Retokado? More men getting facial enhancements, says cosmetic surgeon

Dr. Richmarc Albano, founder of Dr. Rich Advanced Cosmetic Center. Josh MercadoEven today, there is still a sense of shame attached to the Pinoy term "retokado," despite efforts by influencers, stars, and beauty doctors to normalize it.

Some local celebrities had to deal with the statement "retokada ka naman," w\hich sparked an internet debate regarding the widespread nature of never-ending comments about other people's bodies and faces.

“It's a very Catholic country. So it took us time for [everyone] to be open to it. Now, the trend that I see is 70% is more open. 30% mayroon pa rin talaga ‘yung mas tago (for patients) and mayroon pa ring hindi nauunawaan,” Dr. Richmarc Albano, founder of Dr. Rich Advanced Cosmetic Center, the first liposuction center in San Fernando, Pampanga, told ABS-CBN News.

Whether using the phrase "retokado" or other cruel language, commenting on people's physical appearances has never been and will never be appropriate.

But owing to celebrities who have spoken out about their facial improvements, some Pinoys have been able to open their eyes.

Dr. Albano, who just became a "fellow" of the Philippine Academy of Aesthetic Surgery after passing the written, practical, and oral tests by the Board of Examiners, shared with ABS-CBN News, “Malaki ‘yung role ng social media. Kasi, on TikTok, very willingly, nag-share ‘yung mga tao, sino ‘yung surgeon nila, anong procedure ‘yung ginagawa nila. Which is, mas beneficial actually. Kasi ang nangyayari, mas educated ngayon. Mas maraming pool of information online.”

“And mas maraming patient testimonials na makikita online. Before, anecdotal lang, eh. Kunwari, yung tita mo, nagpagawa sa doctor na ‘to, so you go to the same doctor. Yes, and also may shame,” he added.

The beauty industry in the Philippines is flourishing, with new companies launching nearly every month. While it suggests the pressure to conform to the beauty standard, it also demonstrates how individuals nowadays aspire to be confident by looking good.

Regarding the beauty standards in the Philippines, the 29-year-old board-certified cosmetic surgeon noted, “Definitely, I would say two. One is, kasi ang beauty standards dito heavily influenced ng entertainment industry. O sino ‘yung mga artista? Ang mga artista natin [ay] mga may lahi mostly, di ba? Mga mestiza, mestizo. So, ‘yun ang beauty standards. So, with the nose, matatangos ‘yung ilong, mapuputi, very slim ‘yung bodies.”

He continued, “Another beauty standard, again, in connection with the entertainment industry, sabang lakas ng K-pop culture here in the Philippines. So, that's another beauty standard. They look up to sa Korean naman, sa mga Korean idols. That goes both sa lalaki and babae. So again, mga artista, ‘yun ang dalawang beauty standards.”

Insecurities, beauty trends

Dr. Albano's clinic in San Fernando, Pampanga concentrates on aesthetic medicine and cosmetic surgery, particularly liposuction. He studied pre-med at the University of the Philippines in Manila before receiving his medical degree from Far Eastern University. The clinic provides injectables, botox injections, fillers, face and body sculpting, rhinoplasty, nose jobs, double eyelid surgery, facelifts, and tummy tucks.

When asked if the increasing number of beauty clinics and patients in the Philippines reflects people's insecurity, he told ABS-CBN News, “I would say, yes. Definitely. It will stem out of a certain sense of insecurity. Kasi hindi ka, kumbaga, you will not spend that much money and go through that recovery and operation kung it's something na mababaw lang sa 'yo. So definitely, if it's an insecurity na talagang naka-affect sa life mo, ‘yun talaga [ang] one of the deciding factors, kumbaga, of the patients of doing the procedure. And then there's nothing wrong with that.”

He added, “Lahat tayo, may insecurities. Even the most beautiful people in the world have insecurities. And if you're capable of kumbaga allaying that insecurity, why not? You only live once in this world. You might as well live it the way you wanted it.”

According to Dr. Albano, the beauty trends include advanced rhinoplasty, facelifts, the salmon facial, which uses salmon sperm, and the vampire facial, which uses the patient's own blood.

The cosmetic surgeon also revealed that there is an increasing trend of men undergoing cosmetic procedures and facial enhancements, indicating that it is no more a woman thing.

“Yes. Marami rin. May growing trend na maraming napapagawa na male. The social media is really a big factor dito. Kasi, even on TikTok, men are willingly sharing kung saan sila nagpapagawa. Apart from that, not even surgical eh. Even ‘yung self-care lang na facials, that's very feminine, I would say, in the past. Pero ngayon, kumbaga, the vastness value of self-care. It's for everyone. Mas binibigan siya ng value ngayon. Cutting across all genders. Male, female. Self-care is really, kumbaga, one of the great investments na puwedeng maibigay sa sarili mo. Kaya, ‘yun, ‘yun, that statement. Nag-resonate siya ngayon, both males and females,” he ended.