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THE name
of the place speaks for itself. At The Zen Institute
Medial Spa, low lighting, minimalist furniture, and a
subdued atmosphere greet guests—mostly moms in various
stages of their lives—who are looking forward to
spending quiet time while getting skin or body
treatments. Celebrities have also been known to frequent
the place—entering through an enclosed garden path if
they wish.
The real
star of this spa, however, is its philosophy of offering
noninvasive face- and body-contouring treatments and, of
course, its founder Dr. Mary Jane T. Valdecañas. A
cheerful and petite mother of four, Dr. MJ recently
opened a second spa in Quezon City (the first one is at
The Fort) and explains that two branches are enough for
now.
“The
thrust of the institute is to promote the healthy
lifestyle; good looks and good shape come with leading a
balanced life. We believe in offering safe and
noninvasive options to aesthetic treatments.”
Dr. MJ
had worked in a skin clinic of a fitness center for five
years. During that time, she specialized in lipotherapy,
or what is popularly known as mesotherapy. She became a
member of the International Society of Mesotherapy,
headed by Dr. Phillippe Petit; the French Society of
Mesotherapy, headed by Dr. Marthan Jules (one of the
pioneers of meso lift); and the Italian Society of
Aesthetic Medicine and Surgery, headed by Dr. Sergio
Noviello.
It was
through the latter organization where she came about a
unique method of contouring that made use of radio
frequency. “With mesotherapy, I observed that you need
to get into a disciplined fitness activity to really see
the results, otherwise all that will be lost on the
person. In my research, I encountered a new Italian
technology that made use of radio frequency. They
developed a multispectrum-resonance technology that
aimed to find out its effects on the skin, body fat and
lymphatic drainage, and how it can help in collagen
remodeling.”
No-pain
weight loss
BASED on
the results of that particular study on radio-frequency
technology, Dr. MJ thought of using the same technique
in facial and body contouring. With the existence of the
Resonax machine, Dr. MJ devised the protocol (or
technique for medical treatment) for sculpting the body
or face through the technology.
For
facial contouring, or for removing those wrinkles or
sagging skin along the jawline, the treatment is
complimented with a collagen facial. For eyebags, it’s a
combination of Resonax and injecting a fat burner into
the fatty skin. For skin tightening, the Resonax
treatment is combined with a facial-cleansing device.
“The
protocol and devices that we have will save them from
going through surgery at an early age. Going through our
protocol for sagging cheeks, for instance, can delay a
face-lift operation.”
According to its web site, unlike most machines that
only heat the tissue, and therefore doesn’t really have
any real effects on increasing metabolism or weight
loss, a Resonax machine promotes cellular stimulation of
the tissue through low-intensity radio frequency. The
only side effect, explains Dr. MJ, is that if the
machine is not properly programmed, the radio
transmitter pads that stick to the skin may feel a bit
hot. “But most often, the burning is very controlled and
can only be warmed up to 39°C. It’s just like getting
the fever.
“At most
times, the stimulation and the heat can be relaxing,
that’s why patients tend to fall asleep while going
through the treatment.”
A
regular session lasts from 30 to 45 minutes. A patient
going through a combination of other therapies with
their Resonax treatment may have it once a week. Those
not undergoing lipotherapy may have the Resonax every
day. According to Dr. MJ, results (such as having
tighter skin or a decrease in centimeters) have been
documented to be visible on the third or fourth session.
Holistic
approach
FOR
women who may have just given birth and have stopped
breast-feeding, or working mothers who have been too
busy with work to work out, Resonax may be their best
option to undergoing a lipo surgery.
“In a
society that still talks about cosmetic surgery in
hushed tones and where a woman who has gone through a
procedure is branded as operada in a not-so-good
tone, I would definitely push for this kind of
treatment.
“I have
always believed that it is good to take care of oneself.
It’s not something to be ashamed of because it is our
duty to take care of ourselves. And I suppose my mission
is to be here for these women who want to go for that
positive change. My goal is to assist them in
jump-starting their healthy lifetsyle and to help them
sustain it.”
In
walking her talk, Dr. MJ has also added a
body-conditioning component to the body-contouring
program. The Zen Institute has tapped the University of
the Philippines-College of Kinesthetics for a fitness
program that would supplement the Resonax treatments.
“Every time a patient comes for her weekly Resonax
treatment, she has the option to have the
fitness-training session in her home or allow us to
coordinate with her gym to have the session held there.”
The
institute also offers nutrition counseling and has tied
up with the Sexy Chef for patients who want to avail
themselves of its South Beach Diet food takeouts. The
Zen Institute also exclusively distributes a calorie
block made from neopuntia, a natural plant fiber made
from the cactus plant.
“This
way, fat reduction is both answered in weight management
and body sculpting. As a medical spa, The Zen Institute
is more than a place. It’s a life-learning and
life-changing experience as well. We believe that by
making the programs enjoyable to patients, they’ll be
motivated to adapt the healthy lifestyle we’d like them
to have.
“Remember that saying that when we have a stomachache,
we don’t have our stomachs opened up but we look for
other remedies first? I think we should always start
with the basics. Surgery should really be the last
option.”
Feel-good factor
A MOTHER
of three boys and one girl, Dr. MJ tends to naturally
share her personal experience with most of her patients.
Unless she has appointments, her mornings are spent like
any regular mother’s: preparing her children for school
and organizing her household’s activities.
“I’m a
mother of four and have gone through the issues that
mothers usually face. Being a mom means gaining another
life with your children. Sometimes, you don’t feel whole
anymore because a part of you has been taken away. A
mother naturally nourishes her children and may
completely forget herself in the process. That’s when
she may start to feel low or even get depressed.
“I feel
that getting them to where they are right now and help
building their self-esteem is my advocacy. In the
clinic, I don’t mind spending a lot of time doing
consultations with my clients if that’s what will also
make them feel good. I enjoy helping them set their
goals. I want them to feel there is always hope and a
chance to achieving that goal.”
At the
clinic, Dr. MJ observes that peak hours are mostly after
lunch “when the babies are asleep or the kids are at
school. I totally understand these moms and the stages
that they are in. That’s why we make sure that their
programs are adjusted to their lifestyle and schedules,
and not the other way around. I believe that there’s
always an answer to everything and there’s always a good
side to everything. That’s the culture that we really
want to have in our space. To make it their second
home.” That’s also why, besides the treatments, regular
facial treatments and massage therapies are all part of
that Zen Institute philosophy.
“Beauty
is what’s inside you,” shares Dr. MJ. “It’s a mixture of
happiness, feeling good, looking good, and maintaining a
balance. Sometimes you might not feel good when you face
the mirror. It’s never too late to do something about
it. Give yourself importance and the rest will follow.”
§
The Zen
Institute: 856-2027 to 28 (Bonifacio Global City) or
441-0692 (69 Scout Rallos,
Quezon City). |
