Dr. Z & Aivee Teo’s 10 beauty breakthroughs
At the helm of one of the most dynamic aesthetic companies in the country, The Aivee Group’s Dr. Z and Aivee Teo are the first to tell me that they have a long way to go at 10 years young. In a decade, it’s undeniable that they have already changed the game.
They recently celebrated “Aivee 10” with a growing family of 250, which started out as three 10 years ago.
Combining medical expertise with curiosity over the latest in aesthetic technology and techniques with their love of design, art, food, travel, and people, different aspects of Aivee and Z’s passions come together and result in breakthroughs that excite the industry today. We count down their Top 10.
Aivee skincare
Available now is the clinic’s first skincare product, an FDA-approved and patented anti-aging and moisturizing face cream, the first of a complete range, in all Aivee clinics and through an online store. Aivee notes, “Because it is FDA-approved, it can go worldwide.”
“If you need one cream, this is the one. It contains four peptides for anti-aging and deep moisturization that we designed and formulated with Aivee’s expertise and knowledge as a dermatologist. We have been doing research and development for over a year and it is fitting to launch it on our 10th year,” says Z.
Going international
Aivee Clinic now has five branches in the Philippines—the first in Burgos Circle, followed by Alabang, Mega Fashion Hall, the A Institute also in BGC, and Vertis North—and one in Z’s home country Singapore in Paragon Medical Suites, Orchard Road.
The Aivee brand
During the early days of Aivee’s Burgos Circle clinic, the sign said the dermatologist’s full name. But as she became a household name in the field and grew her team, as a result of the clinic’s unique personalized service, her first name become interchangeable with beautifying oneself and getting pampered. “Now when people say ‘I’m going to Aivee,’ it’s not just me, but the clinic,” Aivee says.
The social media boom of recent years amplified the brand. Breaking the stigma of getting something done, regular patients, celebrities like actresses Heart Evangelista and Kathryn Bernardo, and industry stars like hairstylist Jing Monis and fashion designer Inno Sotto call themselves the Aivee League. From accessing the Burgos Circle clinic via a secret back door, patients now post videos of themselves walking into the front door—actress Gretchen Barretto sometimes twirls while doing so—into the treatment room and while getting treatments, without even being prodded.
The natural progression was to go with this brand recall. “When we opened Vertis, we dropped ‘Clinic’ and went with just Aivee,” points out Z.
Elevating the derma experience
“Back then, most of the clinics that I saw were small, 80 to 100 square meters. At the time, no clinics looked like the Aivee Clinic. I was first based in a hospital in Las Piñas, sharing a smaller clinic with other colleagues, seeing skin diseases and doing a little aesthetic (work),” Aivee recalls.
“It was in 2009 that Aivee Clinic became a center of aesthetics and dermatology. When we first opened in Burgos, it was a huge clinic with high ceilings and big chandeliers. People said it looked like a boudoir, a French salon. You can actually make a clinic look so chic and luxurious, that people want to hang out and get treatments. It’s become a lifestyle and experience. We elevated the aesthetic dermatology practice into something where patients can pamper themselves, like their ‘me time’ by giving it a luxurious hotel feel.” You can’t deny the interior design trend this started in aesthetic centers.
A Institute
As the doctors’ loyal patients sought to look and feel more youthful, the doctors knew a holistic approach was the answer. A Institute opened in 2016 as a one-stop-shop to help them achieve it. “It’s not just skin, but it’s also weight loss, sports therapy, and hair restoration. We put together a team of specialists to come in and opened departments, all-in-one center for everyone’s needs,” says Z. “We’ve had families come in, and the mother would take care of her skin, father for hair transplant, the kid would want Orthosports.”
A decade of firsts
Aivee Clinics are the first in Asia to have the Artas Robotic Hair Transplant System, the arm applicator of slimming machine Emsculpt, the tightening J Plasma, the firming Tempsure, Lotus Hair Restoration System, and the popular firming and lifting treatment Ultherapy. For five years in a row, they have been the number one Ultherapy provider in the Philippines and two years in a row in the region. “It’s putting the Philippines on the map among our colleagues in dermatology and plastic surgery,” says Aivee.
“Ten years ago, we would look at Singapore for the newest technology. Now the doctors ask us. It’s flipped!” Z shares.
Aivee Café
Another first in the industry is the Aivee Café, a health food café concept that started within the A Institute. “We see the body as a whole. It’s not just skin, but also about being well on the inside. We didn’t partner with anybody for the café. We built it from scratch, a new identity to complement the brand,” explains Z.
Now in four of five branches, the café allows patients to dine in or have food and drinks like Holy Kale cold-pressed juice brought to their treatment rooms. Those simply dropping by for the food will appreciate the direct access to it in Mega Fashion Hall and soon in Vertis.
Taking Aivee with you
The doctors came up with a way to sustain health benefits in between appointments. The hydrogen water-generating bottle Aivee Water is currently being taken all over the world, up to Machu Pichu. Bespoke nutrition food delivery service Dr. Food is “like having a personal chef and nutritionist,” describes Aivee. It is based on the results of a blood test to meet each patient’s unique nutritional requirements and health goals. “It complements our weight-loss program in a span of 20 to 40 days to make sure it is a success.”
Beauty Beyond Borders
Since Aivee became a dermatologist, she allots a day to offer her dermatological services for the disadvantaged free of charge. When Z saw what she was doing, he thought of a way to multiply her efforts. “The whole organization should be a part of this and create a culture of giving back, not just taking and taking,” he said. Celebrity Aivee League-rs even volunteer to join.
Aivee x Art
To increase the funds that go into Beauty Beyond Borders’ medical missions, in 2017, the Aivee group started Aivee x Art. It raises funds by selling artwork commissioned from young and up-and-coming artists in partnership with some of the doctors’ favorite art galleries. Twenty percent of the proceeds go to the medicine and instruments. “We self-fund Beauty Beyond Borders, we don’t solicit,” Z clarifies.
