Dr. Sanjay Parashar: Redefining Beauty, Science, and Regeneration in the Middle East
“Health is not just the absence of illness—it is the presence of balance, innovation, and care”
Dr. Samar redefines healthcare by shifting the focus from treating illness to building wellness—insightful guidance on why prevention is the real power move.
The Future of Health & Wellness in MENA | Where Innovation Meets Impact
At Insider Al Seha, we see health not merely as freedom from illness, but as the pursuit of strength, harmony, and vitality. Each page in this edition is crafted to spark inspiration—encouraging mindful choices and purposeful living. Our wish for every reader is a journey of lasting wellness, resilience, and a life enriched with energy and
Redefining Smiles with Precision and Passion
By Dr. Deepika Solanki Medical Director, Cosmique Aesthetic
The Future of Aesthetic Wellness
Advisory Note
The aesthetic and dermatology sector in the Middle East has entered an extraordinary phase of growth. Over the past decade, we have witnessed a transformation — what was once a niche market serving selective cosmetic needs has evolved into a robust healthcare and wellness industry. Today, patients seek not only external beauty enhancements but also holistic approaches that integrate dermatology, regenerative medicine, mental well-being, and lifestyle optimization.
At Cosmique Aesthetic, I have had the privilege of observing this evolution firsthand. The UAE, in particular, is redefining the global standards of luxury aesthetics by merging medical precision with a hospitality-driven patient experience. This unique positioning is why the Middle East is increasingly being seen not just as a consumer of global trends, but as a hub for innovation, training, and cross-cultural influence in the field of aesthetic wellness.
Shifting Patient Expectations
One of the most significant changes we are experiencing is the shift in patient expectations. A decade ago, aesthetics was largely about corrective or enhancement treatments — botulinum toxins, fillers, or surgical procedures. Today, patients are more informed, discerning, and holistic in their outlook. They come with a clear emphasis on:
Preventive aesthetics: Younger demographics are embracing treatments that delay aging rather than reverse it.
Natural results: Patients no longer desire dramatic transformations; they want subtle refinements that enhance individuality.
Integrated care: Increasingly, patients inquire about nutrition, wellness therapies, and skin health regimes alongside aesthetic procedures.
This shift requires us, as physicians, to rethink our approach. No longer can aesthetic medicine be siloed. It must intersect with preventive health, psychology, and even digital technologies like AI-driven diagnostics.
Technology as a Driving Force
The integration of technology into aesthetic practice is revolutionizing both diagnosis and treatment. Artificial intelligence is now being used in dermatology for early detection of skin conditions, while AI-powered imaging systems allow patients to preview treatment outcomes with remarkable accuracy.
In my own clinic, we are embracing regenerative dermatology — treatments such as PRP (platelet-rich plasma), stem-cell therapies, and exosome-based protocols. These are not about masking imperfections; they are about cellular rejuvenation and stimulating the body’s natural healing capabilities.
Moreover, robotics and laser technologies are refining precision in procedures. Fractional lasers, non-ablative skin resurfacing, and body contouring devices are moving aesthetics away from invasive surgeries, creating safer, faster, and more comfortable patient journeys.
The challenge — and opportunity — for practitioners is to balance innovation with evidence-based medicine. It is tempting to embrace every new device, but true excellence lies in adopting technology that has been validated, peer-reviewed, and aligned with patient safety.
The Rise of Medical Tourism in Aesthetics
The UAE has positioned itself as a premium medical tourism destination, and aesthetic medicine is a major contributor to this growth. Patients from Europe, Asia, and Africa now travel to Dubai and Abu Dhabi for procedures, attracted not only by advanced facilities but also by the promise of luxury, privacy, and world-class hospitality.
What sets the UAE apart is its ability to blend cutting-edge medicine with lifestyle experiences. A patient undergoing a procedure in Dubai is also engaging with luxury hotels, wellness resorts, and a vibrant cultural environment. This convergence of healthcare and hospitality makes the UAE’s aesthetic industry highly competitive on the global stage.
Looking forward, medical tourism will increasingly rely on digital integration. Patients expect seamless teleconsultations before travel, AI-driven post-care monitoring after they return home, and concierge-level support throughout the process. This is where the UAE can lead — by offering 360-degree patient ecosystems that begin before arrival and extend long after departure.
Education and Ethical Practice
As the industry expands, the responsibility on practitioners to uphold ethical standards and evidence-based care becomes even more critical. Aesthetic medicine is vulnerable to being trivialized — marketed as a commodity rather than
a medical science. This is a dangerous trajectory, one that undermines patient trust and professional credibility.
Through my practice and mentorship, I advocate for continuous education. The next generation of dermatologists must be trained not only in procedures but also in patient psychology, ethical marketing, and global best practices. Equally important is educating patients — empowering them with knowledge to make safe, informed choices rather than falling prey to unqualified providers or misleading claims.
Women’s Leadership in Aesthetic Medicine
The aesthetic and wellness space is also becoming a platform for women’s leadership in medicine. More women are entering dermatology and aesthetics, bringing empathy, precision, and innovation into the field. As a woman entrepreneur and physician, I see this as a profound opportunity: women physicians are not only shaping patient care but also influencing industry standards, academic research, and entrepreneurial ventures.
The industry must continue to create platforms for female voices — in conferences, advisory boards, and research forums — ensuring that women contribute equally to the future of healthcare innovation.
Sustainability and Wellness Integration
Another dimension gaining traction is sustainability in aesthetics. Patients are increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of the products and devices used in treatments. From biodegradable packaging to energy-efficient clinics, the aesthetic industry must align with global sustainability goals. At the same time, the integration of wellness practices into aesthetic journeys is becoming mainstream. Skin health is now viewed in connection with stress management, nutrition, and lifestyle balance. The future aesthetic clinic will not be just a treatment center but a wellness destination, where dermatology, mental health, and holistic therapies converge.
Dr. Deepika Solanki
Medical Director, Cosmique Aesthetic Dermatology Excellence Award 2024
Strong Start
The Future of Health & Wellness in MENA
Where Innovation Meets Impact
The Awakening of a Region’s Well-being
There’s a quiet but powerful revolution taking place across the Middle East and North Africa, not on the streets or in the headlines, but within clinics, fitness studios, nutrition centers, retreats, and most importantly hearts.
Once dominated by reactive healthcare and stigmatized mental health conversations, the MENA region is now embracing a broader, bolder vision of well-being. One that combines science with spirit, tradition with technology, and care with consciousness. From biohacking labs in Dubai to AI-powered telemedicine apps in Riyadh and gut-health nutritionists rising in Cairo, the landscape is no longer about illness, it’s about optimizing human potential.
“Wellness is no longer a luxury. In MENA, it’s becoming a language, spoken through food choices, fitness habits, and mental health conversations,” says Dr. Layla, a preventive health specialist based in Abu Dhabi.
What’s Driving the Shift?
Several forces are shaping this new wave of wellness across the region:
A Post-Pandemic Health Consciousness
The COVID-19 pandemic changed priorities. Health is now at the top of the conversation, especially among youth and high-performing professionals. Consumers are more proactive, investing in supplements, therapies, and personalized care.
The Rise of Wellness-Tech
Telehealth apps, wearable devices, AI nutrition bots, and even fertility-tracking rings are becoming mainstream.
Platforms like Vezeeta, Altibbi, and Okadoc are transforming accessibility and affordability in health.
Mental Health Going Mainstream
Mental wellness is stepping out of the shadows. Initiatives in the UAE and Saudi Arabia now promote therapy and mindfulness as normalized care. Corporate wellness programs are expanding to include emotional intelligence training, burnout prevention, and holistic employee care.
Personalization as the New Standard
Gone are the days of “one-size-fitsall.” From genetic testing for food sensitivity to hormone balancing regimens, people are seeking precision health tailored, data-backed plans for nutrition, sleep, stress, and movement.
Where Innovation Meets Ancient Wisdom
This region holds a unique advantage, a rich heritage of healing.
From prophetic medicine and ancient herbalism to hammams and spiritual fasting, wellness in MENA has always had soul. What’s changed is that now, this cultural wisdom is being merged with global innovation.
Saudi Arabia is investing heavily in medical tourism. Dubai is building wellness cities. Qatar and Bahrain are turning spa resorts into longevity labs. Across the region, we’re seeing:
• AI-powered diagnostics with natural medicine protocols
• DNA-based meal plans and fasting schedules
• Luxury wellness real estate offering integrated clinics, gyms, and spas
It’s not East vs. West. It’s East + West. Modernity meeting meaning.
The Future is Female-Led & Culturally Grounded
A defining force in this movement? Women.
Female doctors, therapists, health influencers, fitness trainers, and mental health coaches are leading the charge, from clinical settings to Instagram reels. Women are not just consumers of wellness, they’re the creators of it.
“Women are tuning into their cycles, hormones, stress patterns, and redefining what it means to feel strong,” says Nour, a certified hormone health coach in Jeddah.
This new wellness culture is also inclusive an faith-conscious. Modest activewear brands are booming. Fajr yoga sessions are a real thing. And halal wellness products from vitamins to skincare are hitting the mainstream.
The result? A deeply local, deeply rooted, but globally inspired wellness wave that speaks the language of the region, emotionally, spiritually, and practically.
The Wellness Pillars Redefined
Health is no longer just physical. In 2025 and beyond, MENA’s wellness framework is shaped by 5 interconnected pillars:
Preventive Medicine:
Doctors are shifting focus from curing to coaching. Annual bloodwork is replaced with biomarker monitoring. Instead of “You’re sick,” the message is: Here’s how to stay optimal.
“My job isn’t just to treat disease, it’s to stop it before it starts,” says Dr. Ahmad, a functional medicine expert in Dubai.
Integrative Therapies:
Traditional medicine meets ancient wisdom. Clinics now integrate acupuncture, Ayurveda, cupping therapy, and energy healing alongside modern diagnostics, bridging East and West like never before
Movement as
Medi-
cine:
From pilates to functional training and mobility therapy, movement is seen as the most accessible form of self-healing. Boutique fitness, women-led strength studios,
and wellness retreats are thriving across the UAE, Egypt, and Lebanon.
Food as Foundation: MENA’s new wellness warriors are not chefs, they’re food philosophers. Plant-forward diets, hormone-balancing meals, gut health nutrition, and ancient grains are making their way to cafés and kitchens.
Emotional and Spiritual Health:
Journaling, breathwork, hypnotherapy, cold exposure, and emotional release workshops are the new tools of self-mastery. Wellness is becoming an inner pursuit, not just an aesthetic one.
What’s Next? The 5 Forecasts for MENA Wellness
Final Word: A Healthier Region Begins Within
Longevity Labs Will Rise Expect more hyper-personalized wellness centers using data, DNA, and diagnostics to offer anti-aging and optimal health plans.
Wellness as a Lifestyle Brand Hotels, real estate, and even fashion brands will pivot into wellness, offering retreats, clean meals, guided movement, and mental health add-ons.
Workplace Wellness Will Be Standardized
Companies will expand employee benefits to include therapy, sleep coaching, and nutritional programs to reduce burnout and improve performance.
Men’s Wellness Will Grow
The silent demand for men-focused health solutions, from hormonal balance to mental resilience will finally take center stage.
Spiritual Science Will Go Mainstream
Fields like energy medicine, breathwork therapy, and trauma release will gain clinical structure and cultural acceptance.
The future of wellness in MENA isn’t about imported trends, it’s about remembering who we are, reclaiming our inner balance, and reimagining health as a daily, conscious lifestyle. The doctors of tomorrow may not just hold stethoscopes, they may hold a journal, a yoga mat, a test kit, or a green smoothie. And their prescription may sound like this: move your body, breathe deeper, eat mindfully, speak kindly, rest more, connect inward. Because the real medicine? It’s already within us.
The story of wellness in MENA is still being written, but its direction is clear: a region once reactive is becoming proactive, a culture once cautious is becoming curious, and communities once silent are now speaking openly about health in all its forms. The vocabulary of vitality is expanding far beyond hospitals and spas—it’s entering homes, workplaces, schools, and even city planning strategies. Wellness is no longer framed as an indulgence for the privileged; it is emerging as infrastructure, as essential as electricity and clean water.
Cities like Dubai and Riyadh are leading by example, embedding wellness into their urban blueprints. Green corridors, cycling tracks, car-free zones, and bio-urban design are reshaping sky-
lines that once symbolized only luxury and commerce. These changes are not cosmetic; they are cultural, signaling that wellness is the new currency of progress. A park filled with families exercising at dawn now carries as much prestige as a skyscraper piercing the clouds.
Corporate boardrooms are also shifting. Where once quarterly growth targets dominated discussions, now employee well-being metrics, retention through balanced work-life cultures, and investments in mental resilience programs are claiming equal space on the agenda. Human capital is finally being recognized as the beating heart
of sustainable growth, and wellness as the strategy to protect and elevate it.
Education as the Seedbed of Change
One of the most profound transformations is happening in classrooms. Schools in the UAE, Qatar, and Oman are weaving mindfulness, nutrition awareness, and movement practices into their curricula. Instead of viewing wellness as extracurricular, institutions are treating it as a foundation for learning itself. A child who knows how to regulate stress or nourish their body is better equipped to thrive academically and socially.
Universities are joining this movement
with research hubs dedicated to longevity, neuroscience, and sustainable food systems. The next generation of doctors and entrepreneurs will graduate not only with technical skills but also with a holistic perspective that merges health sciences with cultural sensitivity. This educational shift ensures that wellness will not be a fleeting trend but an embedded way of life for decades to come.
Wellness Tourism: The Region as a Global Magnet
As global travelers increasingly seek experiences that heal rather than exhaust, MENA is positioning itself as a sanctuary. The rise of luxury wellness tourism is more than high-end spa menus; it’s immersive journeys that combine the desert’s stillness with cutting-edge therapies. Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea projects, Oman’s mountain retreats, and Morocco’s coastal sanctuaries are creating destinations where wellness is not an add-on but the core offering.
These are not isolated resorts—they are ecosystems. Culinary teams work with nutrition scientists, spa therapists collaborate with neuroscientists, and cultural traditions like hammams are reimagined as modern detox rituals. Visitors don’t just check out with souvenirs; they leave with recalibrated sleep patterns, optimized gut health, and often a deeper spiritual connection. For MENA, this is soft power at its finest, exporting not just oil or finance but healing.
Transforming healthcare in the Middle East: The impact of AI and robotics
By Sachin Bhandari, Director and Avilash Singh, Senior Manager, External Audit, Deloitte Middle East
We are witnessing a paradigm shift in the healthcare sector within the Middle East due to the emergence of digital innovations through advanced technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, which are delivering greater efficiencies and enhancing patient care. Governments and healthcare institutions in the region are heavily investing in cutting-edge innovations and a range of initiatives, including digital health services, to improve efficiency, accessibility, and transparency in healthcare. Known for its rapid economic development and technological adoption, the Middle East is now poised to become a global leader in AI-driven healthcare solutions.
The role of AI in healthcare: An overview
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming healthcare and medicine. This emerging technology has the potential to revolutionize the field by redefining the doctor-patient relationship and improving the efficiency of the healthcare industry through its ability to process and analyze vast amounts of medical data far beyond human capacity. This capability is instrumental in diagnosing diseases, predicting outcomes, and recommending treatments. AI’s role in healthcare can be broadly categorized into the following areas:
Diagnostics
AI tools help reduce costs, improve accuracy, and save time compared to traditional diagnostic methods. They support medical decisions by providing clinicians with real-time assistance and insights, including the analysis of medical images, X-rays, CT scans, and MRIs with remarkable accuracy. AI also helps in identifying abnormalities, detecting fractures, tumors, and other conditions, while providing quantitative measurements for faster and more accurate diagnoses.
