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Lipomas are slow-growing, fatty lumps that often sit between your skin and the underlying muscle layer beneath. They feel slightly doughy but are not tender and can move with light pressure.
Although lipomas are possible in anyone of all ages, lipomas are often detected in people between the ages of 40 to 60 years old. Generally, most people only have one lipoma, however, there are patients who have more than one lipoma at a time.
Lipomas are not cancerous but can sometimes grow too large which ultimately result in discomfort. Fortunately, lipoma removal is possible in Singapore, which is safe and effective.
There are many different types of cysts; the two most common ones are epidermoid cysts and sebaceous cysts.
Epidermoid cysts are small bumps that appear beneath the skin on any part of the body but most commonly on your face, neck, and trunk. They are typically painless, grow slowly, and do not cause many problems in day-to-day activities. They also tend to go away on their own with time. If anything, they usually only cause cosmetic or aesthetic issues.
Sebaceous cysts arise from sebaceous glands that secrete oil which lubricates your hair and skin. Hence, they can occur anywhere on your body except your palms and soles of your feet. Sabaceous cysts are slow-growing and non-cancerous.
Your doctor can remove a cyst if it causes discomfort, its appearance bothers you, if it ruptures, or is infected.
| Causes | Symptoms | Diagnosis | Treatments | |
| Lipoma | Family history of lipoma Generally occurring between the ages of 40 to 60 (but can occur at any age) | Occurs at the neck, shoulders, back, abdomen, arms, and thighs Soft and doughy to the touch Small in size (approx. 5cm diameter) Can be painful if it is pressing on nearby nerves or if it contains blood vessels | Physical examination Biopsy X-ray, MRI, or CT scan | Surgical removal Liposuction Steroid injections |
| Cyst | Can form due to irritation and/or injury to your skin or hair follicle Commonly occurs past puberty Genetic disorder | Small, round bump(s) under your skin on your face, neck, or trunk Tiny blackhead plugs in the central opening of the cyst Contains thick, yellow, smelly material Redness, swelling, and tender to the touch, if inflamed or infected | Physical examination Biopsy | Injecting medicine to reduce swelling and inflammation Incision and drainage Minor surgical removal |
There are very few cases where lipomas resolve themselves. Individuals may choose to live with it while others may decide to get them removed. Thankfully, lipomas rarely cause any problems when left alone. Cysts, however, run the risk of getting infected, causing discharge to excrete from them. Once the infection is treated, it will heal but might leave a scar behind and the chances of recurrence are very high.
As mentioned before, lipomas are not harmful or dangerous to your health. But you can opt to get it removed if it bothers you or causes aesthetic/cosmetic issues.
There are a few ways you can remove a lipoma in Singapore:
Unlike lipomas, cysts have a high chance of getting infected, causing some health risks if left untreated.
Placing a warm and moist cloth on the area can help to drain it, but this is not a permanent solution as it has a chance of recurring. In some rare cases, a cyst can go away on its own but it is always best to get treatment before it gets worse.
Treatment options include:
If a cyst does get infected, your doctor will most likely prescribe you antibiotics.
Be it a lipoma or cyst, it is always best to consult a qualified and experienced doctor to address any concerns you may have in order to get the right treatment.
How do you tell if it’s a cyst or lipoma?
On the surface, lipomas and cysts can look similar. Cysts are typically smaller in size compared to lipomas but are often found on the head and neck. Lipomas can grow almost anywhere on the body such as your shoulders, neck, chest, arms, back, buttocks, and thighs.
Is a lipoma or cyst a tumour?
No. Lipomas and cysts are not cancerous. Lipomas are fatty lumps found between the skin and muscle layer. A cyst is a bump that appears just under the skin. Both are not cancerous and generally do not cause much harm. However, a cyst can pose a risk to your health if it gets infected and left untreated.
What happens if a lipoma is not removed?
Depending on the size and location of the lipoma, it may or may not cause discomfort. If it does get too large, it might cause some level of discomfort, especially if it presses on nearby tissues, nerves and/or blood vessels. If it grows too deep, it can potentially interfere with muscle growth.
Is lipoma removal and cyst removal medisave claimable?
Yes, both procedures are medisave claimable if your doctor deems it medically necessary.
Breast enhancement surgery is a type of cosmetic surgery that is designed to improve the size, shape, or symmetry of breasts. There are several types of breast enhancement procedures available, including breast augmentation, breast lift, and breast reduction. In Singapore, breast enhancement surgery is widely available, but it is important to choose a qualified and experienced surgeon to perform the procedure.
