“Kate, how often do you apply sunscreen?,” Dr. Kaycee Reyes-Bacani, founder and owner of Luminisce Skin Clinic, asked me in the gentlest manner, while flashing her bedimpled smile. She asked a simple question that made me panic inside. I immediately responded with a grin, like a child explaining a broken rule to her mom, and came clean that it has only been two weeks since I became diligent with sun protection.
I am glad I made it to Luminisce Clinic’s anniversary event last Wednesday and had my skin consultation over hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. Eagle-eyed Doc Kaycee pointed out nicely that my Hori’s Nevus is starting to show up again. She was a meter away but still saw the spots peeking right above my face mask.
Hori’s Nevus is scientifically described as blue-gray to gray-brown spotty pigmentation on the prominence of the cheeks. They look very much like freckles and melasma (To best illustrate, think comic book character Archie Andrews!). Among a number of dermatologists I consulted through the years, Doc Kaycee is the first one to correctly diagnose and treat what I have always considered a source of insecurity. Her expertise creates no wonder she is celebrating a decade of growth and success in the beauty business.
Living in a generation of hashtags and filters, being selfie-ready is something aspirational. And this is completely aligned with the results of scientific studies (with some readily available online) telling us that physical attractiveness contributes to a person getting more opportunities both in life and at work. This fact of favoritism for the attractive ones is also backed by a number of social experiments. A local version that came out with results validating the claim was executed by Lourd De Veyra’s “Word of the Lourd” segment more than a decade ago. What is interesting is how skin quality, as shared by Doc Kaycee, is a huge part of a person’s physical attractiveness.
“That is what one instantly sees,” Doc Kaycee shared and zoomed in on how others concoct judgments based on another person’s skin condition. While embracing our flaws and promoting inclusivity are things I personally believe in and wish to advocate, I also acknowledge that breaking biases takes time. As we wait for that to happen, everyday life makes us roll with the punches and deal with realities. And a reality that I have also come to terms with is that skincare, when given enough time and effort, has its health advantages that go beyond vanity. Being complacent about and negligent of self-care is not equivalent to celebrating my God-given attributes that do not meet society’s beauty standards.
In line with that, there are four criteria we need to look into in order to achieve good skin quality. Doc Kaycee named them as skin tone, skin texture, skin firmness, and skin radiance (Hence, glass skin is in.).
Convincingly, confidence still comes from within. But if it will help boost one’s confidence, there is no doubt the skin is worth investing in.
To meet and consult Dr. Kaycee Reyes-Bacani, visit luminisce.com and follow @luminisce_official on Instagram.
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