Drug Information
AI enables quick and comprehensive retrieval of drug-related information by analyzing current medical literature, drug databases, and clinical guidelines. This enables healthcare providers to make accurate, evidence-based decisions.
Predictive Analytics
Machine learning algorithms and other technologies are used to analyze data and develop predictive models to identify patients at risk of developing chronic diseases, such as endocrine or cardiac diseases. By analyzing data such as medical history, demographics, and lifestyle factors, predictive models can identify patients at higher risk, allowing for targeted interventions to prevent or treat these diseases.
Genomic Medicine
The fusion of AI and genotype analysis has become a game-changer in disease surveillance, prediction, and personalized medicine. The advent of high-throughput genomic (HTG) sequencing technologies, combined with advancements in AI and machine learning (ML), has laid a strong foundation for accelerating personalized medicine and drug discovery.
AI and robotics adoption in the Middle East
AI for societal betterment is being integrated into the healthcare sector along with robotics. The market has grown from US$78 billion in 2021 to an expected US$320 billion by 2030. In the Middle East and UAE, the annual contribution of AI is expected to grow by 34%. The use of robots in the healthcare or medical field is helping to promote digital healthcare, with the sector anticipated to generate US$626.10 million in 2024, reaching US$811.30 million by 2028. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for this period is estimated at 6.69%.
United Arab Emirates
The UAE is one of the most economically advanced and diversified markets in the GCC. Launched in 2017, the UAE’s Centennial 2071 Plan prioritizes healthcare, aiming to develop infrastructure,
expertise, and services that match international standards, with a focus on lifestyle-related diseases. This has gained momentum in the last few years as they plan to enhance access to healthcare through digitization and position the UAE as a top destination for medical tourism. Further, the UAE launched the Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031, aiming to make the nation a global leader in AI. For instance, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi has invested in robotic-assisted surgery, particularly in the fields of urology and cardiology. Furthermore, the UAE, which was the first country in the world to appoint an AI minister, signed an agreement with the US software company Care AI in 2023 to advance its healthcare initiatives.
Saudi Arabia
Under its Vision 2030 plan, Saudi Ara-
bia is focused on transforming its healthcare sector through technology. Launched in 2021, the newly established Health Sector Transformation Program aims to provide inclusive health services to 88% of the Kingdom’s population and implement a unified digital medical records system for 100% of the population by 2025. The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health has further partnered with several tech companies to introduce AI-based solutions in medical imaging and predictive analytics. King Faisal Specialist Hospital in Riyadh, for example, uses AI for cancer diagnosis and treatment planning. Additionally, the use of robotic systems in surgery is becoming increasingly common across the country. Artificial intelligence (AI) is already playing a growing role in healthcare in the Middle East. Saudi Arabia’s National AI Strategy 2031 is bringing AI tools and technology to various sectors, including healthcare, benefiting local providers. Altib, the Middle East’s largest AI-based digital health platform, raised US$44 million in 2022 to develop fully integrated primary care, supporting the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 (as per the World Economic Forum).
Saudi Arabia’s healthcare transformation is not only about adopting new technologies but also about building sustainable infrastructure for the long term. Under Vision 2030, the Kingdom is heavily investing in health-tech startups, smart hospitals, and digital-first patient care models. Remote consultation platforms are being scaled to rural and underserved areas, ensuring equitable access to quality healthcare. This aligns with the Kingdom’s ambition to create a preventative care model rather than one focused solely on treatment.
Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain:
The governments of the GCC continue to upgrade the quality of healthcare through AI and robotics initiatives. In Kuwait’s Jaber Hospital, AI is being utilized in surgeries, endoscopic procedures, cardiac monitoring tools, and to enhance robotics. In 2023, surgeons in the country began deploying 3D devices to create sophisticated visualizations of patients’ internal organs for use during procedures. In Bahrain, the nation’s commitment to healthcare innovation has been highlighted by the newly-opened King Hamad American Mission Hospital, which focuses on cutting-edge technologies in digital medicine and AI. This reflects the country’s broader digital advancements across other sectors, including sports and technology (as per the World Economic Forum).
Challenges to AI and robotics implementation in healthcare
While the adoption of AI and robotics in healthcare has been swift, there are several challenges that the Middle East must address to fully realize the potential of these technologies.
Regulatory frameworks: There is a lack of clear regulatory frameworks for AI and robotics in healthcare. Many countries in the Middle East are still developing policies to govern the use of these technologies, particularly in areas such as patient data privacy and the ethical use of AI in decision-making.
Data infrastructure
AI relies heavily on data, and the Middle East must continue to invest in robust data infrastructure to support its healthcare systems. Ensuring that healthcare providers have access to accurate, high-quality data is crucial for the success of AI initiatives.
Cost and accessibility
While larger, wealthier nations in the region have made significant investments in AI and robotics, smaller countries may face financial constraints. Making these technologies accessible to all populations, regardless of income level, is a challenge that will need to be addressed.
Skill shortages
The Middle East still faces a shortage of professionals trained in AI, robotics, and data science. While governments and educational institutions are working to close this skills gap, additional investment in training and education is needed to meet the growing demand for healthcare technology specialists.
Healthcare organizations, both globally and regionally, are adopting AI and robotic technologies to manage operations in a variety of fields, including surgery, pharmacy, rehabilitation, telemedicine, and others. As technology advances rapidly and costs continue to decline, more healthcare institutions are embracing these innovations in proven areas. Technology has the potential to automate repetitive tasks, improve accuracy and speed, reduce workloads, provide services remotely, and reduce costs.
It is worthwhile for healthcare leaders to recognize the immense potential and long-term benefits of leveraging innovative, yet maturing, AI and robotic technologies. Investing in these advancements can help manage their organizations more effectively. As Gijs van Wulfen, a keynote speaker and authority on innovation and design thinking, once said, “Operational excellence generates your profits today. Innovation excellence will generate your profits tomorrow.”
Cover Story
Dr. Sanjay Parashar: Redefining Beauty, Science, and Regeneration in the Middle East
In the constellation of global medicine, some figures shine not only for their clinical skill but for the way they expand the very definition of healing. Dr. Sanjay Parashar, International Visiting Professor with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons and Diplomate of the American Board of Regenerative Medicine, is one such luminary. Based in Dubai, he has built an extraordinary career at the crossroads of surgical precision, regenerative science, and human empathy. Today, he is recognized worldwide as a pioneer who merges artistry with anatomy, tradition with technology, and education with innovation.
For more than three decades, Dr. Parashar has been sculpting not only physical transformations but also reshaping the global conversation around aesthetic medicine. His clinic, Cocoona Centre for Aesthetic Transformation, has become an emblem of trust and innovation, attracting patients, peers, and protégés from across continents. Yet, behind the accolades lies a man whose journey was forged by discipline, creativity, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. His legacy is not confined to procedures but extends to mentoring the next generation of surgeons and advancing global standards in regenerative medicine. In every endeavor, Dr. Parashar exemplifies how true healing transcends aesthetics, touching lives with purpose and vision.
A Journey From Sculpting Clay to Sculpting Futures
Dr. Parashar’s story begins not with scalpels but with sculpture. As a young man, he cultivated a love for shaping clay and forms—an instinctive artistry that would later find a new canvas in the human body. This sensitivity to symmetry and proportion gave him a unique advantage in plastic surgery, where the balance between science and aesthetics determines outcomes.
He pursued rigorous medical education in India, completing his MBBS and MS in General Surgery at Nag-
pur University, followed by an MCh in Plastic Surgery from Mumbai University. Fellowships in Australia, Belgium, and the United States further honed his expertise in craniofacial and cosmetic surgery, while membership in professional bodies such as FICS (USA) and the National Academy of Medical Sciences (India) cemented his academic credibility.
His rise was not accidental but intentional. Each chapter of his education added layers—precision in microsurgery, mastery in craniofacial reconstruction, artistry in body contouring. Soon, he became known as a surgeon who could handle both the complexity of clinical challenges and the delicacy of aesthetic refinement.
Cocoona: A Visionary Institution
When Dr. Parashar founded Cocoona Centre for Aesthetic Transformation, it was more than a medical enterprise. He envisioned a sanctuary where medicine, wellness, and artistry could converge. Today, Cocoona is recognized internationally for offering comprehensive services spanning plastic and cosmetic surgery, dermatology, hair transplantation, bariatric surgery, dentistry, weight management, and regenerative therapies.
Patients from around the world seek its doors not only for outcomes but for the holistic experience. The philosophy is simple yet profound: health and beauty must be addressed together. Procedures are accompanied by counseling, post-operative rehabilitation, and integrative care, ensuring transformations are not just physical but deeply restorative.
The clinic has won multiple awards, and Dr. Parashar himself has been voted UAE’s top plastic surgeon multiple times, reflecting both his skill and his integrity. In a region where medical tourism is flourishing, Cocoona stands as a beacon of reliability and sophistication.
Cover Story
Surgical Mastery: Precision in
Every Stroke
Few surgeons in the world can match Dr. Parashar’s ambidexterity—he is able to operate with equal dexterity using either hand. This rare ability enhances his precision, especially in high-stakes procedures where subtle movements can define success. His expertise spans high-definition liposuction, complex body contouring, breast surgeries, facelifts, craniofacial reconstruction, and revision surgeries. Each procedure is approached with the meticulousness of an artist, ensuring outcomes that are both technically sound and aesthetically seamless.
Patients consistently highlight the ease of recovery and the naturalness
of results. One testimonial described breast augmentation with him as “very painless” and praised his team as “professional, supportive, and genuinely caring.” Such feedback underscores not just surgical excellence, but the compassion with which he treats every case.
Pioneer in Regenerative Medicine
Plastic surgery today is not limited to altering appearances; it increasingly integrates with regenerative medicine, aiming to restore and rejuvenate tissue at a cellular level. As a Diplomate of the American Board of Regenerative Medicine, Dr. Parashar is among the few global leaders shaping this paradigm.
He incorporates stem-cell therapies, platelet-rich plasma, and innovative biomaterials into treatment regimens—ushering a new era where healing is not reactive but proactive. His approach combines aesthetics with longevity, ensuring that transformations are sustainable, restorative, and natural. In his vision, the future of plastic surgery lies in regeneration as much as reconstruction.
Educator, Mentor, and Global Thought Leader
Beyond the operating room, Dr. Parashar is an educator par excellence. His appointment as International Visiting Professor with the American Society of Plastic Surgeons underscores his global influence. He is frequently invited to lecture at international conferences, conduct live workshops, and mentor upcoming surgeons across continents.
As Board President of FUE Asia Congresses, he has championed advancements in hair restoration and regenerative techniques. Through his ventures—Innovate Medical Limited (UK) and Pioneer Meditech LLC (UAE)—he contributes to developing new medical devices, training platforms, and knowledge-sharing ecosystems.
For Dr. Parashar, education is not about imparting knowledge alone—it is about shaping ethos. His teachings emphasize ethical practice, patient safety, and the inseparability of science and compassion. Generations of surgeons trained under him carry this holistic philosophy into their own practices worldwide.
Dubai and the New Aesthetic Capital
The rise of Dubai as a global hub for wellness and aesthetic medicine owes much to leaders like Dr. Parashar. He has been instrumental in positioning the emirate as a destination not just for luxury but for cutting-edge healthcare and holistic transformation.
Cocoona’s reputation attracts international patients, fueling Dubai’s thriving medical tourism economy. With stateof-the-art infrastructure, multilingual staff, and personalized patient journeys, the clinic exemplifies the city’s blend of hospitality and healthcare. This aligns with broader national visions, where health and happiness ministries champion well-being as pillars of progress. Within this ecosystem, Dr. Parashar serves as both practitioner and ambassador—embodying the UAE’s aspiration to lead in health innovation.
An Ethos Rooted in Humanity
What truly distinguishes Dr. Parashar is not just skill but humility. Despite his global stature, he remains accessible and deeply empathetic. Colleagues describe him as “a surgeon who listens before he operates,” patients as “a healer who respects individuality.”
His philosophy of beauty is inclusive—never imposing a standardized template but enhancing each patient’s unique identity. For him, success is measured not in dramatic alterations but in the restoration of confidence, harmony, and self-expression. This patient-centric ethos has made him a trusted name not only in Dubai
True beauty lies in balance— between art and science, body and spirit, surgeon and patient.
but across the Middle East, Europe, and Asia. Whether it is a young woman seeking reconstructive surgery after trauma, or a professional aiming for subtle aesthetic refinement, his approach is rooted in dignity and personalization.
A Legacy of Innovation and Inspiration
At this stage of his career, Dr. Parashar is not merely performing surgeries— he is shaping a legacy. Every student mentored, every patient healed, and every innovation pioneered contributes to a movement larger than himself: a movement where plastic surgery and regenerative medicine converge to redefine health and beauty for the future. He stands as proof that medicine can be both science and art, precision and
empathy, innovation and heritage. His life is a testament to what happens when passion meets purpose, when technical mastery is guided by human compassion.
In addition to his clinical and academic achievements, Dr. Parashar has been instrumental in advancing medical innovation through collaborations with global research institutions and technology developers. His focus on integrating AI-driven diagnostics and robotic assistance into aesthetic and reconstructive surgery demonstrates his belief that the future of healthcare lies in synergy between human expertise and machine intelligence.
“The greatest outcomes are not measured in change alone, but in the confidence and harmony we restore.”
In Focus: The Power of Prevention
Shifting from Sick Care to Well Care
By Dr. Samar
I’ve spent over two decades in clinics across the Gulf, watching patients walk in only when something hurts, breaks, bleeds, or collapses. And over those years, one truth has echoed louder than any diagnosis: by the time you feel unwell, your body has already been whispering to you for months, perhaps years.
What if we listened to those whispers? What if we treated health like wealth, building it, investing in it, protecting it?
This is the fundamental shift we’re witnessing and urgently need across the MENA region. A movement away from the outdated model of reactive,
symptom-driven healthcare, and toward a culture of prevention, optimization, and well-being by design. We are entering the era of “well care.”
Redefining the Role of the Doctor
For most of the 20th century, the doctor was the fixer. You came in with a problem. We assessed, diagnosed, prescribed, and hoped for the best. Today, the modern physician; especially in preventive medicine, wears
many more hats. We are educators, pattern readers, lifestyle designers, and early-warning systems. We don’t wait for your cholesterol to spike or your cortisol to crash. We map your stress patterns. We analyze your sleep. We ask what you’re eating and, more importantly, why.
The greatest power we now offer patients is not a pill, it’s insight. The routine check-up is no longer a formality. It’s a roadmap. With advances in diagnostics, we can detect inflammation before it becomes disease. We can track nutrient deficiencies before they turn into fatigue or brain fog. We can monitor your hormone health to ensure energy, mood, and metabolism remain aligned.
The new question is not “What’s wrong
with me?”
It’s “What can I do to stay at my best?”
From Crisis to Culture
The pandemic was a global wake-up call, especially in our region. We saw clearly how underlying conditions; diabetes, heart disease, obesity, weren’t just numbers on a report. They were risk factors that determined life or death.
