Cover Beauty & Co’s welcoming entrance

When it comes to realising your beauty and body goals, it pays to be well-informed and make safe, conscious decisions, always

No matter your age, looking good matters. It extends beyond mere physical appearances as it also gives a big boost to your overall mental well-being and confidence. After all, feeling good about yourself leads to a more positive outlook on life, and can enhance social interactions, relations and even professional opportunities.

In line with Beauty & Co’s #ConsciousBeauty campaign, we speak to three different women with varied lifestyles and beauty motivations. Despite their differences, they all share a common goal: the desire to maintain their beauty, youth and self-confidence while prioritising safe and certified treatments and services. Known for the company’s mindful and ethical approach to beauty, Datin Catherine Lai, Cherrie Chin and Nurida Suraya have turned to Beauty & Co to help them achieve their goals. “People may call it vanity, but it’s not,” insists Lai, who strongly advocates for self-love and self-care at any age.

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Above Dr Kathryn Koh, medical director of Beauty & Co

As one who has been a regular customer of Beauty & Co since it opened in The Gardens Mall in 2020, Chin says that she goes to them because “I know they are licensed, and the equipment they use is genuine, authentic and FDA-approved. There are so many generic products in the market, but I think you shouldn’t compromise your safety and well-being. At Beauty & Co, they do things the proper way, which is why I have been going there for so many years now. If it isn’t safe, I wouldn’t do it even though I want to look good.”

She then relates a story of a friend who did liposuction many years ago; at the time it was quite new in the market. Unfortunately, she ended up in the ICU and almost died. “I was still young then,” reminisces Chin, “but this really emphasised to me the importance of safety procedures, because you could lose your life.”

With medical aesthetic procedures becoming more accepted and mainstream, customers can get duped with false promises that claim to give the same results at a lower price. Nurida shares an important tip: “For those considering their first visit to an aesthetic clinic, my advice is to do a thorough research, ensure it’s safe and certified, and prioritise your comfort and well-being throughout the process.”

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Photo 1 of 2 Datin Catherine Lai believes in practising self-care at any age
Photo 2 of 2 She’s a fan of Cooltech Define’s fat-freezing technology which gives her the results she desired

Chin adds, “I think ethical treatment means you are really transparent with your customers. This includes the pricing; there shouldn’t be hidden costs. To me, this is important, because we pay so much to look good. I also think it’s important that customers are aware of the risks they are taking, and the total procedure. I’m sure everyone in the industry would have probably heard of Linda Evangelista’s case. That news created awareness about how important it is to understand the risks you are taking when doing these kinds of treatments.”

Lai agrees: “Ethics is everything, even more so in beauty especially these days where we see fatality cases due to failed surgeries. It is extremely important as a customer to not be blinded by overpromising advertisements and low prices offered in the market. I learned that we customers shouldn’t believe blindly in everything we see or been told. Instead, study and find out more about the treatments we are getting, whether it’s reputable machines backed with clinical studies before making a decision. Sometimes doctors like to use scare tactics but my advice is, do not decide immediately. Always smile, write down the information, go to another doctor, compare notes and decide. Do not be frightened and make the hasty decision to straightaway do something to yourself.”

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Above A radiant Cherrie Chin

As the medical director of Beauty & Co, Dr Kathryn Koh states that aesthetic medical procedures can only be performed by registered medical practitioners with government-issued LCP (Letter of Credentialling and Privileging) credentials, and only at clinics licensed to operate and registered under the Ministry of Health (KKM).

She says, “To verify, one can look it up on the Merits MMC website and check if your doctor is registered. Doctors like us have to renew our licence every year, and in the website, you can see the doctor’s qualifications, where they practice, and whether they have a valid APC (Annual Practicing Certification). Another red flag to watch out for is if you see treatments that are below market rate, you should be suspicious.” She also warns that one should be wary if procedures are done in venues like hotel rooms. This is highly unhygienic and fatal infections could occur.

Always choose right

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Above Chin keeps her body svelte and toned with Emsculpt Neo

The pursuit of attaining beauty and body ideals has led many individuals to explore innovative solutions, especially when faced with persistent challenges. Take, for example, getting rid of stubborn body fat in areas like the abdomen, thighs and arms.

In response, many turn to body sculpting or contouring treatments to help them achieve their ideal body shape. While these machines are designed to assist, Koh emphasises that these are not magic fixes. “It doesn’t mean you don’t need to maintain a good diet or exercise routine,” she says. “They still play a crucial role, and the machine can further boost results. For longer- lasting effects, ultimately, the determination and persistence to see this through must come from you.”

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Above Nurida Suraya getting a pampering treatment with the Exi-Lift MediLuxe facial

Lai has discovered this to be true. She’s a big fan of Cooltech Define’s fat-freezing technology and found that Emsculpt Neo made her entire stomach perspire. “I find it’s more effective than you doing hundreds of sit-ups. I can feel the difference the next day!” However, she still maintains her regular exercise routines and found that when all of this is put together, the results are incredible. Beyond that, she indulges in other treatments, from non-invasive face lifts to pampering massages, to maintain her youthful look and well-being.

As an avid golfer and keen horticulturist, Chin is frequently under the sun, so she ensures she goes for her regular facial treatments to keep her skin dewy and radiant. After delivering her fourth child, she also did Cooltech Define and Emsculpt Neo to help firm and sculpt her abs, core and thighs post-partum. Her choice to prioritise self-care amid a busy and active lifestyle empowers her to access Beauty & Co’s myriad treatments from top to toe. For Nurida, who is about to become a mother of two, her sensitive skin calls for non-invasive treatments that enhance her natural beauty and well-being while minimising the need for constant touch-ups.

For this, Beauty & Co recommends the Exi-Lift MediLuxe facial, a blend of spa-like indulgence and medical-grade results, which align with her goal.

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Above Nurida Suraya's goal is to enhance her natural beauty and minimise the need for constant touch-ups

While technological advances and transformational results have led to the increasing demand for aesthetic medical-grade treatments, Koh stresses the importance of ensuring that the equipment is FDA-cleared and proven to be safe, precise and effective. It’s also worth noting that renowned aesthetic solution providers, such as BTL Aesthetics, who have dedicated countless hours into R&D for their machines, only choose licensed clinics to carry their products.

She states, “Our machines are among the top in the world, and we acquire them solely from official distributors. Additionally, we have our machines regularly checked and serviced by engineers from these distributors to ensure they run smoothly. We never consider counterfeit machines.” Moreover, they ensure that all their beauticians and therapists are qualified, certified and trained to provide professional services on their premises.

Ultimately, as you embark on your journey to achieving your beauty and body goals, remember that being well-informed is your best tool, ensuring that you not only look good but also feel confident and secure in your choices.

Credits

Photography: Daniel Adams

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Elizabeth Soong is the managing editor of Malaysia Tatler. She loves a good laugh, but is serious when it comes to work, and gets a high from dancing, cats purring, plus enjoys musicals or binge-watching a good TV series. Continually inspired by the people she meets, edits and writes about, you're welcome to see what she's up to on her Instagram @lizsoong.