The Late Late Aesthetics Show, hosted by Vanessa Lana Brown (owner of VL Aesthetics in Carlisle), delivers expert insights and engaging discussions on all things skincare, aesthetics, and wellbeing.
Video Summary
In this compelling episode of The Late Late Aesthetic Show, host Vanessa sits down with Dr. Zoya, a powerhouse in the field of aesthetic medicine. With a fearless, evidence-based approach, Dr. Zoya discusses the delicate intersection of art, science, and ethics in a rapidly evolving industry. From Botox trends to regenerative treatments, this episode cuts through the hype to deliver informed, practical insights every patient and practitioner should hear.
The Problem with Aesthetic Trends: Are We Losing the Plot?
Dr. Zoya opens the conversation by addressing an increasingly visible issue: the overuse and misapplication of Botox and similar injectables. While Botox has legitimate medical uses—like treating migraines, jaw tension, or excessive sweating—its cosmetic overuse has become a cause for concern.
Trends like “Barbie Botox” and “lemon bottle lip flips” often lack clinical reasoning. As Dr. Zoya points out, cosmetic interventions must have a clear, personalized purpose. Following viral fads without considering anatomy, function, or long-term consequences compromises both patient safety and professional integrity.
“You are not a trend. You’re a person. These aren’t trousers you wear one day and toss the next.”
The Journey: From Histopathology to Aesthetic Visionary
Dr. Zoya didn’t begin her career in medicine. Initially studying French and Arabic, her pivot to medicine was born out of a profound personal experience. Eventually, she specialized in histopathology with a focus on cancer—before finding her creative release in aesthetic medicine.
This dual background in rigorous medical research and artistic expression gives her a unique edge: she combines clinical precision with an eye for natural beauty.
“I started aesthetics as a creative outlet from my high-pressure research career. But the science and innovation behind it kept pulling me deeper.”
Drawing the Line Between Beauty and Medicine
Patients often walk into clinics clutching celebrity photos, chasing unrealistic transformations. Dr. Zoya emphasizes that aesthetic medicine is about enhancing individual features, not cloning ideals. Beauty standards are fluid—shaped by culture, ethnicity, and social media—and should not dictate medical interventions.
There are two non-negotiables in her practice:
- Medical robustness: grounded in anatomical knowledge, regulatory standards, and continual training.
- Artistic integrity: enhancing natural beauty rather than imposing a one-size-fits-all ideal.
Best Trend: The Rise of Mounjaro for Weight Management
When asked about a trend that’s genuinely improving patient outcomes, Dr. Zoya highlights Mounjaro (Tirzepatide)—a GLP-1 receptor agonist used for weight loss under clinical supervision. Unlike crash diets, Mounjaro helps clinically obese patients kickstart long-term lifestyle changes. It’s not for everyone, especially not for those within a healthy BMI just looking to shed a few pounds.
Used correctly, it improves both physical health (reducing cholesterol, stabilizing blood sugar) and mental wellbeing (confidence, motivation).
“No aesthetic treatment has a bigger impact on internal health than this—when used properly.”
Worst Trend: Botox for Everything
Dr. Zoya strongly critiques the growing misuse of Botox for purely aesthetic and often unproven purposes—like narrowing the nose or elongating the neck. Not only are these applications unstudied, but their temporary effects and repetitive use can also lead to muscular imbalance and even resistance over time.
“There is no such thing as ‘preventative Botox.’ You do not need Botox in your twenties unless there’s a clear functional reason.”
She also avoids injecting toxin near the eyes due to the complex musculature and risks of asymmetry, emphasizing that too much, too soon, can cause more harm than good.
The Dangers of the Unregulated Aesthetic Market
One of the most urgent discussions in this episode centers on the wild-west nature of the UK’s aesthetic industry. Aesthetic medicine is a medical discipline everywhere else in the world—but in the UK, it exists in a legal gray zone.
From untrained injectors to fake products and misleading practitioner titles (“advanced aesthetic practitioner”), Dr. Zoya warns that patients must do their due diligence.
“The problem is not just non-medics. It’s also medics cutting corners. This isn’t about titles—it’s about ethics and adequate training.”
Fake Products and Black Market Risks
The proliferation of counterfeit devices and products—Botox, fillers, Morpheus8 tips—poses a serious health risk. Some clinics knowingly use unverified products to cut costs, compromising patient safety.
“Remember who your target audience is. Luxury brands don’t discount their integrity. Neither should we.”
Salmon Sperm Facials and Emerging Science
The infamous “salmon sperm facial” is neither sperm nor a facial. It’s actually an injectable treatment using polynucleotides—DNA fragments that may stimulate collagen and elastin production. Dr. Zoya calls it emerging science, with promising early results but lacking large-scale randomized control trials.
She applies a similar lens to collagen supplements, stem cell skincare, and exosomes: useful in theory, but often overmarketed without robust evidence.
“A lot of this industry is built on emerging science. But let’s call it what it is—not gospel, not snake oil.”
Future of Aesthetics: Regenerative Over Reactive
Dr. Zoya foresees the future of aesthetic medicine focusing on regenerative treatments—approaches that stimulate the body’s own repair mechanisms. Think biostimulators like Sculptra (which she praises for its scientific backing and NHS use for HIV-related lipoatrophy), and fractional lasers for collagen induction.
“Instead of masking symptoms with filler, we’re shifting towards treating the cause—cellular aging.”
Quickfire Takeaways:
- Desert island skincare: Broad-spectrum SPF
- Most underrated treatment: Fully ablative erbium YAG laser
- Most overrated trend: Russian lips and alien aesthetics
- Go-to skincare brand: iS Clinical—for its ethics, research, and cancer care integration
- Dream career if not a doctor: Histopathology researcher and interior designer
Final Thoughts: Beauty with Integrity
Dr. Zoya’s message is clear: aesthetic medicine is not a playground for trends or quick profits. It’s a medical discipline that requires rigorous training, ongoing education, and an unwavering ethical core.
Whether you’re a patient considering your first injectable or a practitioner navigating this evolving field, this episode is a reminder to treat beauty with the seriousness—and respect—it deserves.
“We’re not here to chase fads. We’re here to care for people—with knowledge, ethics, and artistry.”
Connect with Dr. Zoya:
- Instagram: @doctorzoya
- Clinic: Secret Aesthetics, Harvey Nichols, Birmingham