In response, a cultural shift began. People started to prioritize annual bloodwork. They asked about immune support. They questioned the labels on food. They signed up for gym memberships not for aesthetics, but for longevity.
This is a beautiful shift and one we must protect. Because prevention is not a trend. It is a mindset. In countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, we’re seeing government-backed wellness initiatives, corporate mental health programs, and tech-driven telehealth platforms that make prevention accessible. This is no longer just a doctor’s duty, it’s a societal one.
The MENA Moment:
Why Now?
Our region is at a unique crossroads. We have the youngest population globally, the fastest-growing digital adoption, and a rich tradition of holistic care. What we need now is integration.
We need schools to teach children how to read food labels and breathe through stress. We need workplaces that prioritize ergonomic health, screen time breaks, and access to nutritional guidance. We need clinics that don’t just look at test results, but also at your lifestyle, your habits, and your hopes.
Prevention isn’t glamorous. It doesn’t make headlines. But it saves lives, quietly, powerfully, and over time.
I always remind my patients: you don’t need to be perfect. You need to be aware. Prevention isn’t about control; it’s about alignment. It’s about choosing to respond to your body with intention, rather than waiting to react in fear.
The Future Is Personalized
As we look ahead, prevention is becoming more personalized than ever. Through genetic testing, wearable devices, and real-time health tracking, we are tailoring care to each individual’s biology and behavior.
Your wellness plan may look completely different from your sister’s, your colleague’s, or your spouse’s. And that’s the point. This is not about universal rules. This is about your data, your rhythm, your health story. Whether it’s understanding your gut microbiome, balancing your hormones
naturally, or optimizing your sleep cycles, the focus has shifted to prevention as a daily practice, not a yearly check-in.
We’re not here just to live longer. We’re here to live better, clearer, fuller.
A Final Note From the Heart
To my fellow doctors, I say this: our role is evolving. And that’s a good thing. Let us meet our patients earlier in their journey, not at the edge of collapse. Let’s teach before we treat. And remember—prevention is not a finish line you cross; it is a journey you walk every single day. It’s in the glass of water you choose over the soda. It’s in the 20-minute walk you take after a long day. It’s in pausing to breathe before reacting, and in honoring sleep as deeply as you honor success. Small choices compound into lasting strength.
To every reader: wellness is your responsibility, but it’s also your right. Don’t wait for the warning signs. Start the conversation with your body today. Ask it what it needs. Then, go find someone who listens and understands how to guide you toward the answers.
“Because in the end, the most powerful medicine you will ever take… is the one you take before you need it —an intentional choice that honors your body, safeguards your future, and nurtures the life you deserve..”
What makes the wellness movement in MENA so remarkable is its ability to adapt to local realities while staying aligned with global currents. The region is not simply importing health trends; it is redesigning them through its own lens. This is evident in the way cities are linking wellness with sustainability. Clean energy projects, waste-reduction campaigns, and green architecture are now being positioned not just as environmental wins but as contributors to human health. A home with better air filtration, a neighborhood with shaded walking routes, or a city powered by renewables is no longer just ecofriendly—it is a prescription for wellbeing.
Social shifts are also shaping this momentum. Younger generations, empowered by digital platforms, are vocal about demanding healthier options. From calling out fast-food giants to supporting local organic brands, they are shaping markets with their choices. Influencers in the wellness space are gaining traction not because they promote unattainable lifestyles, but because they embody balance, relatability, and authenticity. This democratization of health advice has made conversations about stress, fitness, and nutrition part of everyday dialogue, something almost unthinkable a decade ago. Policy and public health initiatives are adding further weight. Governments are now tying wellness outcomes to national visions. In Saudi Arabia, Vision 2030 frames well-being as a pillar of human capital development. The UAE has launched happiness and wellbeing ministries, signaling that health is not only physical but also emotional
and psychological. When national strategies explicitly mention wellness, it validates the movement and embeds it into collective consciousness. Healthcare itself is being redesigned. Hospitals and clinics are evolving into wellness hubs where prevention takes precedence over treatment. A visit to the doctor is no longer purely transactional; it is often accompanied by coaching on sleep, diet, and lifestyle. This shift represents a profound cultural change—moving away from the idea that one engages with healthcare only when unwell, toward seeing it as a constant, supportive presence in everyday life.
The commercial ecosystem is also expanding. Beyond gyms and spas, we
now see wellness woven into sectors as diverse as real estate, fashion, and hospitality. Developers market entire neighborhoods around healthconscious living. Fashion designers create lines of modest activewear that merge cultural identity with modern functionality. Hotels compete not only on luxury but on the depth of their wellness offerings—organic menus, circadian lighting, air-quality monitoring, and recovery-focused sleep systems. This diversification ensures wellness is not siloed but integrated into every corner of life
Luxury in Wellness: Redefining Women’s Health
From high-performance health innovations to indulgent wellness rituals, women are embracing luxury as a lifestyle that blends science, elegance, and self-care.
In today’s world, luxury has moved far beyond possessions. It is no longer just about couture gowns or sparkling jewels. For the modern woman, true luxury lies in health — the ability to live with vitality, age gracefully, and maintain both beauty and energy as life evolves. Wellness has become the ultimate power statement, blending science, indulgence, and lifestyle elegance into something deeply personal.
This new approach to luxury health is not reactive but preventive. Women are investing in elite healthcare programs that focus on early detection, biomarker tracking, and genetic mapping. High-end clinics across Dubai, London, and Zurich now offer annual memberships that include advanced MRI scans, hormone balancing therapies, and DNA-based health forecasts. Preventive medicine has become not only a tool for longevity but also a status symbol — a statement that health is the finest form of wealth.
At the same time, luxury health is embracing innovation through biohacking. What was once a fringe idea has become part of mainstream luxury living. Cryotherapy chambers, red-light therapies, oxygen pods, and personalized IV infusions are no longer limited to experimental labs — they are being offered in five-star resorts, private retreats, and even within the homes of high-net-worth women. These treatments promise more than beauty; they promise control over the biological clock. Longevity therapies such as stem cell rejuvenation and NAD+ infusions are redefining aging, allowing women to not only extend their lifespan but enhance their healthspan — the years lived in full energy and clarity.
Luxury Health Defined – Preventive medicine + personalized therapies + indulgent rituals.
Nutrition has also been elevated into a luxury experience. Private chefs design meals based on epigenetic testing, creating menus that are as scientifically precise as they are indulgent. Michelin-starred restaurants are introducing wellness-focused dining experiences, where every ingredient is chosen for its role in enhancing cellular repair and immune function. Superfoods are presented as delicacies: saffron-infused teas for
balance, matcha ceremonies for mindfulness, and truffle-based elixirs that fuse flavor with health. Eating well has become an art form, blending nutrition with gastronomy in a way that feels both elegant and empowering.
Fitness, too, has undergone a transformation. No longer confined to traditional gyms, luxury fitness now takes the form of private yoga retreats by the ocean, underwater Pilates, equestrian-based training, and exclusive membership clubs where wellness is intertwined with community. Designer activewear has turned workouts into statements of identity, and technology-driven personal training ensures that every movement is purposeful. For women, fitness has become less about
burning calories and more about sculpting strength, style, and self-expression.
Sleep and recovery, once overlooked, have also emerged as cornerstones of luxury wellness. High-net-worth women are investing in sleep optimization suites, complete with temperature-regulated beds, circadian lighting, and soundscapes curated by neuroscientists. Exclusive wellness retreats now include “sleep concierges” who tailor rest environments as meticulously as fine dining menus. In this space, rest is reframed not as idleness but as the ultimate indulgence — a ritual of renewal that powers productivity, creativity, and longevity.
Spiritual and emotional health, too, are entering the luxury wellness narrative. From private meditation domes in desert resorts to one-on-one sessions with globally renowned energy healers, women are elevating inner balance to the same level of importance as physical vitality. Breathwork journeys, sound healing concerts, and mindfulness immersions are offered alongside cutting-edge treatments, creating a holistic model of health that nurtures body, mind, and spirit.
Luxury health is the freedom to age gracefully, live actively, and thrive beautifully.
The rise of holistic healing has also found its place in the world of luxury. Ancient rituals are being reimagined with a modern indulgent twist. Crystal therapies now use diamond-infused wands, aromatherapy oils are crafted by luxury perfumers, and sound baths are performed under starlit domes accompanied by live orchestras. These experiences offer more than relaxation — they are immersive journeys that balance body, mind, and spirit while preserving a sense of exclusivity. For women navigating demanding careers and personal lives, such healing moments are not a luxury in the traditional sense; they are a necessity delivered beautifully. Perhaps the most defining feature of this new era is the growing investment in longevity. Women are not only participants but also leaders in the industry, funding wellness startups, biotech companies, and personalized medicine labs. Longevity clinics in Monaco and Dubai now offer bespoke
programs tailored to a woman’s unique biology, from genetic testing to hormone optimization. The ultimate luxury is no longer material wealth but time — and the ability to live that time with strength, clarity, and beauty.
Longevity
is the ultimate luxury investment.
As wellness continues to evolve, women are shaping the future of luxury health. They are not simply following trends but creating demand, leading innovation, and redefining success. For them, investing in health is not about vanity; it is about vitality. It is about the freedom to live fully, beautifully, and powerfully.
Luxury health is more than a privilege. It is becoming the foundation of a new era — one where wellness is the truest expression of independence, empowerment, and elegance. In this movement, women are not only thriving; they are rewriting what it means to live well in the modern world.
Luxury in Wellness: The Feminine Frontier of Health
What makes this redefinition of luxury so striking is that it is being driven not by institutions but by women themselves. Across the Middle East, Europe,
and the Americas, women are shaping the conversation, curating their own health journeys, and insisting on a blend of science and soul. They are rejecting the idea that medicine must feel clinical, sterile, or impersonal. Instead, they are transforming healthcare into an experience — one that mirrors the refinement of a couture fitting or a private art viewing, yet serves the deeper purpose of preserving vitality.
One of the most visible arenas of this shift is wellness real estate. Luxury residences in Dubai, Miami, and Singapore are now being built with integrated wellness infrastructure — from circadian lighting systems that align with natural body rhythms to in-house clinics offering on-demand nutrition consultations and IV therapies. Penthouse apartments feature Himalayan salt therapy rooms, meditation pods, and air-purifying green walls. Here, the home itself becomes a living organism designed to nurture well-being. For women balancing global careers and families, these spaces are sanctuaries where life and health exist in seamless harmony. Travel, too, has been reshaped through this lens of luxury health. Wellness tourism is no longer about a weekend at the spa; it is about journeys that combine discovery with transformation. Women are flying to the Swiss Alps for cellular detox programs, to Kyoto for mindfulness immersions rooted in tea ceremonies,
Luxury in health is no longer a privilege—it is the future of women’s empowerment.
and to the Maldives for ocean-based fitness retreats. Airlines are responding with wellness menus, guided meditation in business class, and bio-friendly cabin lighting to reduce jet lag. For the modern female traveler, health is not a pause from adventure — it is part of the adventure itself. The role of technology in this landscape cannot be overstated. Luxury health apps, often operating on invitation-only models, now provide concierge medical services, 24/7 access to global specialists, and real-time monitoring of everything from sleep patterns to cognitive performance. Data-driven dashboards track biomarkers with the same elegance as a luxury timepiece, offering personalized recommendations delivered in a style that reflects sophistication as much as science. Women are no longer passive recipients of healthcare — they are empowered participants, equipped with knowledge, access, and tools to make proactive decisions. At the same time, there is a cultural elegance to how women are redefining aesthetics within health. The rise of regenerative beauty — treatments designed not to alter but to restore — highlights this subtlety. Stem cell facials, collagen-stimulating lasers, and hormone-balancing therapies are less about dramatic transformations and more about sustaining a natural glow over decades. Beauty, in this sense, becomes a reflection of inner balance, an outward signal of resilience, and a refusal to let age diminish vitality.
Yet luxury health is not just about access; it is also about agency. Women are no longer content to be subjects of medical advice. They are founders, investors, and decision-makers. From funding startups that develop fertility-preserving technologies to backing biotech firms focused on menopause therapies, women are rewriting the
innovation pipeline. In boardrooms as much as in wellness retreats, they are ensuring that health solutions reflect women’s unique biology and lived experiences. In doing so, they are turning luxury into legacy — investments that will benefit not only themselves but future generations.
Luxury health is also being defined by personalization at a scale never seen before. No two programs, diets, or therapies are alike — each is tailored to reflect the individuality of a woman’s body, lifestyle, and aspirations. From bespoke supplements created in private laboratories to wearable devices that provide real-time metabolic data, women are now curating health as meticulously as they curate wardrobes. This precision-driven approach ensures that wellness is no longer generalized advice but a living,
evolving blueprint for vitality.
Travel, once associated primarily with leisure, is now merging with wellness to create experiences that redefine indulgence. Women are retreating to private islands for digital detoxes, booking wellness safaris where each day balances nature treks with mindfulness sessions, or escaping to alpine clinics where oxygen-rich air aids cellular rejuvenation. Luxury health tourism has become both an escape and an investment, offering rare spaces where healing meets discovery, and rest becomes transformative.
Wellness has become the truest expression of independence, empowerment, and elegance.
How HealthTech is Developing in the Middle East
By Adnan Al Noorani: The Founder of Future Innovation Summit, Chairman of the Board of D1 Technologies & LEO Investments
As a leader and investor in innovation across different industries for the last two decades in the United Arab Emirates, I recognize the tremendous potential this country holds. Particularly in healthcare, the Middle East is witnessing a transformative healthcare revolution. I’m lucky enough to sit with healthtech startup owners on a regular basis, and the innovative ideas in this field never cease to amaze me. As the region grapples with diverse health challenges ranging from the rising prevalence of chronic diseases to a rapidly growing population demanding better healthcare, there is a real need for these transformative solutions. This is especially evident in the fastpaced city of Dubai that has become a core of HealthTech innovation. So what’s happening in Dubai and what does it mean for the future of healthcare in the region?
Healthcare in the Middle East and the UAE: The Need for
HealthTech
In observing the healthcare landscape of the Middle East, I see us at a pivotal moment. There’s an evident wave in the demand for quality healthcare services and a growing majority of chronic diseases. This situation is similar in the UAE, where our rapid urbanization and altering lifestyles have given rise to unique health challenges. As the country grapples with these escalating costs and resource limitations, the need for more efficient healthcare delivery models becomes increasingly evident. At this moment, the case for HealthTech is stronger than ever.
Innovation in Action: HealthTech Solutions in the Middle East
The Middle East, notably Dubai, is seeing a surge in HealthTech innovation. Startups globally leverage technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Telemedicine, and Electronic Health Records to drive change. With its state-ofthe-art infrastructure and
supportive policies, Dubai has become a hub for these HealthTech pioneers. AI in diagnostics, Telemedicine for improved accessibility, and Digital Health Records for better data management are some of the areas where Dubaibased startups are making significant advancements.
Governments, Investors, and Regulations: Shaping the HealthTech Landscape
The growth of HealthTech in the Middle East is catalyzed by supportive governments, eager investors, and evolving regulations. The UAE government has been launching initiatives to enable a vital HealthTech ecosystem. Dubai, in particular, has seen a wave in investments as it positions itself as a global HealthTech hub. However, alongside these advancements, there are challenges to overcome - from data privacy concerns to the need for regulatory harmonization across the region.
