THE STORY OF DR TERRY LOONG

If you would like to know the person behind Dr Terry, please read her story below.

Younger Years

As a child, I didn’t like myself very much. I was spotty, overweight and geeky. I was bullied in school but I tried to fit in and constantly seeked approval. As a result, I developed an eating disorder and was self-harming in my teens.

I always felt like the odd one out. I didn’t see myself as beautiful so decided to strive as a doctor to get recognition through my brains instead. Growing up in South East Asia and being the eldest of 5, I saw it my duty to do my parents proud to choose a profession that was highly regarded.

My Inspiration

My mother suffered from terrible skin problems – acne, eczema and psoriasis. I remember my mum proudly telling her friends I was in medical school and I would help her clear her skin issues when I graduated.

She was an amazing woman. A great mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend. She was highly intelligent (helping my father build his business when he started with nothing at these of 16 years old), highly motivated (started several businesses when she was a stay-at-home mum), highly creative (learned to play the flute and speak Mandarin at the age of 40 years old), highly optimistic, and lived her life with vitality, health, laughter, love and family ties.

Sadly….. I lost her when I was 19 years old.

3 weeks after helping me settle in London for the start of my medical school, I had a call from my family saying she was not well and in 24 hours, she was gone. It was 28th October 1997 and she was 46 years old. She left my dad with 5 children. I was the eldest at 19 years old and my youngest brother was 9. I grew up in my 20s without a female role model.

Losing my mother was hard but her memory definitely shaped the woman I am today.

Education

I graduated from Guy’s, King’s and St.Thomas’ Hospital, London in 2002 and completed my postgraduate qualifications with the Royal College of Surgeons. I started my earlier training specialising in general surgery and plastic surgery before embarking as an anti-ageing doctor.

However it wasn’t until I was diagnosed with early stage cervical cancer at the age of 30 years old that led me down the path of wellness and alternative medicine. I furthered my studies in USA, acquiring new knowledge and experience in naturopathic medicine, nutrition and natural hormone balance.

It gave me new respect and appreciation for our skin, body and health.

My Work

I help my patients look more refreshed like they’ve had enough sleep or just been on holiday while still working hard at their role as a professional or parent. I help them understand their skin, hormones and health to fully take charge of how they age, looking and feeling their best, in years to come.

I have been blessed to have been voted as one of the Rising Stars in the Aesthetic Industry in 2012, won Best New Clinic in 2013 and was a finalist for the Best Medical Aesthetic  Practitioner of the Year in 2014.

I wrote my first book to help adult women suffering from acne. “The Hormonal Acne Solution – clearing your acne naturally without antibiotics, birth control pills and roaccutane.” was published in 2014. I was also appointed the first Independent Global Skincare Expert for Bodyshop International in 2015. My work has been featured in Tatler, Marie Claire, Vogue, Woman & Home, Good House Keeping, Sunday Telegraph, Elle Magazine, Get The Gloss, Daily Mail, Stella, InStyle Magazine, Stylist, Psychologies and many more.

Fun Facts About Me & Future Goals

I’m originally from Malaysia and married to a South African Chinese. We have a gorgeous 4 year old son who’s the light of my life. In my free time, I enjoy reading, writing, dancing and yoga (Vinyasa is my favourite). I’m the eldest of 7 and one of 63 grandchildren (and that’s just my mum’s side).

I love foods from all around the world but don’t like to cook myself. My favourite foods are Japanese, Malaysian, Vietnamese and Korean. My favourite Netflix series are Bull, Queen of South,  MasterChef (Australia) and Skin Decisions.

Since being a mum in 2016, I never realise how tough it is being a mother (sleep deprivation, very little quiet time and hormonal imbalances). I have a new found respect for all mothers and had to learn new strategies to balance my own hormones while caring for my skin so I  don’t look like I’ve aged 10 years in the first year of having him.

In my lifetime, I would love to enjoy the journey:-
1. Helping as many people as I can to feel more confident either through treatments in the clinic, virtual consultations or future online programs.
2. Creating a fun organisation in the future to teach kids about skin health, skin care and being healthy – to prevent acne and weight problems which often leave lasting scars both internally and externally.
3. Hosting a successful web TV show to educate people about skin, health and confidence.
4. Spending time with my family, travelling the world and making a difference where I can.

SUBSCRIBE TO MY FORTNIGHTLY NEWSLETTER

“Reflections of an Integrative Doctor”

This is where I share personal insights and tips on growing younger, feeling confident and loving the skin you’re in.