Two years ago, she had gone for mesotherapy, one of the 11 procedures listed by MOH as unproven and potentially unsafe. The treatment claims to dissolve fat by injecting a cocktail of drugs into the affected area. It was painful and left scars on her tummy. She never went back to the doctor.

Indeed, patients like her said that the only reason they went for these aesthetic treatments was that it was being done by a doctor.

The Singapore Medical Council is investigating six doctors, including a specialist, following complaints about their aesthetic work.

But while some support the ministry's stand, others like teacher S. Das, 27, feel its move was too harsh. She said: 'Just because it isn't proven to work all the time doesn't mean it should be disallowed. After all, some people have seen success.'

MICRONEEDLING DERMAROLLER

A handheld device that looks like a rolling pin with very fine needles is run over the skin to make microscopic punctures. The procedure claims to stimulate collagen production and smooth out scars and wrinkles.

'My skin was coarse...I had acne scars and uneven, pigmented skin.

I started out with carbon dioxide laser resurfacing - which removes the outer-most skin to treat wrinkles and scars - about a year ago and that improved my complexion.

Then my doctor, a general practitioner who specialises in aesthetic medicine in the central business district area, attended a seminar on microneedling and asked me to try it out.

It hurt even after a numbing cream had been applied to my face. But there were no other painful side effects.

I paid $400 per session and went for five. You will see these tiny holes - red dots because the blood has dried up - on your face after the procedure. But they go away after a day or two when your skin has healed.

My skin is smoother and tighter now and the scars have disappeared.

The authorities are overreacting. The microneedling derma- roller is just a gadget.'

A male hairstylist, 50, who spent $2,000 on microneedling

Face was like raw meat

It was a nightmare I will never forget. The doctor rolled these tiny needles onto my face so hard I cried. At the end of the session, my face was bleeding. It looked so red - like a piece of raw meat.

When I left the consultation room, everyone in the clinic turned to stare at me. I went home by cab instead of taking a bus so I wouldn't get more stares.

My skin healed gradually over the next few days and the redness disappeared. But the pimple scars were still there, and I think some of them got bigger.

I had new scars, too. There were red track-like marks all over my face. I felt so cheated. I paid $300 to get this? It took two weeks for the marks to disappear.

I was lucky it was the school holidays. If not, my students would have laughed at me.

I waited two weeks in case the results were delayed. But nothing happened, so I decided I would not return to the clinic for my second treatment. The experience was just too painful, expensive and all for nothing.

Maybe the Health Ministry rule is a good thing. It prevents GPs with no aesthetics expertise from ruining patients' faces and bodies.'

A male teacher, 32, who spent $300 on one session of microneedling dermaroller

I didn't see any results

A non-surgical procedure involving making microinjections into the middle layer of skin. It supposedly breaks down fat and improves lymphatic drainage.

'About six years ago, I tried mesotherapy. I was battling a bulge around my waist even though I wasn't overweight at 74kg and 1.79m tall.

I signed up for a course of 10 sessions with an aesthetic doctor in the Orchard area, targeting just my tummy. The clinic has since closed down. After one session, I lost two inches around my midriff, but after three days, the inches crept back on again. I lost 1kg initially, but piled back 3kg after that.

Mesotherapy was painful - a doctor pinches the fat on your skin and made as many as 40 to 50 jabs with a gun-like device.

I didn't see any results. I didn't even finish the entire course, which I paid $7,000 for.

My staff laughed at me because they could see those little holes on my tummy, like pimples.

The Government is doing the right thing because these procedures are not scientifically proven.

I now exercise at a gym and eat less. I lost 6kg in one month and now weigh 67kg. My waistline has also gone from 33 inches to 29. And guess what? I don't have a tummy any more. I have muscles.'

Mr Addy Lee, 37, celebrity hairstylist and director of Monsoon Hair Group

'I went for a beach holiday in Thailand last March and returned home at least two shades darker. I was horrified. Everyone at the office was teasing me about my dark skin.

I consulted a doctor at Paragon Medical Centre whom I heard did skin-whitening injections.

He recommended that I go for five treatments. I paid almost $1,000 altogether. The doctor said that results could be seen only after three to four sessions.

Each time I went for a session, he would inject a whitening product and vitamin C into my face. The injection was not painful. After the third session, I could see my skin getting fairer. My face was glowing and it felt smoother, too.

I was so happy with the results, and the treatment was very safe. Even my boyfriend was happy. He says I look like actress Zhang Ziyi now.'

A female executive, 29, who spent about $1,000 for five sessions of skin-whitening injections

I feel lighter, healthier

This procedure involves introducing a tube into the rectum to flush the colon with water. It claims to cut down food intolerance, improve the skin, reduce cellulite, raise energy levels, reduce weight and enhance the immune system.

