Who’s HOO in skincare
Something that’s tried and tested, that’s “HOO.”
HOO Dermatology prides itself in a tried-and-tested formula that sticks to “proven” treatments, says its medical director Dr. Stephen Thomas Lacson.
“We want to make sure that what we put out there are the proven treatments and products that really work. We don’t want it just because it’s hot now. We want to make sure all treatments we get are the ones that are tried and tested,” says Dr. Lacson, who is the grandson of Dr. Manuel Fernandez Sr., one of the founders of the Makati Medical Center, often called the “Father of Philippine Dermatology,” and the first chairman of MMC’s Department of Dermatology.
His first cousin Dr. Paolo Santos, son of businessman and HOO founder Joey Santos, agrees.
“Through the past 18 years, we’ve had a formula that we’ve stuck to. We started off with the number one, prescription-strength, dermatology skincare line in the world. And when you say prescription strength, it means that you’re guided by dermatologists, which is part of the formula. This is coupled with working only with certified dermatologists who are there to assess and to guide you during your journey of treating your skin conditions, whether it be acne, melasma, anti-aging, all of these other conditions that you might have with your skin,” says Dr. Santos, who is HOO managing director. His grandfather Enoc was also a doctor.
That the head honchos of HOO are first cousins (Dr. Santos is a Lacson on his mother Gigi’s side), is a boon rather than a bane for the chain of clinics, Dr. Santos believes.
“It’s largely a family-run business,” says Dr. Santos.
Is that good or bad?
“It’s good because our ties are very tight,” he affirms. “The medical director, my cousin Dr. Lacson, is in charge of focusing on the medical. And then we, my dad Joey and I are in charge of the business side.”
Dr. Santos’ porcelain-pretty wife Paula, a walking testimony to the wonders of HOO, handles the chain’s digital marketing.
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Dr. Lacson, son of Bombet Lacson and Elizabeth Fernandez, adheres to the “gold standard” of skin care. There may be tweaks to it, but the foundation is the same.
“For example, when you talk about products, there are so many new ingredients in the market. We try to stick to the products that are already well-studied. When you look at the main ingredients of the gold-standard products that are known to work, they still go back to tretinoin, and similar lightening products. AHA is also well-studied. That’s why you see it in all the ingredients in the new ones, new products. You just add a lot of more fancy stuff.”
In short, Dr. Lacson says, “There are newer technologies but you still have to have the gold-standard ingredients if you really want to see the effect. And when it comes to the machines, there are so many machines in the market. They change every year, they change so much. So we stick to the ones that have worked over the years.”
For example?
“For example, we have the Ultherapy, the Thermage. And even though it’s been there for a couple of years, it’s still the go-to until now. It still works,” he says.
HOO is celebrating its 18th year this year and its complexion and outlook are rosy.
Why celebrate the 18th?
“We feel, especially now coming out of the pandemic, that we have come across bigger hurdles as compared to previously and we wanted to celebrate our ability to still be relevant and go along with the times,” says Dr. Santos.
How do the cousins keep HOO relevant in an age when new information, treatment and products are coming out daily?
“Our clinic is basically a one-stop shop when you have skincare concerns. We want to be proud that you can come to us and we’ll be able to diagnose it, treat it and also give you whatever options that we have,” Dr. Santos says.
“We study the latest technology, when it comes to energy-based machines, lasers, including injectable medications,” he adds.
“We’re always up-to-date with all the new conferences, the conventions. That’s where you get all the new stuff. If it’s not being discussed there, then it’s not the stuff that worked during that time. So, I try to go to attend. We also send doctors to attend,” Dr. Lacson shares.
His grandfather, Dr. Manuel Fernandez Sr., left a legacy, left a mark.
“So hopefully, I can create my own legacy as well,” Dr. Lacson says.
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HOO has some 24 doctors and eight branches as of now, with one branch in Pampanga.
Dr. Santos believes that ultimately, beauty isn’t skin-deep.
“For me, beauty is not just on the outside. I feel like someone’s innate kindness or personality inside can sometimes overthrow the outward aspect of a person. There are some women who are, let’s say, a nine over 10 on the outside. But on the inside, you’re looking at maybe a four personality. And that kind of ruins the whole beauty aspect. So for me, I feel like it has to be a good balance in between who you are inside and how you present yourself on the outside,” says Dr. Santos.
Of course, his wife Paula agrees. Asked what her beauty secret is, she says, “Never skip the sunblock and stay happy and do good, be good, be kind.”
And that seems to be a tried-and-tested family secret that is a secret no more.
You may e-mail me at [email protected]. Follow me on Instagram @joanneraeramirez.
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