Conclusion: HealthTech and the Future of Healthcare in the Middle East
As we stand on the cusp of the HealthTech revolution in the Middle East, with Dubai at its heart, it’s not just about transforming healthcare - it’s about cultivating a healthier, more sustainable future. As these HealthTech solutions evolve, I see their potential to enhance access to and quality of care significantly, driving economic development and fostering innovation. Our journey in healthtech, right here in Dubai and across the broader Middle East, has only just set sail, and the path ahead is teeming with endless possibilities. As an investor and entrepreneur, I am committed to support this transformative change and leveraging healthtech to build a brighter future for all.
What excites me most is the collaborative spirit driving this change. HealthTech in the Middle East is not being built in silos; it is thriving through partnerships between governments, entrepreneurs, investors, and academic institutions. Together, we are creating ecosystems that nurture innovation while ensuring accessibility and affordability remain central.
From Westernized Ideals to Embracing Homegrown Heritage: The Evolution of Beauty Ideals in the Middle East
Beauty finds a thriving home in the Middle East: McKinsey data for MENA predicts healthy CAGR growth rates for fragrance (11%) and haircare (12%), with double digit growth across all beauty sectors from 2022 to 2027. But what about the beauty standards underlying it?
Dr Bibi Ghalaie, founder and Medical Director of Doctor Bibi Clinic on London’s famed Harley Street, pinpoints the definitive beauty aesthetic of the region as comprising almond-shaped eyes, full lips, bold brows, sharp features, and a strong hairline. “The Middle Eastern beauty aesthetic has become a mainstream and aspirational beauty ideal for both men and women globally. What is also very interesting is that, in my opinion, Middle Eastern individuals seem to know exactly how best to highlight and draw attention to their very best features, and in doing so, they complement their respective femininity or masculinity in such an elegant way,” she adds. In terms of the procedures she sees these clients requesting the most, their genetic disposition for dark circles, caused by bone structure, loss of volume, or pigmentation, makes eye contour a popular treatment area, through use of microneedling for skin rejuvenation, filler for volume loss, chemical peels for pigmentation, and the latest injectable polynucleotides for regeneration. Lip enhancements are also popular, with patients traveling from Qatar, Kuwait, the UAE, and Oman to receive the treatment.
The Middle East has had a tumultuous and ongoing history when it comes to beauty standards. Tehran is considered the nose job capital of the world, while Dubai, home to 47 surgeons per million residents, has been termed the “plastic surgery
hub” of the Middle East with the highest concentration of operating professionals. Primitive plastic surgery practices date back to 3000 BC in Persia.
Whether it’s prominent noses, coarser curls, or thicker body hair, many individuals have felt the strong pressures of conforming weigh heavily on them. This burden has been the cause of individual and artistic discourse. London-based Iranian artist Shirin Fathi captured the pressures on women to alter their appearance in the photography series “The Disobedient Nose,” while Lara Chahine’s ongoing series “Bless Your Beauty” explores how the intersections of internet culture, capitalism, religion, and Westernization created Middle Eastern beauty standards, driven by her experience of Lebanon’s booming plastic surgery industry.
Much of this was driven by the desire to conform to Western ideals, but younger generations and a bigger celebration of homegrown looks are also championing an alternative that looks inwards, rather than West. Dr Ghalaie adds, “From my experience over the last ten years in cosmetic medicine, beauty ideals in the Middle East have gone from being somewhat extreme and even unrealistic, to understated and more in line with natural beauty. A few years ago, extreme augmentations, dramatic procedures were all popularized. Whereas in the last two years, the focus has moved towards healthy skin, tweakments, baby Botox, and subtle enhancements. I believe this is partly because Middle Eastern women have undergone a reign of
“The
Middle Eastern beauty aesthetic has become a mainstream and aspirational beauty ideal for both men and women globally.”
empowerment and are given increasing respect and consideration in their roles in society, but also because conservative attitudes toward the expression of the physical self is becoming a thing of the past, slowly but surely.”
Maintaining an ode to their heritage and a desire for more subtle shifts are testament to that change. “My patients don’t wish to look radically different; moreover, they want to look refreshed, youthful, healthy, and well rested,” Dr Ghalaie comments. Noninvasive treatments (skin boosters, mesotherapy, and chemical peels) and high-tech skin
procedures are helping them get results without needing to resort to drastic measures, she notes, and that through online education, many are honing in on the ingredients and treatments that can help them achieve the skin clarity and texture they desire.
BY DR BIBI GHALAIE, FOUNDER + MEDICAL DIRECTOR, DOCTOR BIBI CLINIC
A 2019 study across 17 plastic surgeons and dermatologists in the region, led by Mohamed Khater, Global Medical Director for Swedish skincare company Galderma Uppsala, found that Middle Eastern women seeking plastic surgery were most likely
to desire full lips; a well-defined jaw; full cheeks; a small, straight nose; and prominent chin. Oval/round faces (especially in the UAE), elevated eyebrows and almond-shaped eyes (particularly in the MENA region) were also preferred. In terms of historical references, ancient Egyptian Queen Nefertiti was cited as a visual influence, as were the “Cinderella of Arab cinema” Soad Hosny and Princess Soraya Esfandiari-Bakhtiari. Modern-day beauty idols are Saudi Princess Ameera Al-Taweel, Angelina Jolie, Lebanese actress Nadine Njeim, and Queen Rania of Jordan.
“Even sub-regions have their own specific characteristics when it comes to beauty,” Dr Khater, adds. “It is because of different facial anthropometry and genetics.” Interestingly
enough, he also adds that the beauty standards of today mimic the features of Middle Eastern women, hence Jolie’s placement of influence in an otherwise native lineup. In a 2021 study published in The Journal of Clinical and Aesthetic Dermatology conducted across 178 participants, 91% of which were female and 58% of which were 19-21 years old, it was found that 63% see cosmetic procedures as slowly being accepted in UAE society, while 20% felt it was frowned upon.
A 2023 report by Chalhoub Group, Decoding the Beauty Consumer in the GCC, surveying over 2,600 beauty consumers reported a shift towards finding an Arabic beauty ideal rather than trying to conform to European standards,
and a desire for the products that help them highlight their features best. Huda Kattan, an international presence on the beauty scene as both a brand founder and influencer, is termed as a proponent of Middle Eastern beauty, although she has also been open about her use of fillers, Botox, and a rhinoplasty.
In terms of the products used in the region, neutral shades of eyeshadow and lipliner, felt tip liquid eyeliner, and sheer lipsticks are popular products. BB creams are gaining popularity over full-coverage foundations as shoppers invest more into their skincare routine for a flawless complexion. Women in the Gulf region have an average monthly spend of $52 on skincare and $63 on makeup.
Gen Z is a key proponent in the movement towards highlighting heritage and inclusivity, rather than feeling pressured to conform to Western ideals. In a 2023 Fast Company article Prachi Bishnoi, founder and Chief Creative Officer of digital marketing agency Glomm, states, “Their global exposure fosters brand awareness; they embrace diverse cultures, promoting fusion in lifestyle choices. This generation’s influence extends to local markets, introducing internation-
al brands and trends, reshaping the region’s cultural and economic landscape.”
The ongoing dialogues enabled through social media, and a vast sea of influencers representing all types of Middle Eastern beauty on these platforms, are also pushing the tides forward. As much as the very same platforms can also be seen as perpetuating Westernized beauty standards, at least the dialogue is diversifying. As the beauty industry as a whole flourishes in the region—with more homegrown brands created to offer further representation and international brands considerate of the models they use to speak to their audiences—the future is likely to see a continued discussion, be it online or visual, of the Middle East’s beauty ideals.
The shifting beauty landscape of the Middle East is not only a story of aesthetics; it is also deeply connected to identity, empowerment, and cultural reclamation. What was once seen as a burden of conformity to Western norms is increasingly being reshaped into a celebration of heritage. The rising visibility of Arabic features in mainstream media and fashion signals that Middle Eastern women are no longer trying to emulate a foreign mold but are instead embracing their natural markers of beauty as aspirational. One of the strongest drivers of this change has been representation in global media. Fashion houses in Paris and Milan now frequently feature models of Middle Eastern origin, while film and streaming platforms amplify voices from the region. Campaigns that once only celebrated Eurocentric ideals are now filled with women wearing hijabs, showcasing dark kohl-lined eyes, and exuding an elegance that is distinctly Arabic. This increased visibility has created a loop of validation: the world is finally acknowledging what Middle Eastern communities have always known — that their beauty is powerful, unique, and worthy of admiration.
Another important factor is the intersection of wellness and beauty. The younger generation in particular is less interested in dramatic surgical interventions and more focused on holistic approaches that prioritize skin health, balance, and longevity. This explains the surge in popularity of skin boosters, light-based therapies, and non-invasive “tweakments.” For many women, beauty is no longer about chasing symmetry for perfection’s sake; it is about radiance, health, and authenticity. The rise of clean beauty products, halal-certified cosmetics, and natural remedies inspired by
traditional practices reflects this evolution.
The heritage narrative is also reflected in fragrance, a sector that continues to dominate the GCC. Historically, scents like oud, musk, and amber were central to cultural rituals. Today, global luxury perfume houses are collaborating with local artisans to reinterpret these traditional notes for modern consumers. In many ways, this resurgence of Arabic perfumery mirrors the broader beauty ideal shift: it is about honoring the past while presenting it in ways that feel contemporary and aspirational.
Social media and influencer culture remain double-edged swords, but they are undeniably pushing the conversation forward. Influencers such as Huda Kattan and Joelle Mardinian openly share their experiences with both surgical and non-invasive treatments, normalizing the spectrum of choices available to women. Meanwhile, micro-influencers across TikTok and Instagram highlight diverse looks, skin tones, and hair textures, empowering women to see themselves reflected online. Importantly, these platforms have enabled candid conversations about beauty pressures, fostering a community where questioning, resisting, or reshaping beauty norms is just as valid as embracing them. Economic factors also play a pivotal role. With women in the GCC increasingly holding leadership positions and commanding higher disposable incomes, self-investment in beauty and wellness has become a statement of empowerment rather than vanity. Spending on beauty is framed as an investment in confidence, mental health, and presence. This financial independence has also led to a flourishing of homegrown brands that speak directly to regional identities — brands that design products not as afterthoughts for Middle Eastern consumers but as central offerings reflecting their preferences, tones, and cultural narratives.
Beauty ideals in the region have shifted from extreme and unrealistic to understated, natural, and empowered.
Anti-aging technology is here. And the Middle East is getting ready
A few years ago, on a hot and humid July evening at a hotel in Riyadh, a conference on advancement in health sciences was jammed with people eager to learn the secrets of a healthy, long life. When a speaker asked how many people wanted to live to one hundred if they could remain healthy, almost every hand went up.
Aging is the creeping dysfunction of everything, all at once. Our endocrine system sags, our arteries clog, our brains fog, and we falter and fail. But every research breakthrough to reverse all that has been followed by confusion. Still, researchers plunge ahead to ensure that answers, and maybe even an encompassing solution, are around the corner. In 2022, the quest was kicked off by the Hevolution Foundation. This Saudi-backed non-profit organization has an annual budget of up to $1 billion to spend on research and entrepreneurship in the emerging field of healthspan science.
UNTAPPED POTENTIAL
Understandably, increasing people’s “healthspan” to maximize their chances of avoiding disease and cutting down the share of their lives being frail and infirm is an industry with huge untapped potential.
The more we know about the body, the more we realize how little we know.
“A key goal of healthspan research is what is referred to as ‘compression of morbidity.’ The context is important, though: morbidity would be compressed due to an expanded healthy lifespan. People would live to a much older age before running into debilitating age-related diseases,” says Hevolution Foundation’s CEO Dr. Mehmood Khan, a former Mayo Clinic endocrinologist and the chief scientist at PepsiCo.
“While we may not be able to pinpoint the exact length of the ultimate period of compressed morbidity, we can work to extend healthspan as much as possible,” he adds.
This November, Hevolution Foundation is hosting the Global Healthspan Summit, bringing together scientists, investors, and thought leaders for a healthspan- and longevity-themed event in Riyadh.
Recent advances in longevity biotechnology suggest that substantially increasing life expectancy may be possible.
“The region is poised to become a crucial player in longevity R&D, particularly in the realm of drug discovery aimed at enhancing human healthspan and lifespan,” says Ali Tariq, founder of Fivescore Labs, the UAE-based longevity consumer brand in the region.
“This rapidly growing sector is anticipated to be the most advanced ever, overlapping with numerous other sectors – from biotech and pharmaceuticals to fintech and insurtech,” Tariq adds.
Co-founded by McGill and Harvard-trained scientists, Fivescore Labs aims to lead the consumer longevity revolution across the Middle East with science-backed protocols and evidence-informed supplements.
ROLE OF GOVERNMENTS
In 2020, the longevity market in the UAE exceeded $19 billion, with forecasts predicting a growth rate of 8.5% CAGR, potentially reaching $32 billion by 2026.
In 2016 only 1% of the UAE population was 60 and older, but by 2050 this number is expected to reach 16%, highlighting the need for greater awareness of healthy aging.
And so there are attempts to understand the underlying causes of aging— and how drugs might slow down.
In the UAE, a strategic partnership has been established between Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park and Deep Knowledge Analytics to advance and map the longevity sector. One of the big themes in the field is genetic screening which can alert people to their susceptibility to life-limiting conditions so that they can take risk-reducing action. The UAE launched one of the world’s most comprehensive genome programs.
“It is expected that Abu Dhabi Health Services Company will apply the results of the Genome Program to ensure the delivery of world-class healthcare services,” says Tariq.
“In Saudi Arabia, the Hevolution Foundation’s work demonstrates the significant scale of ambition of regional initiatives to combat the forces of aging and invest across scientific advances in the field.”
Since 1900, the human life span has increased by 30 years, but Saudi Arabia and the UAE, which have a relatively young population with a median age of around 31, are experiencing increasing rates of obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.
What the region aims for has slightly less to do with living longer than people’s quality of existence.
“While diabetes and heart disease are not exclusively diseases of aging, the risk of developing heart disease and certain types of diabetes increases with age,” says Khan. “If we can slow down the aging process, people should, in theory, develop such diseases and conditions much later in life. In that sense, we can help strike a major blow against them.”
He adds that countries in the Gulf region, like the rest of the world, are grappling with increased rates of these diseases and have a fundamental role in developing advanced therapies for them.
With the World Health Organization citing diabetes and heart disease as leading causes of death in the region, Tariq says the Middle East is not just
facing this challenge – it’s rising to meet it, pursuing a holistic approach that encompasses lifestyle changes, drug developments, interventions, and the application of new technologies. Initiatives like Qatar’s Step into Health program promote regular physical activity, while the UAE’s annual Dubai Fitness Challenge campaign aims to transform Dubai into one of the most physically active cities in the world.
“GCC countries are also implementing strict regulations on food labeling and cigarette packaging, targeting two significant lifestyle risk factors for these diseases,” he says.
Complementing these lifestyle initiatives are advancements in drug development and interventions. The region’s robust investment in biomedical research, exemplified by institutions like Saudi Arabia’s King Abdullah University of Science and Technology and UAE’s Dubai Science Park, has led to the exploration of novel therapeutic targets. Researchers are developing clinical testing drugs that not only control symptoms but also address the root causes of these diseases.
“Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning are employed to predict disease risk, optimize treatment plans, and monitor disease progression. For example, the UAE’s national program for AI aims to integrate AI systems into healthcare, enhancing the prevention and management of chronic diseases,” says Tariq.
