SPOT.ph Tries: Is Going to a High-End Derm Worth the Price?

(SPOT.ph) If you're anything like us, you've probably suffered one too many uncontrollable acne breakouts in your youth and required the help of a dermatologist. And like any relationship you've had, you also know that finding the right derm can be quite tricky. There are a couple of things to consider, after all. Take for example how light the dermatologist's or aesthetician's hands are when acne extractions have to take place; the accessibility of the clinic to your home; and even how fairly priced services can be as well as how quickly the center can address your concerns with or without the aid of fancy machines.

Now, the author is prone to acne breakouts at times (thanks a lot hormones) so trips to a derm or aesthetic center are the norm. She's already gone through the traditional acne extractions you'll get at most affordable clinics but also had the chance to try and beat her acne issues with the aid of machines, bringing to light some answers to the question: What is it with high-end clinics and their fancy machines that make them worth at least one visit? We share with you our experience with The A Institute by Drs. Aivee and Z Teo.

Also read: SPOT.ph Tries: Is a One-on-One Pilates Session Worth It?

Here's what you can expect when you visit a high-end dermatology clinic like The A Institute:

Located in Forbestown, BGC, The A Institute is a center that consists of five specialized "labs" that cater to a variety of needs such as sleep problems, hair problems, body slimming, ortho-related issues, and of course, skin concerns. The establishment also has its own operating room complex and dining space called the Aivee Café so you can really consider it as an all-in-one hub for wellness.

We went on a rainy Wednesday afternoon. Security gamely parted the double doors as I entered as a bevy of receptionists greeted me in the ornate lobby. Checking in was a smooth process; I only had to give my name before being led to one of the treatment rooms. There, a dermatologist and aesthetician proceeded with my initial consultation in which I outlined my concerns, which primarily had to do with acne management and how I could make my face appear slimmer and smaller.

Once the consultation ended, it was decided that I undergo the Aivee Emface to help slim my face as well the Aivee Aerolase Neo Skin to help brighten and rejuvenate my acne-prone skin. Both treatments can be done on separate days or they can be done one after the other. The latter option would take around one and a half to two hours. Now, we move on to the exciting part. 

The Aivee Emface

To start off the series of treatments, I was instructed to lie down and get comfortable on the bed. A blanket was also provided, making it a very cosy start for me. The aesthetician then tucked my hair into a disposable cap and proceeded to cleanse my face prior to applying the Emface machine's required adhesive strips to my forehead and cheeks. While doing the necessary prep, the aesthetician explained what to expect whilst undergoing the 20-minute session.

Aivee Emface is a non-invasive treatment that uses a combination of electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) and radiofrequency (RF) technology—see the adhesives in the picture, which yes, will deliver electric currents!—to help tone and tighten your skin while also stimulating the underlying muscles. Additional known benefits include smoother skin, increased collagen and elastin fiber production, increased density and quality of muscle structure, as well as lifting and tightening of the facial muscles. Plus, there's no puffiness or redness to hide after, a.k.a. no "downtime", giving it extra brownie points in my book.

According to the aesthetician assigned to me, Emface has a variety of levels, but not all patients can tolerate the highest setting—something that I was keen to try since I'm known to have a high pain tolerance. And if you were to ask me how it felt having small electrical currents targeting my face? Well, it was weird in a relaxing kind of way. Think of it as a high-powered massage that sends tingles all over—with matching subconscious eye twitches as the levels increase—that proved to be a relief for my migraine-prone self.

Before I knew it, the 20 minutes were up and I survived the highest setting of 100. Immediately after, I could tell that my face was a little smaller (no kidding, I swear), as if I'd spent considerable time exercising and cutting back on my carbs. I also felt a very relaxed vibe after the intense head massage that I just got thanks to the machine. Not bad for my first foray into machine-aided facial slimming.

The Aivee Aerolase Neo Skin

Next on the agenda is the Aivee Aerolase Neo Skin. Oftentimes simply referred to as Aerolase, this treatment is considered to be the gold standard in acne treatment and is the only machine that uses a 650 Microsecond laser technology. In simpler terms, a machine sends energized short pulses into your dermis stimulating production of new collagen and elastin, thus firming and lifting the skin. It's also FDA-approved and addresses other skin concerns like acne scars, hyperpigmentation caused by sun exposure, uneven skin tone and texture (which I have tons of, might I add), lax fine lines, wrinkles, and spider veins.

Once I was done with my Holy Kale juice (man, I wish I could have another glass), the aesthetician proceeded to cleanse my face once again and kickstarted the facial part of the treatment. Like any experience I've had before, the process started off with a facial mask and light steam sesh to get my skin all soft and plump, an easier and more forgiving step necessary when acne extraction is involved.

Once all the gunk had been extracted and protective goggles were placed on my eyes, it was time to bring out the machine. I was actually expecting it to hurt given my previous experience with lasers—in fact, I had my cringe face ready at a moment's notice—but it was completely pain-free. Once the aesthetician passed the laser all over my face, the treatment was deemed complete and I was good to go. 

At the end of the two treatments, I of course had to look at myself in the mirror—to say that I was in shock is an understatement. My face was glowing ...GLOWING. It felt like a different person was staring back at me. That glow lasted me about a week, with consistent skincare. That's how immediate one simple session of Aerolase and Emface can do to my skin; who knows what else it can do after a few sessions more.

The verdict on going to a high-end dermatology clinic like The A Institute:

Most high-end derms don't publicly disclose their rates but a quick message on their social media channels can easily rectify that situation. The Aivee Emface starts at P38,000 while the Aerolase will set you back P6,000 per session. The rate also depends on your consultation and current skin condition so keep that in mind. So, final question: Is it worth it? I'd say it depends. If you're gearing up for a big event, say, like your wedding, then it's totally worth the investment. You know you're getting your money's worth as machines tend to have a more visible result even after just one session. And on a more clinical level, if you really want a hard-core approach to acne management as regular facials and acne extraction can only go so far, then high-end machine treatments are necessary to really help curb that particular problem. If any of those reasons resonate with you, then we say go ahead and book that appointment.

The A Institute is at 3rd Floor, Burgos Park Bldg. Forbestown Road, BGC, Taguig City.

For more information, check out The Aivee Clinic on Facebook.

Update (July 31, 2023): The article was updated to correct the price of Aerolase from P10,000 to P6,000.