[Mint.Music.Lifestyle] Tackle ADULT ACNE With The Face Aesthetic Clinic

Myth: Acne breakouts happen only to teenagers (before 20).
Truth: Acne became one of my biggest personal problem in my mid-20s.

For those who know me personally, you'll know that I'm not a beauty/fashion person.

• I started putting on basic make up only 2 years back with the help of Trixy.
• I still don't know how to apply eye shadow properly.
• My basic skincare routine first began after I met my beauty sponsor, Hankook Cosmetics in 2012.
• I can't decipher the ingredients in skincare products.

I badly need help with skincare knowledge.

This acne problem of mine gives me such a headache.
Not headaches literally but my frustration of needing to conceal the pimples before shows, gigs and the pain I need to go through when I accidentally scratched them while washing my face.

OUCH.

My face is planted with enormous pimples with pus, some taking more than 3 weeks to heal, leaving visible acne scars up till now. Spots corrector, Anti-acne masks, T3 oil, pimple creams have helped to hasten these pimple-healing period but they still take months to completely disappear.

Images of my forehead taken in end of 2012:




The breakouts eventually spread to my chin and cheeks…

Early 2013.
yup, it's THAT BAD.


Of course, my daily skincare routine (apply toner and moisturiser) aids in the improvement of my facial complexion but every now and then, I'd still get 'deadly' outbreaks, especially when my menses are due.



For those in your 20s who are still using normal bar soaps or just plain water to wash your face, PLEASE find out more about basic skincare and take better care of your skin!

Last month, I had this ENORMOUS pimple on my left cheek (one that's so 3D that I couldn't cover it after applying concealer, foundation and primer), so stubborn that it was still swollen, red and burning after more than 3 weeks!

MORE THAN 3 WEEKS!
RAWRRRRRR!!!

Look at that bump on my left cheek (the right of the photo below)


It was so bad that I decided to visit Dr Zhang Yijun after learning about him via Silver Ang's blog. She has written about recent her laser treatment to remove her freckles(that's a skin problem so maybe can solve mine too?) at The Face Aesthetic Clinic. Dr Zhang treated patients with severe acne and scarring years back at the National Skin Centre. *I see a ray of hope for my fair complexion again*


The Face Aesthetic Clinic. is located at 20 Malacca Street #01-00 Singapore 048979.
That's the street in Singapore directly opposite the famous Golden Shoe Food Centre in Raffles Place.





The Face Aesthetic Clinic is a subsidiary of Q & M Medical Group.
Over here, it's a 3-in-1 clinic stop; there's a dental, a GP and an aesthetic clinic.

Dr Zhang's Clinic is on the 2nd level.
Walk through the dental rooms and up the spiral staircase.
The interior of the clinic reminds me of White Christmas-cum-robot cyber room.



WELCOME to The Face Aesthetic Clinic:

Here's the waiting area:


The consultation room which in my opinion looks more like a corner of a cosy coffee house:


For once, the ceiling makes me feel TALL:


The Face Aesthetic Clinic is special because not only do they provide medical aesthetics services like botox and fillers, the clinic also provides facial, laser treatments for acne/scar and pigment removal with the latest machinery (E-Matrix), eyelash extensions, hair/mole removal and more. Find the list HERE.

Think about this:
Instead of spending thousands of dollars on untrusted beauty and spa saloons, isn't it much safer to visit an aesthetic clinic with prim and proper certified medical equipment and professional staff instead?

Talking about professionals, I can't wait to introduce Doctor Zhang!


Is it me or do you also feel that Dr Zhang looks like Pan Weibo - Wu Zun here?
He's so good-looking you'd think he's some hong kong/taiwan celebrity.

From Dr Zhang, I learnt about Adult Acne.

I know right.
Just when we think that we're adults and have outgrown pimple breakouts and acnes, it decided to stay with us.