AI is also being used to identify new drug targets, optimize clinical trials, and personalize treatment strategies, which could accelerate the development of anti-aging interventions.Even biological reprogramming technology is on the cards when it comes to healthspan.
“A specific type of biological reprogramming – cellular reprogramming – is one potential avenue to extending healthspan,” says Khan. It’s a science that aims at extending life via such techniques as flushing out worn cells from the body or inserting genes into adult cells that convert them into stem cells.
“Hypothetically, cellular reprogramming could extend healthspan in a variety of ways, including tissue regeneration, rejuvenation of aging cells, and potentially even by modulating factors involved in the aging process.”
Interestingly, in the pharmaceutical landscape, the focus is gradually moving away from curing individual diseases towards targeting the aging process itself, a root cause of many chronic diseases and decline.
“Geroprotective drugs could help people live longer, healthier lives, dramatically extending both healthspan and lifespan,” says Tariq.
“These developments are still in their early stages. Nonetheless, the progress we’ve made so far is encouraging.”
To accelerate healthspan innovation, building an ecosystem and investing in startups developing therapies and technologies that target the root causes of aging is critical.
“We plan to invest in startups developing therapies that target the root causes of aging. We plan to do this in the region and globally. We are ramping up our investment,” says Khan.
CHANGING HEALTHCARE SYSTEM
And then, there are significant social questions. As individuals live longer and healthier lives, the focus of healthcare needs to shift from managing acute, short-term illnesses to addressing chronic diseases and maintaining longterm health.
“This change requires healthcare systems to be proactive rather than reactive, emphasizing preventive healthcare and early detection. Governments are launching initiatives to promote healthy lifestyles and chronic disease management,” says Tariq.
Longevity science may also call for increased specialization in geriatric care as more individuals live into their 90s and beyond. A new cadre of healthcare professionals specializing in age-related conditions will be needed.
“This is a significant consideration for the Middle East, where healthcare infrastructure is rapidly developing, but the focus has been more on building general hospitals rather than specialized geriatric care facilities,” adds Tariq. The increasing lifespan also necessitates changes in health insurance and healthcare financing. As individuals live longer, the cumulative cost of healthcare over a lifetime is likely to increase. “Policymakers in the Middle East need to ensure that health insurance schemes are adaptable to these changes.
Countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE are already reforming their health insurance systems, promoting private sector participation to diversify funding sources,” adds Tariq.
Scientists have successfully intervened in aging in a variety of animal species, and so there is reason to believe it could be achieved in people. We are, after all, biological machines.
Tariq says a balanced longevity regimen is a regular exercise, a nutritional diet, and adequate sleep, supplementing with science-backed compounds to help support cellular health in the fight against aging.
But would knowing you had longer to live to decrease your willingness to make the most of life? That’s another story for another day.
Another major factor shaping the Middle East’s longevity landscape is the rising role of women in health leadership and wellness innovation. Across Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar, women entrepreneurs are launching wellness clinics, biotech startups, and fitness enterprises that are reframing aging not as decline, but as empowerment. From personalized hormone therapies to integrative wellness retreats, women are taking the lead in redefining what it means to age gracefully in a modern Arab context. This shift highlights that longevity is not only a medical frontier but also a cultural one.
Equally important is the role of digital health ecosystems in making anti-aging technology more accessible. Mobile platforms in Dubai and Riyadh are beginning to integrate biometric tracking, virtual consultations, and genetic testing kits that allow individuals to monitor their biological age in real time. Combined with AI-driven predictive models, these tools are shifting control from clinics to consumers, making longevity a daily, personalized practice rather than an occasional intervention.
Philosophically, the conversation around longevity is also expanding. It’s no longer simply about extending life; it’s about enhancing purpose, productivity, and societal contribution across extended lifespans. Policymakers are beginning to consider how older but healthier populations could contribute to national visions—whether through extended careers, mentorship, or entrepreneurship. In this way, longevity is as much an economic opportunity as a scientific challenge.
The UAE’s Influential Medical Experts
Dr. Nader Saab
Award Winning Plastic surgeon & Owner and founder@drnadersaab_creams
Dr. Nader Saab is an internationally renowned plastic and reconstructive surgeon, celebrated as one of the Middle East’s leading aesthetic experts. Trained in Paris at the Clinique des Champs-Élysées and boasting years of experience across Beirut and Dubai, he has pioneered innovative techniques—from laser rhinoplasty completed in just 30 minutes to scar-free rib reshaping. Beyond the operating room, Dr. Saab has launched a luxurious skincare line and founded Dr. Nader Saab Clinic, continually setting new standards in both surgical artistry and patient care. In addition to his thriving practice, Dr. Saab has become a cultural icon in the field of aesthetics, frequently featured on international television and in media across the Arab world. His skincare line, Dr. Nader Saab Creams, reflects his philosophy of merging clinical science with everyday luxury, offering products designed to maintain skin health outside the clinic.
Dr. Mohammed Laban Dubai-based ENT
Dr. Mohammed Laban is a Dubai-based ENT and facial aesthetic surgeon, renowned for his expertise in rhinoplasty, Botox, fillers, and biostimulators. Celebrated for his ability to deliver natural-looking enhancements, he expertly combines surgical precision with aesthetic artistry to transform confidence and beauty in his patients. With years of specialized training and a reputation for meticulous detail, Dr. Laban has become a trusted name in facial aesthetics. His patient-centric approach ensures every treatment is tailored to individual needs, blending innovation with care to achieve results that are both refined and enduring. Widely respected for his balanced approach, Dr. Laban’s career reflects a seamless integration of otolaryngology and aesthetics. His practice attracts patients from across the region who value his ability to restore function while enhancing appearance—especially in rhinoplasty, where precision and artistry must coexist.
Dr. Hasia American board-certified aesthetic doctor
Dr. Hasia is an award-winning, UK- and American board-certified aesthetic doctor based in Dubai, and the founder of Doctors Dose. Renowned for delivering sophisticated, natural enhancements, she is a respected figure in the UAE’s aesthetic medicine scene—also serving as an international trainer and a celebrated voice in beauty and wellness. With her innovative approach and dedication to patient care, she bridges science with artistry, setting new standards in advanced aesthetics. Her influence extends beyond the clinic, where she continues to empower both patients and practitioners through education, mentorship, and thought leadership. Dr. Hasia’s reputation extends far beyond the walls of her Dubai practice. As founder of Doctors Dose, she has built a trusted platform that bridges clinical excellence with wellness education, offering holistic approaches that resonate with both patients and industry peers.
Dr. Hardik Ganatra is a board-certified plastic surgeon based in Dubai, celebrated for his mastery in body contouring procedures like high-definition liposuction, Brazilian butt lifts, and abdominoplasty. An ISSA-certified coach, he uniquely blends aesthetic artistry with anatomical precision—earning praise for his compassionate care, detailed post-operative support, and results that feel both transformative and deeply personal. With years of international training and a patient-first philosophy, he has become a trusted name for those seeking natural yet impactful results. Beyond the operating room, Dr. Ganatra is passionate about fitness, education, and empowering patients to embrace confidence through both surgical and lifestyle transformations. Dr. Ganatra’s unique blend of surgical expertise and fitness knowledge allows him to approach aesthetics from a holistic perspective, often guiding his patients through pre- and post-operative lifestyle transformations.
Dr. Disha Dinakar Director at Sorbet Polyclinic
Dr. Disha Dinakar is a highly acclaimed Dubai-based aesthetic physician and the Medical Director at Sorbet Polyclinic. With over nine years of expertise in dermatology and aesthetic medicine, she has built a stellar reputation for delivering luxurious, natural-looking skin and hair treatments. Renowned for her award-winning practices and celebrity clientele, she seamlessly blends clinical precision with artistry, making her one of the most sought-after names in aesthetics. Beyond her thriving practice, Dr. Disha is also recognized for mentoring young doctors, contributing to research in skincare innovation, and championing holistic beauty that enhances confidence inside and out. A rising star in Dubai’s aesthetics scene, Dr. Dinakar has successfully combined her expertise with an approachable, patient-focused practice that resonates with both local and international patients. At Sorbet Polyclinic, she oversees a wide range of innovative treatments, ensuring that every client receives customized solutions that balance science and artistry.
Dr. Samar Khalil is a leading general and cosmetic dermatologist based in Dubai, also practicing in Lebanon, who has built her reputation on combining medical expertise with patient-centered care. At Skin Experts Polyclinic, she specializes in treating complex skin conditions, aesthetic dermatology, and advanced procedures such as injectables and resurfacing, helping patients achieve both health and confidence in their skin. Beyond her clinical practice, Dr. Khalil is deeply committed to education and outreach—most notably through her podcast @bdoon_filter, where she simplifies dermatology, busts myths, and provides trusted guidance on skincare and wellness. Her ability to merge science, beauty, and accessible knowledge has made her a sought-after voice in the region’s dermatology space. Dr. Khalil has built a reputation not only as a dermatologist but also as a trusted educator and voice of clarity in the world of skin health. Her podcast, bdoon_filter, has gained wide recognition across the region for simplifying medical knowledge, empowering patients to make informed choices, and breaking down barriers between doctors and the public.
Dr. Mazen Arafeh is a celebrated plastic, aesthetic, and reconstructive surgeon based in Dubai, with over 25 years of experience. Trained in Serbia and Paris, he now leads the Cocoona Aesthetic & Day Surgical Centre and La Mar Clinic, where he performs thousands of procedures annually—from high-definition body contouring to precision rhinoplasty,all delivered with artistry, anatomical expertise, and a deeply personalized approach to patient care. Beyond his surgical excellence, he is recognized for advancing patient safety standards and mentoring the next generation of surgeons, making him a trusted name in the global aesthetics community. With over two decades of excellence, Dr. Arafeh stands as one of the region’s most respected voices in reconstructive and aesthetic surgery. His career has been defined by innovation, safety, and mentorship.
Dr. Bouraoui Kotti is a world-renowned plastic surgeon based in Dubai, celebrated for pioneering innovations in aesthetic and reconstructive procedures. With medical training in Tunisia, France, and Belgium, and leadership roles such as former National Secretary for Tunisia in ISAPS, he is recognized internationally for techniques like the Chignon Mastopexy and AI-driven tools like the “BreastApp” for presurgical guidance. His expertise and artistry in procedures such as rhinoplasty, body contouring, and breast surgery have earned him acclaim—drawing high-profile patients and setting a high standard for transformative, personalized care. A true pioneer, Dr. Kotti’s career has influenced the global aesthetic landscape in significant ways. Known for his groundbreaking innovations such as the Chignon Mastopexy technique, he has redefined surgical approaches and inspired peers worldwide. His creation of the “BreastApp” reflects his forward-looking mindset, merging medicine with technology to improve patient outcomes and presurgical planning.
Dr. Samar Khalil Skin Specialist
Dr. Mazen Arafeh Aesthetic & Reconstructive surgeon | 25Years
Dr. Bouraoui Kotti World-renowned plastic surgeon
INTERVIEW
nown to many as Dr. OBT, Dr. Osman Bashir Tahir is a globally recognized plastic surgeon and aesthetic innovator whose work spans across Dubai, London, and Lahore. With a following of over 100,000 on Instagram, he has become not just a medical professional, but a thought leader shaping the conversation around modern beauty.
KA Global Maestro of Aesthetic Surgery
Dr. OBT has built his reputation on the seamless blend of surgical precision and artistic vision. His philosophy is simple yet powerful: aesthetic enhancement should look natural, timeless, and uniquely tailored to the individual. This ethos has earned him recognition as a surgeon who creates not just changes in appearance, but transformations in confidence.
Dr Osman Bashir Tahi
Artistry, Innovation & Human-Centered Aesthetics
Signature Techniques & Regenerative Innovations
Some of his most sought-after procedures include:
‘Angel Lips by OBT’ — a signature lip augmentation technique designed to harmonize with facial structure.
Facial Sculpting — bespoke contouring with dermal fillers and botulinum toxin to create balance and proportion.
Advanced Rhinoplasty — both surgical and non-surgical approaches that emphasize natural symmetry.
Regenerative Aesthetics — pioneering therapies such as fat transfer, exosome treatments, and salmon DNA facials that restore youthfulness with subtlety and sophistication.
Beyond Surgery: Philosophy and Patient Care
For Dr. OBT, aesthetic medicine is as much about understanding the patient’s inner vision as it is about
technical skill. He believes that a great surgeon must be both scientist and artist, offering precision, empathy, and insight at every step. His approach ensures that patients leave not just looking better, but feeling more aligned with their true selves.
Conclusion: A Visionary in Modern Aesthetics
Dr. Osman Bashir Tahir represents the new face of aesthetic medicine—where art, innovation, and care converge. Through his clinics and his forward-thinking philosophy, he is redefining how beauty is perceived and experienced, empowering patients to embrace transformations that feel natural, confident, and deeply personal.
Beyond his clinics and innovations, Dr. OBT is celebrated for creating a patient experience that is as transformative emotionally as it is physically. His philosophy prioritizes listening, empathy, and building trust, ensuring that every treatment aligns with the individual’s
goals rather than fleeting trends. He is also a global educator, sharing his expertise through international conferences, live demonstrations, and mentorship programs that inspire the next generation of aesthetic surgeons. By integrating art, science, and regenerative medicine, he is redefining aesthetics in a way that resonates with cultural nuances while setting international benchmarks. His commitment to sustainable beauty and authentic results has positioned him as one of the region’s most influential voices, with his impact felt far beyond the operating table.
n the dazzling world of Dubai’s aesthetic medicine, Dr. Javeria Atif emerges as a true luminary. A gold-medalist graduate and dual-practice dermatologist across Dubai and Abu Dhabi, she’s earned recognition for transforming her personal battles with acne into a source of empathetic leadership and medical resilience.
IAs the CEO of Royal Skin Cosmetic Clinic and an accomplished real estate entrepreneur through Doc State Properties, Dr. Atif navigates dual worlds with finesse and dedication. She’s also active in property investment and advising, showcasing a rare blend of medical expertise and strategic business acumen.
Dr Javeria Atif
Blending Precision with Compassion in Dermatology
At her clinic, treatment isn’t just about skincare—it’s about elevating self-confidence and crafting luminous skin through advanced facials that range from salmon-DNA therapies to bridal preps. Dr. Atif’s belief is simple yet profound: “Quality skin starts with quality treatments”.
Beyond her clinical mastery, she is a prolific educator and content creator, guiding her audience with advice on skincare, debunking myths, and spotlighting what truly works. Her authentic, handson approach on social media
fosters trust, making her a beloved voice in wellness circles.
Dr. Javeria Atif exemplifies the modern ethos of medicine—where aesthetic excellence serves not just beauty, but empowerment. With compassion as her compass and innovation as her toolkit, she continues to shape how the world sees confident, radiant skin.
Dr. Atif’s influence extends into the broader wellness community, where she advocates for holistic approaches to skin health, blending medical treatments with nutrition, stress
management, and lifestyle habits. leadership, shaping an image of the dermatologist as healer, entrepreneur, and community builder. She is also a strong supporter of women in business, mentoring young female doctors and entrepreneurs who aspire to merge medicine with entrepreneurship. Her entrepreneurial ventures highlight her belief that medicine is not limited to the clinic but can intersect with industries like real estate and education to create lasting impact.
