Taking care of one’s skin goes beyond vanity, and no one is a champion of that belief more than Dr. Tess Mauricio.
Dr. Tess is a Filipina dermatologist who immigrated to the United States from the Philippines at the age of 12 and struggled like anyone new to a foreign land. But with talent and hard work, she managed to graduate Summa Cum Laude from the University of California, San Diego. Dr. Tess is well respected all over the world for changing the way skin—particularly skin of color—is being treated.
Using groundbreaking technology, Dr. Tess, “America’s Favorite Dermatologist” (as she is popularly known by the US media and her patients) separates herself from other practitioners in the field by minimizing the need to go under the knife. But for Dr. Tess, skin care is much deeper than the physical surface; after any procedure she performs, she uncovers the inner-beauty of her patients.
While studying at Stanford University Medical School, Dr. Tess planned to be a psychiatrist, given that she is passionate about improving others’ well-being.
“I wanted to do psychiatry because I always felt that if I could help my patients improve their psychological and emotional well-being, help them become happier, then I’m truly healing them and that’s the best gift I can give them,” she said.
However, during a dermatology rotation, she made a connection between a patient’s physical appearance and mental state: when skincare issues were treated, patients’ mood would improve drastically. This prompted her to reconsider the specialty she would pursue. “[Now] I kind of do dermatology and psychiatry at the same time,” she said, defending the assertion that paying attention to skin care is fundamental to our well-being and not at all about being vain.
After medical school, Dr. Tess applied and was accepted to the prestigious dermatology residency program at the University of California, San Diego, competing against thousands of applicants for one of two spots. She was then recruited by a top cosmetic dermatology practice and was trained and mentored by leaders in the field. She gained experience at the practice, before venturing on her own.
“I wanted to practice with freedom. I didn’t care whether or not I made a lot of money,” she revealed. “For me, happiness is the most important [thing] and I wasn’t happy in that environment so I said, ‘I’m going to do it on my own.’ I hadn’t planned on it, but it was something I realized I had to do for myself.”
Her practice in San Diego started off small, with two rooms leased from another doctor, but eventually grew to a point where she needed her own space, which became known as Scripps Ranch Dermatology and Cosmetic Center. Though she never aspired to run her own business and practice, she recognized that she had a hidden entrepreneurial spirit.
“In medical school, you’re not taught about business. Nobody in my family is a doctor or a business person,” Dr. Tess said. “I’ve been learning on the job and realizing too that I have natural abilities as a business person and as an educator. Sometimes until you challenge yourself, you don’t really realize what you’re able to do.”
A decade later, Dr. Tess’s practice, M Beauty Clinic, has three locations in Southern California — National City, Miramar and Glendale — and offers a range of services, such as acne treatments, skin rejuvenation, body shaping, liposuction, regenerative stem cell therapy, spider vein treatment, moles and tattoo removal, among others. She also served as President of the San Diego Society of Dermatologic Surgery, becoming the youngest woman and only Filipino to hold the position, and was named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Filipinas in the United States.
What sets Dr. Tess apart from other doctors in the field of cosmetic dermatology is the way she markets her practice, through the innovative technologies and products she has personally helped develop, demonstrating that to improve one’s appearance does not necessarily mean undergoing invasive surgery.
“Now with all the technologies and techniques, we [can] turn back the clock with non-surgical anti-aging [treatments], we can give people back what they’ve lost in terms of their self-esteem,” she said. “It’s really phenomenal what we can do for our patients these days. And I love educating other physicians and the general public about these advancements.”
She takes pride in the fact that her practice is about two to three years advanced compared to others. “When these [new] technologies come to my clinic, I evaluate them, I develop protocols, teach other doctors and I go on TV to educate the general public. My patients get the benefit of amazing, cutting edge technology before other practices around the world get them.”
Dr. Tess’s most famous offering is the “Time Machine Procedure™,” which she invented as a fusion of leading-edge technologies, methodologies and biologics to tackle age-related issues like skin deterioration, sun damage, wrinkles, volume loss and sagging—all without surgery.
Since it is noninvasive, there is minimal downtime. It is much safer and a fraction of the cost of going under the knife. After a single session, patients “turn back the clock” and look five to 10 years younger, while still maintaining a natural look.
“The concept of the Time Machine Procedure™ made sense to me because we had all these amazing technologies that are trying to rebuild collagen,” she shared. “Why not combine all of them in a very special way to address aging from different pathways and mechanisms? The result is more dramatic with less risks and downtime.”
Among regular patients of the procedure are Hilda Koronel, Gabby Conception, Patricia Javier, Anjanette Abayari, Apl.de.Ap, Marla Maples, and Lilia Lao, Manny Pacquiao’s aunt. Currently there are Time Machine Procedure™ providers all over the United States and the Philippines, and it will be introduced in other countries in the near future.
“I was looking for a good dermatologist because I am really picky—It’s my job to use my face. During my first year [of going to Dr. Tess’s clinic,] I did the Time Machine Procedure about three or four times. I’m almost 60 and I just want to keep my skin clean. I told her that I don’t want to look 20 years younger than my age,” Hilda Koronel said. “[The Time Machine] is all natural and I don’t have to cut myself.”
