Download Youth SG_April 2013

Instead of indulging in her passion by being an artist or musician,
Tan Wang Theng decided to be an aesthetic doctor and work with
body canvases.
Youth.SG visited her to find out more about being an aesthetic
doctor.
WHO: Dr Tan Wang Theng, mid 30s.
OCCUPATION: Aesthetic doctor at The Sloane Clinic
EDUCATION: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
(MBBS) and a post-graduate degree in family medicine at National
University of Singapore and a post-graduate diploma in
Dermatology at Cardiff University (United Kingdom)
Tell us more about yourself.
I have always been interested in art and music. I used to write calligraphy and now, I draw, as well as play the
piano and violin. I also enjoy going for performances and art exhibitions with friends and family.
Why and how did you become an aesthetic doctor?
I started out as a medical doctor but I always had an interest in beauty and aesthetics, since I have always
been in a musical and artistic environment. I decided to pursue dermatology after my MBBS and went on to
be an aesthetic doctor with The Sloane Clinic.
Describe a typical day at work.
All the work is done within clinic hours. For some of our branches, we are
open 24 hours every day, even on public holidays.
We also don’t have fixed lunch or dinner hours as we work according to
consultations and appointments booked by our patients. As an aesthetic
doctor, I deal with non-invasive treatments such as botox, fillers – mainly for
the skin but treatments I do differs with different patients.
What is most interesting about your job?
It is very different from a usual doctor’s job because I am dealing with beauty,
so I make people beautiful and younger-looking every day. It is a happy job
so I am glad I am here. It is more like art, since I sculpt and enhance how a
person looks so everyone can look their best.
Any challenges you face as an aesthetic doctor?
As a doctor in any field, I have to be a good listener to understand where my patients are coming from and
what they want. I also have to make sure I look at them with my medical and aesthetic background in mind,
to link it to what I think they need, to achieve what they want.
YOUTH.SG :
29 April 2013
How do you deal with demanding patients?
Majority of my patients accept my professional opinion. Very rarely do
I see patients who are very insistent and have unrealistic
expectations. If they do, they will never be happy no matter what I do,
so sometimes, it is better to turn them down rather than have a
disaster.
Do people come to you with requesting to look like a celebrity
in any way?
I meet all kinds of patients but every person aspires to look
proportionate. All the facial features should be in harmony.
When they show me a picture of a superstar, it may not be suitable for them. If the patient has a small face but
has cheeks that are too prominent, she is not going to be happy either.
For example:], someone says: “I want to look like Fann Wong.” What exactly do they like about Fann Wong?
Is it her dewy beautiful flawless skin or nose? Once I explore that, I can look at their face and facial structure
and decide if it is do-able. That’s when my expertise will come in – to see if it fits.
How long have you been in this line and how has it changed?
I have been a practising doctor since 2003. Now, I think most people want to look like themselves, to look
natural or effortless, just a better version of themselves. Very rarely do I meet people who want anything that
will jump out at others.
More men are coming to us too. I think wanting to look good is universal. The openness and awareness of
what is available has actually reduced the fear factor of going for aesthetic treatments and surgery.
What advice would you give to aspiring aesthetic doctors?
Passion is important because it will keep you going. You will have to keep up with fashion and beauty trends
to understand what patients want, because trends always change.
YOUTH.SG :
29 April 2013