Acne or treatment anxiety? there’s a ‘remedy’ for that

Does Manila really need another skin clinic? Nearly five years in, from starting out with a focus on acne and scarring during the emergence of “mascne” in 2019 with only three treatments, today, over 30,000 patients later, it turns out our derm-clinic space really needed a Remedy.

“Growing up with acne, I knew firsthand how deeply a skin condition can affect a person — emotionally, psychologically and mentally. It touches every aspect of your life,” says Dr. April Geraldez-Rivera, medical director, CEO and co-founder of Remedy Skin Solutions, bringing in over 16 years of experience as a dermatologist.

With husband and co-founder Paul Rivera, known for creating recruitment tech start-up Kalibrr, they entered the saturated market around three opportunities. First was focusing on acne, the most prevalent skin condition in the Philippines.

According to Dr. Geraldez-Rivera, acne patients can be “as young as 10 years old, while some patients who never had acne develop adult acne due to stress, makeup, food, and hormones in their 30s to 50s.” Many of them come to Remedy already burnt out by DIY treatments and complicated routines.

Second, they wanted to build a clinic that was gender-neutral yet more welcoming. “A place even I would feel comfortable going to,” Rivera mused.

Paired with a strong social media presence and expertise-driven yet approachable messaging, their first clinic in BGC and a bigger branch in Vertis North both have that warm, industrial feel you would see in an artisanal boutique in New York City. Think tilework, subdued neon light signs, microcement walls, an even bigger wall of live plants, and an apothecary stocked with skincare and supplements to complement their treatments, all unified by a palette of Yves Klein blue. For the typical Remedy patient — the majority are busy Filipinos with an active, outdoorsy lifestyle — it’s a relaxing environment that’s also cool and cozy. Spacing treatments appropriately, each appointment feels private yet also Instagrammable.

Because treating a chronic condition requires multiple sessions, investing in the in-clinic experience sets them apart. “No two-hour waits for five-minute consultations. This isn’t a factory. Every consultation takes at least 45 minutes,” she notes, which is typically 3-4 times longer than the industry standard. “We work towards really being your partner.”

Third, they wanted to launch not only new treatments but programs built around holistic care. “(Our) research and development is essential because Filipino skin has unique characteristics compared to other regions,” explains Dr. Geraldez-Rivera. Rather than just adopting protocols designed for Caucasian skin, Remedy’s solutions cater specifically to the individual.

For instance, “Filipinos are prone to hyperpigmentation,” she says, citing how quickly most Filipinos can scar from something like mosquito bites. “So we are very careful. When we do the more invasive skin treatments, there’s a lot of pre-planning involved. We really prime the skin, protect it, and start it with pigment correctors so when we do invasive treatments, kaya parin.”

From starting out with three, they now have a wide selection of acne and acne scar treatments — regulars swear by their Hollywood Laser Facial for its cumulative, long-lasting effects — approaching the multi-faceted problem using a range of approaches like laser, peels, needles, or biostimulation.

And when all concerns are treated, there’s that one final thing that even patients with the best skin seek to elevate: skin quality. Dr. Geraldez-Rivera describes it through a few questions: “Is your skin tone even? Are the pores minimized? Is the texture plump and firm?” A lot of Remedy’s patients progress from treating acne to fine-tuning their complexion so they ultimately don’t need makeup.

A new yet popular treatment for this is the SkinPen, a microneedling device for acne scars and wrinkles that can also be used in conjunction with topicals and even biostimulation. “For patients who can’t come every month and come to me for treatments that they can do pa-isa-isa and see improvements, it’s the one,” says Dr. Geraldez-Rivera. “With minimal downtime after a week, you can see results.”

Those concerned with anti-aging seek their Pure Contour treatment works in combination with the tried-and-tested Ultherapy. “Filipinos are sagging phenotypes as opposed to Caucasians who wrinkle more. Even in your 30s, we can see it,” she explains. “You can do as many Ulthera treatments as you want, but it can’t be lifted when there’s too much fat, which is why we combine treatments with Ulthera.”

They also offer hyperpigmentation treatments targeting pigments, melisma and dark under-eye circles; anti-aging with hydrating facials and energy machines; full-body treatments; and even hair loss. It’s a treatment list that’s constantly growing and evolving along with their patient’s needs, one by one taking out the stress and anxiety in achieving better skin.

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Remedy is located in LGF, One Uptown Residence, 9th Ave, Cor. 36th St, Uptown Bonifacio, Taguig; 3/F, Building 4, Ayala Malls Vertis North, Quezon City; and soon in Greenhills. For appointments and inquiries, call (0917) 873 6339 or visit www.remedy.ph. Follow Remedy Skin Solutions on Facebook and @remedy.ph on Instagram and TikTok.