Even advocacy volunteers should take a break and pamper themselves, I told myself. So, when a friend offered a chance to experience a beauty and wellness service, I couldn’t be more pleased. The fact that it was going to be a South Korean pampering made me ecstatic.

I have been a fan of Korean drama since last year. There was a time I watched my all-time favorite, the time-travel romance drama series Faith starring Kim Hee Sun and Lee Minh Ho, four times consecutively! I marvel not just over the exciting stories, but also over how beautiful the actors are. Their skin is flawless. How do they achieve that?

I sometimes despaired: are Korean beauty secrets out of reach for those who are not in Korea?

Thankfully, they are within reach – at the Oracle Beauty Clinic in Makati, offering services straight from Asia’s beauty capital.  From acne management to skin whitening and hair removal, the clinic’s staff are formally trained by South Korea’s top practitioners to provide results that liken their complexion to the beautiful complexion of top Korean stars.

At the very modern and gleaming foyer, I immediately saw that I was in for VIP treatment. Dr. Marlon Kyamko first met me to explain about the different services and to make sure that the facial I would receive is suitable for my skin condition. I was told that each new client receives a medical consultation.

I found out that I was a good candidate for the Korean Facial, a basic facial that provides deep cleansing, exfoliation and skin detox for acne-prone skin. What I needed was the Korean Facial’s skin firming, smoothening, and brightening. This signature facial utilizes ultrasound to stimulate collagen production and improve skin elasticity.

I am no longer in my 20s, so I like the skin firming benefit very much.

The Korean Facial has eight steps. First is steaming to open up the pores. Second is a honey-almond scrub to clean the face. Third is massaging a collagen cream into the skin. Fourth is scaling and extraction of deep seated impurities from the pores. The aesthetic nurse was skilled and gentle, so I did not feel any pain during this stage at all.

Fifth is the infusion of Vitamin C, which is very important for healthy skin. As people age, the skin starts to sag and wrinkles form because collagen formation decreases with age. Vitamin C helps stimulate collagen formation and inhibits the formation of melanin, the pigment responsible for skin tanning. A weak electrical current was used to allow the Vitamin C to penetrate through the skin. This procedure is called iontophoresis.

Next was the use of ultrasound to firm up the skin some more. Red light was turned on to stimulate blood circulation, bringing more oxygen and nutrients to the skin. The heat and the light enhance the skin’s natural ability to heal. Red light also stimulates collagen-producing cells to leap into action. Last step was to apply whitening cream and then sunblock. According to Dr. Kyamko, the creams and lotions use all-natural ingredients.

According to the clinic’s website, this combination of treatments will result in healthier, clearer, and younger-looking skin. I certainly look glowing in this picture taken at a fund-raising event for rescued pets two days after the treatment.

Overall, I loved the experience and the results. Oracle Beauty Clinic is a stand-out beauty center. It seems to adhere to the highest standards in skin care. It promises to provide Korean expertise and technology. The clinic has US FDA-approved equipment for more intense treatments such as thermage and body contouring.

When in Manila and you wish to uncover the secret to the beautiful and ageless-looking skin of Korean drama actors, do drop by the Oracle Beauty Clinic.

Oracle Beauty Clinic

2nd Floor of Republic Glass Building, 196 Salcedo St. corner Soria St., Legaspi Village, Makati City

https://oraclebeauty.com.ph

+632 801 4131 / +63 916 223 8821

Photo credits: Korean Beauty Clinic website, clinic staff, and Erika Argete (last photo)