MANILA, Philipines -- Arched eyebrows: Actors need lines on their faces to enhance their acting. They add more character to their person.

This, more or less, summed up Ruffa Gutierrez’s opinion on the subject of facelift and other facial cosmetic procedures as she met media during an April 7 lunch trumpeting her endorsement of Belo Medical’s new service line, BodyTite.

In her mid-30s, the beauty queen-actress said it is a fact that she has been growing crow’s feet around her eyes, something her make-up artist often points out to her. Ruffa maintains she will not want to touch them or resort to invasive procedures involving her face.

“Gusto ko naman, lalo ngayong may drama series ako (‘Mga Nagbabagang Bulaklak’ on TV5), umaakting din ang kilay ko,” she said.

Ruffa said she wasn’t referring to any one actor when she let out that afternoon’s quotable quote. Industry observers and general audiences as a whole, however, remember only too well the case of an actress who couldn’t show any facial expression of sorrow or anger in the midst of dramatic tension as her face had reportedly hardened up due to frequent botox injections.

Surgical virgin: Despite being a mother of two girls, Ruffa has remained a surgical virgin.

She delivered her two babies the normal way, which is why the “Paparazzi” host and actress had initial apprehensions about surgery.

For nearly a year, cosmetic surgeon Dr. Vicki Belo tried to convince Ruffa to undergo an invasive procedure for body contouring and removing unwanted loose skin on her tummy brought about by childbirth.

Ruffa admits she had long wanted to get rid of the loose skin on her body. “I’ve tried different exercises, workout, diet, but nothing seemed to work for me,” Ruffa disclosed. “Then I saw Jinkee Pacquiao and I know she underwent the same procedure with Belo. Even my mom was telling me how slim Jinkee is now.”

Ruffa’s series of showbiz commitments also prevented her from doing an invasive procedure, which she initially thought, would sideline her.

True enough, Ruffa was mobile the day after her BodyTite procedure. She now has a series of billboards showing her in a bikini to show for her efforts.

BodyTite or what is known as Radio Frequency Assisted Liposuction (RFAL), addresses the problem of predominantly loose skin seen in some patients after having undergone a liposuction procedure.

BodyTite is a minimally invasive procedure which uses radio frequency (RF) energy applied over the skin and into the fat layer to allow simultaneous lipolysis and skin tightening.

Loose skin caused by motherhood: Dr. Belo explained that BodyTite is perfect to be used in areas which tend to be loose like the inner thighs, arms and the abdomen. This happens when the skin is damaged by multiple pregnancies and stretch marks which hamper contraction.

Ruffa said going through a beautification procedure is not only tedious, it also entails some sacrifice.

“You don’t just depend on the surgery, you have to help yourself by keeping a good diet and eating less to maintain your figure,” she explained. The actress said she never favored liposuction after having seen a number of people, many of them actresses, who ballooned shortly after because they left everything to chance, and the magic of a temporary loss of weight.

Dieting is important, she urged.

Flashing a glam look that made her look even more expensive and chic, Ruffa said she works hard to give her career the boosts it needs furthermore. Besides, she added, she wanted to set a good example to other women, whether young or old, who need not look losyang or outdated once they get married or have children.

(nescuar@yahoo.com)