By Eva C. Visperas

 

LET’S talk a bit about cosmetic and pathologic aspects of our skin. You want to look young, fresh and free from derma problems, right? So here it is, for young and old alike, regardless of gender.

Did you know that the Region 1 Medical Center (R1MC) in Arellano St, Dagupan City has a Dermatology Department and it is designated by the Department of Health (DOH) as ­­­­­­­advanced comprehensive center in dermatology care in Region 1? It’s the first for such kind in North of Manila.  It started in 2019 and designated around that year too, meaning it has the support of the DOH for its machines.

Oh yes, it has more modern equipment, facilities and machines than your favorite derma clinics. It is also manned by efficient dermatologists, nurses and other medical assistants that only the best attend to your derma needs, from the tip of your toe to the top of your head.

For instance, they have the CO2 laser for acne scars, skin tightening, wrinkles but it also has its pathological side for warts. It also has the Starwalker which the rest of the derma clinics in our area do not have, said Dr. May Gonzales, head of the Department of Dermatology at the R1MC. They have a lot more to offer for every lady/man or anyone in-between, who wishes to have that youthful glow and fair complexion, one that’s free from pigmentation from the face, knees, elbows, underarm, or singit (groin area) except pampaputi ng maitim na budhi, said Yolandang maganda of Pangasinan media.

Want to get rid of excess fat, too? Oh, it has Biostimology to achieve your slimming goal and targets the visceral body fat, also known as ‘hidden’ fat, stored deep inside the belly, wrapped around the organs, including the liver and intestines. This is non-surgical approach, unlike liposuction that I dread to see when shown on TV.

We (me, Orly of DWIZ and Yoly of PDI) visited the clinic at R1MC on a rainy Thursday afternoon.

Our original schedule was for an interview with Dr. Roland Mejia, the R1MC center chief but in our small chitchat after our purpose, we noticed how Dr. Roland himself has achieved youthful look. I’m sure he is the envy of many, including us.

We discovered his secret and off he referred us to see Dr. May, whose father was the late Kuya Rudy Fernandez, not the movie actor but a former Dagupan councilor.

We were told most of their patients avail themselves of the one for deep acne scars for teenagers, young adults, adults and even elderly having hormonal problem. Tigyawat sa ilong, pati na sa pisngi, sa kakaisip sa ‘yo, tigyawat dumadami. Oh, I remember that Original Pilipino Music song from the Hotdog band sometime in mid-1970s.

One asked if they also treat other skin problems. Yes, they do as they are dermatologists, trained both for cosmetic and pathologic matters. They are foremost a doctor, a clinician. So don’t dare compare why certain facial procedures are cheaper in some salons/clinics. Pssssst, those are not doctors. Period!!!

But when I saw its rates, I should know as I used to visit a dermatologist until I stopped during the pandemic, I was surprised as it is relatively cheap. Mura sya kasi R1MC nga and you can even use your PhilHealth privileges in some procedures.

Ideally, when you see a dermatologist, you need to have a consultation. A trained medical doctor does that. Hindi yung gawa agad.

By the way, pathology-wise, its top treatments include acne, psoriasis, all kinds of eczema, leprosy, skin asthma, fungal infection, scabies. It also treats skin cancer like basal cell carcinoma or melanoma and squamous cell carcinoma and it has derm-pathologist

Leprosy is curable, treatable like TB and its treatment is free, according to Dr. May.

Remember, the mirror of our soul is not only our eyes. It’s our skin, too, because it can tell us if we have systemic diseases. So, take good care of it!

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