Appearances can be deceiving

The modern world places a lot of attention on physical appearance. It’s impossible to scroll through Instagram without seeing the idealised versions of women from all over the world, perceived to be living their best lives, filled with luxury, flawless skin, and beautiful clothes. It’s an illusion that can be detrimental to the selfesteem of women everywhere – and teenagers especially.

This has driven a rise in Botox, fillers, and other cosmetic procedures, as women feel a pressure to meet the beauty standards they’re bombarded with. Distressingly, this means that – if you scroll through Instagram – there’s a real chance that everyone will look broadly the same.

Amedics Clinic offers a different approach. Company founder Dr Ameera Laher told us that while they offer cosmetic procedures, they won’t perform what they deem to be unnecessary.

“If a young woman comes to us requesting fillers, for example, we approach it from a medical perspective, rather than just taking the work to keep the till active. It’s about talking to them as medical professionals to ensure It can be quite a cowboy industry – you need frighteningly few qualifications to pick up a knife or a needle and change someone’s appearance. Our clinic is doctor-led, with qualified medical professionals and strict, regulated treatment plans, so you know we’re safe, we’re ethical and we give the appropriate advice.”

Amedics will be adding to their portfolio of services this year, bringing in the likes of vitamin testing and nutritional assessments.

“We want to complement the services we already provide, so it’s not too big a bridge from one to the other. My end goal is to incorporate the healthcare, aesthetic, and cosmetic clinics under one umbrella. It’s about listening to our client base – who are 80% women – and learning what they need. Though we’re completely inclusive and gender neutral, and work with the LGBT community too.”

It’s about talking to them as medical professionals to ensure the person doesn’t have an undiagnosed condition like body dysmorphia

the person doesn’t have an undiagnosed condition like body dysmorphia. By blindly performing the procedure on her, we could actually make it worse.

“So we always ensure it’s in the best interest of the patient. Do they understand the pros and cons? Do they know the side effects? And are they psychologically ready to have this kind of treatment? The entire industry should be like that.”

This feels like a healthy approach to cosmetic enhancements, with either route offering a chance to build self-esteem. If you have a blemish, scar, or insecurity that you want to change, Ameera says the right procedure can lead to a massive boost in confidence and self-esteem. If it’s not a necessary change, they can hopefully help you to accept your natural beauty and build confidence in other ways.

“When we do perform a procedure, it’s actually quite fulfilling for us, because it gives the patient so much selfconfidence. A small tweak in your appearance can change your personality – you no longer need to hide the thing you’ve worried about, and you flourish.

“It’s about doing cosmetic procedures in an ethical way.