Breast augmentation is the most common type of breast enhancement surgery in Singapore. This procedure involves the placement of silicone or saline implants under the breast tissue or chest muscle to increase the size and fullness of the breasts. Breast augmentation can be done for a variety of reasons, including to enhance the appearance of small or asymmetrical breasts, to restore breast volume lost due to pregnancy or weight loss, or to improve the overall shape and proportion of the breasts.
Breast lift is another type of breast enhancement surgery that is available in Singapore. This procedure is designed to lift sagging breasts and improve their shape and position on the chest. Breast lift surgery involves the removal of excess skin and tissue from the breasts, and the repositioning of the nipple and areola to a higher position on the breast.
Breast reduction surgery is another type of breast enhancement procedure that is available in Singapore. This procedure is designed to reduce the size and weight of overly large breasts, which can cause physical discomfort and pain. Breast reduction surgery involves the removal of excess breast tissue and skin, and the repositioning of the nipple and areola to a more natural position on the breast.
If you are considering breast enhancement surgery in Singapore, it is important to choose a qualified and experienced surgeon to perform the procedure. A good surgeon will have a thorough understanding of the anatomy of the breast, as well as the technical skills and experience necessary to perform the procedure safely and effectively.
To choose the right surgeon for your breast enhancement surgery, you should start by researching the qualifications and experience of potential surgeons. Look for a surgeon who is board-certified and has experience performing breast enhancement surgery. You should also read reviews and testimonials from other patients who have undergone breast enhancement surgery with the surgeon you are considering.
During your initial consultation with a surgeon, ask about their experience with breast enhancement surgery, their approach to the procedure, and any potential risks or complications. You should also ask to see before-and-after photos of previous patients who have undergone breast enhancement surgery with the surgeon.
The cost of breast enhancement surgery in Singapore can vary depending on the type of procedure you are undergoing, as well as the surgeon you choose to perform the procedure. In general, breast augmentation surgery can cost anywhere from SGD $12,000 to SGD $20,000, while breast lift and breast reduction surgery can cost between SGD $15,000 and SGD $25,000.
It is important to keep in mind that the cost of breast enhancement surgery in Singapore may not include all of the associated costs, such as anesthesia, hospital fees, and post-operative care. Be sure to discuss all costs associated with the procedure with your surgeon before making a decision.
As with any surgical procedure, breast enhancement surgery comes with potential risks and complications. These can include bleeding, infection, scarring, and implant rupture or leakage. Additionally, some patients may experience changes in nipple sensation, asymmetry, or changes in breast shape over time.
To reduce the risk of complications, it is important to choose a qualified and experienced surgeon for all your procedure.
Hair plays an important role in boosting confidence and can even be a part of a person’s identity. With a good head of hair, a person can look healthier and younger.
Previously, I shared the telltale medical signs of hair loss –including the differences between male pattern hair loss and female pattern hair loss– and treatment options you can look into, such as:
While the above options can help with arresting hair fall, the significance of their efficacy will hinge on a few factors:
Identifying your goals will help you save a lot of time and money, and potentially save you from falling into marketing traps.
In this article, allow me to share how the various hair loss treatments in Singapore work, which work best for hair regrowth, and if there’s a permanent fix to hair loss.
The typical route for someone seeking resolve for their hair loss usually looks like this:
If you’re serious about stopping hair loss and/or seeking hair regrowth, don’t waste your time with Options 1 and 2.
Remember: Hair loss is a medical condition that requires proper diagnosis and clinically backed solutions by a doctor.
A doctor will be able to check the root cause of your hair loss and difficulty in hair regrowth. You might also be asked about your diet, hair care routine and medical or family history.
Besides asking about your diet, lifestyle and medical/family history, your doctor may conduct some tests.
Hair grows at an average rate[2] of 0.5 to 1.7cm (0.2 to 0.7 inches) per month. This can be influenced by genetics, age, general health, or pregnancy. Men will notice that their hair grows faster than females.
For temporary, non-medical cases of hair loss, preventing further hair loss may be possible through:
With these methods, you may see a decrease in hair loss but hair regrowth is not guaranteed. For hair regrowth to happen, there must be a stimulus to increase blood flow to hair follicles.
