The need to look better and feel better has been driving Singapore's multi-million dollar aesthetics industry for many years.
But lately, aesthetic doctors say their patients are getting younger, from those in their 40s to those in their 20s.
In fact, doctors say they have seen more patients despite the unstable economy.
For those who say beauty is only skin deep, think again.
Aesthetic doctors say more and more people are
turning to minimally-invasive treatments to spruce up their appearance,
even during the downturn.
And looking more attractive isn't the only aim.
Dr Kevin Teh, who specialises in breast enhancements and sculpting of body is from the Singapore Lipo, Body and Face Centre.
"First of all, the procedures are not terribly
expensive. When times are bad, there are some patients who find that
looking better helps them in their job prospects."
Over the past one year, Dr Teh has easily seen a two-fold increase in the number of regular patients.
"Initially you get the traditional clientele that
you expect, the expats, the Tai Tais, the aunties in their 40s and 50s
who want to look better. But increasingly in the last few months or
last half a year, I found that younger patients are coming to see me.
I've had NSFs, that means NS boys who are still going through army,
coming to look for treatments like these. And I've had a lot of young,
fresh (adults) working in their 20s. So it's very, very prevalent now."
Echoing similar sentiments is Dr Yeak Hwee Lee who specialises in botox and skin treatments.
Dr Yeak, whose from the Singapore Aesthetic Centre says her youngest patient was an 11 year-old who went for leg hair removal.
She adds that business is brisk, particularly during the festive seasons.
Already, Dr Yeak says there's a waiting list.
"On average, if let's say you're doing 20 to 30,
then when it's peak season it's 20 to 30. But we're limited by the
number of patients we can see because it takes time to do each case you
see."
And time is money, that's why many patients opt for treatments that can be done in a few hours.
Dr Teh elaborates.
"What they specifically especially want is low-down
time procedures because all of them, most of them are working and when
you're working it's not easy to just take one week off."
The fact that these treatments are relatively
affordable - from 15 dollars for botox to less than 1,400 dollars for
fat removal, is perhaps another reason why quick cosmetic procedures
are gaining popularity.
--938Live