Frequently invited to speak at summits and workshops, she shares her insights on skincare trends, patient-centered care, and the importance of authenticity in an often-commercialized industry. Dr. Atif embodies the fusion of medical excellence with Her growing influence on social media further amplifies her impact, where she creates authentic conversations around self-care, confidence, and professional growth. By combining her medical expertise with entrepreneurial foresight, Dr. Atif continues to inspire a new generation of women leaders who see beauty, wellness, and business as interconnected paths to empowerment.
Dr. Najlaa Al Smadi
Cosmetic & Restorative Dentist
Dr. Najlaa Al Smadi is a skilled cosmetic and restorative dentist based in the UAE, celebrated for her expertise in crafting confident smiles and her passion for professional innovation. As the founder of Jolie Scrubs UAE, she brings creativity and community-building into the dental sphere, combining artistic precision with compassionate care to redefine the patient experience across Ras Al Khaimah and beyond. With a strong presence both in clinics and through her entrepreneurial ventures, she continues to inspire young professionals in healthcare. Her journey reflects a balance of medical excellence, innovation, and a drive to empower others through her work and mentorship. Beyond her clinical precision, Dr. Najlaa Al Smadi is admired for her entrepreneurial vision. With Jolie Scrubs UAE, she created not just a brand but a community that uplifts young healthcare professionals, merging fashion, practicality, and identity for those in medicine. Her ability to bridge dentistry with innovation reflects her belief that healthcare is not only about treatment but about culture and confidence.
Dr. Anna Sepiolo
PhD, American Board in Anti-Aging & Regenerative Medicine / Functional & Aesthetic Gynecologist/ Menopause Expert / Longevity/ Founder @evclinicdubai
Dr. Anna Sepiolo, PhD, MD, is a globally recognized obstetrician-gynecologist and aesthetic gynecology pioneer based in Dubai. With over 25 years of international experience and board certifications in Anti-Aging & Regenerative Medicine, she leads the award-winning Eternal Vitality Clinic, offering cutting-edge services like bioidentical hormone therapy, PDO laser treatments, regenerative therapies, and vaginal rejuvenation procedures. Her empathetic, science-driven approach empowers women’s health and wellness through innovative yet accessible care. At Eternal Vitality Clinic, Dr. Sepiolo leads with vision, creating one of the most comprehensive centers for women’s longevity in the region. Her expertise in regenerative medicine has positioned her as a trusted figure for women navigating menopause, anti-aging therapies, and aesthetic gynecology.
Dr. Feras Yabroudi
Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon
Dr. Feras Yabroudi is a highly respected Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon and implantologist practicing in Dubai, with advanced credentials including a BDS from Damascus University (2001), a German board certification in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery (2007), and a PhD from Witten/Herdecke University in Germany. With over 17 years of experience, he leads successful clinics such as NLV Medical Center and La Familia Medical Center, offering a comprehensive range of surgical services— from All-on-4 dental implants to complex jaw and TMJ procedures—with precision, comfort, and deep patient trust. Dr. Yabroudi is widely recognized as a pioneer in complex oral surgery in Dubai, trusted for his advanced techniques in implants and maxillofacial care. His long international career combines German training with UAE-based innovation, allowing him to deliver care with precision and empathy. Patients and colleagues alike value his ability to make complex surgical journeys seamless, often integrating the latest technologies in 3D imaging and digital implantology.
Dr. Mandana Nazari
Periodontist and Implant Surgeon
Dr. Mandana Nazari is a highly skilled periodontist and implant surgeon practicing in Dubai, with over 15 years of experience. A graduate of MBRU, she holds a fellowship in advanced restorative and aesthetic dentistry from Italy. Known for her precision and artistry, Dr. Mandana transforms smiles through dental excellence rooted in global training, technical mastery, and compassionate care. Beyond clinical practice, she is also a lecturer and mentor, inspiring the next generation of dental professionals. Her work reflects not only medical expertise but also a dedication to improving confidence and quality of life for her patients. Dr. Nazari’s clinical artistry extends into teaching and mentorship, where she has inspired a generation of young dentists through lectures and training programs. Her focus on periodontics and implants combines technical precision with aesthetics, ensuring results that restore function as much as beauty.
Dr. Hussam Abbadi
Aesthetic physician
Dr. Hussam Abbadi is an acclaimed aesthetic physician and revision rhinoplasty specialist operating between Amman and Dubai. Recognized as the Top Sculptra Injector of 2024, he is a trusted brand ambassador for Galderma and Restylane, known for delivering transformative non-surgical treatments like Botox, fillers, Sculptra, and Dysport. His artistic approach combines meticulous precision with advanced regenerative aesthetics – including exosome therapy – to enhance natural beauty and patient confidence across the Middle East. Beyond his clinical expertise, Dr. Abbadi is also a sought-after international trainer, educating fellow practitioners on cutting-edge injection techniques. Dr. Abbadi is a name synonymous with innovation in regenerative aesthetics. His artistry with injectables and his reputation as Galderma’s Top Sculptra Injector of 2024 has made him a trusted trainer globally. Patients admire his philosophy of natural enhancement, rooted in the belief that beauty should feel authentic and timeless.
Dr Farshad Zadeh
AestheticPhysician,MD
Founder @eden.clinic.dubai GEC Best Clinic Dubai2025
Dr. Farshad Zadeh is a UAE-certified aesthetic physician and the founder of Eden Aesthetics Clinic in Dubai, where he is celebrated for his expertise in anti-aging and cosmetic medicine. With a background in family medicine from Canada and over two decades of experience in the UAE, he has mastered advanced procedures ranging from Botox and dermal fillers to non-surgical facelifts and laser treatments. Known for his holistic “feel-good” philosophy, Dr. Zadeh focuses not just on enhancing beauty but also on empowering patients with confidence and well-being. Dr. Zadeh’s Eden Aesthetics Clinic has become one of Dubai’s most recognized destinations for natural rejuvenation, earning accolades such as GEC’s Best Clinic 2025. With a background in family medicine, he brings a holistic, patient-first philosophy to aesthetics, ensuring results that enhance confidence without compromising well-being.
Dora Evangelidou 1st Female MIA Certified Surgeon in ME ME’s 1st Holistic Plastic Surgeon Co-Founder of THE SKIN FUEL
Dr. Dora Evangelidou is one of Dubai’s most celebrated plastic and reconstructive surgeons, recognized as the Middle East’s first holistic plastic surgeon and a leading expert in minimally invasive, regenerative aesthetics. She holds four European board certifications along with master’s degrees in Breast Surgery and Reconstructive Microsurgery, bringing world-class expertise to her practice. Specializing in breast augmentation, body contouring, tummy tucks, and Mommy Makeovers, Dr. Evangelidou employs microsurgical precision and her signature SOMA™ Protocol—focused on scar-conscious, fast-recovery, natural results. As one of the most decorated female surgeons in the Middle East, Dr. Evangelidou combines her world-class credentials with a pioneering mindset. Known for her SOMA™ protocol, she champions scar-conscious, natural-looking results that prioritize patient recovery and confidence. Her reputation extends globally, where she is regularly invited to lecture on regenerative techniques and holistic surgery.
Dr Nesrine Damak Aesthetic Dermatology
Dr. Nesrine Damak is an Abu Dhabi–based specialist in aesthetic dermatology with over 12 years of experience, trained through the Faculty of Medicine in Paris. Serving as a leading clinician at Lumiere Skin Clinic, she is widely celebrated for her refined, individualized approach—described by many as embodying “The Queen of Natural.” Dr. Damak delivers treatments rooted in balance and elegance, helping clients enhance their innate beauty with subtle transformations. Her commitment to safety, innovation, and patient confidence has made her a trusted name in the UAE’s aesthetic landscape, where she continues to set benchmarks for natural yet transformative results. Dr. Damak’s philosophy of subtle elegance has made her one of Abu Dhabi’s most beloved aesthetic dermatologists. Known as the “Queen of Natural,” her treatments celebrate individuality, focusing on balance rather than dramatic change.
n the world of aesthetic medicine, where science and artistry converge, Dr. Deepika Solanki has established herself as one of the region’s most respected and admired voices. As the Medical Director of Cosmique Clinic, she embodies the future of luxury aesthetics — a field where advanced dermatological innovation is harmonized with patient-centered care. Recognized globally for her groundbreaking work, including the prestigious Dermatology Excellence Award 2024, Dr. Solanki’s journey reflects not only professional mastery but also an unyielding passion for transforming lives through confidence and
IDr. Deepika Solanki
Redefining Beauty Through Excellence
wellness.
The Journey into Aesthetics Dr. Solanki’s path into aesthetic medicine was shaped by both curiosity and compassion. While her formal training grounded her in dermatology and clinical practice, she quickly realized that true impact lay in merging medical expertise with the art of aesthetics. “For me, aesthetics has always been about empowerment,” she has often shared. “When a patient feels confident in their own skin, it changes how they move through life.” This belief became the foundation of Cosmique Clinic — a practice that balances cutting-edge procedures with deeply personalized care. From minimally invasive skin rejuvenation to advanced anti-aging therapies, her approach goes beyond treat-
ments; it is about crafting experiences that align with the patient’s individuality. Pioneering Innovation in Practice.
In a sector defined by rapid technological evolution, Dr. Solanki has consistently positioned herself ahead of the curve. She was among the early adopters of combination aesthetic therapies — integrating laser technology, regenerative medicine, and injectables for comprehensive outcomes. Her clinic is known for introducing protocols that blend scientific rigor with artistic precision, setting new benchmarks in patient safety and satisfaction. The recognition she received through the Dermatology Excellence Award 2024 is not only a testament to her skills but also to her commitment to elevating global standards in dermatology. Whether through innovating skin tightening techniques, pioneering non-surgical aesthetic protocols, or spearheading research in regenerative dermatology, Dr. Solanki is redefining what excellence means in modern aesthetics.
Beyond her clinical practice, Dr. Solanki’s vision for Cosmique extends into shaping the broader conversation on beauty and wellness in the Middle East. She actively advocates for redefining beauty as a balance between inner confidence and outer radiance, encouraging patients to see treatments not as vanity, but as a form of self-care that empowers daily life. Her emphasis on ethical practice and patient trust has positioned Cosmique as more than a clinic—it is a sanctuary where innovation, safety, and compassion converge.
Looking ahead, Dr. Solanki is focused on expanding Cosmique’s role as a thought leader in the region, introducing new modalities in regenerative medicine, and fostering collaborations with global experts to keep Dubai at the forefront of aesthetic innovation. Her journey reflects not just professional achievement, but also a personal mission to inspire confidence and elevate standards in modern aesthetic healthcare.
n a city celebrated for innovation and excellence, Dr. Krish Nair has built a reputation as one of Dubai’s most distinguished names in dentistry. As the Founder and Managing Director of Dr. Krish Esthetik Studio, a state-of-the-art clinic located on Sheikh Zayed Road, he has transformed the way patients experience dental care—blending advanced technology with personalized attention.
IDr. Krish’s vision extends beyond routine treatment. Renowned for introducing the UAE’s first Angel Aligners, he has pioneered a new era of orthodontics in the region, offering patients a discreet, effective,
Dr. Krish Nair
Redefining Smiles with Precision and Passion
and comfortable alternative to traditional braces. His expertise spans from cosmetic dentistry and smile makeovers to complex full-arch restorations, each carried out with meticulous precision and an artistic eye for detail. For him, dentistry is not only about aesthetics but about restoring confidence, health, and quality of life.
With more than a decade of experience, Dr. Krish has consistently raised the bar in patient-centered care. His empathetic approach— grounded in listening, understanding, and tailoring treatments to individual
Founder & MD of Esthetik Studio Dental Clinic,Dubai.
needs—has earned him a loyal and diverse clientele that spans both local and international patients. Recognized with prestigious honors such as the Excellence in Dental Care Award 2023 and the title of Orthodontist of the Year, he continues to set new benchmarks in his field.
Beyond the clinic, Dr. Krish is an advocate for education and innovation. He actively participates in professional forums and training programs, sharing his knowledge with the next generation of dental practitioners and staying at the forefront of global trends in orthodontics and cosmetic dentistry. His leadership style reflects not only mastery in clinical practice but also a commitment to mentorship, research, and community well-being. At the heart of his work lies a simple yet powerful philosophy: every smile tells a story, and every patient deserves to wear theirs with pride. Whether it’s a life-changing full-mouth rehabilitation or a subtle cosmetic enhancement, Dr. Krish approaches each case as a unique opportunity to restore confidence and inspire joy.
As Dubai cements its place as a hub for world-class healthcare, professionals like Dr. Krish Nair are redefining the standards of excellence. His journey reflects not just
professional achievement but also the power of passion, innovation, and empathy in shaping lives—one smile at a time.
What sets Dr. Krish apart is his unwavering belief that dentistry is as much about trust and relationships as it is about clinical expertise. He has cultivated an environment at Esthetik Studio where patients feel heard, respected, and supported through every stage of their dental journey. From the use of cutting-edge digital scanners and 3D imaging to pain-free treatment protocols, every detail is designed to make the experience seamless and anxiety-free. His focus on patient comfort has redefined what it means to visit a dental clinic in Dubai.
Dr. Krish is also deeply passionate about integrating wellness into dental health. He often highlights the connection between oral health and overall well-being, educating patients on how preventive care can reduce risks of systemic conditions such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. His advocacy for early intervention and regular maintenance reflects a for-
Dr. Rami Haidar
Maxillofacial Surgeon
Dr. Rami Haidar is a London- and Dubai-based oral and maxillofacial surgeon acclaimed for transforming faces and lives with masterful precision and a humane touch. Holding medical qualifications from Cairo and the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh, he blends reconstructive expertise with aesthetic artistry, pioneering techniques like sculp tightness reshaping, subtle eyelid rejuvenation, and his signature “3PF” method. As the founder of the Excellence Medical Boutique, Dr. Haidar has set the gold standard in natural-looking cosmetic enhancements. Dr. Haidar’s influence goes beyond surgery—he is a mentor and innovator who constantly introduces new standards of excellence in maxillofacial aesthetics.
Dr Ahmed Mahmoud Al Dermatology specialist Board certified by the American Acad. of Aesthetic medicine
Dr. Ahmed M. Ali is a seasoned dermatology and aesthetic medicine consultant based in Dubai, certified by both the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine and the Egyptian Dermatology Board. Practicing at 7D Medical Center (formerly 180 Clinics), he brings years of expertise in clinical dermatology with a refined aesthetic touch. Known for combining medical precision with compassionate care, Dr. Ahmed has built a reputation for delivering natural, transformative results in skin rejuvenation, anti-aging, and advanced aesthetic procedures.
Dr. Waseem Bakkour
Aesthetic, Laser & Surgical Dermatology
Dr. Waseem Bakkour is a renowned British consultant dermatologist based in Dubai, with over 15 years of expertise in Mohs micrographic surgery, advanced lasers, and aesthetic dermatology. He trained through elite fellowships in the UK, specializing in Mohs surgery and aesthetic procedures, and completed advanced training at Johns Hopkins Hospital in the United States.Before moving to the UAE, Dr. Bakkour served as a Consultant Dermatologist at University College London Hospitals and practiced on Harley Street, where he played a key role in skin cancer care, mole screening, and complex dermatologic surgeries. Beyond his clinical brilliance, Dr. Bakkour is a thought leader shaping dermatology on a global scale. He combines surgical precision with the artistry of aesthetics, offering holistic solutions that restore both skin health and confidence. His work in advancing dermatologic lasers and complex cancer care underscores his dual commitment to science and patient well-being, making him a leading voice in the UAE’s medical community.
