Dr Radmila Lukian - Dubai’s artist of the aesthetic.

Meredith Damouni speaks to Dr Lukian about her story as an integral part of the Dubai Aesthetic industry and Doctor to the star.

MD: You know I’m a huge fan of your work, along with so many A-list celebrities, sports stars and CEOs! Tell us about the moment you found your calling with aesthetic surgery.

I had so many amazing and fascinating moments in my life. I find inspiration in sport (I have a super passionate and competitive personality) and I’ve always loved everything that is modern, unique and fast-paced.

I also have a creative and artistic spirit and a great eye for beauty in all aspects of life… people, arts, nature, fashion, even dance. There were certain moments with my clients and in my early career that I realized I was talented in aesthetic medicine, and I knew I could offer something special to this industry and my clients.

I love the combination of technology, anatomy, medicine, lifestyle, research — my job is always inspiring me. It’s a super creative field and always developing. Today is a very exciting period for dermatology in general and I love learning about all the latest technology and science that is always moving so fast.

Although, this field is difficult and you must work very hard to make an impact. Nothing comes easy, even for the talented.

Hard work, constant learning, general curiosity and adaptability are absolutely paramount to success in this field… and self-belief is also so important, so you can turn every adversity into ambition and every ambition into success. 

MD: Tell us a bit about your training.

I am a passionate, thorough and dedicated doctor - who maintains and restores human health through the practice of medicine, in my case, dermatology. 

A dermatologist is a doctor who specializes in conditions involving the skin, hair, and nails. We can identify and treat more than 3,000 conditions.

Aesthetic medicine was always fascinating me and as dermatology is linked with immunology, there is a lot of science, research and discovery which is perfect for the curious! I did my Masters and PHD in the field of nutrition and skin through some of the most prestigious European universities. 

Even until today - I never stop discovering, learning and developing myself as a doctor. 

Personally, it’s truly amazing, having the opportunity to learn something new and exchange knowledge, improve and evolve myself.

As a European and American board-certified physician I have been internationally recognized for my expertise and I’m extremely proud of this.

I have completed multiple training programs in aesthetic dermatology and anti-aging medicine in the USA, Switzerland, France, Italy, Germany, Singapore, Hong Kong, UK, South Africa, and Brazil amongst others.

I’ve worked  with the best and learned from the best experts today. 

I spend time teaching, learning and training other physicians in my field of dermatology and aesthetic procedure. 

The best way to improve your expertise is through one-on-one mentorship with  recognized global leaders and experts.

MD: What has been the most pivotal point of your career?

As a doctor, is during a congress in Europe when I was recognized, on the spot, as the most talented and best doctor based on my work. It was an incredible moment! 

As an entrepreneur, it has to be opening Lucia Clinic, where Dubai goes for beauty. 

• 

MD: Who has inspired you or motivated you the most in your career?

By nature, I am a sportswoman and I love competition.

My passion and drive for sports and striving for excellence had been a huge trigger - I’m always working to become a better version of myself. 

Having said that, I am in constant competition with myself!

Passion is the love for the thing that you're doing, and for me, passion is the fuel that inspires and drives me. It inspires loyalty, teamwork, hard work, and eventually, success.

I read somewhere that Steve Jobs used to have a portrait of Albert Einstein in his house. He wanted to remind himself of his vision and to use technology and design to change the world. 

I don’t have a portrait of Albert Einstein or any other famous person, thus I am always surrounded by the people in the clinic who are passionate about beauty and full of enthusiasm. 

MD: How do you feel when you give your patients back their confidence?

Inner beauty is just as important as outer beauty. First of all, I am a doctor who cares about all my patients. My job is to listen and understand my patients' concerns and customize a treatment plan that will satisfy and far exceed their expectations. 

Great doctors define empathy as 'the act of correctly acknowledging the emotional state of another without experiencing that state oneself.’ Beyond the field of medicine, empathy is an approach to understanding emotional resonance.

Through empathy and understanding, my goal is always to build confidence my patients.

A confident doctor inspires confidence in patients, and confidence is having trust in people, plans or the future. I am also a friend to my patients, as well as a physician. 

They trust my medical expertise and recommendations and look to me as a confidant to share in their life experience. 

I want them to feel comfortable sharing their medical concerns with me and for them to know that I am there to lend support in their life. I consider this to be part of my job and I love it.

MD: What’s the most gratifying experience you’ve had in helping a patient?

The relationship I build and maintain with my patients is definitely the best part of my job. I meet such a smart, interesting and diverse people every day. The most rewarding aspect of being a doctor is seeing people get better and grow in their life with your help, every day. 

The most amazing experience is to see that patients when they come back to you for the second or third visit, or years of visits - I see their trust in me and my work and this makes me happy.

Also totally gratifying is the powerful impact my whole team has on our patients’ health and well-being, this is often through many life stages.

MD: You have more than 20 years of experience, what are the three most important factors you think a patient should be aware of when looking for an aesthetic doctor?

#1 

We only get one precious face and taking excellent care of our skin to prevent premature aging is one of the best ways to show ourselves love. Your skin is unique and the largest organ of your body - skincare truly is healthcare. 

To understand your skin and gain knowledge on what is the best skincare for you - you should go only to the experts. This is why you should always go to a dermatologist. 

You must choose a dermatologist who has at least 10 years of experience. In medicine, experience is important. 

Also seek out a doctor who has experience treating different types of skin, highly education and pursues ongoing training. Of course, great communication skills and personal chemistry is also highly important.

#2

When you find a good dermatologist, keep him or her for the rest of your life!