BUT HOW?
I read up about adult acne and here are some of the causes:

Nearly everybody thinks that acne results from poor hygiene.
That's just not so. Both Adult and teen acne is caused by a combination of several factors: it can be hormones leading to excess oil secretion, faulty closing of the hair duct, stress and even cosmetics. Adult acne tends to develop around the mouth, on the chin and along the jawline and more commonly affects women than men.

After accessing my skin condition, Dr Zhang suggested that I get an injection for my pimple and chemical peel to rejuvenate my skin.

With the help of Nurse Allison, numbing cream was applied to my pimple area for the injection later.
Then, I was invited to rest in the facial room.



LOOK AT MY 3D PIMPLE~


I feel really comfortable in the clinic.

You know when I told Dr Zhang that I was afraid of injections, he gave me a stress ball to calm me down. I also told him honestly that I have a low pain threshold, which was why he asked Nurse Allison to apply numbing cream for me.  Thank you, Dr Zhang.





As compared to those facials I have done at spa saloons, this injection felt nothing more than an ant's bite. (so much better than beauty therapists who try to squeeze your pimples and blackheads)

TADAH.
The whole procedure was done in less than 5 seconds.

Colin agrees with me that my 5/10 pain threshold is the usual 1/10.
If i still manage to smile after an injection, it really means that it's painless.
The pain I felt was 1/10.



YAY.


In 5 seconds, my pimple is totally flatten!


Then, I did chemical peel next.
Chemical peels cause the skin to exfoliate and new skin to regrow.



From The Face Aesthetic Clinic Chemical Peel site:

The chemical peel helps to:

• treat acne, like the black heads, whiteheads and the mild superficial acne scars.
• lighten pigmentation on skin like sun spots, age spots, freckles, melasma from hormonal causes.
• minimize fine wrinkles, especially around the eyes, which are caused by chronic sun damage. It does not treat severe wrinkles.

The doctor will decide the type of peel and solution which best suits your skin.

Read up about Chemical Peel: http://www.thefaceaestheticclinic.com.sg/services-products/chemical-peels/

This is the chemical peel and cream I'd be using:


Steps of a Chemical Peel

Step 1: Gently Apply The Solution Across The Entire Face
Hey, this looks like a BBQ brush. :p



Apply a few more layers on the face until it forms a dry layer.
I felt a hot sensation on my face as the layer was drying up, a little like sun-burnt.





Step 2: Wipe dry layer away with the remover wipe provided.




Pain index = Totally Painless.

PAINLESS.

For the next 4 hours, I mustn't let my face get in contact with water. 

Not even rain water, tap water or perspiration.

There the procedure is all done in 10 minutes!

Thank you for the treatments, Dr Zhang!
Many many thanks~



It's about 3 weeks since I've done the chemical peel and injection, look at my complexion now!
Cleaner, refreshed and more radiant. The breakouts are more controlled too. :)

There are still scars and uneven skin tone but as compared to my previous complexion, it is more radiant and smooth!



I'm planning to get fillers done next.
My specs keep slipping from my nose like nobody's business.
*saving up in progress*



Visit The Face Aesthetic Clinic for your skin problems today.

To know more about The Face Aesthetic Clinic, visit their website at http://www.thefaceaestheticclinic.com.sg and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheFaceAestheticClinic.

For further enquiries about the price of the services and treatments, you may call 6223 6788.
They are the professionals.
If you ask me, I really can't advise because everyone's condition varies.

Acne can happen to everyone.
Please take good care of your skin!

I WANT MY NICE COMPLEXION BACK~

[Mint.Music.Lifestyle] Fun Ice-breaking Games Played with My N.E.mation!8 Teams

As one of the N.E.mation! 8 ambassadors, I thought it'll be boring to just drop by NYP and say hi. I'm determined to bring more laughter and fun to my teams when I know they are totally stressed up as the deadline of their production period draws closer.

