Introduction
Thinking of getting a treatment to refresh your skin, contour your body, or reduce signs of ageing? You’re not alone. Aesthetic treatments have become very popular in Singapore, with better access, improved technology, and more people wanting to look and feel their best.
But with so many aesthetic clinics out there, how do you know which one is right for you?
It’s not just about who has the most followers on Instagram or who offers the cheapest package. What matters most is whether the clinic is safe, trustworthy, and follows the health regulations in Singapore. Medical aesthetic clinics must comply with strict rules set by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Health Sciences Authority (HSA). These rules are there to protect patients from misleading ads, unsafe treatments, and unnecessary risks.
Accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI) and certified to ISO 9001 standards, CS Aesthetics reflects this commitment to professional standards and patient safety.
Here’s a simple guide to help you choose wisely.
1. Make Sure the Clinic is Licensed
This is the most important first step. In Singapore, any clinic that offers medical aesthetic treatments such as lasers, injections, or body contouring must be licensed by the Ministry of Health (MOH).
Don’t just assume a clinic is legit because it has a fancy storefront or lots of followers online. Go to the MOH website and check if the clinic is properly licensed. Also, the doctor providing the treatment must be registered with the Singapore Medical Council and hold a valid practising certificate.
Why is this so important? Because only licensed doctors are allowed to perform medical procedures like botulinum toxin injections, dermal fillers, or energy-based skin treatments. These are not simple beauty services. They are medical procedures that need proper training, experience, and safety measures.
2. Look at the Services Offered and Whether They’re Safe
Just because a treatment looks trendy on the internet doesn’t mean it’s safe or even allowed in Singapore. MOH and HSA have clear rules about which treatments can be offered and what clinics are allowed to advertise.
Clinics are not allowed to promote or advertise prescription-only medicines or professional-use-only devices. This includes naming brands like Botox, Profhilo, or Saxenda, showing photos of the products, or using nicknames and creative spellings like “S*xenda” or “Viagr@.” Even using shortened terms, acronyms, or clever wordplay to hint at the product is not allowed.
Because prescription-only treatments and professional-use devices must stay under strict medical supervision, clinics can only describe treatment types in general terms. For example, they can say things like “wrinkle-reducing injection” or “non-invasive body-shaping treatment,” but they cannot name the exact product unless you’re already in a medical consultation.
When browsing a clinic’s website or social media, be careful if you see things like:
- Specific brand names or ingredient lists
- Product packaging photos
- “Buy now” or “book now” links before a proper consultation
These are signs that the clinic may not be following Singapore’s advertising rules. If they’re not following regulations in their marketing, you might want to question their medical standards too.
3. Is the Clinic Open About Prices and Treatment Details?
Nobody likes surprises when it comes to cost. A reliable clinic will be honest and clear with you from the start.
Here’s what you should expect:
- Transparent consultation fees
- A full breakdown of treatment costs
- Clear explanation of how many sessions are needed
- An honest discussion about recovery time, possible side effects, and what results to expect
Here’s what a clinic should not be doing:
- Offering discounts, time-limited deals, or “buy now” offers to push you to sign up
- Giving away free gifts or running lucky draws to encourage bookings
- Selling treatment packages just to get you to commit to multiple sessions
- Making unrealistic promises like “guaranteed glow in one session” or “instant lifting effect”
These kinds of promotions are not allowed, especially if they involve prescription medications or medical treatments. Also, clinics are only allowed to make factual claims. They must be able to prove everything they say.
If you feel like a clinic is pushing you into making a quick decision, take a step back.
4. Skip the Hype and Look for Professionalism
Social media can be convincing, but looks can be deceiving. A clinic might have great-looking posts, tons of likes, and even influencers recommending them. But in Singapore, a lot of this content is actually not allowed for medical services.
Clinics here are not allowed to:
- Use celebrities or influencers to promote medical treatments
- Show before-and-after photos of patients
- Post customer reviews or testimonials that promote their services, unless very specific conditions are met and it’s only shown on their own website or page
Why are these things not allowed? Because they often create unrealistic expectations. You might think a treatment works better than it really does or believe it’s safer than it actually is.
Instead of focusing on flashy content, pay attention to whether the clinic:
- Explains information clearly and simply
- Tells you about risks, not just benefits
- Gives you time to think instead of rushing you to make payment
A professional clinic puts your safety and comfort first. That’s the kind of place you want to trust.
5. What Is the Environment Like and Are the Tools Safe?
A proper aesthetic clinic should look and feel like a clean, professional medical space. The rooms should be tidy, the staff should be well-trained, and you should feel comfortable asking questions.
You can ask the clinic things like:
- Are your machines approved by the HSA?
- Do you clean and sanitize equipment between each patient?
- Do you use sterile tools for every treatment?
- Is the person performing my treatment a registered doctor?
If the clinic can’t answer these questions confidently, or seems vague, that’s a clear warning sign.
Also, be wary of any clinic that says their treatments are totally safe, have no side effects, or are guaranteed to be painless. Every medical procedure, no matter how small, carries some risk. A good doctor will always explain that to you.
Understanding the Rules Around Advertising
You might be wondering why there are so many rules about what aesthetic clinics can or can’t say. It all comes down to safety.
In Singapore, anything that promotes a treatment or product is considered an advertisement even if it’s indirect. This means that things like:
- A product photo with no caption
- A brand name written with slight spelling changes
- A website button that says “start consultation” before seeing a doctor
- An online quiz that steers you toward a specific treatment
All of these count as advertising and are not allowed if they promote prescription-only treatments or professional-use medical devices.
HSA’s rules are designed to prevent people from choosing treatments based on marketing, instead of a proper medical assessment. These rules are in place to keep you safe by making sure any discussion of a specific product only happens in a proper medical appointment. That way, you’ll get personalized advice from a qualified professional instead of seeing marketing claims, ensuring you choose the right treatment for your needs.
Why Clinics Hold Off on Specific Treatment Names Until Your Appointment
Some of the most common aesthetic treatments involve prescription medications or tools that are only allowed to be used by trained doctors. These are not casual beauty tools. If used wrongly, they can cause serious problems.
That’s why clinics are not allowed to promote them in public. You shouldn’t be deciding which product you want before even talking to a doctor. Your doctor should be the one to decide what’s suitable for your skin, body, and health based on your medical history.
How to Protect Yourself as a Patient
Here are a few simple things you can do to stay safe:
- Check if the clinic is licensed on MOH’s website
- Look up the doctor on the Singapore Medical Council site
- Be careful with any clinic that makes big claims or uses pushy sales tactics
- Don’t rely on promotions, influencer posts, or customer reviews
- Always go for a proper medical consultation before making any decisions
Also, if a clinic says their products are “HSA approved,” that’s another red flag. Clinics are not allowed to use HSA’s name or suggest that their services are backed by any government agency.
Choosing with Confidence
Finding a good aesthetic clinic in Singapore isn’t about who has the trendiest website or most social media buzz. It’s about who puts your safety first, explains things clearly, and helps you make informed choices. Avoid clinics that push you to buy packages or promise instant results. Look for those that focus on your individual needs, take time to assess you properly, and explain all your options without pressure. Before you book that treatment, ask yourself: is this clinic focused on my health and safety, or just trying to make a sale?
Take control of your decision by choosing a licensed aesthetic medical clinic in Singapore that values your care and takes the time to do things right. Get the information you need from a trusted clinic and decide on a treatment that’s grounded in care, not hype. Ready to begin? Book a consultation with us today and let’s talk about what’s best for your skin.
@csaesthetics.sg 
