BY JOYCE A. RAMIREZ
By now, it’s a well-known fact that COVID-19 has, indeed, pushed many industries to reinvent, re-calibrate and innovate their methods to adapt to the new normal. The silver lining: some of these changes are actually for the better.
Recently, I discovered the convenience of having my dermatology appointments online, thanks to ‘Teledermatology.’
Also known as ‘telederm,’ this new practice is a popular application of telemedicine and e-health using audio, video and data communication. Its main advantage? It spares you the ordeal of having to travel to a clinic or hospital setting to consult with your dermatologist. Aside from being stress-free, it also lowers your risk of exposure to various contagious diseases, which increases every time you step out of the house.
Now that the new normal dictates that we limit face-to-face interactions and that we do all things virtual, consulting with a board-certified dermatologist about your skin problems during quarantine is as simple as making a video call appointment at the comfort of your home.
I recently tried Skincell Connect, the exclusive telederm service introduced by renowned skin expert, Dr. Clarissa V. Cellona, last April.
Cellona was referred to me by Tessa Prieto-Valdes. Apparently, she’s the “secret” of several big stars including Dawn Zulueta-Lagdameo, Jessy Mendiola, designer Patty Ang, fashion blogger Patricia Prieto and many more.
According to Cellona, telederm appointments are best for treating skin concerns such as eczema (due to increased handwashing and use of alcohol), skin asthma (due to stress and weather) and acne (which is an increasing concern as of late due to quarantine-related stress and frequent wearing of a face mask or “maskne”).
If you are dealing with any of these skin issues, the first step is to make an appointment. Skincells’s highly trained telederm associate will guide you through the process of setting up the video call. You’ll likely be asked to send high resolution images of the skin concern you are dealing with.
“In our experience, a high-res photo of the skin problem is far superior to that of a video resolution,” says Cellona. “For example, we require a clear photo of the full face instead of just a portion of the skin so that we can have a better visual of the ongoing condition.”
For my Skincell Connect experience, I logged onto a private portal where the doctor gave advice on all my skin concerns. First, she asked a few basic health questions on my lifestyle and skincare routine. The whole session lasted about five to 10 minutes, but that depends on your skin condition. During this time, she also made an assessment and a good working diagnosis, based on the photos and information I provided. Cellona then prescribed a treatment program.
In addition, medication is supervised by the clinic’s very own in-house pharmacist for compliance, to help patients receive better care and achieve the desired outcome. Home delivery can also be arranged.
With Skincell Connect, many patients such as those living outside Metro Manila or even OFWs based abroad who urgently need dermatological advice can book an appointment easily and proceed with their consultations regardless of their location.
“Hopefully when things go back to normal, we can look forward to welcoming our regular patients back in the clinic soon,” ends Cellona.
Dr. Issa Cellona is a member of the Philippine Dermatological Society or PDS, the most trusted and highly respected organization of board-certified dermatologists. To book an appointment, please contact Abby Gonzales at +63 (936) 7581302 (instant messaging services are available).
For more information about SKINCELL, visit www.skincell.care.