Both my teams have come up with meaningful messages revolving around the theme 'Because You Played A Part'. Get to know more about the teams and their story for N.E.mation!8 in my previous posts:

• Team 07, Synch from Kent Ridge Secondary School: http://mintleong.blogspot.sg/2013/11/mintmusiclifestyle-5-reasons-why-i-am.html
• Team 09, UnicornsAndRainbows;) from Orchid Park Secondary School: http://mintleong.blogspot.sg/2013/11/mintmusiclifestyle-home-of-nemation-8.html

I decided we should play some team games together!

Instead of the usual interview where we'd sit in circle and conduct a 'I-ask-you-answer' session, I brought a beach ball which Mummy had bought for me at Montigo Resorts, Batam (it's my 2nd trip there! Read 20 Travel tips to Montigo I've written HERE) to play with them!

It wasn't easy walking from the MRT station to Nanyang Polytechnic while trying to inflate the beach ball at the same time. I was totally out of breathe by the time I reach the Lounge! Managed to Instavideo-ed my walking journey here: http://instagram.com/p/hLB5DWJhk0/


First, we played a simple game similar to the Passing The Parcel game.
When the music plays, team members will have to pass the ball to one another.
When the music stops, the last person who touched the ball will have to answer a question.

Not only did I manage to speak to everyone in the teams, the game also brought smiles to everyone that day!

I only have 1 hour with each team every week.
Happy Times like these are PRICELESS to me.

Trish from Team UnicornsAndRainbows;) answering my question about the team's progress so far:


Team members from Synch took turns to ask personal questions they want to know about me:


Thank you, Jade and Sara for helping me record down happy moments during the game.
Now I know what the students are doing behind my back!

LOL

Watch us having fun in this video:


After the game of interview, I invited my 2 teams to play an ice-breaking game called 'Give Me Tempo Ready Go' together! In my previous article for N.E.mation! 8, I talked about fostering friendships during competitions. 

Though this ice-breaker, I hope that the teams could at least remember one another's name or even better, get to know one another more.

Following the TEMPO of the game, a first person will be appointed to call out another person's name, followed by the number of times the name is to be called.

For example, if I were to call a name in the game first, I'd say "Xin Pei 3", and Xin Pei will have to call her name 3 times, following to the tempo of the game.

If she managed to do that, she'll call someone else's name until a person makes a mistake during the whole game.



Ehhhh… To have a better idea, I found a group of people recording and uploaded how to play this game on Youtube. This will give a better idea:


First to introduce the names of the girls from UnicornsAndRainbows - Trish, Yumi, Ching Gje and Xin Pei:


Then it was Synch's turn to introduce the names of each member - Jason, Sze Yong(JEREMY), Jaren and Elyse:


GAME START, LET'S PLAY:




The game was eventually down to 2 players, one from each team - Yumi and Jaren:


In the end, Yumi won the game and walked away with a box of Faber-Castell pencils!

I don't know bout them but I had so much fun with everyone that evening!

Photo credits to: Xin Pei, the ultimate 'shaker'.
All the photos she took on my camera came out blur can you believe it *facepalm*



That's all folks!
We'd catch the teams again next week!

Visit http://nemation.sg for more updates and information about the teams' progress and more!

[Mint.Music.Lifestyle] Foster Friendships Even During Competitions, like N.E.mation! 8

Friends.

They say each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.

I can never agree more.

A friendship requires more than just a hi-bye after meeting someone new. One has to make an effort to nurture, build and protect the new friendship. Each friend brings different memories for us to keep for life. Every friend we keep until now is a priceless treasure who bring joy to our lives.

Here I am, sitting on my bed with my mini table set up and ready to write a new post after 3 consecutive days of show preparations and hosting. (all burnt out and running a slight fever)



Sitting just across my table, my soulmate annoying burpasaurus fartasarus Colin Chang also one of N.E.mation! 8 ambassadors, is drafting up his blog articles at the same time. He'll be sharing his week 2 experience about N.E.mation! 8  and his teams Hashtag and WAYNE STARK CO.  Rawr!

