Aesthetic procedures have become increasingly popular in Singapore, with a wide range of treatments available to address various skin concerns.
However, with so many options on the market, it can be challenging to determine which procedures are effective and worth your investment.
This comprehensive guide aims to provide you with evidence-based information on non-surgical aesthetic procedures available in Singapore, their effectiveness, and current price ranges.
Related: Guide to Finding a Good Aesthetic Doctor in Singapore
Whether you’re considering treatments for skin rejuvenation, acne, wrinkles, or body contouring, this guide will help you make informed decisions about aesthetic treatments in Singapore.
Understanding Aesthetic Treatments in Singapore
Before diving into specific treatments, it’s important to understand a few key considerations:
- Quality vs. Cost: Some clinics may offer treatments at significantly lower prices, but these may be delivered at ineffective power settings or using counterfeit equipment. The Straits Times has reported cases of fake Thermage machines being used in some clinics.
- Doctor’s Expertise: All the aesthetic procedures listed in this guide are SMC-regulated, meaning they can only be carried out by qualified doctors.
- Treatment Variation: Many clinics may offer the same treatment under different names. If you can’t find a particular treatment in this guide, ask the clinic what type of treatment it is according to the categories provided.
- Personalized Approach: What works for someone else may not work for you. Consultation with a qualified aesthetic doctor is crucial for determining the most suitable treatment for your specific concerns.
Skin Rejuvenation Treatments
Fractional Lasers
Fractional lasers create tiny micro-injuries in the skin, stimulating collagen production and skin renewal.
Fractional Erbium Lasers
- Treatment Names: Fraxel, Fraxel Dual, Pixel Pro, Mosaic by Lutronic, Cutera Pearl, Sciton Profractional
- Effective For: Sun damage, fine wrinkles, melasma, acne scars, enlarged pores, skin tone and texture improvement
- Cost: $400-$800 per session (2-5 sessions required)
Fractional CO2 Lasers
- Treatment Names: DEKA Smartxide “DOT”, Lumenis Ultrapulse Active/Deep Fx, Fraxel Repair, Cynosure Affirm CO2, Edge CO2, Mixto SX
- Effective For: Severe acne scars, sun damage, melasma, wrinkles
- Cost: $450-$1,000 per session (1-2 sessions required)
Pigmentation Treatments
Lasers for Pigmentary Disorders
- Treatment Names: Q-switched (Nd:YAG) laser, Cutera, Fotona, Spectra XT, RevLite, Pico Laser
- Effective For: Tattoos, brown age spots, freckles, naevus
- Cost: $250-$450 per session for pigmentation; $150-$350 per tattoo (2-5 sessions required)
Chemical Peels
- Treatment Names: TCA peels, Glycolic acid peels, Salicylic acid peels
- Effective For: Brown spots, age spots, improving texture of sun-damaged skin, melasma, reducing fine lines, acne scars
- Cost: $150-$350 per session (1-3 sessions required)
Skin Tightening Treatments
Radiofrequency (RF), Ultrasound (US), Infrared Treatment
- Treatment Names: Thermage RF, Ultherapy US, eMatrix RF, Infini RF, Indiba RF, Exilis RF/US
- Effective For: Skin tightening, improving skin tone
- Cost:
- Thermage: $2,500-$3,500 per session
- Ultherapy: $3,000-$5,000 per session
- (1-2 sessions required)
HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound)
- Effective For: Face lifting, skin tightening
- Cost: $1,800 for full face and neck per session
Intense Pulsed Light (IPL)
- Treatment Names: Sharplight, LumenisI, Quantum, EpiLight, Ellipse
- Effective For: Spider angiomas, port wine stains, freckles, age spots, facial lines and wrinkles, rosacea, blood vessels on face, neck, and chest
- Cost: $300-$500 per session (3-5 sessions required)
Face Enhancement Treatments
Dermal Fillers
Dermal fillers are injectable gel-like substances that add volume, smooth lines, or enhance facial contours.
- Common Brands: Restylane, Juvederm, Voluma, Sculptra, Perlane, Radiesse
- Effective For: Lines and wrinkles, plumping and defining lips, filling hollow areas on face
- Cost: $500-$1,200 per syringe (1-2 syringes usually required per treatment)
- Duration: Results typically last 6-9 months (Sculptra and Radiesse can last up to 2 years)
Botox Injections
Botox temporarily relaxes facial muscles to reduce the appearance of dynamic wrinkles.
