About Our Doctor
Dr. Almond L. Derla obtained his medical degree from St. Luke’s Medical Center College of Medicine – William H. Quasha Memorial and completed his clinical training at St. Luke’s Medical Center – Quezon City. He pursued a three-year Dermatology Training at the Dermatology Institute Foundation of the Philippines under the guidance of Dr. Vinson B. Pineda. He later underwent a two-year General Cosmetic Surgery Fellowship at the Pan Pacific Aesthetic Institute and Vienna Medical University, where he placed first in the Pan Pacific Aesthetic Surgery Boards. He also earned his Master’s Degree in Business Administration in Health from the Ateneo Graduate School of Business.
Dr. Derla specializes in Clinical and Cosmetic Dermatology and is a Fellow of the Philippine Academy of Clinical and Cosmetic Dermatology, a Board-Certified Cosmetic Surgeon, and a Fellow of the Pan Pacific Aesthetic Institute Foundation of the Philippines and the Philippine Academy of Aesthetic Surgery. He serves as an International Mentor of the International Society for Dermatologic Surgery (ISDS), and is a member of the Dermatologic Aesthetic Surgery International League (DASIL) and the International Academy of Cosmetic Dermatology (IACD).
His practice combines an equal mix of clinical dermatology, cosmetic dermatology, dermatologic surgery, general cosmetic surgery, and regenerative medicine. He is highly skilled in advanced aesthetic procedures, including the latest techniques in Facial Aesthetics (neurotoxin, soft tissue fillers, threads), non-surgical rhinoplasty, non-surgical facelift, facial rejuvenation, body contouring, and aesthetic surgery for the face and body. Dr. Derla is also recognized as one of the pioneers in performing Autologous Stem Cell Therapy for the regeneration of the face, neck, hands, and knees, including fat transposition with activated stem cell therapy.
Other cosmetic surgical procedures he performs include rhinoplasty, blepharoplasty, chin augmentation, dimple creation, liposuction, tummy tuck, breast augmentation, butt augmentation, and vaginal/penile rejuvenation.
Dedicated to continuous learning, Dr. Derla regularly updates his expertise in dermatology, cosmetic surgery, and laser treatments, working with advanced energy-based devices such as Ulthera, Picolaser, Acne Laser, and CO₂ Laser, among others.
He strongly believes in a patient-focused, hands-on, one-on-one approach, emphasizing that excellent skin care and facial aesthetics are achieved through a strong doctor–patient relationship.
Dr. Derla currently serves as the Secretary and Board Member of the Philippine Academy of Clinical and Cosmetic Dermatology, and is an active member of the Philippine Medical Association.
He is in private practice at Ortigas Center, Tomas Morato, and Bacolod City, and serves as a Visiting Consultant at Dr. Jesus Delgado Memorial Hospital in Quezon City and Rivera Medical Center in Davao.
Regenerative Medicine & our Doctor’s Vision
Dr. Derla believes that adult stem cell research will lead to better treatment for patients, improvement in quality of life for those that are suffering, and possible cures for chronic disease and disability. To know more about Dr. Derla’s regenerative medicine and treatments, please visit the link below.
ALL ABOUT REGENERATIVE MEDICINE
Regenerative medicine are the body’s raw materials cells from which all other cells with specialized functions are generated. Under the right conditions in the body or a laboratory, stem cells divide to form more cells called daughter cells. Regenerative medicine have the remarkable potential to develop into many different cell types in the body during early life and growth. In addition, in many tissues they serve as a sort of internal repair system, dividing essentially without limit to replenish other cells as long as the person or animal is still alive. When a cell divides, each new cell has the potential either to remain a regenerative medicine or become another type of cell with a more specialized function, such as a muscle cell, a red blood cell, or a brain cell.
Regenerative medicine are distinguished from other cell types by two important characteristics. First, they are unspecialized cells capable of renewing themselves through cell division, sometimes after long periods of inactivity. Second, under certain physiologic or experimental conditions, they can be induced to become tissue- or organ-specific cells with special functions. In some organs, such as the gut and bone marrow, cells regularly divide to repair and replace worn out or damaged tissues. In other organs, however, such as the pancreas and the heart, stem cells only divide under special conditions.
Until recently, scientists primarily worked with two kinds of cells from animals and humans: embryonic cells and adult cells.
Importance
As we look to our future, we find technology and scientific breakthroughs moving us forward in ways we never expected. This ongoing discovery has given rise to a new alternative method of treatment, a new way of managing our lives. Regenerative Medicine has become one of the most exciting and promising fields in biological science today. Advancements in Regenerative Medicine give us the ability to manage our wellness so we can live fuller and healthier lives with our loved ones.
Regenerative medicine represent an exciting area in medicine because of their potential to regenerate and repair damaged tissue. Some current therapies, such as bone marrow transplantation, already make use of cells and their potential for regeneration of damaged tissues. Other therapies are under investigation that involves transplanting cells into a damaged body part and directing them to grow and differentiate into healthy tissue.
Application
Regenerative Medicine have the ability to replace damaged cells and treat disease
This property is already used in the treatment of extensive burns, and to restore the blood system in patients with blood disorders.
Regenerative medicine may also hold the key to replacing cells lost in many other devastating diseases for which there are currently no sustainable cures. Today, donated tissues and organs are often used to replace damaged tissue, but the need for transplantable tissues and organs far outweighs the available supply. Regenerative Medicine, if they can be directed to differentiate into specific cell types, offer the possibility of a renewable source of replacement cells and tissues to treat diseases including Parkinson’s, stroke, heart disease and diabetes. This prospect is an exciting one, but significant technical hurdles remain that will only be overcome through years of intensive research.