Dr. Aivee Teo talks about the feminine face factor

Proportion or potions?

Does having the right facial proportion alone contribute greatly to what is universally accepted as a beautiful, feminine face? Or can beauty potions do the trick?

“It’s actually both,” explained Dr. Aivee Teo of The Skin & Laser Clinic, adding, “Not all women are blessed with feminine features — an oval-shaped face, a small nose, prominent cheekbones, full cheeks and flawless skin.”

To look young and beautiful is every woman’s dream. But you won’t be able to achieve it overnight by applying tons of beauty creams on your face. It’s always best to consult a licensed plastic surgeon/dermatologist, one who is dedicated to improving the quality of life of patients by enhancing or correcting facial or body features. 

Dr. Aivee is one of the most in-demand and trusted dermatologists in the country. A board-certified dermatologist with a special interest in cosmetic laser and aesthetic surgery, Dr. Aivee focuses on the field of non-invasive aesthetic medicine. She is sought-after for her unique management of skin problems and the latest in non-invasive, anti-aging treatments and cell regeneration therapies.

“In Asia, there’s a strong clamor for a sharper and more defined jawline because we have this notion that the Caucasians look prettier than us,” noted Dr. Aivee. “I guess, that also explains why a lot of Asians, Filipinos to be exact, wear colored contact lenses and resort to whitening creams to have that luminous, white skin.”

Dr. Aivee also shares stories of procedures gone wrong, “In the past, I’ve been getting a lot of patients who’ve actually had silicone injections in beauty parlors. Now, they are coming to us to take ‘it’ out. Unfortunately, we can only do so much. Your doctor plays a crucial role in enhancing or correcting your facial features. He/she has to know the right products to use and should be able to explain to the patient its pros and cons. It’s your face, so it’s important to be cautious of what you put on it.”

As they say, the grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. â€We always want something that we don’t have and we feel that that one thing lacking is always better,” Dr. Aivee said, smiling.

Fill it to believe!

The correction of fine and dynamic lines, restoration of lip and cheek volume, and the enhancement of the nose are some of the facial procedures Filipinos want to undergo whenever they seek Dr. Aivee’s help.

“Another popular concern is their round face; they want a sharper feature — a less squarish jawline,” she added. “Their concerns vary as they age.”

The younger set usually complains about skin pigmentation and fine lines that are starting to form on their foreheads. For the older group, it’s wrinkles, sagging skin, and eye bags. And once you start to lose volume on the face, you’ll look tired and haggard.

So what are the popular treatments recommended/administered to patients who want to undergo facial enhancement without going under the knife?

“If you’re concerned about facial contouring, Botulinum toxin helps,” shared Dr. Aivee. “It is a natural, purified protein that softens the muscle. It creates a finer and more feminine look, which enhances your features.” She added that Botulinum toxin relaxes wrinkle-causing muscles, creating a rejuvenated appearance.

Botulinum toxin can also be used to relax specific facial muscles that create dynamic wrinkles (the wrinkles that are formed during facial expression). Once relaxed, the dynamic lines are markedly lessened, and softened, if not totally eradicated. “So the lines are gradually smoothened and new lines are prevented from forming,” Dr. Aivee explained.

For those who want to erase the undesirable signs of aging due to facial volume loss — wrinkles, sagging skin and jowls — Dr. Aivee recommends a combination of two wonder drugs: Botulinum toxin and soft-tissue dermal fillers. 

“Dermal fillers are non-surgical treatments for facial sagging caused by volume loss,” explained Dr. Aivee.

How does it work?

“It’s like building a house. First, you need to put structure columns and a good foundation to stabilize it. When your face sags due to volume loss, you can put structure and strength in certain parts of the face so it won’t ‘collapse.’ Dermal fillers like Juvederm® Voluma® with Lidocaine can effectively refill hallowed cheeks, giving a noticeable lift and a visible reduction of nasolabial folds and other facial wrinkles. It may also be used to elongate the chin or give it more anterior projection (since Asians usually have a small, retruded chin),” explained Dr. Aivee.

Soft-tissue augmentation using hyaluronic acid fillers like Juvederm® Voluma® with Lidocaine is the second most popular minimally invasive procedure performed by plastic surgeons here and in the US. And since it’s made of natural ingredients, it’ is safe and the results last longer. You’ll definitely get value for your money. However, Dr. Aivee cautions patients on the tendency of inexperienced aesthetic surgeons to ”overfill.”

“A lot of problems happen when you overfill a patient. It just doesn’t look natural and you’ll be the talk of the town for weeks,” she said.

Dermal fillers can also be used to address a flat nose for those who are afraid to or would rather not undergo rhinoplasty.

“Unlike surgery, there is minimal downtime. In fact, you can go to my clinic and have afternoon tea with your friends after. They won’t notice you had something done on your face; you’ll just look refreshed. In fact, after the procedure, most of my patients would have a haircut so if any of her friends noticed the difference they’d think her new hair made her look young and refreshed,” shared Dr. Aivee.

The good thing about dermal fillers is that they have an instant effect.

“Fifteen to 30 minutes. That’s all it takes to erase the undesirable signs of aging. Here in the clinic, we call it the real-time Photoshop,” added Dr. Aivee.

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For inquiries, visit or call Dr. Aivee Teo in her clinics at The Bellevue Hotel, 822-1546; Las Pinas Doctor’s Hospital, 829-9763; and at Burgos Circle at The Fort, 403-3245.