Beauty in an instant

Patience doesn’t seem to play as big a part in everyday life as it used to. Everything can be had in an instant with fast food, instant messages, online infor-mation, and yes, even instant beauty. I remember when it was ridiculous to expect results in less than a month. You had to give everything time — time to work, time to heal, time to show, etc. But now, you can leave for your lunch break and come back with smoother skin and longer hair. You can take half the day off and show up with a smaller waist and no more varicose veins. So you really can’t use the “I don’t have time” excuse anymore because really, beauty doesn’t need time anymore.

Hair we go again

I find that more than having gorgeous clothes, most women would be happy with having gorgeous hair. I guess for most, having beautiful hair makes them feel like they’re beautiful already, even without the added adornment of high fashion. And luckily for us, gorgeous hair — whether longer or smoother — can be yours right now with a breakthrough hair extension technology from Germany and Tokyo called Hair Talk. “Hair Talk is the latest, easiest and least detectable hair technology we have today. You will get longer and fuller hair without the need to spend hours in the salon to apply it, and your boyfriend can still run his hand through your hair without feeling lumps and bumps. More so, you can sleep better and comfortably because these extensions won’t cause discomfort when you lie on them,” shares Denise Aquino of Tokyo Posh (R2, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell, 0917-8353131). Wonderful news for all the women out there whose metal-tipped hair extensions could cause not only discomfort, but also make metal detectors to go off at airports. This new technology takes only about 30 to 45 minutes to apply, and can be easily removed or reapplied without too much trauma to the hair and scalp. The hair extensions used are also flat, meaning there will be no obvious bumps and demarcation lines from which to tell real from faux. Even those who only have thinning hair on top can have specially designed crown thickeners that will cover up the thinning and make your scalp less visible.

Yet another Filipina hair concern is the deep and ever-present longing for smooth, straight hair. It used to be that there were only a few salons that specialized in hair straightening, with most of them using very old and outdated chemicals and procedures. Now, a high-end salon that specializes in straightening has just opened offering only the latest in hair straightening products and procedures. “We decided to open Straight & Smooth (Vernida I bldg., 120 Amorsolo St., Legaspi Village, Makati, 759-5105) to address a need in the market for a high-end salon that really specialized in hair smoothening and straightening. The products and procedures that we offer are up-to-date, safe and guaranteed. Our star service is our Keratin Smoothing Treatment which will make even the most damaged hair smooth and silky again,” shares Drea Zulueta, owner of Straight & Smooth Salon. This Keratin treatment is exclusive to their salon and is all the rage now in the US as it makes your hair resistant to frizzing even in the most humid environments, and also makes it behave better, every day, without the usual hassle of a regrowth area, unlike with old straightening treatments. “The Keratin Smoothing complex will gradually fade over time, and not stay stick-straight while your regrowth is curly and frizzy. It gives you a graceful transition so you can opt to go back to your original hair texture, or have another Keratin treatment,” adds Drea. If you have the kind of hair that is so damaged that other salons won’t touch it anymore, try visiting Straight & Smooth and see how beautiful hair can transform your life. 

Through thick and thin

Now that you have your dream hair, the next step to completing your instant beautification is to having the body of your dreams. Most women don’t really long for any drastic changes to their bodies. Most of us just want a better and improved version of ourselves with maybe firmer skin or a smaller tummy. For those who feel that their stressful life has taken its toll on their skin, try Refirme, a non-invasive firming and toning treatment that makes your skin tighter, firmer and looking like you had eight hours of sleep instead of your usual three. “Refirme is a non-invasive treatment that encourages your skin to get tighter, smoother and more refreshed,” shares Dr. Cristina Asuncion-Hayudini of Aesthetic Science Clinic (G/F Kennedy Center Building Prime St. cor. Venture St., Madrigal Business Park, Ayala Alabang, Muntinlupa, 383-3488, 0916-3412164, G/F Jupiter Place Bldg., Jupiter St., Bel-Air, Makati, 899-3643,0908-9967376). The procedure helps delay signs of aging like sagging and premature lines and wrinkles. What’s more, Refirme involves no pain at all and requires no anesthesia. All you will feel is a gentle buzzing sensation on your skin, like a gentle massage, and after just 30 minutes, you will feel and see the difference instantly.

Now how about the ever-present Pinay puson? And the flabby arms and jiggly thighs coupled with pesky cellulite? How do you get rid of those just in time for a hot date or out-of-town trip? For these, there are cavitational and RF Tripolar treatments from Jancen Clinic (Scout Borromeo corner Mother Ignacia Sts., QC, 985-5358, 412-4153, 0922-8564450), both instant, non-invasive procedures that help you lose centimeters instantly and painlessly. “The cavitation procedure bursts fat cells through vibration, so what happens is that fat cells are minimized, not just made to shrink smaller. After the cavitation procedure, we usually follow it with our RF Tripolar to help firm the skin. Some clients may opt to just have one of these treatments, but we find that combining the two gives the best results,” shares Dr. Eduardo Noveloso of Jancen Clinic. For those who are already slim but have sagging skin or cellulite, they can just undergo the Tripolar procedure and instantly streamline their silhouette and make cellulite less visible.

For yet another concern that plagues both men and women — varicose and spider veins. “These two are completely different. Spider veins are smaller, thin veins that appear on the skin. These will not progress to becoming varicose veins. Varicose veins, on the other hand, are big and bulging. Some people mistake varicose veins as a mere physical concern, but left untreated, these may eventually rupture, push itself out of the skin, and even cause death,” warns Dr. Noveloso. Aside from the obvious aesthetic concerns, varicose veins also cause a lot of pain and daily discomfort. What’s unfortunate is that most people leave it untreated until it progresses to a bigger problem. “It is best to have them treated as soon as they appear to prevent them from getting worse. Wearing tight hosiery and pressure bandages only offer temporary respite. Varicose veins will not go away on their own,” adds Dr. Noveloso. Luckily, their clinic offers a non-surgical option for varicose and spider veins — sclerotherapy. It involves injecting a solution directly into the veins that causes them to get smaller. Depending on the severity, several treatments may be required but the results are visible soon after the treatment. Smooth, pain-free legs can be yours.

Maybe beautification seems superficial, but for those who have felt the difference after having these treatments, you know that addressing them isn’t always just about vanity, it’s about taking care of yourself and feeling good. And aren’t we so lucky that we can have all this in an instant?