- Treatment Names: Botox, Botox Cosmetic, Dysport, Xeomin
- Effective For: Frown lines, crow’s feet, horizontal forehead lines, nasal scrunch lines, neck lines
- Cost: $300-$800 per session
- Duration: Results typically last 3-4 months
Thread Lifts
Thread lifts provide a non-surgical facelift using dissolvable threads inserted under the skin.
- Types: PDO, PLLA, PCL, Gold, V-Lift
- Effective For: Firming and lifting the skin, facial contouring
- Cost: $1,500-$3,000 per session
- Duration: Results can last 1-2 years
Eye Rejuvenation Treatments
The eye area often shows the first signs of aging and can benefit from specialized treatments.
- Fotona Upper Eyelid Lifting: $800 per session
- Sylfirm X: $1,500 per session
- Agnes RF Eyebag Reduction: $2,500 per session
- Under Eye/Tear Trough Filler: $1,080-$1,200 per syringe
- Rejuran I for Eye Rejuvenation: $490-$600 per syringe
Enlarged Pores Treatments
- Pico Laser: $450 per session
- Fractional CO2 Laser: $450 per session
- Carbon Laser: $450 per session
- Sylfirm X: $1,500 per session
- Profhilo: $1,500 per syringe
- Rejuran Healer: $750 per syringe
Acne and Acne Scar Treatments
Active Acne Treatments
- Carbon Laser: $450 per session
- Oral Antibiotics for Acne: From $70
- Acne Skincare Products: From $98
Acne Scar Treatments
- Sylfirm X: $1,500 per session
- TCA Cross: $320-$600 per session
- Fractional CO2 Laser: $450 per session
- Rejuran S Scar: $490-$600 per syringe
- Subcision: $350 per session
- Morpheus 8 Face: $1,300 per session
Body Contouring and Fat Reduction
External Lipolysis (Heat/Cold/Ultrasound)
- Treatments: Zeltiq Coolsculpting, Liposonix, Vanquish
- Effective For: Fat reduction, body sculpting
- Cost:
- Coolsculpting: $590-$760 per application (program prices available)
- Liposonix: $5,000-$8,000
Body Tightening
- HIFU Intense Tightening: $360-$590 per area
- Fotona TightSculpt Laser: $390-$590 per area
- Exilis Ultra 360 RF and Ultrasound Tightening: $390 per area
- Tesla Muscle Former: $290 per area
Hair-Related Treatments
Hair Removal
- Lasers/IPL for Hair Removal: $100-$280 per session (small areas), $280-$600 per session (large areas)
- Laser Hair Removal (Whole Body): $1,990-$3,380
Hair Loss Treatments
- Fotona Hair Growth Laser: $600 per session
- Regenera Activa Hair Restoration: $2,300-$4,500 per session
- Sylfirm X Hair: $1,000 per session
- Oral Hair Loss Medications: From $90
- Hair Loss Products: From $60
Female Health Treatments
- IncontiLase Therapy (Stress Incontinence): $1,300 per session
- IntimaLase Therapy (Vaginal Tightening): $1,000 per session
- ProlapLase (Vaginal Wall Support): $1,700 per session
- RenovaLase Therapy (Vaginal Atrophy): $1,000 per session
- Exilis Ultra 360 Femme (Vaginal Rejuvenation): $750 per session
Weight Loss Treatments
- Weight Loss Injection Pen (Saxenda): $388 (box of 3 pens)
- CONTRAVE Weight Loss Tablets: $390 (120 tablets/bottle)
- Calf/Shoulder Slimming Treatment: $1,700 for 100 units
Other Specialized Treatments
Vein and Tattoo Removal
- Laser Vein Removal: $320-$480 per area
- Tattoo Removal Laser: $250-$390 per palm-sized tattoo
Medical Treatments
- AMD (Advance Medical Directive) Certification: $50
- LPA (Lasting Power of Attorney): $150
- NightLase Pro (Snoring Treatment): $800 per session
Treatment Considerations and Tips
How to Choose the Right Clinic
- Research the doctor’s credentials: Ensure they are registered with the Singapore Medical Council.
- Read reviews: Look for authentic patient testimonials and before/after photos.
- Check the equipment: Reputable clinics invest in authentic, FDA-approved machines.
