Alice gets interviewed by Galderma’s CEO

Usually, when I meet someone important in the world of aesthetic medicine, I’m the one asking the questions. But this time the tables were turned: I was invited onto Beauty x Medicine, the podcast and video series from Galderma, makers – among other things, of Sculptra and Restylane –  to be interviewed by the company’s CEO, Flemming Ørnskov.

How I stumbled into aesthetic medicine

It was slightly unnerving – and a huge honour –  to find myself on the other side of the microphone, being asked about my career, my perspective on aesthetic medicine, and how I’ve watched the industry evolve since I first stumbled into it back in 1998. I explained how I was sent to investigate “doctors doing things to people’s faces with needles” for a London newspaper, and how I became captivated by a field that was just beginning to emerge. From that point on, I’ve been chronicling its growth, its controversies, and the massive impact that cosmetic procedures have had on our attitudes to ageing – and on our own faces.

Why ‘tweakments’? 

Flemming asked me about the term ‘tweakments’—a word I use to describe non-surgical cosmetic procedures. I admitted I worry sometimes that ‘tweakments’ makes these medical interventions sound too trivial, but it’s a word people understand. And  – now – it covers a huge range of treatments, from injectables and lasers to peels, energy-based devices and biostimulators.

Does the stigma still persist

We also explored why stigma around cosmetic treatments still lingers. I reckon much of it comes down to fear of “bad work.” Poor results grab attention (and, if these are on famous faces, spread like wildfire on social media), while the reality – that most people have safe, effective treatments with excellent outcomes – rarely makes headlines. I’ve always chosen to be open about my own experiences, showing what tweakments look like in real life and stressing the importance of finding properly trained, well-qualified practitioners, to try to help people understand this complex area better.

New trends in aesthetics 

We also talked about trends I see shaping the future: regenerative treatments that stimulate the skin to heal and renew itself, and a growing focus on wellness in aesthetics. Clinics are beginning to support patients more holistically, addressing eye health, intimate health, and general wellbeing alongside their aesthetic concerns.

We rounded things off with a discussion about how people can navigate this crowded space. My mantra is simple: do your research, ask the right questions, and never skimp on practitioner expertise.

We discussed a lot more besides, so if you’d like to watch the full interview, head over to YouTube or find the podcast on Spotify.