Hello everyone!
As promised, I said I would be back with another skincare post this week and here we are! :D
Alot of you have probably noticed me mentioning this clinic’s name a number of times on our instagram stories already, and some have asked me to detail more about it so this is it! I love coming here and this is why!
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1) Astute is an Aesthetic Clinic:
The number one reason, is that this place is first and foremost an aesthetic clinic. Why this is so important to me, is because I am actually being looked after by a professional skin doctor!
I know there are A LOT of beauty clinics out there. Beauticians. and so on. And this post, is not here to put them down in anyway. They have their own services and things that are good about them, but for myself personally, I feel very very assured that my face and my skin is being looked at by a doctor who is an expert in the area , who has spent years and years studying the field, working in the industry and spent countless numbers of hours looking at skin conditions and faces of all walks of life, age, race and color.
This means, when I am going in, asking for advice, I am getting information directly from a doctor, who tailors the products/skincare, and treatments to my exact skin condition. I have used A LOT of skincare and gone to a lot of places over the years and I can safely say, my skin has been in its best shape as a result of this personalized treatment. I can’t recommend you all enough to see a professional who knows the medical and science behind skin and its various conditions enough, because only then will you be getting the treatment your exact skin type and issues deserves.
Then, you combine that with this clinic’s primary and main aim on improving your skin condition/health, and how you look through mostly non-invasive techniques, cutting edge technology, and a focus on anti-ageing and rejuvenation, and you have one place that a lady like myself (who is also a mom well in her 30s, and tired from work, looking after an active child, and a job that involves long hours/late nights/ alot of sun exposure/dry air) can feel quite safe and taken care of.
2) The Doctor himself:
On that note, the doctor here, Dr Jason Yip, is very friendly, professional and takes the time to really listen and then suggest the best course of action to get your face looking amazing. I loved the fact that he didn’t rush me into a million and one products, or medication to start with, and made sure my skin sat well with the initial starting skin care set to start with before suggesting anything else. In a world where we are oversold SO many products and services, I find that authenticity like this is very treasured.
Secondly, while speaking to the doctor, observing the way he works, and also how he runs the clinic, I noticed that Dr Yip also takes the time to invest in continual learning of his field. I know this may sound strange to all of you, but I find that any professional who despite their years of experience, who continues to seek ways to keep up with the latest technology, trends, and skills, is an asset as it means you’re being serviced by someone who is passionate, and strives to be the best in their industry.
3) Medical grade quality skincare:
Now onto the actual clinic’s products and services itself!
I have to first mention that my face was an absolute mess after a series of travels and work (think, hardly any sleep, having to wear makeup every day, braving cold and dry winds and air constantly, and eating unhealthy food for an extended period of time), and it stopped responding to previous products I was using. It was terribly congested, inflamed, and just horrible looking. It was then that I decided it was time to make a drastic change. Overhaul my entire skincare regime. Because, I mean, if something isn’t working, you don’t keep doing it or using it right? So it was then that I was put on a routine with the 4 bottles you see below from Astute:
Here is what my face looked like after just a month on their skincare, and their facial (note, I have done zero editing, and I am wearing absolutely no makeup to make sure you can see the skin in its true form):
I can actually walk out these days not wearing any foundation and powder now, and just minimal makeup.
I will detail the skincare products I used in the next post as I know a lot of you have asked about my day and night time skin care routine, but for now, just know that using products from this aesthetic clinic has been doing wonders for my face as the ingredients inside are effective and of high grade quality. Even my once a month flare ups due to that time of the month, has much more controlled.
4) Their Facials:
Ok, I have to say, I love medical facials!! I know that sounds rather clinical, but I promise you its not. For any of you who have done a facial, its much the same… BUT, the thing with medical facials at aesthetic clinics, is that they use medical grade products, and top of the line equipment.
One Friday afternoon, I took some time to do Astute Clinic’s Premier facial which includes:
1) Double Cleansing
Your face first undergoes two rounds of cleansing to make sure your skin is a canvas that is as clean as possible before any products or processes are applied. The Japanese are famous for their love for double cleansing (and just look at the condition of the womens’ faces there) and I have loved following this at home as it means the pores are extensively washed, and the crevices in your face are as free from dirt, dust and grime as possible.
2) Hydrodermabrasion
This step is basically exfoliating your face. Using a solution that cleanses and brightens your face, while ridding the skin of dead skin cells, impurities and anything else that ends up clogging and dirtying those darn pores. I loved the machine used (so gentle!!) as it felt like everything was being sucked out from my face haha!
3) Ultrasonic scrub
Okay, this scrub, I have to admit was totally new to me. It FEELS like a little razor going over your face… BUT, it is completely pain free. I stress that, because I don’t know about you, but I am a total chicken when it comes to pain. I have ZERO pain tolerance (come on, I am the woman who requested for an epidural at the initial stage of labour pains because I just couldn’t handle it haha). And it was very gentle. This step helps to dislodge and loosen any stubborn blackheads and pimples before the extraction process starts (the extraction process by the way, was so gentle and thorough that I actually fell asleep at this point).
4) Iontophoretic delivery of Anti-oxidant serum
This step basically applies a serum to the skin to continue fighting impurities and toxins so that it looks bright, healthy, and free from things that can make it dull and unhealthy.
5) LED Therapy
It is at this point where a mask (that looks like a storm trooper – although I didn’t know it until I got shown photos of what I looked like under it haha) is placed on your face which emits LED lights. There will be a red light and blue light, and it alternates back and forth for varying periods to calm redness, rejuvenate the skin, and works to reduce wrinkles/fine lines. I have seen a lot of celebrities using these masks lately and have been told it also helps in calming down sun damage too (yay for me, since I’m a photographer who works outdoors a lot!). Again, there is zero pain, and you will feel absolutely nothing when its on your face.
6) Deep Hydrating Mask
Then to finish, your face gets one beautiful cold mask to fully hydrate and plump the skin, and lock in all that moisture and goodness that your face has enjoyed. I always love hydrating masks. I find that the one thing that makes skin look really old is dryness. External dryness, and internal dehydration. So when the skin has tonnes of moisture (Im not just talking oil here. Im talking water hydration too) pumped back in, you REALLY do look much more awake, younger, and healthy.
So how does it compare to other facials I’ve done? Well, apart from the 1.5-2 hours of complete pampering and relaxation right there, as mentioned before after one round of this treatment, my congestion rapidly cleared up (and made way for the products to continue working even better than before), and I loved knowing I was enjoying some of the best ingredients and equipment available today. The facial is perfect for dull, dry, mature, photo-aged skin with fine lines and wrinkles. Suitable for most skin types. But the doctor will look at your face beforehand before recommending which facial to go for including those of you who are pregnant or expecting.
For those that asked over our instagram, the facial costs RM488 which I know is more than the average price of facials in general, but for ALL the very good reasons I stated above. I have been to alot of places over the last 10 years since working as a photographer, and think very carefully where I would hand over my money (especially at this price point, I get even more careful) on a regular basis to take care of my face (as I also have sensitive combination skin that is more susceptible to poor quality products and procedures), and I think this is one of the first places I have felt comfortable enough to do this because of the quality, the service, and the level of professionalism you are being given.
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And lastly, to end, for those wondering what the clinic itself looks like, here are some photos. The palette is neutral but warm, chic, and you really feel like you’re walking into a modern state of the art place to take care of your skin needs. How pretty is this place?? :D
More information on this clinic at: http://www.astuteclinic.com
Alright, til the next post everyone! :D
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