Dr. Vaisov: A Dream That Reached the World

You have a rare sense of calm and inner composure. Is this your nature, or has your profession shaped you this way?

By nature, I have always felt as though something remained unfinished, which is why I learned to see everything through to completion. True peace, however, came with my morning ritual. I wake up at five, spend time in silence — it is my personal meditation that gives me strength and clarity for the entire day.

Do you remember the moment when you first felt: "I am exactly where I’m meant to be"?

During my internship abroad, I saw what modern laser dermatology clinics should look like, and I developed a dream — to bring that same level to Tashkent, to Uzbekistan. When I opened my clinic and managed to realize what I had envisioned, I finally felt I was in the right place.

You grew up in a family of doctors. How does that shape a child?

Both my mother and father are physicians, so medicine surrounded me from an early age. My father often took me to work, I attended meetings with my mother, and at home I was literally immersed in thick medical books. In third grade, in an essay titled "What Do You Want to Be?", I wrote: "I will become a doctor and treat ‘boo-boos’." My mother still keeps it. All of this gradually formed in my mind and ultimately led me to medicine.

Was there ever a moment when you wanted to choose a different path?

In the 1990s, being a doctor did not seem promising — the income was low. My friends enrolled in law school and economics institutes, and I saw myself in business. By tenth grade, a friend and I were already running a small stall at Alay Bazaar, selling cigarettes and juices. But my father insisted, and I entered medical school. Even after enrolling, I continued working at UzDunrobita — starting as a junior information desk specialist and eventually becoming deputy head of the leasing department. The turning point came in my fourth year. When I began taking night shifts in general surgery and was allowed to assist in operations, surgeons noticed my talent and strong potential. That was when I first became genuinely passionate about medicine.

Tell us about your first device. How did the history of laser medicine in Uzbekistan begin?

Laser medicine in Uzbekistan dates back to the Soviet era, specifically to the Vakhidov Center of Surgery. Later, I listened with great interest to lectures by Professor Eduard Grigoryevich Kim — a friend of my father who owned the only erbium laser Dermablade in the country, made in Germany. I listened in awe, thinking such equipment was nearly unattainable for us. After defending my PhD in 2005, my father sent me to Moscow to study at a laser medicine center. It was there, while observing a physician from Iran at work, that I truly became inspired. Upon returning to Tashkent, my father bought me my first Chinese CO₂ laser for removing skin lesions. In 2012, I took a decisive step — I secured a large loan using the clinic building as collateral and purchased an American Sciton Joule device worth $250,000. Many advised against it, considering it too risky. But my mentor from the United States said: "If no one in Central Asia has it yet, take it — you won’t regret it." I took the risk, and he was right. The device is still functioning flawlessly. That was the true beginning of my journey in laser aesthetic dermatology. Today, I write books for physicians, train specialists, and consider this my main contribution to the development of the field in Uzbekistan.

What sets you apart as a specialist?

I am not a cosmetologist — the term does not resonate with me. I practice aesthetic dermatology, which is a science-based approach. The condition of the skin reflects inner health, which is why I believe the focus should be not on the symptoms, but on their underlying cause. Additionally, working with lasers requires a deep understanding of the physics of light. This allows me to precisely grasp the mechanism of each device and configure them with maximum efficiency.

What is currently the most dangerous trend in the aesthetics industry?

The pursuit of quick results without understanding the consequences. The mass use of fillers, especially in the lower third of the face, lifting threads that cause tissue fibrosis, as well as products and substances lacking solid evidence.

People want results "quickly and effortlessly". Is that a utopia?

Unfortunately, yes. It is possible to change one’s appearance quickly, but it almost always leads to negative consequences over time. Truly beautiful and healthy skin requires time, a systematic approach, and professionalism. Quick solutions in aesthetics are almost always an illusion.

Do you refuse patients?

Sometimes. For example, a young woman may come in with a photo of a model and ask for the same lips, but her facial structure is completely different. I explain that it would disrupt her proportions and refuse. I also do not take patients with contraindications or those with unrealistic expectations. For me, achieving a good result is more important than simply earning money. Everything must work in harmony.

What percentage of the result depends on the device, and how much on lifestyle?

