Being “A strong advocate of natural beauty” seems, unnatural for an expert in clinical and cosmetic dermatology. That, however, is exactly how Dr. Jean Marquez, FPDS, sees herself.
Having been a practicing dermatologist since 1999, Dr. Jean has learned that the best way to achieve the most successful transformation is to “let the patient’s natural beauty shine.” People go to her clinics, The Skin Specialist, for different reasons—from aging to zits—but they all want one thing: a better version of themselves.
Dr. Jean says, “If patients undergo enhancements, it should be non-invasive and must have the most natural looking results.” In other words, the doctor follows a very basic advice: highlight the assets, minimize the flaws. (Or, as they say in human relationships, dwell on the good, forgive the bad.) Not that we should forget those aspects that we can change; and in the realm of beauty, science can achieve miracles.
Clinics like The Skin Specialist now offer a dizzying number of ways in which you can improve your appearance, from lasers that tighten, brighten, lift, erase, and whiten, to treatments that give one a sense of wellbeing and, thus, a glow from within that no amount of technology can equal. The beauty of clinics like this — which presupposes that we, as clients, should choose carefully and well — is that they make the process of change less painful, literally and figuratively.
INNER AND OUTER BEAUTY
When you are under the hands of experienced and well-trained professionals, there is less possibility of incurring expensive and regrettable mistakes. After all, why should we take risks on our skin? Also, doctors who understand the situation and go out of their way to ensure a client’s comfort and well-being give the latter much more than they pay for and get a lot, too, in return. The power of a good endorsement by word of mouth, in this sense, cannot be discounted.
It’s funny because even as mankind becomes increasingly enamored with achieving a certain standard of beauty (what with all the choices available out there for anyone with the money to spare), there is a seemingly opposing view that merits inner beauty as the source of eternal youth. It is believed that no amount of injections, operations, or supplementations can take the place of inner peace in making men and women look beautiful in the most natural way possible. Then again, forgetting to cleanse, tone, moisturize, treat or protect our physical being will certainly make us look less than our best, no matter how at peace we are with ourselves!
Sometimes, addressing physical issues that bother us or affect our confidence is a major step towards gaining that inner glow. And because we live in exciting times when skincare and cosmetic technology allows us to do something about our perceived flaws or physical imperfections, that lofty goal becomes that much easier to achieve.
ELEMENTS OF A SUCCESSFUL PROCEDURE
The first step, Dr. Jean advises, is to accept the fact of aging. It is inevitable, she stresses, but the good news is there are many treatments out there to delay the effects of aging. She encourages people who are concerned with signs of aging to look into these procedures, but to exercise caution. The doctor knows that “abuse and misuse of the technology have produced awful and unnatural results,” so she has made it an “advocacy to promote the pursuit of rediscovering natural beauty by educating people on
the correct treatments, dispelling fears and correcting wrong notions associated with these procedures,” she says in a statement.
According to Dr. Jean, a successful procedure must include: “A client’s better understanding of beauty and the aging process; the use of new products with more clinical studies combined with safe, effective, nonsurgical treatments using state-of-the-art equipment; and better techniques by a skilled dermatologist.”
The doctor has discovered the benefits of dermal fillers and Botulinum toxin or Botox, which she says is becoming the alternative to surgery. In particular, she says she prefers Allergan’s dermal filler, Juvederm Voluma, “a formulation that helps temporarily restore facial volume diminished by age or weight loss.” She adds that hyaluronic acid, its key ingredient, is a naturally-occurring substance in the human body known for its hydrating ability. “The formulation rejuvenates the face and helps reduce or even eliminate fine lines, mimicking the result of a facelift,” she says.
Applying it is another matter, she cautions. “Done properly, Juvederm Voluma, combined with Allergan’s Botox, produces a natural-looking shine instead of the stiff expression many have come to be afraid of. These products are safer, semipermanent with long-lasting effect, around 18 to 24 months,” Dr. Jean explains. “It’s safe and painless and doesn’t have the scary complications of permanent fillers. There are also more variations of fillers that can be injected to suit different areas of the face to create natural, three-dimensional effects. Plus it’s easier to inject, so it’s more comfortable to administer, both for patients and doctors.”
The doctor, she adds, must be well-versed with the concepts of a balanced face as well as the client’s own, unique features. In this sense, it takes a certain skill and art to administer the science. The Skin Specialist was founded in 2004 by Dr. Jean, who is currently a co-host of a medical program called PinoyMD and is one of the most sought after resource persons on skincare and anti-aging, appearing on television and radio shows, as well as in magazines and newspapers.
She is also the president of the Philippine Center for Dermatology and Laser Surgery and a fellow of the Philippine Dermatological Society. It is refreshing to encounter a dermatologist who educates her clients, helping them come to terms with what’s possible and what’s beautiful for them, naturally.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dinah Sabal Ventura is currently the Lifestyle and Entertainment Editor of the broadsheet The Daily Tribune. Her articles on beauty, style, and fashion have been published in many popular magazines in the Philippines.