Same same yet different.
Despite vast differences in our personalities (I'm so out-going but he's so reserved. He likes it quiet while I prefer a room filled with music...), I'm amazed how we compliment each other in terms of interests, life perspectives and FOOD. Even after being so long together, we still seem to have so much to talk about to each other, all the way into wee hours on most nights!

We both took part in this N.E.mation! 8 ambassador challenge. Yet the challenge hasn't affected our friendship a single bit. We even share about valuable experience and interesting findings during our visits.

This is also a plus point for me because due to time limit, I couldn't cover news and updates of all 10 NEmation finalists but got to learn more about them through our daily conversations~




Here's another long-time friend of mine.

Earlier this afternoon, I attended a good friend's 21st Birthday bash.
Happy Birthday Samantha Whang aka Xiao Bu Dian.

I have known you FOREVER, Xiao Bu Dian.
Since what, when you're 12?!

OMG I FEEL SO OLD.

Happy sweet 21st, my pretty princess.
I'm sorry I cried when I saw you today because I'm overly happy and proud to know that you're doing so well, grown into such a fine, joyful lady and most of all, pink in health!



Samantha and I met years ago (when Samantha was 12) when we took part in a 2-day drama workshop held by Mediacorp known as December Dazzle. We hardly meet up but whenever we do, we'd be chatting away for hours, asking about each other's life and  exchanging gifts.  (actually she prepares more gifts for me than I do. OPS)

Both our common interest then?
In Media.
That's why we became good friends so fast~

I wasn't the only one who attended at Samantha's 21st birthday bash.
I bumped into friends I know!
Meet popular bloggers Joey, Angie and Yingzi (left to right)

We met one another at different blog events but are all mutual friends.
Our common interest - Blogging!



Yingzi's also one of N.E.mation! 8  appointed ambassadors by the way.
We were really excited to share insights of N.E.mation! 8.
All the best to Team Delta-gaytor and Dairy Product!

Thanks to N.E.mation! 8  ambassador challenge, Yingzi and I got even closer together.
Now we have MORE things to tell each other, yeah!

All in all, I wish to convey this special message to everyone out there, people who take part in competitions and challenges:

As much as there's only ONE winning title which you badly hope to be the one walking away with, it boils down to the fact that all participants who join the same contest as you are, carry the same passion and love for the same interest. 

In a singing contest, everyone in it LOVES to sing.
In a drawing contest, everyone in it LOVES to draw.

All of you are LIKE-MINDED people who should foster strong friendships and grow that SAME passion in this society together.  In the near future, you should find opportunities to WORK TOGETHER and help one another improve, compliment one another's talent to produce even better results.

That's the power of competitions;
it's a platform to bring like-minded people (and I mean the elites of that trade) together.

So cherish the golden opportunity of making friends.

Well guess what, new friendships are budding at NYP Lounge on my recent Tuesday visit.
(I don't know why people still ask me when I'm going down to Nanyang Polytechnic again when my previous article already mentioned I'll be there every TUESDAY. duh.)





I bumped into Sarah, the 3rd N.E.mation! 8  ambassador I'm mentioning in my post here. She happened to be there to support her 2 teams - Momento Mori and The 4 Of Us II.
WOHOOOO~



And Teddy looks so adorable that day, hugging his Banana friend.
Previously scary because Team UnicornsAndRainbows;) and I agreed that it's a haunted teddy bear.

I beg to differ now.
Look at him, awww……



Firstly, I went on to check on my kind angels from Team UnicornsAndRainbows;).
The mood in their work area was slightly different from the previous week (the happy room)

They were all serious at work with their instructor, Jade.
From what I know, the girls are slightly behind schedule and a little worried about their progress.

