Future beauty

Meet the ‘tweakment’ – a new, invisible approach to cosmetic surgery, pioneered by Dr Marwa Ali.

A fresh approach to cosmetic surgery

Iprefer a lighthanded approach because the result of any aesthetic procedure should look as natural as possible,” says Dr Marwa Ali, the resident aesthetic doctor at the Harrods Wellness Clinic in London. She’s ditched invasive procedures in favour of ‘tweakments’, backing the revolution sweeping the world of cosmetic surgery.

“Gone are the days of the frozen-forehead look,” she continues. “My patients look well-rested and refreshed rather than ‘done’.”

Dr Ali’s treatments are tailored to her clients’ individual needs and are designed to enhance natural features, rather than overpower them.

She discovered cosmetic dermatology when she was studying at university. “It provided me with the ideal balance between applying my medical knowledge and expressing my artistic flair,” recalls the Londonborn doctor, who’s of Iraqi descent. Since she joined Harrods in 2017, following her work at the prestigious PHI Clinic, she’s treated everyone from London’s high society to Middle Eastern royalty, and her work has been described as close to perfect.

“My friend recommended Dr Ali. She did an amazing PRP facial (vampire facial)

for me and took the time to explain the technical, scientific side of it,” commented stylist Nicole Majdalany. “When I’m next in London, I’ll visit her again.”

Dubbed the queen of injectables, the 32-yearold doctor is best known for her non-invasive treatments, namely: baby Botox (smaller doses of Botox that target specific muscles); the medical nose job (a strategically placed filler to reshape the nose); the Nefertiti neck lift (administering more than 100 small injectables into the jaw and neck area); and the M lift (a thread facelift). “Using a combination of hyaluronic acid fillers, Botox and threads, I can combat a number of ageing issues in one sitting, which means there’s no downtime for my patients,” she says.

Dr Ali looks to prevention rather than waiting to address changes in the face as they happen with age, such as sagging skin and wrinkles. Seeing her clients regularly also means she’s better equipped to prescribe the right treatment plan. “Each patient attends a compulsory consultation. I look at visual signs of ageing, lifestyle and other health factors, before determining the right course of treatment.” Integrity is key. People arrive at her clinic with an idea of what they need, often based on what they’ve seen on the internet. “ButIwillturnpatientsaway if they request treatments I believe are excessive,” she says.

Dr Ali acknowledges aesthetic medicine is known for being a maledominated industry. “It’s challenging enough for me to be successful in this area of expertise as it is,” she admits. “Let alone being a woman wearing a headscarf, who comes from a minority group within the Western world.”

Dr Ali dresses modestly, regularly enveloping her petite frame in a staple Balmain blazer or pieces by Elie Saab, Chanel or Roland Mouret. Petite, she may be; but that doesn’t mean she shies away from using big challenges to her advantage – a trait she undoubtedly learnt through being a single mother to her eightyear-old son, Ahmed.

“Having an open mind, a positive attitude and the determination to work hard to refine my skills has allowed me to progress.” Of her success, she muses: “I never would’ve thought I’d find a career that matches my passions and skills as much as aesthetic medicine does.” Dr Ali boosts her positive energy by learning from her favourite book, Rhonda Byrne’s The Secret. “If you have passion and drive, there’s no limit to what you can achieve,” Dr Ali concludes.

DRMARWAALI’S TOPTREATMENTS

BABY BOTOX

The artful administering of Botox injections to specific areas of the face. Botox paralyses the muscle, stopping it from contracting and creating a wrinkle. Popular areas are the forehead and eye contour, where the first signs of ageing develop. There is no downtime and results last for

six months.

TEAR THROUGH

TREATMENT

Hyaluronic acid filler is strategically injected in the under-eye area. Hyaluronic acid is naturally found within the body and helps to hydrate the skin from within. By treating the under-eye with micro-droplets of hyaluronic acid filler, the appearance of

dark circles is reduced.

NEFERTITI NECK LIFT

Administering more than 100 small injections of baby Botox into the jawline and neck lifts and tightens the skin, resulting in a sharper and more defined

jawline.