In the front house of the monumental farmhouse near star restaurant 't Ganzenest in Rijswijk, cosmetic doctor Magali van der Made opened her clinic Fave Medical Aesthetics. "It felt right away," the 39-year-old doctor explains. "Once, I philosophised with Erik Tas, chef of 't Ganzenest, about having my own practice here. When the premises became available, I was immediately sold. We did a lot of work to turn the old 'Juffrouw Jannie office' with suspended ceilings and carpets into a modern clinic."

For a long time, Van der Made worked in gynaecology with vulnerable pregnant women. "Interesting, but intense work," she summarises. Six years ago, doubts struck and she decided to focus on her other fascination: cosmetic medicine. "There are many doctors who do it on the side in an attic room, but I absolutely did not want that. It is a beautiful, broad profession with a lot of freedom to bend things to your will. So I went back to studying full-time and completed - as one of the first in the Netherlands - the training as a cosmetic doctor KNMG."

'Positive ageing'

Her approach is clear: embrace getting older. "I don't fight ageing. 'Positive ageing' is what I stand for," states Van der Made. "That means I bet on subtle restoration of volume and a 'full face approach', I don't create pronounced thick lips and bulging cheeks. Young girls I therefore do not help." As far as the doctor is concerned, there is a large psychological component to the treatment. "We take extensive time at intake to build rapport. Indeed, when answering the question of why people want treatment, deeper reasons often emerge, such as illness, divorce or menopause. We show that everyone is beautiful and that we work holistically to refresh the look or improve the skin."

Magali van der Made: 'I don't make pronounced thick lips and bulging cheeks'

For the latter, Van der Made has recruited the also-certified skin therapist Lynn Duijs for Fave Medical Aesthetics. "I work on the inside, with injectables and biostimulators that stimulate your own cells to produce elastin and collagen, Lynn works on skin conditions on the outside," she outlines the difference. "That combination ensures optimal natural results." Duijs adds: "My clients include those with rosacea, acne, pigmentation and sensitive skin. So these can also be young people, although there is usually overlap."

Commitment

Creating realistic expectations is also an important part of her profession for Duijs. "You can't undo years of skin ageing overnight, and acne doesn't disappear overnight either, although we can make real improvements over time."

This also requires commitment from the client, according to the skin therapist. "That means dealing with the sun differently, for example, but diet can also play a role and the use of certain care products. I mainly look at the anatomy of the skin: what exactly is going wrong? The 'recipe' is different for everyone."

Time for a tour of the brand-new clinic. "This is where I work," says Duijs as he steps into a spacious, bright practice room with a large bay window overlooking the Vliet river. "What more could you want when you are in the chair here?" Across the hall, up half a flight of stairs, is Van der Made's equally soothing treatment room. Again, a dominant role for the surrounding landscape. Although the rooms have a clinical feel, thanks to the soft earth tones and furniture with rounded shapes, they simultaneously feel like a warm wellness haven. "Renowned interior designer Rein Rambaldo, one of my best friends, helped me with the basics," Van der Made reveals.

Some work has been done to turn the 'Miss Jannie office' with suspended ceilings and carpeting into a modern clinic.

Angel

The equally beautiful reception area is the domain of Lisanne Heesen, Van der Mades right-hand man for appointments and administration. "An angel from heaven, because of Lies I still have a life," she winks. "Quite a coincidence that she came to work for me. I knew her from one of the clinics where I worked and we could read and write with each other. Later, I lost track of her, but when she heard through word of mouth that I was starting for myself, she immediately texted me. After one dinner, we were out." Skin therapist Duijs was also no stranger. "Years ago, I attended a training course with her once, back then I already thought: if I ever start for myself, I want Lynn on my team. And so it happened."

Fave

If it is up to Van der Made, Fave will eventually add another cosmetic dermatologist and a menopause consultant. "The practice space is already set up for minor surgical procedures like eyelid corrections and mole removal. That would be a nice addition. In addition, I want to offer help to clients with menopause complaints. This is still often a taboo subject, but there is a huge need for it among many women, including among my clients. And in terms of equipment, I want to add a laser device soon. Ah yes, I am bursting with ideas. Sometimes I get tired of myself."

www.fave-medical.nl