Bay Aesthetics Clinic expands Collagen Banking services with Oligio RF, Ultherapy, JuveLook and Deusaderm

What is Collagen Banking?

Collagen –  the ubiquitous protein responsible for providing support to the skin, is also responsible for the skin’s youthful appearance. As part of the natural ageing process, collagen is lost at approximately 1% per year from age 25 onwards, accelerated by factors such as smoking, UV exposure, and menopause. 

Loss of collagen leads to signs of ageing, such as droopy eyelids, sagging face and neck skin, wrinkles, and dryness. Most medical aesthetic and anti-ageing treatments aim to reverse visible signs of ageing, and this is where Collagen Banking comes in. Collagen Banking involves preserving and enhancing your collagen supply during your prime collagen-producing years to counteract the natural decline that occurs with ageing. It is a forward-thinking approach where individuals take preventative steps to delay the natural ageing process and maintain a youthful appearance.

“Beauty trends have changed significantly since I started practising a decade ago”, notes Dr Hoe Ying Min, Medical Director of Bay Aesthetics Clinic. “Instead of aspiring to look like their favourite celebrity, patients have become more practical and aim to look like a younger and more refreshed version of themselves. Collagen Banking is a pro-active process where individuals embark on a journey to augment their collagen reserves in anticipation of future collagen depletion.”

Who is a good candidate for Collagen Banking?

“Like a savings plan, the optimal time to start is in your late 20s or early 30s”, adds Dr Hoe, “Collagen Banking treatments start to pay dividends consistently. By your late 30s and early 40s, it will become apparent who made the right decisions early on.”

Collagen Banking is recommended for individuals who wish to delay the onset of visible skins of ageing, such as fine lines and sagging and thinning skin. Collagen Banking treatments use a combination of technologies to target the different layers of the skin to address collagen depletion. These treatments stimulate a regenerative process within the skin to boost collagen levels.

Our Four-Step Approach for Effective Collagen Banking in Singapore

Dr Hoe believes that the four-step approach employed at Bay Aesthetics Clinic and Medispa is the key to Collagen Banking and, by extension, youthful-looking skin. Our treatments include Oligio RF, Ultherapy, JuveLook, and Deusaderm.

Oligio RF and Ultherapy use radiofrequency and ultrasound energy, respectively, to heat the deeper layers of the skin, stimulating natural collagen production for firmer, tighter skin. JuveLook works by promoting gradual collagen synthesis, ensuring natural-looking results. Deusaderm, consisting of purified collagen, directly replenishes lost collagen, restoring the skin’s elasticity and volume. Together, these treatments create a synergistic effect, maintaining youthful skin over time.

Oligio RF: Monopolar RF for skin tightening and lifting

Oligio translates into “lifting up” in Korean. As the name suggests, Oligio RF is a monopolar radiofrequency (RF) device designed for non-surgical, no-downtime skin tightening and lifting. Oligo RF Skin Tightening uses high-frequency RF energy of 6.78 MHz to heat the skin at 45-60℃ gently. This process triggers immediate collagen contraction and promotes new collagen production, effectively countering age-related collagen loss. As a result, it improves the appearance of fine lines, dull skin, nasolabial folds, sagging skin, droopy eyelids, and eye bags.

Oligo RF utilises an intelligent cryogen cooling system with surface temperature monitoring to maintain comfort and safety, allowing for a comfortable treatment process. Benefits of Oligio RF treatment include skin tightening and firming, wrinkle reduction, and improved skin texture. Recommended as an annual treatment, the Oligio RF procedure is noninvasive with no downtime, providing long-lasting and natural results.

Ultherapy: Micro-focused ultrasound with visualisation for non-surgical face and neck lift

Ultherapy® employs micro-focused ultrasound to stimulate collagen at the deeper layers of the skin. By creating a discrete thermal coagulation point, Ultherapy causes existing collagen to contract, stimulating the production of new collagen. Ultherapy’s patented DeepSEE system offers real-time ultrasound visualisation to allow precise targeting of collagen-rich layers of the skin and avoid sensitive areas such as vessels or nerves.

