When beauty issues affect confidence and self-worth

MANILA, Philippines - Most people often dismiss going to beauty clinics as a form of vanity, and a luxury for those who work hard for the money. But the tides may be changing soon, as more people realize that beauty is inextricably linked to how they regard themselves.

Dr. Windie Villarica-Hayano says, “Aesthetic problems deal psychological impact on people and it holds them back from doing normal things like smiling or wearing sleeveless shirts. As doctors we have seen how these issues become major insecurities which affect their confidence and self worth.”

Hayano is the medical director of The Skin Inc. Dermatology and Laser Center, a clinic currently focused on non-surgical and non-invasive techniques that employ different laser, light, facial and body contouring machines.

Consult with professionals

Hayano understands why people are afraid to go to an aesthetic clinic: “A lot of people fail to see the importance and impact of beauty in life in general.” Others, she says, may hesitate simply because of a fear of the unknown.

She then invites people with skin concerns to try consulting with a specialist: “Go and have a talk with your doctor. See more doctors if you have to. The more informed you are, the better.”

At The Skin Inc., skin specialists address pathologic and aesthetic concerns. Among their most popular offerings are injectables like botulinum toxin Type A for dynamic wrinkles, facial slimming and extreme sweating, and fillers like Juvederm for facial volumization and reshaping.

Anti-aging treatments

While her clinic offers a wide range of services, Hayano is especially keen on informing people about the importance of anti-aging treatments.

“The aging process is relentless and inevitable. The whole idea of anti-aging is different from before, and the idea of aging gracefully is on a different plane now. There are a lot of things that doctors like us can offer patients that would suit their goals and budget.”

One solution that The Skin Inc. offers is the use of Juvederm Voluma with Lidocaine, a formulation that helps temporarily restore facial volume that has diminished due to weight loss or age-related facial fat loss.

Juvederm Voluma with Lidocaine is from Allergan, the same healthcare company that introduced botulinum toxin Type A. Its key ingredient is hyaluronic acid, a compound that naturally occurs in the human body.

The Skin Inc. is particularly known for combining laser treatments with the botulinum toxin Type A and fillers, to achieve the best and most natural results.

Delivering these treatments are The Skin Inc.’s competent staff. “We have three doctors on board that are licensed and certified dermatologists, and an anti-aging specialist on hand that deals with hormone replacement and regenerative medicine,” Hayano says.

Beauty and self-confidence

To promote its services, The Skin Inc. has tapped endorsers Angel Locsin and Empress Schuck, who together, embody the clinic’s tagline: Passion for beauty.

Even better, they exude what often comes with looking good: a palpable sense of self-confidence. Boosting this among their clients, Hayano says, has always been the goal of The Skin Inc.

“We invested in ourselves so that we can give our patients expertise and knowledge. We use the best products in terms of safety, stability and effectiveness. We do our jobs with our patients in mind, and giving them the best care possible is what drives us,” she adds.

Interested parties may visit The Skin Inc. at Room 303-304, Tritan Plaza building, San Gregorio St., Paseo de Magallanes, Magallanes Village, Makati City (02 853-3024), and Basement One, New Promenade building, Greenhills Shopping Center, San Juan City (02 650-1111), open Mondays to Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. E-mail at [email protected]. to schedule an appointment.