I was at Aesthetics Asia

Merry Christmas, everyone!  We hope you are already done with the shopping and partying and by this time, all geared up in preparing the big Christmas dinner – the Noche Buena.  There is nothing like spending this joyous occasion with your family while giving thanks for all the blessing from the past year.

Speaking of the year that was, I would like to share with you the wonderful experience I had during my last trip in Raffles City, Singapore.  Aesthetics Asia Exhibition and Congress is the largest aesthetic event in Asia wherein plastic surgeons, cosmetic surgeons, dermatologists, anti-aging physicians and aesthetic practitioners gather for updates on the latest products, innovations and technologies available.  Held from September 4 to 6, the event was attended by 1,402 participants from 29 countries.

From the field of medical aesthetics, discussions on aesthetic plastic surgery, dermatology, anti-aging technologies and practice and medical management were lined-up during the three-day conference.  After each presentation, workshops were held to provide participants a chance to exchange knowledge with colleagues.

IIR Life Sciences, the organizer, invited me to be one of the main speakers for topics on medical spa management and branding.  Truly proud to represent the Zen Institute, I was also humbled that our presence in the industry is also being recognized by this prestigious international event.  Newly-recognized in the conference, the medical spa category is largely popular only in the Philippines and Thailand.

The two topics that I discussed during the conference directly came from my experience in running and managing the Zen Institute.  From our practice, we hope medical practitioners can pick-up practical knowledge and tips in running the business and consequently, push forward medical tourism in the Asian region. 

Dr. Pakpilai Thavisin, anti-aging physician and dermatologist from Thailand, spoke on opening a physician-owned medical spa and the importance of customer service.  Michael Loh, founder/chief executive/editorial director of Ageless & Spa Asia from Singapore, discussed medical spa market and trends while Dr. Orawan Kitchawengkul, medical director of Dr. Orawan Holistic Institute from Thailand discussed how to identify new trends in medical spas thru holistic practice. 

Additional topics such as top trends in medical spas, paradigm shift to operational efficiencies, the importance of team-building and benchmarking the medical spa’s success were delivered by Dr. Anchulee Yongarnukul, MD, managing director of St. Carlos Group of Health Services in Thailand; Dr. Tam Chuen, aesthetic medicine physician of Medi-ceuticals Surgery Clinic from Singapore; Dr. Shiau Ee Leng, medical director of ClearSK Aesthetic Group of Clinics in Singapore; Prashant Nandha, senior director, with Helen Pang both of the Paradigm Shift Consulting Group from Tokyo, Japan; Andre Jacka, director of Horwath Spa Consulting from Singapore and Suzanne Ng, advisory board member and lecturer of Asia Spa Institute in Hong Kong, respectively.