Don't jump into problem-solving mode. Listen to your child first
We have to remember when we are dealing with our teenagers, the limbic brain – the emotional one – is in the driver's seat. ST ILLUSTRATION: CEL GULAPA
Imagine you are upset over an obstacle you're facing at work. Have you ever aired your frustration to someone only to have this person reply with a deadpan face asking if you've tried troubleshooting by doing X or Y?
The suggestions may be sound but did it also feel like your emotional processes had just been short circuited, and you walked away from the interaction feeling strangely unseen?
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Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Straits Times
More younger Singaporeans are getting Botox and collagen shots. How effective - and safe - are they?
Ms Caitlin Lim getting fillers injected in her under-eye area at a aesthetic clinic. PHOTO COURTESY OF CAITLIN LIM More younger Singaporeans are getting Botox and collagen shots. How effective - and safe - are they? SINGAPORE - Slightly over a year ago, Ms Caitlin Lim noticed that the circles around her eyes were getting darker. She visited an aesthetic clinic in hopes of a solution and took up the doctor's suggestion to use fillers. 'I'd never considered injectables because I'm scared of needles, but I thought that I'd just try it,' said the marketing executive, now 28. 'The lack of fat around my cheeks created shadows under my eyes, and the fillers really made a difference.' A small volume of gel-like substance, injected just above her cheekbones, settled her concerns and made her face look fresh and plump, she said. Like Ms Lim, a growing number of people in Singapore in their 20s and 30s are getting injectables to improve their facial appearance. Some of these cosmetic enhancements have long carried the stigma of creating an unnatural appearance, partly due to the specific use of Botox by Hollywood celebrities who have experienced less-than-desired results due to a range of factors. These may include incorrect techniques or over-treatment, dermatologists told The Straits Times. A loss of muscle and decrease in their strength, reduced effectiveness over time and even addiction or over-reliance on injectables, are some other concerns that have been raised over such treatments. Yet dermatologists and aestheticians told ST that they have observed an increase of between 10 per cent and 20 per cent in Singapore among those in their 20s and 30s, from 2020. This mirrors a global trend: A report from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons showed that from 2022 to 2023, there was a 9 per cent increase in the percentage of people aged 20 to 29 who received botulinum toxin – commonly known as Botox – or similar treatments, and an 8 per cent increase in those who received hyaluronic acid fillers. These treatments include the use of fillers and collagen boosters, which replenish skin moisture and firmness. They do not have permanent effects, and injections are administered quarterly or yearly, with the frequency varying across procedures. The costs of these treatments vary widely, depending on factors such as the amount of substance used and location of the injection. Botox treatments typically cost from $300, while fillers usually range between $600 and $1,000. While getting the fillers done, Ms Lim also received shots of Botox into her jaw and forehead. The doctor had told her the treatment would help her achieve a tighter facial appearance, she said. 'After Botox and fillers, the results were so good that I wanted to try more procedures,' said Ms Lim, who tried Rejuran, an injectable skin rejuvenation treatment, at a following session. These days, Botox is no longer just used by older people to melt wrinkle or frown lines, or by celebrities desperate to 'freeze' the ageing process. Younger patients often undergo them to make tweaks to their appearance, said Dr Sean Leong, a consultant dermatologist at Livingstone Dermatology clinic. For instance, some of his patients get Botox injected into the muscles of their jawline to get a slimmer face shape, said Dr Leong. 'A little Botox can also lift one's mouth shape for a friendlier appearance, so the person doesn't look angry all the time,' he added. Dr Joseph Toh, a dermatologist at the Parkway MediCentre Dermatology Clinic, said Botox might also delay the formation of deep wrinkles by relaxing and reducing the movement of facial muscles. It can also be used to alleviate teeth grinding, he added. Dr Evelyn Tay, founder and consultant dermatologist at Lumine Dermatology & Laser Clinic, said that collagen boosters such as Rejuran and Profhilo can be used to lighten the appearance of depressed acne scars and give one's face a lifted appearance respectively. Injectables are also less invasive – and less intimidating – than cosmetic surgery. A smaller face is achievable with shots of botox, and a higher nose bridge can be created with fillers, added Dr Tay. Ms Serene Lam, 25, who first had botox injected into her jaw in 2024 as she wanted a V-shaped face, appreciates the impermanence of these treatments. Ms Serene Lam at an aesthetic clinic, which she visits regularly for botox treatments. PHOTO COURTESY OF MS SERENE LAM 'Surgery is irreversible, but if you do botox or fillers and you don't like it, you can wait for it to dissolve,' said Ms Lam, who gets botox injections every four to six months. Social media has raised the awareness of the availability of these options as alternatives to skincare or cosmetic surgery, said doctors. 