Lasers have become an indispensable part of the aesthetic industry, with some beauty salons even importing and operating them without a license.
If you're trying to find a proper laser treatment for your skin condition, this guide will give you the complete low-down of available laser and skin treatments in Singapore.
For skin tightening and saggy skin, read more about the advanced non-invasive treatment called HIFU.
Why the need for different types of laser machines?
Lasers are essentially focused beams of light at one wavelength/type.
Each wavelength and type of laser is usually best at targeting one particular skin component.
To illustrate, lets say laser A is very good for brown pigments. But if you used laser A to try to achieve results for pores, there will be minimal effects.
Laser treatments and costs in Singapore
I have always been a tech geek, jumping at the opportunity to try all sorts of lasers and aesthetic machines. Coupled with my experience at various clinics in Singapore, I've used nearly every laser machine available locally.
The tables below serve as a comprehensive guide for you to compare the costs* and effectiveness of all the laser treatments in Singapore.
*General prices per session for whole face unless otherwise stated.
1. Pigmentation laser treatment
TYPES
TREATMENT NAMES
RATINGS
PRICE IN SINGAPORE
Pico lasers
- Discovery PICO
- Picolo
- PicoSure
- Fotona Starwalker
1. Brown spots
★★★★★
2. Tattoos
★★★★★
$200 - $700
Q-switch lasers
- Revlite
- Helios III
- SpectraXT
- Pastelle
1. Brown spots
★★★★☆
2. Tattoos
★★★☆ ☆
$50 - $400
Long-pulse visible light
- Fotona VERDE
- Pro Yellow
- Excel V
- Dual Yellow
- V Beam
1. Red spots
★★★★☆
2. Redness
★★★★☆
3. Brown spots
★★★★★
4. Tattoos
★★★★☆
$200 - $600
Combination long-pulse lasers
- Fotona Starwalker
- Excel V
- Cynergy
1. Red spots
★★★★★
2. Redness
★★★★★
3. Blood vessels
★★★★★
$300 - $800
Read more: The Complete Guide to Pigmentation Lasers in Singapore (2021)
2. Hair removal treatment
TYPES
TREATMENT NAMES
RATINGS
PRICE IN SINGAPORE
IPL hair removal
- IPL
- BBL
- LHE
1. Hair removal
★★★ ☆ ☆
2. Brown spots
★★★ ☆ ☆
$50 - $200 per area
Long-pulse visible light lasers
- Soprano ICE (Alexandrite)
- Ruby lasers
1. Light hair removal
★★★★ ☆
$200 - $500 per area
Long-pulse ND:Yag
- Fotona VERSA3/ FRAC3
- Cutera Excel V
- Aileen
- GentleYag
1. Hair removal for all skin types
★★★★★
$200 - $500 per area
Read more: The Ultimate Guide to Laser Hair Removal in Singapore (2021)
3. Fractional resurfacing laser treatment
TYPES
TREATMENT NAMES
RATINGS
PRICE IN SINGAPORE
Ablative lasers
1. CO2:
- Ecoxel
- EDGE
- eCO2
- MiXTO
- SmartXide
- Fraxel re:pair
- Lumenis
2. Erbium:
- YAG: Lotus 3
- Alma PIXEL
- SP Dynamis
3. Nanofractional RF:
- Venus Viva
1. Wrinkles
★★★★☆
2. Acne scars
★★★★☆
3. Skin tightening
★★★★☆
4. Pores
★★★★☆
5. Skin smoothening
★★★★★
6. Pigmentation
★★★☆☆
$300 - $1200
Non-ablative lasers
1. Erb-Glass lasers:
- Sellas Evo
- Mosaic
- Fraxel re:store
2. Thulium lasers:
- Lavieen BB Laser
- LaseMD
3. Diode lasers:
- Clear and Brilliant
4. Microneedling RF:
- Infini
- Intracel
5. Combination platforms:
- De Oro Dual
- Fraxel Dual
1. Wrinkles
★★★★☆
2. Acne scars
★★★★☆
3. Skin tightening
★★★★☆
4. Pores
★★★★☆
5. Skin smoothening
★★★★★
$300 - $1500
4. Non-fractional resurfacing lasers
TYPES
TREATMENT NAMES
RATINGS
PRICE IN SINGAPORE
Quasi-long pulsed Nd:YAG
- Genesis
- SpectraXT
- Helios III
- Fotona Starwalker FRAC3
- Pastelle
- Carbon peels
1. Skin tightening
★★☆☆☆
2. Skin texture
★★☆☆☆
$200 - $700
Long-Pulse ND:Yag
- Fotona VERSA3
- Cutera Excel V
- Aileen
1. Wrinkles
★★★★☆
2. Skin tightening
★★★★☆
3. Facelift
★★★★☆
$400 - $1000
Radiofrequency
- Thermage
- Exilis
- Indiba RF
1. Wrinkles
★★★☆☆
2. Skin tightening
★★★☆☆
3. Facelift
★★★★☆
$400 - $5000
High intensity focused ultrasound
- Ulthera
- Ultraformer
- Doublo
1. Wrinkles
★★★☆☆
2. Skin tightening
★★★☆☆
3. Sagging fat
★★★★☆
4. Facelift
★★★★☆
$800 - $5000
Plasma resurfacing
- Neogen
1. Wrinkles
★★★★☆
2. Pigment
★★★★☆
3. Scars
★★★★☆
4. Pores
★★★★★
5. Skin tightening
★★★★☆
$400 - $3000 depending on area
Jet puncture resurfacing
- Enerjet
- AirJet
1. Scars
★★★★☆
2. Wrinkles
★★★★☆
3. Facelift
★★☆☆☆
$500 - $1500
Wow, that's a lot of lasers. Why the need for so many?
Using specialised lasers for different areas enables faster and better results, with greater safety.
For example, using a CO2 laser (surface resurfacing) to resurface deep skin problems would require very strong settings to achieve the same effects of an Erbium-Glass laser.
This can result in more “downtime”, and a higher risk of adverse side effects.
Not all lasers are built alike
The laser machine's operator and treatment regime play an equally important role in the success of your treatment.
Certain mass market clinic chains in Singapore offer daily laser regimes. These laser protocols were developed by businessmen, rather than doctors, who have no regard for the techniques and expertise needed for proper laser treatments.
Quick laser resurfacing treatments without any numbing cream are just treating the skin surface. This only results in a temporary improvement in skin texture, and can cause long term skin sensitivity!
How often should your laser treatment be?
Once every two weeks, at most.
Weak-powered laser treatments at more frequent intervals do not achieve the results of a properly powered treatment, and can cause severe side effects, such as skin mottling and hypersensitivity.
In summary, never try laser treatments at a spa!
The clinic you choose should have a wide range of lasers at their disposal to maximise effects and minimise side effects. Clinics able to offer a wide range of lasers also show their commitment towards proper skin treatments.
Whethere you see a dermatologist or aesthetic doctor, do ensure that your doctor explains all the various options for you, and ensure your doctor performs the laser for you himself.
Also read the guide to Mummy Makeover in Singapore
Dr Chua Cheng Yu (Veritas Medical Aesthetics) is a frequent trainer at medical seminars and often shares his knowledge on multiple aesthetic technologies, including the Ultraformer HIFU and Teosyal fillers. His clinic mirrors his philosophy of functional aesthetics: holistic health and beauty. In his spare time he plays the piano, dabbles with amateur photography, and maintains a personal blog.
