I like to jokingly kid around with Dr. Hew Yin Keat, owner and Medical Director of Bangsar’s MAC, that I am his personal business card as well as a walking billboard that shows off his talent and skill.

If you take a quick look at my new writer’s photo on my column this month, you can see for yourself what I mean. For those of you who have been reading this section for the past few years, you might recall several articles I’ve written about the treatments I’ve received there. And perhaps noted the ever changing writer’s photos of me starting to shed the look of ill health I had as well as the wear and tear of a 50 year old face, to the youthful and vibrant one that looks back at me today in the mirror.

Prior to my Jan 2007 spine surgery, I’d always been a person who believed in aging naturally and had a negative opinion of obviously plastic attempts to turn back the clock. But since meeting him on a visit with my then 19 year old son regarding his acne scars, I’ve learned an enormous amount about just exactly what aging entails for both men and women and that there had been tremendous medical advances in the field of aesthetic medicine in just the past 20 years.

While he was speaking with my son my eyes roamed around reading the posters on his wall on the treatments he offered like Botox. Among the claims was that Botox helped chronic migraine sufferers like myself.

Dr Hew, pointing out that I had deep furrows between my eyes, said even if it didn’t help the migraines, wouldn’t I like the furrows at least to disappear? If all it took was a small poke of a medically proven safe treatment, then, really, why not?the next day the furrows were almost invisible and I was so struck with my appearance, I must confess I went straight back to him for a real consultation sans my son. Also, I’ve never had another migraine.

Dr Hew suggested dermal gel fillers for both my cheek areas as well as under my chin. After his nurse iced up each area, he injected a hyaluronic acid solution which is an animal free, non-toxic, nonallergenic substance naturally present in our bodies It acts like a sponge once it is in the body and attracts bodily fluids filling it out and giving natural volume to the affected areas. Within literally five minutes I had normal looking cheeks again and instantly shed some of my malnourished appearance.

He explained that as we age we lose fat packets in our face and neck. Also the body can no longer produce sufficient quantities of collagen, the main protein of collective tissue that keeps skin plump and line free. He specialises in non-invasive treatments and all of his treatments result in a genuinely natural look and with a minimal amount of down time.

Dr Hew is a medical doctor with a sub speciality in aesthetic medicine and dermatology having advanced medical degrees from prestigious western universities. He’s been a pioneer in KL opening his clinic in 1996 and building up his reputation steadily since then for exemplary adherence to strict hygienic standards, keeping up with the very latest in his field, safety awareness and his insistence on a skilful, highly trained staff. What I like best about going to him is his empathetic manner and his genuine concern for his patient’s best interests.

Malaysian Aesthetic Clinic also offers the very latest in skin lasering called Fractional Co2 which I recently underwent. After putting on a deeply penetrating local aesthetic, Dr. Hew adjusted his new Fractional Laser Machine settings for my skin.Then the nozzle which is made up of hundreds of tiny needle points that shoot carefully targeted lasers directly into the dermis of the skin is moved over each section of your face and neck.The procedure takes about 30 minutes and lasts up to astounding 8 years on average. For a few days after my face looked like I had gotten a bad sunburn but then the magic became apparent. My skin had mildly scabbed and what then appeared was baby-like vibrant new skin.The lasers stimulate the cells in the dermis to rejuvenate and tighten the new skin and the result was stunning. Even on my neck. Several of my friends have had this Laser treatment for their deep acne scars and are thrilled with how they look.

MAC offers a range of services not only for the face and neck but also for the entire body. Dr Hew has imported several high tech machines that treat cellulite, excess fat and body contouring as well as breast and buttock lifting. He also specialises in excessive sweating problems as well as lymphatic drainage.

There is a large range of carefully selected products he recommends that can work alone or in tandem with the more advanced treatment with his machines. He also has introduced Photo Rejuvenation using the iClearKL treatment package which is FDA approved and works with light at the cellular level. Large portions of the body can be worked on at the same time so it is very time effective with no downtime.

I highly recommend treating yourself to a visit to meet with Dr. Hew. He’s been working with the expat community for over 15 years now and I am one of the reasons we keep going back.

Malaysian Aesthetic Clinic has two Bangsar locations.
No. 12, Lorong Maarof, Bangsar, KL.
S101, 2nd Fl Bangsar Shopping Centre 285,
Jalan Maarof, Bangsar, Kuala Lumpur.
Mon-Fri: 11.00am to 6pm
Sat: 10.00 to 2pm

Read more: Malaysian Aesthetic Clinic and a More Youthful Looking You

This article has been edited for ExpatGomalaysia.com
Get your free subscription and free delivery of The Expat Magazine.