On Acne: Who Says Rockstars Don't Get Zits?

When we think of a Rockstar, what image do we conjure in our minds? #Astig #Pogi #Cool #Wow #Superstar #HindiKaNaMaReach #Untouchable #Idol.

Among celebrities, rockstars probably inspire the most intense fanaticism among fans.  Rockstars are intimidating, awe-inspiring, god-like.  They seem to be a class of human beings who project an image that breathes of unique talent and physical perfection.  But who says rockstars don't get zits???

While acne, common name: pimples or in the vernacular "taghiyawat", is considered by most as a teenage disease, the sad truth is it is now a skin condition that is on the rise in adult patients,  And mind you, in both males and females.  The attack of the zits spares no one!

And thus, unexpectedly one day at clinic, I was privileged to meet a Filipino rockstar.  Being one who is not too intent on following showbiz personalities, I was initially unaware of how big this guy who walked in was.

I had my first glimpse of Mr. Ebe Dancel, waiting patiently for his turn to consult me, at our clinic reception area. He was just wearing jeans, quietly sitting on the sofa, keeping himself busy working on his cellphone.  He never made  any demands for special treatment nor made any of us at clinic aware of how bright his marquee is in our music industry.

In our first encounter, all I knew about Ebe was that he was the brother of my medical school buddy, Doctor cum world-class photographer Dennis Dancel, and that he had severe nodulo-cystic and scarring acne.

I was not only surprised but was rather extremely amused when all my nursing staff, and even our website designer who was then working on our computer, practically flipped over with excitement, and the temp in our clinic suddenly climbed.  Starting to get a feel of how important it was to clear the skin of this apparently bigtime star, I set out to get the job done.

Acne is not produced by just one, single causative agent.  But rather, the condition is due to many factors that come together and play a role in its formation-  stress, hormones, lack of sleep, certain medications including health supplements, exposure to chemicals, dust and pollution, oily skin, bacteria, clogged pores due to the wrong skin care or cosmetic products including make-up, shampoo, conditioner and moisturizers, and even food.

Being in the limelight, there was an urgency to clear Ebe's skin as he came for treatment at a time when his workload was unbelievably full with gigs, guestings, presscons, shoots, recordings and even a workshop with Maestro Ryan Cayabyab.

Being multifactorial in origin, acne must be treated through a combination of modalities. Monotherapy or a single treatment will not do.

Ebe had his share of oral treatments, topicals to be applied at home and a change of skin care regimen. We regularly did microdermabrasion, good old-fashioned acne surgery (known more popularly as "cleaning") and intralesional injections in the acute active phase of acne formation. And eventually as his eruptions subsided, we were able to perform laser and light treatments for the scars.  And voila, Ebe was back on track with his clear skin once more! Rockstar pa more! Phew!

Seeing Ebe with his once-again beautiful skin, perform on TV after his treatment, made me teary-eyed.  It is what makes our work at clinic so gratifying.  The results are so visible.  And for those who do not realize how dreadful the effects of pimples can be, beyond the physical appearance of a patient, is the more important emotional aspect. When the correct treatment is given, confidence and self-esteem are restored to our patients just when they need it the most, artista man or hindi.

Every time I see a poster of Ebe, I reminisce the difficult times we had battling with his giant zits and struggling against scarring, specially at a time when he hardly got any sleep.  Getting to know this guy who remains simple, soft-spoken, so down to earth despite being an extremely talented and multi-awarded composer and performer, I am thankful for having been given the chance to somehow play a role in his further success in life which he so very much deserves.  

In fact as I write this post, I received word of Ebe’s bagging the top award for Song of the Year at the 29^th Awit Awards for “Bawat Daan”, aside from winning Best Inspirational Recording, Best Engineered Recording, Best World Music Recording, and Best Song Written for Movie/TV/Stage Play for the hit series "Ang Probinsyano."  Five awards in just one night! Need I say more?

Listening now to Hari ng Sablay, Ako'y Isang Sirena and Huwag Ka Nang Umiyak have a deeper meaning for me when I listen to his songs.  Nakaka-senti… And of course, I never tire of playing my favorite of Ebe's recordings which is "Makita Kang Muli", a duet with Ms. Regine Velasquez-Alcasid.