It is as difficult as it is rare for men to consult a dermatologist for their aesthetic needs, although times may have truly changed and even men, nowadays, can be found lining up in medical-aesthetics clinics to look and feel good.
One of the trusted and favorite dermatologists of male patients in the metro today is Dr. Kyla Talens, the in-house aesthetic dermatologist of Skin Philosophie Medical Aesthetic & Lifestyle Solutions. “Over 70 percent of the clients we have in the clinic are men. We do get female clients, as well, but the male market is growing even faster,” she revealed, adding that “the male market is different because it entails more than having excellent credentials as a doctor. They should also be able to trust you.”
Talens has an excellent credential to back her up. After she earned a Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of the Philippines – Philippine General Hospital in 2008 and passed the Medical Boards, she received an offer from Cardiff University in the UK to pursue a postgraduate course in dermatology. She completed the Diploma in Clinical Dermatology in 2010 and, eventually, received the degree of Master of Science in Clinical Dermatology the following year. In Cardiff, she gained knowledge and experience in medical dermatology through the programs crafted by Dr. Andrew Finlay, who is noted for his pioneering research on the impact of skin disorders on people’s lives.
“In Cardiff the Master’s programs I attended taught us to focus on the quality of life of the patients. We take into consideration the psychological distress, emotional burden and social issues brought about by the patients’ skin problems. As an aesthetic doctor and as a graduate of Psychology, I have to address the patients’ skin concerns in conjunction with their psychological, emotional and social well-being to improve their overall quality of life,” she said.
Talens, whose clinic is based at the Bonifacio Global City, tells us about the Top 3 physical concerns of male patients and the treatments she recommends to resolve them.
1 Love handles around the waist. We call it by several names—beer belly, muffin top, or love handles. Every day we are bombarded with tips on how to lose weight on print, TV and social media. And, yet, a definitive single solution remains elusive.
According to Talens, a huge belly causes enough insecurity, but it should actually be the health risks associated with it that should keep us from overeating and leading a sedentary lifestyle. Obesity has been found to be associated with diabetes, hypertension, increased cholesterol, heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, clinical depression, many types of cancer and even premature death.
Because it is summertime, a lot of patients come to Skin Philosophie looking for means to achieve a beach-ready body. At the clinic, the most popular treatment during this scorching season is the Therma-Conductive RF (TCRF) Body Contouring treatment. However, it is not given to everyone. Talens painstakingly screens patients for eligibility for the treatment. Only those who have given their full commitment that they are going to undergo a lifestyle change can go through it.
Just like liposuction and tummy tuck, RF is not a permanent solution. You can regain the fat that was removed if bad eating habits and physical inactivity remain. So, for patients who do qualify for RF treatment, Talens conducts a detailed interview first to zero in on what’s wrong with their diet and physical activities. Thereafter, she gives complimentary nutritional and exercise counseling.
Fad diets do not always guarantee rebound-free results. Patients often feel deprived after the diet program that they tend to eat more than they normally do once the diet period ends. Talens gives nutritional counseling free of charge with the first TCRF session. She does not simply suggest calorie counting or ban all foods that patients enjoy altogether. Instead, she advises patients to eat more of the right kinds of food and to just lessen the intake of fattening food.
Having a degree in Psychology also comes in handy for Talens. She recognizes that old habits die hard so she makes the dietary corrections as pleasant as possible for the patients. She also ensures that the nutritional goals she sets for them are realistic to ensure compliance and continuity. The nutritional program takes into account the work and personal schedules of the patients. It is, therefore, crafted in a way that they can still follow it, even if they are always on the go.
There also has to be regular exercise. And being “regular” means that it has to be part of the weekly routine and not something that is done for just a short period. In order to stay motivated to exercise, it is important for patients to pick cardiovascular workouts that they enjoy so that they don’t feel like it’s a chore. This increases the sustainability of this newfound healthy lifestyle.
But, in spite of the right diet and exercise, there are still fatty areas that are particularly stubborn to reduce in size. This is where the TCRF treatment comes in. Its radiofrequency (RF) energy is delivered to the fat cells to increase their metabolism. Localized fat deposits are diminished by releasing fatty acids (liquid fat), which are subsequently disposed of naturally from the system through the blood and lymphatics. Fat cells eventually shrink leading to reduction in circumference.
TCRF also reduces cellulite. It also tightens the skin through stimulation of natural collagen production. That way, sagging is minimized as patients slim down.
2 Acne, scars and open pores. A lot of men also suffer from acne. And, sadly, even after they heal, they leave behind scars and open pores. Talens approaches these three problems systematically.
First, acne is addressed. It is the root cause of the other two so treating scars and open pores would be cost-inefficient if we do not control acne beforehand. Talens has several treatment options, these include facials, topical regimens, oral medications, anti-acne peels (using AHAs), acne surgery and injection of an anti-inflammatory agent directly into pimples. The combination of these treatments is customized according to the type and severity of the condition.
Topical regimens (sometimes with oral medications) are needed for treatment and maintenance. Although effective, it usually takes time before benefits become evident. Patients, therefore clamor for quick fixes. Fortunately, there are facials, anti-acne peels, acne surgery/extraction and pimple injections that can instantly minimize whiteheads, blackheads and pimples.
The anti-acne peel exfoliates the dead skin cells that clog pores. It also lessens dark spots left by old pimples.
Included in different facials is scrubbing. A special device is used to take out whiteheads and blackheads with minimal trauma to the skin. This is ideal for patients who don’t like traditional acne surgery (a.k.a. “extraction” and “pricking”) wherein there is obvious redness and swelling after the procedure. But for deeper whiteheads and blackheads, acne surgery may still be warranted if patients are amenable to it.
During the olden days when you have a huge zit, all you can do is wait for it to dry up which can take weeks sometimes. Now injection of an anti-inflammatory medicine can make these annoying pimples go down in 24 hours!
After adequately controlling acne, patients can proceed with fractional laser resurfacing to reduce acne scars and open pores. Talens utilizes the medical-grade Palomar Lux 1540 laser to destroy damaged tissue and stimulate skin healing. Collagen production takes place resulting in smaller pores and less visible scars. The treatment has minimal downtime (redness and a bit of swelling) and patients can resume normal activities right after the treatment including bathing and working out at the gym.
3 Facial hair treatment. Some men are not keen on sporting beards and moustaches. Daily shaving is such a burdensome task and it often leads to cuts and or painful pimple-like bumps (folliculitis). Fortunately, there is laser hair removal. Talens in her clinic uses Palomar Lux R, which permanently kills hair follicle cells that generate hair (unlike cheap IPLs in the market that merely make the hair thinner without destroying the root cause of hair growth). The Lux R is safe for patients with light and dark skin tones.
Whether you want to just remove a few stray hair strands that extend up to the upper cheeks, to do beard shaping or to remove all facial hair altogether, Talens can zap those unwanted hair with the Palomar® Lux R.
Males are more discriminating today than ever. They have now developed a problem-solution orientation. This has fuelled their search for specialised treatments and products that not only support their self-image and wellbeing, but also alleviate their grooming challenges. It is in cognizance of this that Talens offers diverse treatment options available for today’s male clientele.