'When young people look at influencers who are promoting these treatments to achieve an appearance of glowy and glass-like skin, they are usually more receptive and want to start early,' said Dr Tay. Ms Serene Lam before receiving jaw botox (left) and one month after (right). PHOTO: COURTESY OF SERENE LAM Fitness instructor Mandalyn Tan, 28, first received shots of Rejuran in 2023, and goes for boosters every three months. She said that she was 'desperate for a solution' to stop her acne breakouts. 'My bad skin affected my self-esteem quite a lot.' The injections have reduced the appearance of her acne scars and dark eye circles, and smoothened her skin, she said. Although she was initially afraid of judgment from the public, Ms Tan went on to review her experiences with different skincare procedures on social media platform Lemon8. 'There are so many influencers and celebrities paid to market skincare products, which I used to spend a lot of money on in my early 20s,' she said. 'I feel that I have the responsibility to be transparent and share what works and what doesn't with the people around me.' Moderation, research is crucial While dermatologists say that such treatments can be safe and give patients a confidence boost, they also caution against being excessive. But as with any injections, these treatments run the risk of side effects such as bruising, swelling and bleeding. In rare and severe cases, fillers might also cause blindness, said Dr Leong. Patients must also be mindful to exercise moderation. People who start getting Botox and fillers may find it hard to stop, said Dr Tay. 'Sometimes you might forget what you originally look like – this is called perception drift – and you keep thinking you need more fillers.' Younger people, who are frequently on social media, might also chase a standard of beauty perpetuated online – a sharp face and full lips and temples. 'It's quite sad, because beauty is a very diverse thing,' she said. Dr Toh said too much Botox at a young age may lead to a loss of muscle and a decrease in their strength. One's body may also develop antibodies against Botox and its effectiveness may be reduced over time, although such cases are rare, he added. Dr Leong said injecting too much Botox and filler may also result in an unnatural-looking face. 'Too much Botox might make your face look frozen, or make you look shocked all the time,' he said. 'Patients who get more filler than they require might end up looking puffy.' Dermatologists noted that some patients travel abroad – mainly to South Korea or Thailand – to get these treatments, and warned that due diligence in ensuring that the clinics are reputable and have qualified professionals should be done. 'The last thing you want is a non-medical person injecting fillers in your face,' said Dr Tay, adding that research on relevant substances should also be done beforehand, as some might not be approved in Singapore due to safety reasons. While injectables may produce almost immediate results, they should remain a supplement to good skincare practices, said Dr Tay. Sun protection, using active skincare ingredients such as vitamin C or retinol, cleansing your face thoroughly and a healthy diet and lifestyle are integral to maintaining good skin, she said. 'If you get all these treatments but don't maintain your skincare routine, you're back to square one.' Check out the Headstart chatbot for answers to your questions on careers and work trends.
Straits Times
4 hours ago
- Straits Times
The stunning decline of the preference for having boys
People prefer girls for all sorts of reasons. Some think they will be easier to bring up, or cherish what they see as feminine traits. PHOTO: ST FILE Without fanfare, something remarkable has happened. The noxious practice of aborting girls simply for being girls has become dramatically less common. It first became widespread in the late 1980s, as cheap ultrasound machines made it easy to determine the sex of a foetus. Parents who were desperate for a boy but did not want a large family – or, in China, were not allowed one – started routinely terminating females. Globally, among babies born in 2000, a staggering 1.6 million girls were missing from the number you would expect, given the natural sex ratio at birth. In 2025, that number is likely to be 200,000 – and it is still falling. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
5 hours ago
- Straits Times
Forum: SFA adopts a science-based approach in regulating food colourings
We refer to the letter by Ang Chiew Leng, 'Look into reviewing food dyes used in Singapore' (ST, May 20). Synthetic colouring compounds allowed for use in food in Singapore must first be assessed by the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) to be safe for consumption. SFA adopts a science-based risk management approach that is consistent with international standards to ensure food safety. When assessing the safety of synthetic food colourings, SFA takes reference from the assessments by the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives (JECFA). Where JECFA assessments are not available, SFA will take into consideration relevant published scientific information such as toxicity studies as well as evaluations conducted by major developed countries. SFA reviews our food safety standards from time to time, closely monitors for new scientific evidence and engages other regulators on the impact of synthetic food colourings on human health. More information on the safety of food additives and food colourings can be found on SFA's website. Joanne Chan Sheot Harn (Associate Professor) Centre Director National Centre for Food Science Singapore Food Agency More on this Topic Forum: What readers are saying Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