And if you are living or visiting Dubai, or you did not find yet your perfect dermatologist - you can always visit Lucia Clinic, where Dubai goes for beauty. 

#3 

Always go for a doctor who is representative - check their skin and aesthetic style. Nobody is going to a doctor who does not take care of him or herself or doesn't have healthy, glowing skin. 

MD: Tell us about your wholistic philosophy of good living and beauty:

I am an advocate for balance through cosmetic dermatology, a healthy diet, stress reduction and regular exercise are also vital in skincare.

At Lucia Clinic, we emphasize the necessity of looking at the patient holistically rather than just, for example, their face. My skincare philosophy has always been to treat every patient’s skin as if it is my own. 

We are focusing on balance and longevity at Lucia Clinic. 

Every treatment is personalized because every client is different — the perfect beauty ritual is crafted just for you by our team. We embrace modern techniques and we use a holistic approach in supporting the body and skin to provide longer-lasting results. 

The face is part of the body and we always make sure that there is a synchronization between face and body, so our patients can age gracefully. 

This approach applies for the whole body - not only the face. 

Our approach is to address each layer of aging: volume loss, skin laxity, discoloration and wrinkles. With new cutting-edge techniques in the practice of aesthetic medicine, this is an ever-changing field where ever-changing technologies allow me to perfect noninvasive facial rejuvenation. 

At Lucia Clinic, we offer individualized care, where each of our patients receive their aesthetic blueprint, designed just for them. To guide them through the best nonsurgical treatments to rejuvenate, restore and give longevity to their beauty. 

MD: How do you best advise a patient who you feel is looking for the wrong procedure?

My patients have so many pressing responsibilities at home, at work, and in their communities. From the moment they enter Lucia Clinic, I want them to have a sense of calm and know that they are our first priority. When we give our professional advice and educate our clients to ensure they have all the information they need to make decisions about treatments and procedures. Constructive communication with our patients is highly important to us.

As doctors, we always develop positive, therapeutic relationships with our clients. Our job is to listen, understand our patients and ask the right questions.

MD: Tell us about your clinic - how did you come up with the concept for the space?

Why is your brand so unique?

The name Lucia comes from the word ‘luce’, meaning “light, shine, clear, bright, full of lightness;” and we strive to apply this term to the skin of every patient we treat. 

Our mission is to use new technologies for surgical, medical and beauty purposes,  providing the best new technologies, medical expertise, always with a passion for beauty. 

Everything is related to light - our soul, our life, our allure but light is also a technology: LED and laser light.

Our brand is unique because: 

• we always have knowledge and expertise with the latest equipment and techniques. 
• we are doctors. As The Hippocratic Oath said, "First not harm" (Latin: Primum non nocere). One of the oldest binding documents in history, the Oath is still held sacred by physicians: to treat the ill to the best of one's ability, to preserve a patient's privacy, to teach the secrets of medicine to the next generation, and so on.
• we have European taste, style, education with the latest USA technologies. 
• we are constantly growing and developing. 

MD: Tell us about the other doctors who work with you:

As the Chief Physical Dermatologist, I am the leader who is responsible for every procedure and new product, treatment or service. We are a synchronized team that has a similar way of thinking and the same mission.

Together we follow the latest research, developments and trends and we are regularly attending world congresses to share and learn, listening to our clients but and using our collective knowledge to set new trends.  

We have all worked very hard to be where are we today - we have an amazing team at Lucia Clinic, and for this I am very grateful and proud to have them by my side.

I truly believe that teamwork makes the dream work! 

MD: What are the 2 favorite treatments you offer at Lucia?

In our clinic, Lucia Aesthetic & Dermatology Centre located at the heart of Jumeirah, the most popular treatments in modern skincare procedures are: 

 For face 

• Nonsurgical facelift, 
• And lip augmentation

For Body 

• EMSculpt NEO - we are the first in the Middle East to have this revolutionary device. It is the first and only non-invasive body shaping procedure in the world that provides simultaneous fat elimination and muscle building. EMSCULPT NEO provides an average fat loss of 15% and average muscle growth of 16% in the target area. At Lucia Clinic we combine other treatments which can be a great addition to EMSculpt NEO. 

• Coolsculpting: a cosmetic treatment to remove areas of body fat. It works by freezing the fat cells from specific parts of the body. Plus, we are preparing a surprise there. 

MD:  What is the first question someone should ask themself before they look for an aesthetic procedure.

Actually, there are two questions. 

1. "When I see myself in the mirror, what is bothering me?"
2. "How do I choose my practitioner?" 

This is very difficult for those who don’t have recommendations from friends, which is the usual way that our clients generally find us.

Always follow your gut feeling and select carefully your dermatologist - most importantly, make sure they are qualified and that perform all treatments in a safe environment. 

MD: What’s the secret, in your opinion, to eternal beauty?

I believe in a comprehensive approach to healthy skin. Wellness involves proper nutrition, supplements, exercise and adequate sleep. When all factors are aligned, your body will function at its prime. 

1. Think healthy, live healthy. 
2. Visit a dermatologist and start a skincare routine, 
3. Keep your dermatologist for your entire life. 
4. Nourish your body, mind and soul. 
5. Do what makes you happy.

15. What’s the main reason for your success and how do you keep your brand relevant and ahead of the rest?

Listen to your customers. 

Talk to your customers regularly. 

Be involved, be flexible and up-to-date. 

Have a vision and stick to it.

Thankyou Dr Lukian, it’s always a pleasure talking beauty with you! 

Follow https://www.instagram.com/luciaclinic/

Find out more about Lucia Clinic at https://luciaclinic.com

Photography and production by Capital D Studio