Yumi wish Instructor Jade(pink):


Xin Pei bumped into a problem during the digital tracing of the character and seeking advice from Instructor Jade:


Found a random drawing of an anime character on the floor, probably a de-stress tool for one of the girls. Who's drawing is this? You can draw very well la:


Despite the work stress and seriousness, the girls managed to crack jokes for me.
Xin Pei said, "Mint Da Jie, this is you looking at us do our work."



Eh, I look so fierce meh?
Hahahahhahahaa this is so cute to turn a table lamp into a character.
I'd bring my picture for them on my next visit~  :p

I thought that this picture Ching Gje was tracing looks like me:



Girls, press on and complete your work.
I look forward to see your finished work, screened on the big TVs.

I'll be so proud of you that you've showcased such a beautiful story.
I hope more people get to see your clip and get the message of spreading colours to others around them.

So a few nights later, I sent them a little encouragement on our group chat:





Press on Trish, Yumi, Xin Pei and Ching Gje.
YOU. CAN. DO. IT.
Hope to see you girls back to your bubbly and confident selves on my next visit!



As this year's N.E.mation!  theme suggest, 'Because You Played A Part'.
They are just doing so.

While the whole of secondary school students are spending their holidays playing and resting, these girls (together with 9 other teams of students) are pushing themselves to the limit, trying to complete their animation clips to convey a special total defence message to YOU.

They don't have to do this.
But they are.

That's why I love all of them so much!

Over to my next team, Synch has drawn and designed a team logo for themselves.



I noticed too, that our most talented Jaren has also drew some anime characters (THEY ARE SO BEAUTIFUL!!!) and pasted them at his work area.



The team also pasted quick guide to help them with the software they are using to do their clip.



- RECAP -
N.E.mation! is a digital animation competition organised by Nexus for youths to express their thoughts on Total Defence. It is a competition with training and guidance provided for the students. That's why students with no prior experience in animation have been able to produce clips of broadcast quality to screen on free-to-air television. Some of these clips were even selected for international animation festivals and won several awards.

Bumped into one of Synch's member, Sze Yong, who was helping to clear out the thrash of the day:



Synch comprises of a team of extremely sensible students.
As playful as they (except Elyse) are, they know how to set their goals and prorities right.

By now, have you noticed common interests between Team UnicornsAndRainbows;) and Synch yet?
That's right - animation and anime!

As I mentioned earlier, it's important to make friends in the same competition.
To get them to know one another better, I suggested playing some games together that day.
We even had dinner together, wohooooo!

It was late and only the Korean stall was the only stall left opened by the time we got down.
The auntie suggested we order the same dish so she'd cook for us all at once.

Each day, the students will be issued cash vouchers to purchase their meals at Koufu (NYP).





Here's the FIRST group photo of my teams having dinner together:

Left row from the front:  Jaren, Sze Yong, Trish and Yumi.
Right row from the front: Elyse, Jason, Ching Gje and Xin Pei.

I'm glad to know every single one of you.
Thank you for sharing and being a friend, allowing me into your circle of life.

I pray that one day, your friendships will continue to blossom and all of you will become good friends years from now. :)

Follow TeamSynch on Instagram & Twitter. Hashtag #NE8C07.
Follow UnicornsAndRainbows;) via hashtag #NE8C09.

You can follow their pages via Facebook by clicking on their group pictures HERE.

PS: To the korean stall auntie, thank you for the additional dish on the house so that we can eat more. 
You are so nice! The perfect real-life example of the teams' messages to everyone: 

- Spreading colours and help one another (Team UnicornsAndRainbows;) )
- Reduce gap and soreness between one another with a more giving heart and understanding (Team Synch)

Thank you, Auntie!




2nd week of production almost completed, ONE LAST week to go!
I've sent Vitamin C supplies to both my teams:



They are drowning themselves with plenty of water too:


Stay healthy, guys!

To know more about N.E.mation! 8, visit http://nemation.sg.



"While most are dreaming of success, winners wake-up and work hard to achieve it."
CHIONG AH!!!