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Many Malaysians see skin irritation and infections as something to tolerate in silence. For Dato’ Loh Shin Siong, however, it was a long-standing pain he refused to simply live with.
At the time, he had already begun his journey as an entrepreneur, pouring most of his time and energy into building a stable life for his family.
Like many business owners, each day came with its own set of challenges, but Loh remained focused on growing steadily through hard work and persistence.
Little did he know, what seemed like a minor health issue back then would eventually change the direction of his life entirely.
Was told to ‘just live with it’
In his early thirties, Loh began noticing issues caused by ringworm on his scalp. What started as mild itching and discomfort didn’t seem like a big deal at first.
But over time, his condition worsened, turning into vicious cycles of inflammation.
Like many others facing similar issues, Loh tried various treatments in hopes of finding a solution. Unfortunately, nothing provided lasting relief.
By that point, he had already tried numerous treatments and even travelled to Singapore for steroid injections, but side effects such as dizziness, nausea, and bleeding were difficult to endure.
One particular moment, which stays with him to this day, was after a treatment session, where he sat alone in his car and wondered:
“Is this something I’ll have to live with for the rest of my life?”
After trying so many options without real answers, it began to feel like there might not be a solution at all. But instead of giving up, that thought became Loh’s turning point.
A turning point in his search for answers
There were moments when his condition made Loh feel uncomfortable, especially as it affected his scalp and sometimes caused visible inflammation or small wounds.
In formal or social settings, he became more conscious of how he looked.
For a while, Loh chose not to speak about it openly and preferred to deal with it quietly while searching for a solution.
“Looking back, it wasn’t just about appearance, it was the frustration of trying so many methods without finding a real solution,” he added.
Years later, a visit to a friend’s mangrove charcoal factory in Taiping, Perak, led him to discover wood vinegar—a discarded by-product usually used as a natural insect repellent.
Curious about its potential, he decided to give a mangrove wood vinegar a try. At the time, his scalp already had small wounds, and because the substance is naturally acidic, applying it caused an intense stinging pain.
But what happened next caught Loh completely off guard. Shortly after the initial pain, the itching stopped almost immediately—something no treatment had managed to do before.
“I was very shocked. After years of trying different methods with little success, this unexpected result made me realise that this natural substance could hold a different kind of potential.
“Over time, I also began to understand that health is not just about treating symptoms, but about learning how the body works and respecting its natural balance,” he said.
Providing relief for others like him
For years, the work was done quietly behind the scenes, including moments of doubt, especially in the early stages when researchers expressed skepticism over SATEERA’s potential.
After 10 years of refining the formula to ensure it was safe for consumer use, the eventual validation of the research and recognition of the technology felt less like a personal achievement, but a reassurance that his persistence had not been in vain.
What mattered most to Loh was seeing Malaysian universities, scientists, and researchers involved throughout the journey.
“This is proof that meaningful innovation can come from within our own ecosystem, if we are willing to put in the time and effort.
“I feel a sense of relief rather than pride, to be honest. I’m relieved to see that the science behind SATEERA could stand on its own, and that what began as a personal struggle had been properly tested and could now be shared responsibly.”
Today, SATEERA has earned BioNexus recognition, secured patents in 14 countries, and most recently, achieved an Asia-level record for innovation.
What was once a deep personal struggle has now become something that could help others face their health challenges in a safer and more thoughtful way.
To Loh, that matters far more than any recognition or achievement.
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