'I have been suffering from constipation since my teenage days.

Because of all the junk trapped in my body, I always fell sick and my skin looked dull and unhealthy.

Three years ago, a friend recommended colon cleansing at this general practitioner's clinic in Tanglin. It was the best advice I ever received from anyone.

The doctor inserted a tube into my rectum and ran some water into the tube. The water flushed out all sorts of waste from my colon.

I feel lighter and healthier after each treatment. My skin looks better, too. I still get constipated, but at least I know I can flush out the waste through colon cleansing. I think I have lost some weight, as well. I am 2kg lighter now.

I go for colon cleansing once a year now. It has been a great investment - only $150 a session. It has helped me a lot. Since I can't do it at the clinic now, I might have to find a health centre or salon that does it.'

Madam P. Chen, 55, a houswife, has spent $450 on colon cleansing so far

Embarrassing and painful

Late last year, I went to a clinic in Orchard Road for my treatment and paid about $150.

When the doctor pumped water into my rectum, I became nauseous and had stomach cramps. I also felt a sudden urge to pass motion; I couldn't control myself. It was very embarrassing and very painful. After the session, I still felt very bloated, although the water and waste were flushed out from my body. The feeling lasted for about two days.

I don't think I will go back for another colon-cleansing session. It was too painful and passing motion in front of the doctor was not pleasant either.'

Miss Jac Lee, 22, a part-time student, spent $150 for one session of colon-cleansing

Used as a form of non-surgical body contouring, it delivers deep soft-tissue massage using a mechanical device that looks like a portable massager.

It is most popularly used to smooth out cellulite. The device produces a rolling, twisting and suction effect that manipulates the skin and fat, breaking down the fat and removing the dimpling.

'I had a big problem with the cellulite on my thighs and I didn't like how I looked when I wore shorts.

I went to see a plastic surgeon at the Paragon two years ago. There was no hard sell and the doctor said the procedure was medically sound.

The first time was painful. It felt like someone was constantly pinching me. Now that I'm used to it, it feels more like a massage.

It took me five sessions before I saw any effects, but now my skin has improved significantly. It's more taut and no longer looks like an orange peel. I have also lost about 1 to 2kg.

I have gone for more than 20 sessions. There are no side effects. I'm more confident when I wear shorts today. If I can't do it at my doctor any more, I may go to a beauty salon.'

Ms D. Quek, 29, an administrative executive, has spent more than $3,000 so far on the treatment

My bruises were worth it

Similar to mesotherapy, this non-surgical procedure involves infusing gaseous carbon dioxide below the skin into the subcutaneous tissue through a tiny needle. It claims to kill fat cells, stimulate blood flow, improve the skin's elasticity and reduce the appearance of cellulite.

'I was sold on carboxytherapy after I saw what it did for my friend: She was 85kg and 1.65m tall and lost more than 20kg with the help of this procedure.

Even though I'm not fat - I'm 60kg and 1.65m tall - I had sagging skin after I gave birth to twins 10 years ago. I put on 34kg during my pregnancy.

I went to an aesthetic doctor about two years ago and paid $120 a session for carboxytherapy on my tummy and buttocks.

It hurt like hell. I would rate the pain level seven out of 10. When the carbon dioxide is pumped into your belly, you feel so bloated. After that, you feel like you're having menstrual cramps for an entire day. I also got bad bruises. But I was determined and lost 4cm on my tummy and buttocks by the third session.

It is money worth spending.

I think it's better than going to a slimming salon or taking slimming pills. I stopped after five sessions because of the bruising and the pain. But I had already achieved my goal of firming up.

Ms Lyn Aw, 33, is a property agent who spent $600 on carboxytherapy

I had very visible cellulite on my thighs although I'm not fat. A friend went and lost some weight.

Needles were inserted into my thighs and carbon dioxide was pumped in. Like a balloon, you will feel your thigh expanding until it cannot expand anymore. It leads to a sharp, prickly pain and is quite intense for the first 10 minutes. After that, your leg goes numb and the pain subsides.

I can safely say that was the worst pain I have ever felt in my life. There was bruising sometimes at the spots where the needles were inserted.

Immediately after the treatment, my thighs would be very swollen and a bit sore. The swelling subsides by the next day and for about four days after, my skin would be quite tight. But invariably, that taut look would fade.

I pressed on as I had read that most people need at least 20 sessions before seeing an improvement. By the time I hit the 15-session mark though, I was quite sure this was getting nowhere and my money was wasted.

I regret putting myself through all that suffering for something so superficial.'

Ms S. Das, 27, is a teacher who spent around $1,200 for 20 sessions of carboxytherapy