Dr Marwa Ali Performs Non-Invasive Procedures at The Harrods Wellness Clinic in London
“I like a light-handed approach. I believe that the result of any aesthetic procedure should look as natural as possible,” states Dr Marwa Ali, resident aesthetic doctor at The Wellness Clinic at Harrods in London. She is trading invasive procedures in favor of “tweakments,” backing the revolution that is sweeping the world of cosmetic surgery. “Gone are the days of the frozen forehead look and over Botox-ed or over-filled faces,” she continues. “My aim is to make my patients look well-rested and refreshed rather than ‘done.’”
She works with a number of precise treatments tailored to each of her clients, thereby creating a program that enhances rather than overpowers each patient’s natural features.
It was while completing her studies at Queen Mary University of London that she discovered cosmetic dermatology. “It provided me with the perfect balance of applying my medical knowledge and simultaneously expressing my artistic flair,” recalls the London-born doctor of Iraqi descent. Since joining Harrods in 2017, following work at the prestigious PHI Clinic, she’s treated everyone from London’s high society to Middle Eastern royalty. Dr Ali understands her clients’ needs, says Danish TV personality Caroline Fleming. “Dr Ali gets as close to perfect beauty as anyone ever can.” Word spread quickly of her work. “My friend recommended Dr Ali. She did an amazing PRP facial for me,” says Dubai-based stylist Nicole Majdalany. “She explains all of the science behind it and is very technical. When I’m next in London, I will be visiting her again.”
Originally published in February 2019 issue of Vogue Arabia
Dubbed the queen of injectables, the 32-year-old doctor has become synonymous with her non-invasive treatments, including baby Botox (smaller doses of Botox targeting specific muscles), the medical nose job (strategically placed filler to reshape the nose), the Nefertiti neck lift (administering more than 100 small injectables into the jaw and neck area), and the M lift (a thread facelift). “Using a combination of hyaluronic acid fillers, Botox, and threads, I can combat a number of aging issues in one sitting with no downtime for the patient,” she says.
Dr Ali looks to prevention rather than waiting to address the different changes that occur to the face as it ages, such as sagging skin and wrinkles. Seeing her clients regularly also ensures the right treatment plan. “Each patient must be given a thorough consultation with me. I look at the visual signs of aging and talk through lifestyle and other health factors before determining the right course of treatment.” Integrity is also key. Many patients arrive at her clinic with their own idea of a treatment plan built from what they have seen on the internet and social media. “I often have to turn away patients who request treatment I deem excessive,” she shares. “I’m very open and honest about my reluctance to perform the particular procedure.”
Dr. Marwa Ali
Her career hasn’t come without its share of obstacles, though. Aesthetic medicine is known for being a predominantly male-dominated industry. “Advancing in this area of expertise can be challenging for women,” she explains. “Let alone a woman wearing a headscarf from a minority group within the Western world.” Dr Ali is an enthusiast of modest dressing and will regularly envelop her petite frame in her staple Balmain blazer or pieces by Elie Saab, Chanel, and Roland Mouret. But she has a knack for turning challenges to her advantage – a trait she undoubtedly learned from being a single mother to her eight-year-old son, Ahmed. “I believe having an open mind, positive attitude, and the determination to work hard to refi ne my skills have allowed me to progress in my career.” Of her success, she muses: “I never thought it possible to have found work that matched all my passions and skill set more than aesthetic medicine does.” In her downtime, she boosts her positive energy while learning from her favorite book, Rhonda Byrne’s The Secret. “If you have passion and drive, there really is no limit to what you can achieve,” the doctor concludes.
DR MARWA ALI’S TOP 3 NON-INVASIVE AESTHETIC TREATMENTS
Baby Botox
“The artful administering of Botox injections to specific areas of the face. Botox paralyzes the muscle and stops it from contracting and creating a wrinkle. Popular areas are the forehead and eye contour, where the first signs of aging develop. There is no downtime and results last for six months.”
From US $320 to $1200 (depending on the number of areas treated)
Tear Trough Treatment
“Hyaluronic acid filler is strategically injected via a cannula to the undereye area. Hyaluronic acid is naturally found within the body and helps to hydrate the skin from within. By treating the undereye with microdroplets of hyaluronic acid filler, the appearance of dark circles, which can appear as a result of loss of volume as we age, is reduced.”
From US $880
Nefertiti Neck Lift
“The neck is often overlooked when it comes to anti-aging treatments, yet over time, the jawline can lose definition and muscle tone. By administering more than 100 small injections of baby Botox to the jawline and neck, we can lift and tighten the skin, resulting in a sharper and more defined jawline.”
From US $820
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