Cape Town’s glow doctor, Dr Fawzia Salie, breaks down the biggest beauty myths keeping South African women from feeling their most confident.
In the world of beauty, myths spread faster than TikTok trends. From “Botox freezes your face” to “skincare alone can erase pigmentation,” misinformation often leads to confusion — or worse, wasted time and money. Let’s separate fact from fiction.
Words by Dr Fawzia Salie, Aesthetic GP and Director of Aesthete, Cape Town
Myth 1: “Botox makes you look fake.”
Truth: When done correctly, Botox doesn’t change your face — it refreshes it. The “frozen” look comes from poor technique or over-treatment. My philosophy at Aesthete is always natural enhancement: softening expression lines without erasing the personality that makes you you. Think of it as editing a photo, not applying a filter.
Myth 2: “If you start fillers, you’ll have to keep doing them forever.”
Truth: Fillers naturally dissolve over time — usually within 6 to 18 months, depending on the product and area. You won’t “deflate” if you stop; you’ll simply return to your baseline. Many patients actually look better long term because fillers stimulate collagen production, subtly improving skin quality.
Myth 3: “Only older women get aesthetic treatments.”
Truth: Preventative treatments are one of the biggest shifts in modern aesthetics. Millennials and Gen Z are using small doses of Botox or skin boosters to delay visible aging, not reverse it. Prevention is easier — and more cost-effective — than correction.
Myth 4: “Dark skin doesn’t need sunscreen.”
Truth: Melanin offers some natural protection, but not enough to prevent photoaging or pigmentation. In South Africa’s intense UV climate, SPF is essential for all skin tones — especially for brown and Black skin prone to post-inflammatory pigmentation.
Myth 5: “Skincare can fix everything.”
Truth: Medical-grade skincare lays the foundation for healthy skin, but some concerns — like deep wrinkles, scarring, or volume loss — need in-clinic solutions. Treatments like chemical peels, microneedling, PRP, or laser can target what creams simply can’t reach. The best results come from a combination of at-home care and professional treatments.
Myth 6: “Aesthetics is vanity.”
Truth: Confidence is not vanity. Feeling comfortable in your own skin impacts every part of your life — how you show up at work, in relationships, even your mental health. Aesthetic medicine, when approached ethically, is not about changing who you are. It’s about helping you feel like your best self.
Final Word: Aesthetic medicine is both art and science — rooted in anatomy, safety, and balance. The best outcomes come from collaboration between patient and practitioner, guided by honesty and education, not trends or fear.
At Aesthete, we believe beauty isn’t created — it’s revealed.
About Dr Fawzia Salie:
Dr Fawzia Salie is a medical doctor with a special interest in aesthetic medicine and skin health. She is the founder and director of Aesthete, a leading medical aesthetics practice in Claremont, Cape Town. Known for her natural, ethical approach to injectables and skin rejuvenation, Dr Fawzia helps patients achieve confidence through subtle, balanced results.
“Confidence is not vanity — it’s self-care.”
Dr Fawzia’s Top 3 Glow Tips
1.Daily SPF is non-negotiable – SPF 50 for every skin tone, rain or shine.
2.Combine skincare with professional treatments – Your products are the foundation; in-clinic treatments are the results.
3.Start preventative aesthetics early – Small tweaks now save bigger corrections later, naturally.
Contact Details:
Dr. Fawzia Salie
Aesthetic Medical Practitioner Aesthete by dr Fawzia
+27 60 616 1416 | info@drfawzia.co.za @drfawzia_
@drfawzia_skin
www.drfawzia.co.za
+27823235915