A device can account for 30–70 % of the result, depending on the issue. It works well in a targeted way — for example, removing vascular lesions or pigmentation. But without proper lifestyle and care, the result fades quickly. A comprehensive approach is essential: the device, sun protection, adherence to the doctor’s recommendations, and a healthy lifestyle. Only then does the effect last.

You work with a large number of women. How have they changed over the past 10 years?

The changes are very noticeable, and for the better. Modern Uzbek women increasingly value natural beauty. They no longer want to dramatically alter their faces, as was once common. The main goal is to look fresh, well-rested, and well-groomed — so that no one can quite tell what has changed. The best compliment is when loved ones say: "You look so good, as if you’ve just come back from a holiday". That is what they strive for now.

And men?

Men today take better care of themselves: they invest in skincare and undergo hair removal procedures. They are more straightforward and pragmatic when it comes to payment: if a problem needs solving, they do not bargain or delay. One of the most convenient patients is a satisfied, results-oriented man. Mature and public figures prefer results that are as subtle as possible — without pain or visible traces the next day.

What do you consider true beauty today?

It is harmony when appearance aligns with one’s inner state. A person may be dressed simply, but if they radiate from within, they are beautiful. When there is negativity and arrogance, no outward appearance can compensate for it. Beauty without inner harmony falls flat.

Your wife is also a doctor. Does this strengthen your union or make it more complicated?

It definitely strengthens it. We work as one team, each within our own domain. My wife focuses on internal rejuvenation — assessing genetic predispositions, correcting deficiencies, and developing personalized biohacking protocols. I work with the external manifestations of aging. This synergy allows us to complement each other, significantly enhancing patient outcomes.

Would you like your children to continue your work, or do you give them freedom of choice?

I give my children complete freedom in choosing their profession. At the same time, I would truly like someone to continue my work. My eldest son studies at New York University and is passionate about physics, mathematics, and programming. My younger son and eldest daughter want to become doctors, which makes me very happy. I try to set an example for them and show how fascinating it is to be a good doctor and to do what you love.

You are opening a clinic abroad — in the Middle East. Why now, and why this market?

I visited one of the Middle Eastern countries and instinctively felt that this market aligns with our vision. There is strong demand for premium aesthetic medicine and a well-established culture of beauty among both women and men. At the same time, many people experience skin-related concerns, and there is less emphasis on sports and healthy living. We believe that with our approach and standards, we can build a solid presence there. Currently, we are developing a large new clinic in Tashkent with a focus on anti-aging, and our priority is to fully establish and refine our system here before bringing this experience and these standards to the Middle East.

You must have received offers to work abroad. Why did you stay in Tashkent?

I have received multiple offers — from the UAE, Kazakhstan, and Europe — but I have always declined them. I had a dream: to build a high-level clinic in Uzbekistan, one that would attract people from other countries. For me, it comes from a deep love for my homeland. I am also strongly connected to my roots — I cannot stay abroad for long; after just a week, I already start to miss home and pilaf.

Are you personally afraid of aging?

No. I used to think that 50 meant old age. Now I am almost 50, but I feel 36-38. Aging does not frighten me. I want to maintain a sense of curiosity in old age, to travel with my wife and walk hand in hand with her. The most important thing is to preserve kindness, light, and inner calm. Then even at 90, the face will remain beautiful.

You work with aging every day. What accelerates it the most?

Four things: smoking, alcohol, chronic stress, and unprotected sun exposure. Smoking and alcohol are the most destructive. If a person continues to smoke and drink frequently, no procedures will help preserve youth and skin quality.

Is there a boundary where aesthetics should stop?

Of course. Aesthetics must stop where it can no longer deliver a good result. For example, if a woman over 60 comes with severe tissue sagging, I honestly say that cosmetology will not help here — it is better to consult a plastic surgeon. Cosmetology can maintain skin quality but cannot radically resolve pronounced ptosis. In such cases, I always choose honesty over ineffective procedures.

In your opinion, what is the true meaning of the work of an aesthetic medicine doctor today?

Not just to make people more beautiful, but to restore their self-confidence and joy of life. At a time when new technologies emerge every day, a doctor must continuously learn and keep pace with progress. Only then can we provide patients with modern, safe, and truly high-quality results.