How Dr. Vicki learned the ‘truth’ at 17

Click here to read Part I

(Second of two parts)

There at Ratsky’s, in front of all of us, a pimple-fearing generation, the best dermatologist surgeon talked about how it was to feel unattractive and unnoticed by the boys. She wasn’t even 17 when she learned that love, as a popular song goes, was meant for beauty queens. And they with ravaged faces desperately stayed at home and hallucinated about fictional lovers who whispered obscenities.

This song in a way pushed Vicki to do something about her malevolent pimples and then bring her "battle" to a higher level. She decided to become a dermatological surgeon so that she could help boys and girls at 17 or 70 to look and feel good about themselves. Vicki drove herself to dermatological excellence by going to the best medical schools, training under the best doctors and most important of all, retaining the vision in her heart that with her expertise, less people would suffer depression and humiliation. Just like she did.

During her party, all she was saying was, "If I was able to overcome my insecurities, anyone can."

Well, she did and has become the foremost authority on beauty. Just count the people salivating with envy because they can’t take her success. To them, Vicki smiles like a champion that she is.

Today, after 11 years, Vicki has established four branches (Makati, Tektite Building in Ortigas, Alabang and Tomas Morato) of the Belo Medical Group (BMG), which is the leading dermatological center in the Philippines – perhaps even in Southeast Asia.

All of these centers are fully equipped with the latest technological wonders – the Versapulse Laser, Laser Hair Removal apparatus, Skin Master, Starvac, Endermologie Machine, Power Peel Machine and many more. Two of BMG’s centers are equipped with state-of-the-art operating suites where various dermatologic surgical procedures like Laser-assisted Tumescent Liposuction, Laser Resurfacing, Facelift, Blepharoplasty, Rhinoplasty, Breast Augmentation and Hair Transplant Procedure. These procedures are all done by well-trained surgeons like Drs. Cayetano, Lina, Yap, Caparas, Quintos (Tomas Morato branch); Buse, Flores, Balingit (Medical Plaza branch); Sy (Alabang); and Cruz and Buñag (Tektite branch) who are all equipped with experience and expertise on their respective fields. All centers are manned by competent and experienced medical staff who is capable of handling adequately patient’s needs and concerns.

The Belo Medical Group is also a pioneer in doing its own research on different facial procedures. At present, they are the only ones offering the Obagi Oxygen Facial and the Facial Contouring Procedure. Their aestheticians are well-trained in all the facial and cleaning procedures needed by their patients. They undergo continuous training sessions to maintain their excellent standards, the latest of which was given by Sheryl Sexton, a famous Beverly Hills facialist.

The Belo Medical Centers are truly a one-stop dermatological mecca. In addition to the above procedures, they also offer Botox Injections, Pertlane/Restylane Injection, various types of peeling procedures, Sclerotherapy and Ambulatory Phlebectomy. From one clinic to four fully equipped ones, from five personnel to 70 at present, the Belo Medical Group has really gone a long way.

Yet, BMG doesn’t rest on its laurels. It still continues to strive in upgrading and enhancing all its products and procedures in the pursuit of excellence. The following are Vicky’s answers to the most commonly asked questions on beauty.

What causes pimples?

Pimples are caused by four main things: oily skin, bacteria, hormones and old skin that gets thick, like a very thin callus trapping the oil. In order to get the problem under control, you have to attack all the four causes like controlling the oiliness, decreasing the bacteria population with an antibiotic astringent, sloughing off the skin normally with an exfoliant and purifying regularly and having cleansing facials.

Is liposuction safe?

The latest liposuction technique called laser assisted tumescent is very safe. Fat is liquefied before the suctioning which results in more fat being removed with less trauma and shorter healing time.

What are the latest things that BMG is offering?

We have skin master for stretch marks (a technique that uses a multi-pronged approach to repair stretch marks), aptous thread (the only true non-surgical face lift), buttock enhancement (a safe technique that uses fat or hydrogel to give a very realistic feeling) and lasers to whiten armpits, get rid of acne, remove dark undereye circles and remove hair permanently.

How can I effectively get rid of pigmentation?

The only system that works to get rid of this very common problem of women above 30 is the Obagi Skin Health Restoration System. It is a system originated by Dr. Obagi of Beverly Hills that introduces different creams that exercises skin cells to make them healthy again.

How can I whiten armpits?

First, stop using deodorants because the combination of chemicals and sweat can darken armpits. Then, stop using a loofah, towel or bimpo to clean your armpits at rough rubbing can irritate your skin. Also, do not shave and do not skin peel the area as these can burn the skin. Fourth, have a scrub bleach to take care of superficial darkening and lastly, undergo a Nd/Yag laser whitening which targets the deeper melanin cells not eliminated by the scrub bleach.