Written by Joyce Chua
They say beauty is only skin-deep, but kindness runs even deeper. Dr Siew Tuck Wah might be an aesthetic doctor who specialises in nip-tucking, but that doesn’t stop him from going the extra mile for our furry companions. Dogs, in particular, are his cause.
Aside from over 10 years of experience in the cosmetic surgery industry, Dr Siew is also the President of Save Our Street Dogs, Singapore’s largest and most active animal welfare charity. So devoted to saving stray dogs from being culled, he even quit his full-time job a little more than a year ago to focus on establishing SOSD.
However, while you can take the man out of the aesthetics business, you can’t keep him away from his passion. Recently, he decided to go back to his medical profession and start his own clinic. But that’s not the best part. The clinic also organises regular campaigns to donate to SOSD.
Fascinated, we spoke to Dr Siew to understand his story. Listen in.
- When and how did your interest in aesthetics begin?
I have been practicing aesthetics for a decade now, but even before that as a medical student, I was always fascinated by cosmetic dermatology, and the use of medical procedures for wellness, anti-aging and skin rejuvenation.
2. You left your medical aesthetics profession to lead the Save Our Street Dogs organisation, which devotes itself to saving street dogs from being culled. Why the switch?
SOSD needs a lot of time and dedication to run. We are one of the largest and most active charities in Singapore. We also require immense amounts of funding to continue operations. In September 2015, professional work was getting more and more busy, and I could not dedicate enough time to make sure SOSD ran properly. Funds were also running low. Hence, I made the decision to take a break from professional work, and volunteer with SOSD full time.
3. What is your beauty/skincare philosophy?
The widely held belief that aesthetic medicine comprises only creams and medical procedures is wrong. What we are striving for is a healthier, more confident you. This can only be achieved with a sound diet, a healthy lifestyle, and a balanced mind.
4. What are some key factors you consider when deciding on the procedures requested by your customers?
The most important thing in aesthetics is to only do the procedure if it will benefit the patient. If the procedure will help the patient, we can go ahead — after explaining to them all the possible pros and cons, and possible alternatives.
If the procedure is going to make the patient look worse, or have little to no results, I will always advise them against it.
5. Have there been any outrageous requests from customers?
Most patients I see are rational — they just want some improvement to their face, while not changing them beyond recognition. Some outrageous ones still happen. For example, a lady who had Maleficent-sized cheekbones from an earlier botched job kept insisting she wanted even more cheekbones; another very masculine looking gentleman wanted to undergo procedures to look more like the actress Gong Li, which I had to explain was impossible.
6. What is one misconception many people have about cosmetic procedures?
Many people think that once you start, you are going down a slippery slope, and that your skin will get worse if you discontinue them. That is untrue. When you have a filler injected, or a laser done to the skin, it turns back your skin’s age, so even if you stop, your skin will still be in a better state then if you did not undergo the procedure at all. To illustrate my point, I have patients who have their under-eye area treated with fillers for three to five times, and never need the treatment again, because the skin has become so youthful and rejuvenated.
7. What is one basic skincare product/habit everyone needs at all times?
Applying sunblock — and using enough of it. UV damage is the number one cause of skin aging, and just this simple, inexpensive step will go a long way to keeping your skin healthy and youthful.
8. What is the main difference between men and women in their views towards skincare and cosmetic procedures?
More and more men are coming for cosmetic procedures, but in general, men prefer once-off treatments rather than having to come back repeatedly. They also prefer a skincare regime which does not involve too many steps, and products with less fragrances.
Women, on the other hand, still spend more time caring for their skin. Many women come for maintenance treatments, such as lasers, on a regular basis. They also have a more thorough skin care regime.
9. What is the biggest challenge of being in the medical aesthetics profession?
For me, the biggest challenge is to give my patients the best possible aesthetic outcome, in the shortest possible time, with the least amount of money, while minimizing adverse effects. This requires intimate knowledge of the patients’ skin, and also a lot of rapport with patients, so we know exactly what the treatment plan is. Every patient is unique and different, and hence, treatment always needs to be tailored. This is why aesthetic medicine is exciting, and challenging.
10. Which part of your job gives you the greatest satisfaction, and what motivates you at work?
Seeing my patients becoming happier and more confident of themselves is always my biggest joy. Although we are treating their appearance, the effects often go a long way. For example, some people have severe dark eye circles — and they look tired all the time, even when they are not. By treating the dark eye circles, they look fresher, and in turn, feel fresher, and more confident.
This is my key motivation — seeing my patients becoming happier people. For me, it is never about the money. It is about building a lasting relationship, and making new friends. This is the part of my work, which I enjoy the most.
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