Dr Safa Al Saadi Double Board Certified Specialist Dermatologist
Dr. Safa is an accomplished aesthetic physician in Dubai, originally trained at Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2003. With over 15 years of expertise in non-surgical cosmetic procedures—from advanced injectables like Botox and dermal fillers to sophisticated thread lifts—she embodies precision and artistry in aesthetic medicine. Certified by leading institutions including the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, Université Paris Descartes, and the Institute of Medical Aesthetics in Dubai, Dr. Safa earns patient trust through her commitment to safety and natural-looking transformations.
Dr Rana Haleem
Aesthetic and anti-aging Doctor
American board of Aesthetic & anti-aging Medicine
Dr. Rana Halem is a highly respected aesthetic physician in Dubai, notably associated with Charisma Clinics, where she represents some of the region’s leading expertise in dermatology and laser aesthetics. Trained under global standards and widely regarded for her exceptional results, she brings a blend of innovation, precision, and patient trust—contributing to the clinic’s reputation for beauty, transparency, and excellence. Her thoughtful approach and dedication to delivering natural outcomes have earned her recognition among the UAE’s most esteemed aesthetic professionals. Dr. Haleem is admired for her unwavering dedication to patient trust and transparency. She combines technical expertise with artistry to deliver treatments that enhance natural beauty without excess. At Charisma Clinics, her leadership reinforces the values of integrity, compassion, and precision. She remains committed to helping patients embrace their beauty journeys with confidence and lasting satisfaction.
Dr. Hawaa Al Thahak Al Mansoori
Endocrinologist, Inventor & Policymaker
Dr. Hawaa Al Mansoori embodies multidimensional leadership across medicine, invention, and politics. She serves as Deputy Medical Director of the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre in Abu Dhabi and as Executive Director of Intramural Research at the Abu Dhabi Stem Cell Center (ADSCC).An accomplished endocrinologist, Dr. Al Mansoori was the first Emirati woman awarded a Presidential Scholarship to study medicine in the U.S., completing her MD followed by board certifications in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology. She co-founded SonoStik LLC, a med-tech startup innovating vascular access tools, supported by Ghadan Ventures Fund. Her influence extends beyond clinical medicine into policymaking, where she champions research-driven healthcare reforms in the UAE. Recognized for bridging science and innovation, Dr. Al Mansoori continues to mentor young physicians and entrepreneurs, inspiring the next generation to pursue excellence in medical research, technology, and leadership on a global stage.
Dr Esraa Al Samarraie
Member of American Academy of Anti-aging Medicine.
Dr. Esraa Al-Samarraie is a dedicated General Practitioner and Aesthetic Physician based in Sharjah at IR Medical Centre. A graduate of RAK Medical and Health Sciences University with a fellowship in aesthetic medicine and membership in the American Academy of Anti-Aging Medicine, she brings five years of specialized expertise to her practice. Fluent in both English and Arabic, Dr. Esraa combines technical skill with compassionate care, tailoring treatments that prioritize safety and elegance. Whether she’s administering rejuvenating facials or guiding clients through aesthetic transformations, she champions the belief that everyone deserves to glow with confidence and mindfulness. Dr. Esraa embodies the new generation of aesthetic physicians who prioritize wellness alongside beauty. With a strong patient-first philosophy, she ensures that every treatment enhances both appearance and self-esteem.
Dr Eman Amin
Dermatology & Aesthetic Medicine Specialist
Dr. Eman Amin is a distinguished dermatologist and aesthetic medicine specialist based in the UAE, with almost two decades of experience. After earning her Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery and Master’s in Dermatology and Venereology from Ain Shams University, she advanced her skills with a Diploma in Aesthetic Medicine from the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine. Dr. Amin excels in delivering natural, personalized results through treatments ranging from injectables and chemical peels to laser therapy and non-surgical facial reshaping. Dr. Eman’s nearly two decades of expertise have cemented her as one of the region’s most trusted dermatologists. Known for her empathetic communication and patient education, she ensures individuals feel confident and informed throughout their journeys.
Academic Leadership & Expertise: Professor Habiba Sayeed Alsafar serves as Dean of the College of Medicine & Health Sciences and Director of the Biotechnology Center at Khalifa University. She is a celebrated geneticist and biomedical engineer, recognized even among the “100 Most Powerful Arab Women” in 2015 by Arabian Business.
AResearch Achievements; Prof. Alsafar led the creation of the Emirates Family Registry, a comprehensive DNA biobank housing samples from over 26,000 individuals, including 1,700 ethnic Bedouins.
Prof. Habiba Sayeed Alsafar
Pioneer in Emirati Genomics
Using these specimens, she conducted the first largescale genome-wide association study within Emirati populations, identifying five genes uniquely associated with type 2 diabetes—most notably the PRKD1 gene. Furthermore, she contributed to the first whole-genome sequencing of Emirati nationals, illuminating the country’s genetic diversity and variant profiles.
Recognition & Influence: Her contributions have earned numerous accolades, including the UAE First Honor Medal and the Emirates International Award for Genetic Disease Prevention in 2014, as well as the International L’Oréal-UNESCO Fellowship for Women in Science. She
has held esteemed positions in the World Economic Forum’s Young Scientists Community, the UAE Council of Scientists, and Dubai’s Future Council for Health & Wellbeing.
Impact on Precision Medicine
Prof. Alsafar’s pioneering work is foundational to enabling personalized medicine in the UAE. By uncovering unique genetic risk factors in Emiratis, she has paved the way for tailored diagnostic tools, preventive strategies, and treatments— especially for chronic conditions like diabetes, where the UAE has one of the world’s highest prevalence rates.
Beyond her groundbreaking achievements in genomics, Prof. Al Safar is deeply committed to nurturing the next generation of scientists and healthcare innovators in the UAE. As Dean of the College of Medicine & Health Sciences at Khalifa University, she has pioneered programs that encourage young Emiratis, especially women, to pursue careers in biomedical sciences. Her mentorship extends internationally, where she collaborates with leading institutions to advance
research on diabetes, cardiovascular genetics, and rare diseases. By combining academic leadership with practical application, she has positioned the UAE as a hub for cutting-edge biomedical research. Prof. Al Safar’s vision is not limited to the laboratory; it also encompasses the integration of precision medicine into everyday clinical practice, ensuring that discoveries translate into tangible health outcomes. Her contributions stand as a model for how science can drive national progress, bridging innovation with impact on community wellbeing.
“We built the Emirates Family Registry with over 26,000 DNA samples—an unprecedented resource for precision medicine in the UAE.”
hampioning Preventive Medicine in the UAE: In the rapidly evolving healthcare landscape of the Middle East, Dr. Nada Al Mulla has emerged as a strong advocate for preventive and community-based medicine. As a family medicine consultant and a senior leader within the Dubai Health Authority (DHA), she has been instrumental in shifting healthcare from a reactive model—focused on treating illness—to a proactive system centered on prevention, early detection, and holistic wellness.
TDr. Nada Al Mulla
A Visionary in Family Medicine and Preventive Healthcare
Her work reflects a growing realization across the UAE that chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and obesity must be addressed not only through hospital-based treatment but also through sustainable lifestyle interventions and primary care systems. In many ways, Dr. Al Mulla embodies this shift, blending medical expertise with a vision for public health transformation.
Redefining the Role of Family Medicine: Traditionally, family medicine has been underestimated compared to specialist disciplines. Yet Dr. Al Mulla has redefined its im-
portance by demonstrating how family physicians serve as the cornerstone of longterm health management. Through her leadership roles in Dubai, she has introduced models of care that place family medicine clinics at the heart of patient journeys.
Her philosophy is simple but powerful: patients should not only consult doctors when sick, but should engage regularly in health planning, screenings, and wellness programs. This model reduces the burden on tertiary hospitals while empowering communities to take ownership of their health.
Leadership in Primary Healthcare Centers
Dr. Al Mulla has overseen several Primary Healthcare Centers (PHCs) in Dubai, transforming them into hubs that offer integrated care. Under her guidance, PHCs have expanded beyond general consultations to include services in women’s health, pediatrics, geriatrics, dental care, and chronic disease management.
These centers have been critical in supporting the UAE’s ambitious national health strategies. By integrating digital records, AI-driven screening tools, and telemedicine platforms, Dr. Al Mulla has ensured that PHCs are not just accessible but technologically advanced, providing real-time connectivity between patients, general practitioners, and specialists.
Dr. Nada Al Mulla’s leadership goes far beyond her clinical expertise. She has been a driving force behind the UAE’s initiatives to embed preventive healthcare into national policy, aligning with the country’s vision for healthier and more sustainable communities. Her advocacy emphasizes that true health equity requires accessibility, patient education, and culturally sensitive care models.
“By transforming family medicine, we reduce the burden on hospitals and build healthier societies.”
SWISS PRECISION, CELLULAR
POWER: HOW SWISSKERN IS REDEFINING LONGEVITY FROM THE INSIDE OUT
REDEFINING LONGEVITY REDEFINING LONGEVITY
In an age when wellness is awash with buzzwords, influencer hype, and quick fixes, Swisskern stands apart, not by shouting louder, but by going deeper. Founded in Switzerland and co-led by CEO Faisal Baig, the brand positions itself at the intersection of biomedical science, Swiss engineering, and luxury wellness. It is a bold claim, but one backed by an uncompromising dedication to a singular mission: to begin wellness at the cellular level.
“The vision was simple but radical,” says Baig. “We wanted to create one of the most technically advanced, bioavailable longevity supplements in the world, something that doesn’t just tick boxes, but changes lives.”
Wellness at the Molecular Scale
At the core of Swisskern’s philosophy lies a truth that is both deceptively simple and scientifically complex, it’s not what you take, it’s what your body absorbs. Bioavailability is the measure of how efficiently nutrients reach the bloodstream and, more importantly, the cells. For most traditional supplements, the numbers are sobering: capsules and powders often lose up to 70% of their potency during digestion.
Swisskern’s answer is microencapsulation technology, an advanced delivery system that envelopes each nutrient in a natural lipid layer, protecting it through digestion and ensuring maximum cellular uptake. The result is a rapid and targeted nutrient release with a
much higher absorption rate than conventional forms.
“Bioavailability is everything,” Baig notes. “It’s the difference between a supplement that sits in your system and one that transforms it.”
This principle drives every formulation, from K+01 Life, designed to support cellular longevity and vitality, to K+05 Luminous, which nourishes the skin from within. Each is packaged in sleek, pre-measured liquid sachets that require no mixing, no water, and no downtime,an embodiment of Swisskern’s belief that longevity should integrate seamlessly into daily life.
Wellness begins where it matters most — at the cellular level.
The Science of Staying Young Longer Baig’s vision for Swisskern isn’t about chasing youth in the cosmetic sense. It’s about slowing the mechanisms of aging at their source. Each formulation targets a spectrum of biological processes, including inflammation, mitochondrial decline, oxidative stress, telomere shortening, and epigenetic drift, the cellular hallmarks of aging.
Central to this approach is the K+ Longevity Complex®, an innovation Baig calls “the foundation of life.” This proprietary blend works in synergy to protect and enhance the gut, brain, heart, and immune system,the four pillars of long-term health. By also helping regulate blood sugar levels, it supports both metabolic balance and sustained energy, two critical factors in healthy aging.
The formulations are pharmaceutical-grade, clinically validated, and globally compliant, avoiding ingredients that may be restricted in certain regions, a deliberate move to ensure inclusivity and universal access.
Luxury, Elevated by Evidence
Swisskern does not shy away from its positioning in the luxury segment of the market. The pricing reflects its uncompromising sourcing standards and scientific rigor. Ingredients such as Brainberry®, which has been clinically shown to improve cognitive function, and Actiful™, designed to boost energy and vitality, are not only potent but protected by patents.
“If you invest in a watch, a car, or a bespoke suit,” Baig says, “why wouldn’t you invest in the one thing that powers it all: your health?”
For Swisskern’s clientele, which includes CEOs, elite athletes, and high-functioning creatives, the appeal lies not just in the product’s efficacy but in its alignment with a lifestyle of performance, precision, and prevention.
The Swisskern Experience – Five Formulas, One Philosophy
Swisskern’s range is anchored by five distinct formulations, each tailored to address a core aspect of health and longevity:
• K+01 Life – Enhances cellular health, reduces chronic disease risk, and supports peak vitality.
• K+02 Immune – Bolsters the immune system, combats inflammation, and strengthens resistance to illness.
• K+03 Cell – Facilitates deep cellular detox, encouraging regeneration and removal of damaged cells.
• K+05 Luminous – Hydrates and protects skin from environmental damage while promoting a radiant glow.
Each formula is delivered in a portable 15mL sachet, allowing busy professionals and frequent travelers to integrate Swisskern into their day without interruption. This effortless usability is part of the brand’s DNA,wellness that adapts to the individual, not the other way around.
Beyond Supplements – Designing the Future of Preventive Health
Swisskern’s ambitions extend beyond supplementation. The brand is already in discussions with world-leading hotels and wellness sanctuaries to integrate Swiss-designed colon and longevity therapies into their spa programs. A flagship Longevity Sanctuary is also in the works, where visitors can undergo diagnostics-driven wellness programs tailored to their unique biological profiles. Even the travel industry is on Baig’s radar. He envisions Swisskern elevating in-flight experiences with targeted supplementation — K+05 Luminous for hydration during long-haul flights, or K+01 Life to combat fatigue and support recovery upon arrival.
“Health not only has the power to change our lives,” Baig reflects, “but also to reach those around us, creating a positive halo effect that uplifts our loved ones and communities.”
A Legacy in the Making
For Baig, Swisskern was born from deeply personal experiences that underscored the transformative power of health. The company’s growth is not driven by trends but by a long-term vision to place cellular wellness at the forefront of
global health conversations. With its fusion of cutting-edge science, elegant design, and strategic partnerships, Swisskern is poised to become more than a supplement brand. It is shaping up to be a global movement in longevity and cellular wellness.
As Baig puts it:
“Don’t wait until something breaks to care about your health. Invest in your biology the same way you invest in your ambition, and watch what happens.”
In a wellness market crowded with promises, Swisskern stands as a true revolution,marrying uncompromising science with the elegance of Swiss design to deliver results that begin where it matters most: at the cellular level. For women who balance ambition with self-care, who lead with both intellect and intuition, and who demand that their health investments work as hard as they do, Swisskern offers more than supplementation,it offers a future of vitality, resilience, and radiance. This is wellness without compromise, longevity with intention, and a daily reminder that the most powerful thing you can wear is your health, glowing from the inside out.
The Future of Longevity – A Swiss Blueprint
What truly sets Swisskern apart is its
ability to anticipate where the wellness industry is heading and to act with scientific precision before trends catch on. In a world where supplements are often marketed with vague claims, Swisskern grounds its formulations in clinical validation and peerreviewed science, ensuring credibility as well as effectiveness. This dedication has not gone unnoticed — physicians, nutritionists, and performance coaches are increasingly recommending Swisskern products as a complementary cornerstone to preventive health strategies.
Swisskern also recognizes that longevity is not a solitary pursuit; it is a collective one. By designing its formulations to support the four cornerstones of health — brain, heart, gut, and immunity — the brand promotes a ripple effect of well-being that extends into productivity, relationships, and community health. Its message resonates particularly with high-performing individuals who see wellness as a non-negotiable part of success, not a luxury add-on.
