for individuals with sensitive skin. As a general rule, avoid products that contain ingredients that dry the skin – such as acids, retinols, and astringents; as well as ingredients that can irritate the skin – such as alcohol, fragrances, paraben, sulphates, and other chemical preservatives. If in doubt, seek your Doctor’s advice!
Dr. Felix Li
26 May 2019
Dr. Felix Li
26 May 2019
How does activated charcoal detox the skin?
Activated charcoal draws dirt and other fine impurities to the surface of the skin, so that they may be cleansed off more effectively. Additionally, activated charcoal also has a mild anti-bacterial effect, which is helpful for acne prone skin.
Dr. Felix Li
28 April 2019
Dr. Felix Li
28 April 2019
What is Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-36 and how it works on the skin?
Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-36 is a peptide, which is a specific chain of amino acids (protein fragments).
Peptides have wide ranging applications in skincare, as different peptides perform different functions. Peptides can act as cellular messengers to signal our cells to perform specific functions; transport specific molecules (Copper peptides) into skin; or influence neurotransmitters (Argireline, or “topical Botox”) or enzymes in the skin. Peptides work best in combination, and along with other building blocks of skincare.
In the case of Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-36, it is a signalling peptide that influences cellular fibroblasts to synthesize new collagen, which in turn contributes to improvements in skin elasticity, skin texture, and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Dr. Felix Li
9 April 2019
Peptides have wide ranging applications in skincare, as different peptides perform different functions. Peptides can act as cellular messengers to signal our cells to perform specific functions; transport specific molecules (Copper peptides) into skin; or influence neurotransmitters (Argireline, or “topical Botox”) or enzymes in the skin. Peptides work best in combination, and along with other building blocks of skincare.
In the case of Palmitoyl Hexapeptide-36, it is a signalling peptide that influences cellular fibroblasts to synthesize new collagen, which in turn contributes to improvements in skin elasticity, skin texture, and the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
Dr. Felix Li
9 April 2019
I’ve seen many products for dry skin that contains Sodium Hyaluronate, but in different concentrations and different molecular sizes. How should I select one that would work best on dry skin? Does the smallest molecule equate to the best?
Hyaluronic acid (HA) is a naturally occurring substance that promotes collagen synthesis in our skin. HA is well established as a cornerstone of skincare, due to its effect to help strengthen the collagen matrix of the skin, and improve the skin’s ability to retain moisture – which in turn improves skin elasticity, texture, and the appearance of fine lines.
HA of different molecular weights penetrate the skin at different depths, and influence the inflammatory cascade at different points. The claim that low molecular weight HA penetrates the deepest and is therefore the most beneficial is essentially a marketing gimmick. For example, high molecular weight HA that does not penetrate the skin at all remains on the surface of skin, forming a protective barrier, and keeping the skin’s surface hydrated. Therefore, the ideal HA product contains a combination of HAs of different molecular weights, each selected for optimum benefit at the layer where it acts.
Dr. Felix Li
18 April 2019
HA of different molecular weights penetrate the skin at different depths, and influence the inflammatory cascade at different points. The claim that low molecular weight HA penetrates the deepest and is therefore the most beneficial is essentially a marketing gimmick. For example, high molecular weight HA that does not penetrate the skin at all remains on the surface of skin, forming a protective barrier, and keeping the skin’s surface hydrated. Therefore, the ideal HA product contains a combination of HAs of different molecular weights, each selected for optimum benefit at the layer where it acts.
Dr. Felix Li
18 April 2019
Ascorbyl Glucoside (Vitamin C) is best known for its antioxidant and brightening effect. How is the ingredient different from other forms of Vitamin C in brightening and adding a glow to the skin?
The benefits of Vitamin C on skin is well studied and clinically proven – its anti-oxidant effect cleans up free radicals from sun and environmental damage, protecting the skin from these stressors, and slowing down the process of skin aging – which in turn improves skin tone, skin texture, and the appearance of blemishes and hyperpigmentation.
Multiple forms of Vitamin C are used in skincare. Ascorbic acid is the original form of Vitamin C, while Ascobyl – or – Ascorbate are the esterified forms, which is essentially a compound added to slow the natural degradation of Ascorbic acid. The benefits of the various forms of Vitamin C are all the same. However, as Ascorbic acid is very unstable and degrade spontaneously, while the esterified forms, while more stable, still degrade over time, and especially when exposed to direct heat or light (notice how most of your Vitamin C products come in dark coloured bottles?), they tend to lose effectiveness over time.
A “second generation” Vitamin C product, or a Vitamin C precursor, that is stable in the bottle, and is converted into Ascorbic acid only when applied to the skin, is the best solution against the intrinsically unstable nature of Vitamin C.
Dr. Felix Li
9 April 2019
Are there any preventive measures that can be taken to treat wrinkles?
An immediate and effective way to correct wrinkles is thorough Botox injections to relax those specific muscles. It is an effective way to reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles, and may also reduce the rate and severity of recurrence, especially in individuals who habitually have repetitive facial expressions, such as frowning.
Try to keep the skin hydrated so as to improve the skin’s ability to retain moisture. Skin treatments including lasers, energy based devices, and skinboosters can help stimulate the body’s natural repair mechanisms and increase new collagen production in the skin, keeping our skin healthy and more resilient against extrinsic aging.
Dr. Felix Li
9 April 2019
Try to keep the skin hydrated so as to improve the skin’s ability to retain moisture. Skin treatments including lasers, energy based devices, and skinboosters can help stimulate the body’s natural repair mechanisms and increase new collagen production in the skin, keeping our skin healthy and more resilient against extrinsic aging.
Dr. Felix Li
9 April 2019