Ten Minutes With: Dr Terry Loong, Integrative Cosmetic & Skin Doctor

Whether we like it or not, our complexions are continually being scrutinised; it’s no surprise there’s such an emotional relationship between a woman and her skin, with conditions such as chronic acne and rosacea being so closely linked to cases of depression. Dr Terry, a well-established Integrative Cosmetic Skin Doctor with over 12 years experience in the trade, says: “A woman’s skin is like her business card; it shows up in the world first.” She helps her patients understand their bodies, hormones and health to fully take charge of how they look, feel and age in the years to come. Having begun her career as a surgeon, specialising in general and plastic surgery, Dr Terry moved into non-surgical, aesthetic procedures in order to ‘put the twinkle back in her patients eyes and a confident step in their walk’. This is a woman who understands that it’s not just about what’s going on outside, but it’s about how we feel inside too. Dr Terry offers a range of advanced skin treatments and aesthetic procedures at her central London clinic - but she was kind enough to take ten minutes out of her busy schedule to tell us a little bit more about what makes her tick.

HOW DID YOU GET YOUR JOB?

I created the term as I wanted to combine my love for health and wellness together with the advances of skincare and aesthetic treatments. You can't have beautiful skin without optimising internal health and external routines. 

CAN YOU DESCRIBE A 'TYPICAL' DAY?
Now that I'm pregnant, my typical day is slightly modified. I try to get as much sleep as I can so I wake up at about 8am. I take a probiotic supplement before making some Ayurvedic tea to sip on while doing my breathing exercises and morning stretch. I then like to write in my Desire Map daily journal before undertaking a 20 minute meditation session. I then have breakfast with my husband. This normally involves making a green juice and having an omelette with spinach/mushrooms /smoked salmon or toasted quinoa bread with almond butter or tahini with avocados slices; breakfast is one of my favourite meals of the day. I then get ready for work, aiming to get into the clinic at about 11am. I catch up on my emails on my iPhone on my way to work and if I don't have any pressing emails to reply, I like to watch educational videos on the Internet - on health and wellness.

When I get into clinic, I look through the day's patients list and prepare for a productive day when my first appointment is at 12pm. I have a late lunch at about 3pm - I either grab a liquid green smoothie from Press at Selfridges or if I'm really hungry, I have a jacket potato with tuna and coleslaw from next door. I occasionally have lunch meetings where we normally go to Le Pain Quotidien. I love their soups and tartines there. If I'm not in clinic (I try my best to keep my clinical days to 3 days a week) the 2 extra weekdays I leave free for meetings, writing, filming and recharging my batteries (especially now with creating a little baby inside me!) I finish work at about 6-7pm, whereby I catch the train back home. My husband normally has dinner ready and if he doesn't feel like cooking, we go out to eat. After dinner, we like to wind down with a movie or one of our favourite TV series. I also have another Ayurvedic tea after dinner to help aid my digestion. I get ready for bed about 10:30pm - a hot shower, read a book, enjoy a short massage by my husband or read a book to my little baby in my belly and then off to bed at about 11:30pm.

WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES YOU FACE?
Mainly wanting to keep going creatively, but my body and mind feeling tired quicker with the pregnancy - as well as the cold weather and lack of sunshine, which definitely makes life harder.

CAN YOU PINPOINT ONE PARTICULAR HIGHLIGHT TO DATE? 

Publishing my first book "The Hormonal Acne Solution - how to clear acne naturally without antibiotics, roaccutane and birth control pills" back in 2014. I would love to write a second edition and maybe create an online program about acne solutions and healthy skin.

WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT WHAT YOU DO?
Seeing patients not hiding their skin with thick foundation to cover up; seeing them instead feeling confident that they can go out and pursue the career they always wanted, enjoy the relationship they always deserved, feeling relaxed in their skin, knowing and feeling in control of their health, their skin and their wellness.

WHAT'S THE BEST PIECE OF CAREER ADVICE YOU'VE EVER BEEN GIVEN?
Create your own path. Celebrate your uniqueness and enjoy the journey.

IF YOU WERE TO GIVE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE TO ANYONE INTERESTED IN YOUR FIELD, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Do it for the right reasons, not for the money, fame or glory. It's a privilege and honour to be trusted with one's skin.

HOW DO YOU UNWIND AFTER A LONG DAY?
A walk in the park if it's still light. A hot shower or bath. Read a book, catch a funny movie. Have a massage.

CAN YOU LET US IN ON YOUR FIVE BEAUTY MUST-HAVES?
1. A gentle yet effective exfoliator - I use ZO Skin Health Exfoliating Polish once a day. 

2. A hyaluronic acid serum - I  love Teoxane RHA Serum to keep the skin hydrated.
3. Tea Tree Oil to target any spots, applied as a pre-primer to reduce the shine and mixed with my clay mask to add more potency.  

4. Breathable foundation from Oxygenetix– it doesn't smudge, clog pores and actually benefits the skin.  

5. Nuskin Tru Face Essence Ultra - these tiny capsules containin Ethocyn, which prevents the breakdown of collagen, maintaining the firmness of the skin.

Find out more about Dr Terry Loong and the treatments she offers here: www.drterry.com