After two years of development and 18 months of clinical testing, Dr. Tess launched “Timeless MD™ by Dr. Tess,” a medical grade illuminating skin care line that safely and effectively addresses discoloration, especially on Filipino skin.
“Being Filipino, I know the difficulty my patients go through in finding the right skin care for our sensitive, acne-prone, and pigmentation-prone skin,” she observed, adding the research she has done to offer such specialized treatments tailored to Filipinos.
Timeless MD™ has 29 of the most cutting edge technologies for skin lightening, anti-acne, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging in a four-step regimen. The first step is to purify with a facial cleanser. Next step is to brighten with a facial lotion focused on reducing the appearance of pigmentation and uneven texture. The third, a quenching face cream that improves barrier functions that calms, and hydrates the skin. Lastly, done once or twice a week, a boosting face mask that exfoliates the skin for a polished, brighter look. Also known as the “Time Machine in a bottle,” the Timeless MD™ line is intended for anyone all over the world who would otherwise not be able to experience the Time Machine Procedure™ or for those who want to maintain the results achieved by it.
“As we all age, I wanted to get the message out that if something is bothering you, there are many safe and effective ways to treat: aging, acne, acne scars, a bulge here, or if your body is [just] not what it used to be,” she said. “There is a lot of science and research behind all of our treatments. And with the psychiatrist in me, it goes well beyond vanity. It really is about taking care of yourself, loving yourself, giving yourself importance and when you do that, you are much happier.”
In addition to treating patients, Dr. Mauricio spreads her enthusiasm and on-air ready persona through speaking engagements around the world about the technologies she has helped spearhead and regularly appears on TV as a medical expert. To date, she has made appearances on the “Rachael Ray Show,” CBS’ “The Doctors,” “America’s Next Top Model,” “The Talk” and “The Dr. Oz Show.” She also has a weekly show, “The Dr. Tess Show,” on GMA Pinoy TV (in North America) and GMA News TV (Philippines and global) in which she walks through various procedures and shows what can be done to address certain skin issues.
In April 2015, Dr. Tess has partnered with Cosmederm Bioscience, the developer of the Refinity Skin Health System, to bring the Refinity Peel to her clinics. It is a revolutionary, highly potent chemical peel that delivers significant results without any pain, downtime and irritation. Dr. Tess performed the VIP Refinity glycolic acid peel treatments on celebrities in attendance at the Daytime Emmy Gift Lounge in Hollywood on Apr. 25.
“This is the very first time I’m offering these very potent glycolic acids in my clinic because in the past, traditional technologies for chemical peels were very dangerous, unpredictable and could cause a lot of burns and scarring, especially on Filipino skin.” Dr. Tess said. “In my practice, we see a lot of patients who have been damaged and injured by chemical peels, they seek my advice to try to repair the damage, so that’s why I never offered it.”
The Refinity Peel uses the COSMEDERM®-7 technology that blocks the pain and inflammation pathways, and is suitable for all skin types. The peel is made with highest available glycolic acid concentrations (50 or 70 percent) and a low pH (pH 1.2 and pH 0.6), which makes it very potent; yet, patients will not experience any burning, redness, swelling or peeling.
First, the acid is applied to the skin for at most 10 minutes. A faint tingle can be felt, but it is hardly anything compared to the traditional peels that come with a burning sensation. Then, a peel neutralizer is placed on the skin. Minutes later, the patient is ready to wash his/her face and lather on the post-peel moisturizer with COSMEDERM®-7 to soothe the skin and protect it from further AHA irritation. The moisturizer must be applied in the morning and night for two days following the treatment.
The end result: a nice glow, tighter skin, shrunken pores and disappearing fine lines— all without having to take time off and hide from the sun, like a traditional peel. Makeup can even be re-applied right after the peel. There is a daily version available, gentle enough for the face and neck, with 15 percent lactic acid to help maintain the skin in between in-clinic treatments.
“Filipinos love peels and now, we’re really able to do it safely with the Refinity peel,” Dr. Tess said. “We can even use it for the whole body, especially for people who have rough skin and dark pigmentation. If you want some skin brightening, we’re using this in combination with other in-office treatments to make the skin feel softer, smoother, brighter and lighter.”
Despite Dr. Tess’ achievements and global recognition, she remains modest and goes out of her way to treat her patients well and ensure they are satisfied with their results.
“Dr. Tess is very accessible. I can always talk to her and ask her questions. I don’t get that with other doctors,” Hilda added.
“When people read my resume and meet me, they’re shocked with how down-to-earth I am, and I’m like, ‘why wouldn’t I be?’” Dr. Tess said. “Everyone has their own gifts. I’m just so grateful that God has given me this gift to be able to help my patients and spread good energy and an inspiring message to the world.”
M Beauty clinic has locations in San Diego, National City and Glendale, Calif. For more information on Dr. Tess Mauricio and M Beauty Clinic, please visit www.mbeautyclinic.com or call TOLL FREE at (866)717-9844.