Dr Rozina Ali is a multi-award-winning consultant reconstructive and aesthetic plastic surgeon with almost 30 years of experience. Known for her patient-centred, regenerative approach, she focuses on anatomy, biology and individuality rather than trends. In this blog, she reflects on why modern self-care feels overwhelming, and why a simpler, expert-led path offers far greater value.
Recent research reported in Aesthetic Medicine Magazine revealed something I see every day with my patients: people are spending more than ever on beauty and wellness, yet feeling more overwhelmed than ever. British women are now spending an average of over £550 a month on beauty and wellness, with men close behind at over £430 a month. That is more than £6,000 a year for many people, yet over half say they feel confused, exhausted by trends and nostalgic for a time when self-care felt simpler, calmer and more natural. Almost everyone agreed on one thing: we need to step back. I couldn’t agree more.
We live in an age of viral memes, miracle claims and endless “must-haves.” Social media feeds are now saturated with beauty and wellness content, with under 40s estimating around a quarter of what they see online is telling them what to buy next. One week it’s a supplement, the next a device, the next a facial that promises to change your life in 20 minutes. The result is not clarity, it is noise. And when you are surrounded by noise, it becomes very hard to hear what your own body and skin are actually asking for. So stop. Don’t spend, Invest.
My philosophy has never been about trends or templates. I don’t chase what is fashionable. I look for what is true, what is enduring, and what works with your biology rather than against it. The skin is the largest organ of the body, a living, breathing structure that acts as our natural barrier, insulating us against dehydration, sunlight, pollution and the many elements that drive accelerated ageing.
Having spent almost 30 years in plastic surgery, I see skin not as a surface, but as a complex organ system that reflects both our inner health and our external environment. That is why timeless beauty is never built on hype. It is built on consistency, protection, repair and respect for your own nature.
If you want skin that ages well, understand and simplify. Start with the fundamentals. Sleep is not a luxury, it is treatment. Hydration is not optional, it is essential. Food is not just fuel, it is information for your cells. Movement is not punishment, it is circulation, oxygen and renewal. These ideas are not glamorous, but they are powerful. Almost every patient who tells me their skin is “suddenly ageing” is also sleeping badly, is dehydrated, is stressed, and often overloading their skin with products. When skin is stressed or inflamed, aggressive Actives only make things worse.
So be gentle:- cleanse without stripping all the skin oils, hydrate deeply, protect with sunscreen every day, because UV damage is still the number one cause of premature ageing. Use therapeutic serums that address YOUR needs. At night, focus on repair. That alone can restore balance for many people. You can buy every product under the sun, but if your skin is not functioning well, you will not see value from your investment.
This is where expertise and guidance matters. Instead of spending hundreds of pounds each month chasing trends which suit other skins, invest once in a proper consultation, a full skin assessment and a clear plan for YOU. When you understand your skin, you stop wasting money on things you wont benefit from or do not need. The same principle applies to aesthetic treatments. In a world obsessed with instant fixes, I take a more moderate path, the “little and often” approach. Beauty that lasts is not built in one dramatic moment. It is shaped gradually, intelligently and respectfully over time.
That is why regeneration is central to my work. Using fat, PRP, stem cells, polynucleotides and exosomes, factors to support the skins ability to repair and renew. Regenerative treatments are not about drama, they are about quality: better skin, better elasticity, better healing, better longevity.
Self-care is not about purchase power, it is about thoughtful consideration, it is about caring better.
Do you hydrate? Do you sleep? Do you protect your skin from the sun? Do you manage stress before it writes itself on your face? I am relentless about sunscreen because UV damage is cumulative and unforgiving. I advise moderation with social alcohol, smoking, sugar, stress, sun and sleep deprivation. Take care of the six S’s and you’ll take better care of yourself. Self-care is literally self-preservation!
Technology can support you, but it does not replace the basics. Exfoliation, Peels, collagen induction, injectables and facials are all available to support your skin in: healing, repair, regeneration. So if you are tired of trends, tired of noise, tired of being told you need more. We say, do less, sleep more, simplify your routine and still the noise.
Protect your future. Nurture your skin. Invest in expertise