Looking ahead, Swisskern aims to embed itself not only in personal routines but also
“While you’re not trying to die, don’t forget to live”
in the infrastructure of wellness culture. Discussions with luxury resorts, medical spas, and executive health programs signal a future where Swisskern becomes part of curated longevity ecosystems. Imagine bespoke retreats where diagnostics determine your supplement protocol, or corporate wellness packages where employees are empowered to optimize their biology alongside their business goals. At its core, Swisskern is not just offering products — it is reframing longevity as a lifestyle, powered by Swiss precision, cellular innovation, and an unshakable belief that health is the greatest form of wealth.
The Next Chapter of Longevity
Swisskern is not simply content with creating world-class formulations; it seeks to redefine how society approaches health and aging. In Baig’s view, the future of wellness lies in precision — tailoring interventions not to a demographic, but to the individual. The company is actively investing in biomarker-driven research, exploring how real-time diagnostics can pair with its supplements to deliver personalized protocols. Imagine a world where a simple blood test guides not just your diet but your supplementation, ensuring that every dose is aligned with your body’s evolving needs. That is the frontier Swisskern aims to unlock. Bridging Science and Lifestyle
One of Swisskern’s greatest strengths is its ability to translate advanced biomedical science into simple, daily rituals. The brand understands that modern consumers, especially highachieving women, juggle intense professional lives alongside personal
responsibilities. For them, longevity is not a luxury; it is a necessity. By offering convenient sachets that slip into a handbag or travel case, Swisskern ensures wellness is never sidelined. Its blend of functionality, aesthetics, and science reflects the same meticulous craftsmanship Switzerland is known for in watchmaking and engineering.
Building a Global Movement
Swisskern’s journey is also a statement of intent for the wider wellness industry. By refusing shortcuts and emphasizing research-backed ingredients, the company is setting a new benchmark in transparency and efficacy. Each formula is the result of collaboration with leading scientists, nutritionists, and medical experts across Europe and the Middle East. This cross-disciplinary approach ensures that Swisskern remains adaptable to emerging research while staying rooted in proven science.
Ultimately, Swisskern’s mission extends beyond longevity — it is about empowerment. It is about giving individuals the tools to not only extend their years but to elevate their quality of life, ensuring that vitality, resilience, and radiance are accessible every single day.
Partnerships and Ecosystems
Looking ahead, Swisskern is building an ecosystem that extends beyond individual consumers. The brand is exploring partnerships with healthcare providers, corporate wellness programs, and elite sports organizations, offering tailored supplementation strategies that optimize both performance and recovery. Baig envisions a future where Swisskern is integrated into workplaces,
athletic programs, and even school initiatives — embedding cellular wellness as a foundation for healthier communities.
Swisskern’s story is not just about supplements; it is about creating a new culture of health, where prevention takes precedence over cure. In doing so, the brand is shaping an enduring legacy: one where science and elegance converge to redefine what it means to live well, live fully, and live longer.
Educating a New Generation of Consumers
Another distinctive element of Swisskern’s mission lies in education. Rather than marketing on aspirational imagery alone, the brand emphasizes scientific literacy, empowering clients to understand the cellular processes behind each product. Through workshops, digital content, and expert-led seminars, Swisskern demystifies complex topics such as telomere biology, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial health. This transparent approach appeals to a new generation of consumers who demand evidence, not empty promises. In a world of wellness misinformation, Swisskern stands as a trusted educator as much as a provider.
Wellness without compromise, longevity with intention — the most powerful thing you can wear is your health
Outlook for Obesity in 2025: More Than a Transition Year
As 2025 begins, the conversation around obesity treatment is reaching a turning point. The global market for anti-obesity medications (AOMs) is no longer in its infancy — it is becoming one of the most dynamic segments in healthcare. While some might expect this year to be a quiet bridge between the momentum of 2024 and the anticipated breakthroughs of 2026, the reality is quite different. The developments of 2025 will help redefine obesity, shape the market
for new therapies, and change how healthcare systems view and reimburse treatments.
2024: The Year Obesity Treatments Took Shape
The obesity market crossed a milestone in 2024, with global spending on AOMs surpassing $30 billion — more than ten times higher than just four years ago. This surge was largely driven by Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide and Lilly’s tirzepatide, two drugs that transformed how patients and doctors think about weight management. Despite limited insurance coverage in many countries, demand soared. Patients across Europe and beyond were willing to pay out of pocket, underscoring just how powerful the demand for effective obesity treatments has become. In the UK alone, more than 400,000 people personally financed their AOM prescriptions in 2024.
Last year also showed that these drugs are more than just weight-loss solutions. Clinical studies revealed broader health benefits: semaglutide improved outcomes in heart failure and osteoarthritis, while tirzepatide showed promise in reducing the risk of diabetes and improving sleep apnea. These additional benefits are helping to reshape obesity from being seen as a lifestyle issue to being recognized as a disease with complex, wide-reaching health implications.
Competition also intensified in 2024. Lilly’s head-to-head SURMOUNT-5 trial demonstrated tirzepatide’s superior weight loss compared with semaglutide, signaling a new era of rivalry. Meanwhile, companies poured billions into scaling up manufacturing and acquiring production partners to keep up with soaring demand.
What to Expect in 2025
While 2026 is expected to be a pivotal year, with new drug launches and patent expirations opening the market further, 2025 is far from a pause. Instead, this year will see crucial developments that hint at the future of obesity care.
• Redefining Obesity:
One of the most important shifts will come from the Lancet Commission on Diagnostic Criteria of Clinical Obesity, which is expected to release updated guidelines in early 2025. For decades, body mass index (BMI) has been the standard measure, despite its shortcomings. It fails to account for gender, age, and body composition, often oversimplifying a complex condition. The new criteria are expected to provide a more accurate, science-based definition, recognizing obesity as a disease in its own right. This change could influence everything from treatment guidelines to insurance reimbursement.
• Innovation on the Horizon:
The AOM pipeline is expanding rapidly, with over 150 drugs currently in clinical development, including seven in latestage trials. Nearly half of these are oral therapies, a sign of how quickly the field is evolving beyond injectable treatments. Companies are exploring a wide range of mechanisms to target not only weight loss but also fat composition, durability of results, and tolerability. The next wave of innovation is expected to focus on differentiation — therapies that do more than reduce weight, offering additional health benefits and fewer side effects.
• Market Dynamics:
As more competitors enter, 2025 will be a year of positioning. Pharmaceutical leaders like Novo Nordisk and Lilly will continue expanding access and
production, while emerging players will look for ways to stand out in an increasingly crowded field. Investors, who fueled record valuations for obesity-focused companies in 2024, will now be watching closely for real-world evidence of long-term benefits and sustainability.
Looking Ahead
Obesity treatment is no longer about hype — it is about building a sustainable healthcare framework. 2025 will not just be a transition year but a testing ground for new definitions, new therapies, and new models of access. The shift from “sick care” to “well care” is especially evident in obesity. For the first time, patients are not just being treated after the onset of diabetes or heart disease, but before these conditions take hold. This preventive approach reflects a broader movement in healthcare — one that values healthspan as much as lifespan. As innovation continues, the question is no longer whether obesity treatments will remain central to global health, but how quickly they will reshape patient care, healthcare systems, and even cultural attitudes toward weight and wellness.
The Digital Health Connection
Digital therapeutics and obesity drugs are also converging. Several companies are pairing AOMs with AI-driven coaching, wearables, and telehealth platforms to create hybrid care models. These integrations help track adherence, manage side effects, and measure improvements in metabolic markers, providing insurers and regulators with real-world evidence to justify reimbursement. For patients, it means a more holistic and supportive journey, where technology reinforces pharmacology.
Dubai’s Aesthetic Industry
The Beauty Capital of the Middle East — And How Al Seha Consultancy is Opening the Doors
The Rise of Dubai’s Aesthetic Empire
Dubai has always been a city of ambition, a place where desert sands have given way to a skyline of glass towers, man-made islands, and record-breaking achievements. Known globally as a financial hub, luxury shopping paradise, and tourism magnet, it now wears another crown proudly:
The Beverly Hills of the Middle East. Over the past decade, Dubai has transformed into one of the top three destinations worldwide for aesthetic and cosmetic treatments, sitting alongside Los Angeles and London. The reasons are as much about lifestyle as they are about medicine; luxury living meets cutting-edge technology, delivered by world-class medical talent in an environment where hospitality is as refined as the procedures themselves. Industry data underscores the momentum. The UAE’s medical aesthetics market is forecast to grow 12–15% annually through 2028, fuelled by the rise in medical tourism, an affluent resident base, and a cultural shift where beauty, wellness, and self-care are seen as investments, not indulgences.
“The Middle East has become a huge destination for beauty, aesthetics, and wellness,” says Dr. Aiza Jamil, British
board-certified consultant dermatologist at Heathpoint Hospital in Abu Dhabi. “It acts as a bridge between Asia and Europe, attracting patients for advanced cosmetic procedures in a luxury setting, a combination you can’t always find elsewhere.”
Why Dubai?
Few cities offer the same unique blend of opportunity that Dubai does. A closer look at the factors reveals why it has taken the global aesthetic spotlight: Strategic LocationPerfectly positioned between East and West, Dubai serves as a natural transit hub for patients from Asia, Europe, Africa, and the GCC. Tourism Powerhouse- With over 15million international visitors annually, the city draws a steady stream of clients seeking medical and aesthetic services during their stay. Skilled Workforce- Doctors, nurses, and technicians from around the world are drawn here by tax-free incomes, safety, and a world-class quality of life. Regulatory Support- The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) offers efficient, transparent processes for facility and professional licensing, ensuring high industry standards. Luxury Lifestyle; From plush clinic interiors to personalised post-procedure care, patients expect and receive a five-star experience.
“Dubai is a fantastic destination for skin, aesthetics, and wellness,” says Dr. Derrick Phillips of Biolite Clinic. “The city is a leader in innovative treatments and always has future wellness and skin health in mind.”
The Market Potential
The UAE aesthetic medicine market was valued at USD 1.2 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 3.2 billion by 2027, an astonishing leap in just four years. Non-invasive treatments dominate, accounting for over 65% of market share, reflecting global consumer preference for minimal downtime and natural-looking results.
Key trends driving this growth include:
I.Non-surgical demand: Botox, fillers, and laser treatments are increasingly preferred over invasive procedures.
II. Preventive anti-aging: Younger patients intheir late 20s and early 30s are embracing early interventions like collagen-boosting therapies.
III. Technological adoption: Innovations such as exosome therapy, HIFU (High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound), and regenerative medicine are rapidly entering the mainstream.
IV. Drip therapy boom : Wellness-infused beauty drips for hydration, detox, and skin brightening are in high demand among both residents and tourists. Dubai’s ability to quickly adopt these trends, often being first-to-market in the region, cements its leadership.
The Barriers to Entry
For all its appeal, Dubai’s aesthetic sector isn’t a market you can casually step into. Launching a clinic demands more than medical expertise, it requires regulatory mastery, business acumen, and capital readiness.
The primary challenges include:
I.Complex Licensing –
Meeting DHA standards for facility licensing and professional registration involves multiple steps and inspections.
II.High Setup Costs – Premium location leases, custom designed interiors, and advanced equipment can push budgets into the millions.
III. Competitive Landscape – With over 500 licensed aesthetic clinics in Dubai, brand differentiation is critical.
IV. Talent Acquisition – Securing DHA-licensed staff who meet international standards is a global recruitment exercise.
V. Time to Market – Traditional setups take 6–12 months, delaying return on investment and risking market momentum loss.
Al Seha Consultancy: The Fast-Track to Success
Al Seha Consultancy is purpose-built for the healthcare and aesthetics sector, offering end-toend clinic setup services that compress timelines and reduce costs. Core services include: Healthcare Facility Licensing – Fast-track approval, Professional Licensing – For doctors, nurses, technicians, Architectural & Fit-Out Services – Luxury design with medical compliance, FANR Approval – Radiation compliance for imaging equipment, 3D Interior Design – Visualising spaces before build-out, Recruitment–Securing licensed, skilled staff and Marketing & PR – Digital campaigns, influencer outreach, and media placements. The disruptor: Flexible financing, only 20% up front and the rest spread over 12 months; making entry into Dubai’s aesthetic market accessible to more players.
The Future of Dubai’s Aesthetic Industry
Dubai’s medical aesthetics market is on a trajectory to outpace global growth averages, fuelled by: Medical tourism inflows from Europe, Russia, GCC, and Asia. Government initiatives to position Dubai as a global health tourism hub. Increasing domestic demand for holistic beauty and wellness. For investors and medical professionals, the window of opportunity is now.
Al Seha Consultancy doesn’t just help launch clinics; it builds brands that thrive. By combining speed, compliance, luxury design, and robust marketing, it transforms ambitious ideas into profitable businesses in just three months.
In an industry where time-to-market can make or break success, Al Seha is the bridge between vision and reality, opening the doors to Dubai’s billion-dollar beauty economy.
Beyond the Procedure: The Patient Experience
What sets Dubai apart from other global hubs isn’t just the treatments on offer — it’s the full-circle experience of care. In cities like Los Angeles, patients may encounter long waits, rushed consultations, and transactional environments. In Dubai, the opposite is true: hospitality, personalization, and post-treatment care are woven into the aesthetic journey. From the moment a client enters a clinic, they are immersed in an environment designed to inspire trust and comfort. Waiting
lounges resemble fivestar hotel lobbies, with curated artwork, signature scents, and refreshments served as if in a luxury suite. Treatments are often followed by concierge-style aftercare — drivers arranged for safe transport, skincare gift bags, and wellness follow-ups that ensure clients feel valued, not processed. This marriage of medicine and hospitality is what keeps patients returning — and recommending Dubai clinics to global networks. It’s no coincidence that the city has become a top choice for celebrities, royals, and influencers seeking discretion, comfort, and excellence.
Al Seha’s Differentiator: More Than Setup
What makes Al Seha Consultancy unique is that it doesn’t simply “open doors” — it creates sustainable ecosystems for clinics to thrive. Beyond licensing and interiors, Al Seha’s support extends into strategic positioning. Market Research: Identifying gaps in Dubai’s saturated market, ensuring each new clinic enters with a competitive edge. Brand Aesthetic Design: Aligning clinic interiors, digital identity, and marketing visuals to tell one cohesive story. Partnership Ecosystems: Linking clinics with international product suppliers, training workshops, and global conferences to stay ahead. Financing Models: The flexible payment structure is revolutionary in an industry where upfront costs often choke innovation. In effect, Al Seha is not just a consultant; it’s a co-creator of medical brands, offering a rare blend of compliance, creativity, and commerce.
Medical Tourism: The Billion-Dollar Magnet
Dubai’s appeal as a medical tourism hub is not accidental. The government has invested heavily in infrastructure like the Dubai Health Experience (DXH), positioning the city as a global health destination. Packages often combine procedures with luxury recovery stays patients might have a laser treatment followed by convalescence in a Palm Jumeirah villa or a week at a desert wellness retreat. This blending of tourism and treatment gives Dubai an unbeatable advantage. A patient flying from Moscow or Riyadh isn’t just coming for a procedure — they’re buying an experience that combines health, hospitality, and lifestyle.
For Business: contact@alsehaconsultancy.com Phone: +971508259483
The 12-Month Roadmap to a Fully Operational Clinic 40%Upfront: of project cost at initiation