- Consultation quality: A good doctor takes time to understand your concerns and explain treatment options.
- Transparent pricing: Be wary of clinics that are vague about costs or pressure you into packages.
Preparing for Your Treatment
- Medical history: Inform your doctor about any existing medical conditions, allergies, or medications.
- Skin preparation: Follow pre-treatment instructions, which may include avoiding sun exposure or certain skincare products.
- Realistic expectations: Understand what results can be achieved and the number of sessions required.
- Post-treatment care: Ask about downtime and recovery protocols.
Red Flags to Watch Out For
- Extremely low prices: Significantly discounted treatments may indicate diluted products or improperly calibrated equipment.
- Unlicensed practitioners: Ensure treatments are performed by qualified doctors, not just aestheticians.
- High-pressure sales tactics: Reputable clinics don’t pressure you into purchasing packages.
- Lack of medical assessment: Proper treatment should always begin with a thorough consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Q: Are aesthetic treatments safe? A: When performed by qualified doctors using authentic equipment, most aesthetic treatments are safe. However, all procedures carry some risk of side effects or complications. It’s essential to discuss potential risks with your doctor during consultation.
Q: How do I know if a treatment is right for me? A: The best way to determine this is through a consultation with a qualified aesthetic doctor who can assess your concerns, skin type, medical history, and goals to recommend appropriate treatments.
Q: How many sessions will I need? A: This varies greatly depending on the treatment and your specific condition. Some treatments show results after a single session, while others require multiple sessions for optimal results. Your doctor should provide a recommended treatment plan during consultation.
Treatment-Specific Questions
Q: What’s the difference between Botox and fillers? A: Botox relaxes muscles to reduce dynamic wrinkles (those formed by facial movements), while fillers add volume to static wrinkles and hollow areas. Botox is typically used for the upper face (forehead, crow’s feet), while fillers are often used for the lower face (nasolabial folds, lips, cheeks).
Q: How painful are these treatments? A: Pain levels vary by treatment and individual pain tolerance. Many clinics use numbing creams, cooling devices, or other comfort measures to minimize discomfort. Thread lifts and certain laser treatments may cause more discomfort than others.
Q: What’s the downtime for laser treatments? A: This depends on the type and intensity of the laser. Fractional CO2 lasers typically have 5-7 days of redness and peeling, while gentler lasers like Pico may have minimal to no downtime.
Cost-Related Questions
Q: Why do prices vary so much between clinics? A: Price differences can reflect factors such as the doctor’s experience, clinic location, equipment quality, and product authenticity. Some clinics may offer lower prices by using diluted products or lower energy settings, which may compromise results.
Q: Are package deals worth it? A: Package deals can offer savings for treatments that require multiple sessions. However, be cautious of long-term packages that lock you in before you’ve seen results. Consider purchasing packages only after you’ve had a successful initial treatment.
Q: Does insurance cover any aesthetic treatments? A: Most aesthetic treatments are considered elective and not covered by health insurance. However, some procedures that address medical conditions (such as certain laser treatments for severe acne) might be partially covered. Check with your insurance provider for specific coverage details.
Results and Maintenance
Q: How long do results last? A: Result longevity varies by treatment:
- Botox: 3-4 months
- Fillers: 6-18 months (depends on product used)
- Thread lifts: 1-2 years
- Laser treatments: Results can be long-lasting but maintenance sessions may be needed
- HIFU/Ultherapy: 12-18 months
Q: What can I do to extend the results of my treatments? A: Proper skincare, sun protection, healthy lifestyle choices, and following your doctor’s post-treatment instructions can help maintain results. Regular maintenance sessions as recommended by your doctor are also important for long-lasting results.
Conclusion
The field of aesthetic medicine in Singapore offers a wide range of effective, non-surgical options for addressing various skin concerns. While this guide provides comprehensive information on treatments and their costs, it’s essential to consult with a qualified aesthetic doctor to determine the most suitable options for your specific needs.
Remember that the cheapest option isn’t always the best value. Consider factors such as the doctor’s expertise, equipment quality, and product authenticity when choosing a clinic. With proper research and consultation, you can make informed decisions about aesthetic treatments that deliver safe and satisfying results.
Last updated: April 2025. Prices may vary between clinics and are subject to change. This guide excludes extreme outliers in pricing.