The celebrated surgeon of transformation emphasizes authenticity in all aspects of her trade, from the equipment, treatment, to enhancing personal beauty.
Since childhood, Dr. Vicki Belo has been a believer that everyone should be given a chance to enhance their own personal beauty. It was the vision that launched her popular, highly-awarded chain of clinics. At the same time, she cautions those who do seek for transformation not to use shortcuts that might prove harmful in the long run. Though many come to her for what they believe to be quick fixes like liposuction, Dr. Belo instead “customizes the treatment for the person.” She says, “Each one has a different need. We look at the treatment, observe the session, and if it is not working, we move them to another approach that will work. If experience is the best teacher, then we have the most experience. The Belo Medical Group has the tools, more than 24 years in the business, and more than 20 doctors in our 10 clinics. And we are growing.”
Specialized equipment
If patients’ needs are addressed individually, Dr. Belo also invests in each equipment to make sure not just that it is the right tool, but it is performed specifically for a certain procedure. For example, some clinics will invest in one IPL and use it to work on a variety of tasks. Dr. Belo cautions, “Laser can do a little of everything, but it may not accomplish the effect that you need. Lasers are very targeted in their use, and you must know how to use them.”
Dr. Vicki Belo continues, “There are different types of lasers for hair removal. It is important to know which laser will work best on a patient depending on the skin type and hair type,location of the hair in the body and other factors. Hairs in our body are different from one other. Some hair roots are deeper, some are shallow and are very resistant. Lasers with short pulse durations work very well on resistant hair. Harmony SHR is the least painful among the hair removal lasers in the market. It works for all skin types and is virtually painless. We require at least three sessions with it. We have options for our patients; they can either go for a pain-free, hair free procedure or another laser procedure that is a bit painful but will require less number of sessions. However, results for both may vary depending on the hair density of the area being treated and the interval between treatments.”
Laser treatments are also associated with fat reduction. “The treatment contracts the abdominal area by 33 percent. It is also less traumatic,” she says. “It’s more reliable: the skin does not hang like a blouse after the operation.” Dr. Belo likewise advises her fellow physicians to stop being aggressive in using the laser and instead be discerning with their choices. “The CO2 can remove moles but it can also leave a scar. Using the wrong machine can also create lesions and burns.”
Quality is priority
Dr. Belo admits that she has a passion for introducing the latest cutting-edge surgical or dermatological procedure in the Philippines. It is the authenticity of the equipment, certified in First World countries, that guarantees a high rate of success and the patient’s preferred result. “We buy the Rolls Royce of every machine,” she admits.“You need consistency for results to come out a certain way.”
Unfortunately, many Filipinos, patients and doctors alike, make the low price of an equipment or a procedure the determining factor, and the results are far from desirable. “Copycatdevices fluctuate and they are not consistent,” Dr. Belo warns. “There are complications like burns, scars, and swelling. People come to us after the operation has happened, and we can fix 80 to 90 percent of it, but it cannot be like as if nothing happened. A mark will still remain once you remove the scar.”
Aside from the physical damage, there is the psychological damage. “People today are very conscious of how they look,” Dr. Belo points out. “This is the selfie generation. If the procedure leaves a scar on their body—it may also have a kilometer scar in their heart.“
Dr. Belo advises her fellow physicians against the use of inauthentic equipment. “Never risk your reputation, license, career, and your patient’s life. We are dealing with a person’s body and her being. If we want to help them achieve their goal of being beautiful, then we should do it the right way and get the right stuff.”,
“People today are very conscious of how they look. This is the selfie generation. If the procedure leaves a scar, it may also leave a kilometer scar in their heart” – DR. VICKI BELO
ON THE CUTTING EDGE