Anti-aging procedures are now as common as any regimen. Gone are the days when gossip seemed endless about women who had face lifts or nose jobs.
Nowadays, beauty enhancements are no longer exclusive to the elite. Procedures have become more affordable. Beauty-conscious individuals across all social classes can have a nose job, botox or bust lift, if they wish. Numerous clinics and centers have sprouted all over the cities, getting a nose job is now as simple as getting a haircut or a massage.
The encouraging response to enhancement procedures has kept clinicians like Aesthetic Surgeon Dr. Vince Firmalo very busy. The owner of Firmalo Plastic Surgery in Centuria Manila, Dr. Vice cites the unique approach of Filipinos towards anti-aging procedures.
“ They are very emotional. Patients pick their doctors because they ‘feel’ he or she will do a good job. You hear lines like “Feel ko siya” or “Type ko sya nakakatawa siya” , or magaan loob ko sa kanya” or “kasi siya ang doctor ng idol ko”. This is so common now because of social media. If a person has more followers then he or she is more competent. That is the reality we have,” he said.
As procedures become more accessible and affordable, physicians are challenged to constantly keep abreast with the latest treatments to meet the demands of the growing market. Dr. Vice was one of Key Opinion Leaders at the Paris IMCAS convention, early this year.
One of the largest international exhibitions it features the advancements in dermatology, plastic surgery and aging science.
The latest products and procedures in the aesthetic industry are often unveiled at the IMCAS convention. “It is treated like a master class in aging science. Thousands of practitioners from all over the world attend and participate every year. The convention hosts several lectures and actual demonstrations of the latest procedures and technology. It is where new products and procedures are introduced. If there are practitioners or organizations you wish to collaborate with practitioners from different countries, IMCAS is the best event.
Dr. Firmalo was invited to attend IMCAS as a key influencer and expert in dermal fillers, gel-like substances injected in the skin to restore lost volume, smooth lines, soften creases, and enhance facial contours. Clients can look younger without surgery or downtime.
“ I have been injecting fillers for 11 years, and with the advancements in anti-aging there is still always something new to learn, there are always new developments. I make sure to attend and participate in national and international conferences on fillers injections so I am aware of these important developments. Since I participated at the IMCAS convention in Paris early this year, the clinic can now plan for new procedures that we can offer for our clients.”
The growing appreciation for beauty enhancements has certainly paved the way for more advanced treatments and procedures without going under the knife. “There are now several minimally invasive and non-invasive procedures that can make everyone look good without pain. Botox and fillers for example are now very common.”
Dr. Firmalo also emphasized that the future is on stem cells. And while it has yet to gain local acceptance, he cites the development in Germany, where stem cells are being replicated to treat Injuries and improve the performance of affected organs. Also gaining momentum are genetic-based treatments. “There are companies in Europe that manufacture drugs that go directly to the person’s genes. If your cholesterol level is high, this drug goes directly to your genes to control your cholesterol. In effect, you only need two injections a year.”
As science continues to pave the way for more advanced developments, Dr. Vice gears up for a wider range of anti-aging treatments that are less invasive, painless, and budget-friendly.