Ultherapy is different from Oligio RF as it uses a different energy source (focused ultrasound vs monopolar radiofrequency) and targets the deeper layer of the skin. Hence, Ultherapy performs better at face lifting, while Oligio RF does well for skin tightening. Younger patients benefit from Oligio RF, while clients above 35-40 years of age are recommended to combine Oligio RF and Ultherapy treatments once a year for optimal results.

JuveLook: Hybrid collagen stimulator and skinbooster

To achieve the sought-after “Korean Glass Skin” look, the skin must have ample collagen reserves and be well hydrated. This can be achieved by administering JuveLook – a hybrid injectable that contains collagen stimulator and skinbooster components.

JuveLook comprises PDLLA (Poly-D-Lactic-Acid) and HA (Hyaluronic acid). This dual-action formulation provides rapid-onset hydration and rejuvenating effects while stimulating collagen production for long-term skin improvement. Apart from firming the skin, JuveLook treatments improve fine lines, pores, and acne scars. Three to four treatments are recommended, spaced a month apart, with results lasting up to two years.

Deusaderm: Purified collagen injections for the delicate eye area

The skin of the eye area is the thinnest in the body and, hence, is the earliest to show visible signs of ageing. An effective rejuvenation method would be injecting purified collagen into the undereye area, which directly boosts collagen levels, improving the appearance of dark eye circles, tear troughs, eye bags, and fine lines.

Deusaderm is an injectable dermal filler containing purified porcine collagen, which is biocompatible and closely resembles human collagen. It gives immediately visible results, which last for four to six months. Deusaderm is designed to restore lost collagen and enhance the skin’s elasticity, hydration, volume, and texture. The collagen naturally breaks down to release amino acids and peptides that further improve the skin quality of the eye area.

Risks of Collagen Banking

Collagen Banking treatments are medical procedures doctors conduct, carrying inherent risks that individuals should understand and accept. Additionally, since Collagen Banking involves various procedures, it is crucial to be aware of the potential side effects associated with each one. Side effects of each procedure:

• Oligio RF: Oligo RF is usually well tolerated, but side effects related to this procedure include redness, blistering or burns to the skin, and mild swelling. 
• Ultherapy: Like Oligo RF, Ultherapy involves high-energy devices that generate heat. This may result in bruising, redness, and mild swelling. If not administered correctly, Ultherapy can also result in blisters or burns to the skin, which take several days to heal. 
• JuveLook: JuveLook injectables can cause redness, swelling, and bruising at the injection site. Some patients may also experience tenderness, itching, or minor discomfort following treatment.
• Deusaderm: Deusaderm may result in mild swelling or redness at the injection site.  

These side effects are rare and typically resolve within two to three days if they do occur. To minimise your chances of experiencing any adverse effects, it’s crucial to choose the right clinic for Collagen Banking. This brings us to our next point: Selecting the right clinic for Collagen Banking.

Choosing the right clinic for Collagen Banking

Though Collagen Banking treatments are generally safe, complications are possible; hence, treatments should be performed by an experienced provider. It would be wise to avoid mass-market clinics advertising low prices, as these often hire inexperienced staff, increasing the risk of errors. 

Finding a trusted clinic and provider usually comes from a recommendation from friends and family. Check the clinic’s Google reviews and read up on the treatments beforehand so you know what to expect. During the consultation, request to see the doctor’s portfolio of cases and clarify any questions you may have. A professional clinic will provide detailed information and not employ hard selling or pressure tactics.

Dr Hoe Ying Min concludes, “Collagen Banking is a journey, and I will guide you. The goal is to age gracefully while maintaining a natural appearance. I test any treatment I recommend to my patients to ensure that it is effective and delivers good outcomes. Let’s stay beautiful and young together!”