On a Mission: Inside Royal Aesthetics’ Promise of Accessible Beauty

In the booming aesthetics industry, a new breed of practitioners are driven by a mission to provide accessible beauty for all. Arlene Cris Damot, founder of Royal Aesthetics shares what drives her as an entrepreneur.

The aesthetics industry in the Philippines is booming. From surgical procedures to skin treatments, skincare products, and cosmetics, every aspect of the aesthetics industry is expected to grow significantly in the coming years. Buoyed by this growth is a new breed of medical aesthetics practitioners and entrepreneurs. Where the industry’s pioneers focused on luxury treatments for the affluent, a growing number of aesthetic clinics are dedicated to providing accessible beauty for all. One such medical aesthetics practitioner is Arlene Cris Damot, founder of Royal Aesthetics.

The Business Manual spoke to Arlene to trace her entrepreneurial journey and the rise of Royal Aesthetics, which now has seven clinics from Quezon City to Bulacan to Malaysia. She shares with us the origin of her aesthetic clinic and what it takes to succeed.

An Opportunity and a Purpose

Arlene Cris Damot began her entrepreneurial journey in an unlikely place: as a registered nurse. But it was through her practice of nursing and eventually as a doctor where her mission in Royal Aesthetics began. “As a nurse,” she says, “I saw firsthand how health and wellbeing go hand in hand with confidence and self-esteem. Over time, I realized that beauty and wellness could be more than just skin deep. They’re about empowering people to feel their best, inside and out.”

After working in Malaysia alongside top professionals in the aesthetics industry, she decided to pursue entrepreneurship and start her own clinic. Crucially, it was Arlene’s time in Malaysia that formed the foundation for Royal Aesthetics.

“One thing that struck me,” she explains, “was their emphasis on combining technology with patient-centered care. That’s something I wanted to bring to Royal Aesthetics, cutting edge technology with personalized treatments.”

Beyond the technology, she also spotted an entrepreneurial opportunity–and a purpose.

“Another key learning was how aesthetics isn’t just for the elite,” she continues. “There’s a huge demand for accessible beauty treatments. That’s where I saw an opportunity making world class treatments available and affordable for everyone, which became the foundation of Royal Aesthetics.”

Royal Aesthetics’ Accessible Beauty

In the marketing of Royal Aesthetics, the clinic promises that “Beauty is for every Juan.” What does this mean for Arlene Cris Damot?

“[It] means that looking and feeling good should be accessible to everyone, not just a select few,” she shares. “I come from a place where people may not always have access to premium services, and I wanted to change that. At Royal Aesthetics, we offer treatments that are affordable but don’t compromise on quality.”

Arlene believes that everyone deserves to feel good about themselves, and Royal Aesthetics exists to answer that need. She says, “Our goal is to democratize beauty and make it part of everyone’s self-care routine, regardless of their background.”

This democratization of beauty has clearly resonated with the market. Royal Aesthetics has swiftly grown from one clinic to seven, with locations in Quezon City, Cavite, Bulacan, and even outside the country, in Malaysia. Arlene credits Royal Aesthetics’ doctors and medical practitioners for their commitment to personalized care.

Arlene explains, “We don’t offer one-size-fits-all treatments. We create customized solutions that fit the individual. I also believe in fostering genuine relationships with our clients. Many of them have become part of the Royal Aesthetics family, and that connection makes all the difference.”

Expansion into Skincare

As the number of Royal Aesthetics clinics has grown so too has the number of their services and products. The clinic has steadily expanded its doctor-led procedures and non-doctor procedures. And like many clinics in the industry, they have also expanded into skincare products.

In 2021, the skincare market in the Philippines was valued at $1.05 billion and projected to grow around 7% every year. Royal Aesthetics has met this growing demand with its own line of skincare products.

Speaking about this expansion, Arlene says, “Expanding into skincare was both exciting and challenging… One of the biggest challenges was finding the right balance between medical grade effectiveness and everyday usability. I wanted our products to be accessible, but they also had to deliver real, lasting results.”

With rigorous testing and by working closely with skincare experts, Arlene was able to overcome the hurdles this new line of products faced.

“Ultimately, the learning curve was steep,” she adds, “but the reward is seeing our clients benefit from products that truly work.”

Leveraging the Power of Online

In today’s increasingly digital world, online selling has undeniably become a part of daily life. Royal Aesthetics in particular has been very successful online, pioneering efforts that you normally wouldn’t associate with aesthetics clinics such as live selling and loyalty programs.

“Online has been a game-changer for Royal Aesthetics,” Arlene shares. “Live selling, for example, has allowed us to engage with customers in real-time, breaking down the barrier between clinic and client… The online space gives us the opportunity to stay connected and accessible, which has been key to our growth.”

Advice for Entrepreneurs

Royal Aesthetics has grown rapidly over the years, guided by its founding mission to provide accessible beauty and the hard work of its founder, Arlene Cris Damot.

Speaking about the entrepreneurial challenges she faced, Arlene says, “Entrepreneurship is not for the faint of heart. It requires resilience, adaptability, and a strong belief in your vision, especially when things get tough, which they will.”

What advice does she have for other entrepreneurs who are just starting on their own journey? “Stay grounded in your purpose,” she advises. “Know why you’re doing what you’re doing because that will be your anchor through all the highs and lows.”

Arlene acknowledges that her success is also due to the people around her. “Surround yourself with the right people,” she says, “like mentors, advisors, and a team that believes in your mission as much as you do.”

In closing, Arlene focuses on the importance of constant learning. “Never stop learning,” she says. “Every challenge is an opportunity to grow, and that’s where the real magic happens.”