Below are some popular hair loss treatment methods and their hair regrowth efficacies:
| Method | How it works | Is hair regrowth possible? |
| Medication (Minoxidil, Finasteride, others) | Prevents testosterone from turning into DHT (finasteride) and increases blood flow around hair follicles (minoxidil). Both can be taken orally or applied on the scalp. | While both arrest the progression of hair loss, they allow only partial regrowth at best, and only at early intervention[3]. In FPHL particularly, Minoxidil fails to achieve hair regrowth in some patients[4]. |
| Hair transplant surgery | A patch of hair is removed from a different part of the head where there is no hair loss and transplanted onto the affected area. Simply put, think of this process as planting ‘seeds’ at areas with hair loss for new hair to grow. For this reason, it’s better not to wait till hair loss advances till almost the whole scalp is affected so we have more healthy hair follicles to work with. | Hair transplanting is currently the only proven method to permanently treat hair loss with a 90% success rate for both men and women. |
| Low level laser therapy | A low-level laser device is used on the affected area to promote tissue repair and rejuvenation. | Studies[5] show that LLLT achieves significant hair regrowth in men and women, and results are enhanced when treatment is done in combination with minoxidil/finasteride. |
In Singapore, the only permanent form of hair regrowth is a hair transplant – by permanent meaning you don’t wish to seek treatment for life.
Once stopped, the effects of oral medication and laser therapies will wean. Like all aesthetic procedures, they require maintenance treatments too.
As far as covering bald spots and long term assurance, a hair transplant is the most effective method.
Note: That’s not to say you MUST undergo a hair transplant if you are experiencing hair loss. If in the early stages, your doctor might recommend something less invasive depending on your goals.
Regardless, if a fuller head of hair is what you’re looking for, then your treatment plan should include protocols that a) stop hair loss and b) stimulate hair regrowth. A combination treatment is necessary.
We have all been concerned about excessive amounts of hair loss at some point in life and it can hinder one’s self-confidence. Thankfully, there are still ways to manage or fix this. If you have any questions, you’re always welcome to drop me a message and discuss your concerns.
Our hair is often seen as our crowning glory and is one of the first things we notice about someone. According to a recent survey conducted in 2022, approximately 44% of Singaporean respondents cited hair loss as a top hair concern1.
But not all hair loss is created equal — men and women experience balding differently, and the occasional hair in the shower sink does not mean you are experiencing hair loss that require medical concern.
In this article, allow me to explain the difference between male and female pattern hair loss and how treatment options differ.
The average adult loses about 50-100 strands a day, and while that sounds like a lot, it is normal especially when compared to the approximately 100,000 strands of hair we have on our head. New hair grows and replaces the hair we lose; however in some individuals, this normal process is disrupted resulting in hair loss or alopecia.
Hair loss is a common problem that affects mostly older people and can occur in both men and women. Male and female pattern hair loss is the most common type of hair loss, and their symptoms are as follows:
If you have any of the symptoms stated above, you may be experiencing hair loss.
Hair loss can either occur suddenly or over a period of time and it may be temporary or permanent.
Temporary hair loss, also known as hair shedding, does not involve any damage to the hair follicles and usually occurs as a result of certain trigger events such as pregnancy and subsequent delivery, stress, medications, infections, illnesses, or treatments for illnesses.
Temporary hair loss usually occurs a few months after the trigger and once your body readjusts, your hair usually regrows within 6 to 9 months.
Symptoms of temporary hair loss include:
Male or female pattern hair loss occurs as a result of a combination of factors such as genetics, autoimmune disorders, medication or treatment for illnesses, tight hairstyles, damaging hair care products, and hormonal imbalance. Such hair loss involves permanent damage to the hair follicles and usually affects the crown of your head or your hairline.
Symptoms of hair loss include:
There are a few similarities with male and female pattern baldness. They are usually hereditary and can begin early, soon after puberty and the scalp is usually healthy with no sign of infection or other symptoms. However, there are several differences between the two which are outlined in the table below.
| Male pattern baldness | Female pattern baldness |
| Hair loss affects center of the scalp | Hair loss affects the whole scalp and rarely affects the hairline |
| Hair loss affects the hairline giving it an M-shaped pattern | Hair loss occurs in a “Christmas tree” pattern down the middle part of the hair |
| Men with male pattern baldness tend to become completely bald eventually | Women with female pattern baldness do not usually become completely bald |
Yes, remember, we are referring to a balding pattern so men can display what is conventional described as female pattern hair loss. Although female pattern hair loss typically occurs in females, it can also occur in men, although the rate of incidence is low.
According to a study conducted in 2020, about 3.7%2 of male hair loss patients had female pattern hair loss2. Males who experience female pattern baldness tend to have the same pattern of hair loss as seen in females such as overall thinning of hair on the whole scalp and no receding hairline.
The treatment options for pattern hair loss depends on the cause but in general both male and female pattern hair loss can be treated in the following ways:
While there are a number of shared treatment options, there are also some treatments that are gender specific.
Treatment for male pattern hair loss
Although finasteride and other anti-androgen medication can be used to treat female pattern hair loss, it is usually not advisable as it can cause potential complications in pregnant women.
Hair loss can be devastating for men and women — but it is a very treatable condition. It is important to see a clinician early to stop further hair loss. If you have any questions, feel free to drop me a message.
