The top doctors at the Ioanna Regen Clinic are experts from various fields, from cardiology and endocrinology, nutrition and dermatology, to anesthesiology and plastic surgery. Their primary concern is achieving exceptional aesthetic results and preserving the patients’ health and natural appearance.
Our interlocutor, one of the most respected doctors in non-operative aesthetic medicine, mesotherapy and anti-ageing medicine in Europe, is a born leader and innovator. Her understanding of beauty and aesthetics does not fit into templates because she looks at the bigger picture and the patient as a whole, which puts her and her clinic at the very top of Europe and the world.
Thirty years ago, you came to Belgrade to study at the Faculty of Medicine and stayed. How did the choice fall on Serbia?
I didn’t have a concrete plan to study here. Still, the recommendation of my father’s friend, who was then the military attaché of the Greek Embassy in Belgrade, influenced my decision. At that time, entering the Faculty of Medicine in Greece was extremely difficult. Only 100 students have enrolled annually at all seven medical faculties in the country, so many, who failed to enrol in their own country, often went to other countries to study.
At that time, Yugoslavia was an extremely popular destination for studying because it had a high standard of education. At that time, many Greeks studied in Belgrade. They often decided to study at DIF, defectology, dentistry, medicine, pedagogical academy… In addition, my father’s friend, who recommended Yugoslavia to us, said that it is the best country in the region where Serbs live, who are very similar to us in terms of religion and customs. Also, at that time, there were a lot of Greek shops, restaurants and cafes in Belgrade. Thanks to this joint decision, I am in Belgrade today and very happy about it.
Are you aware that you have been creating aesthetic trends for decades?
One of the key factors is an exceptional talent, by which everyone recognises me, which can only come from God. It combines a deep love for people, a desire for healing and a passion for medicine. From a young age, I had a clear vision that I wanted to become a doctor, and it was clear to me that my skills would be used in the best way because I was brought up in the spirit that the well-being of people must be above our personal interests. This is how my parents, who also dedicated themselves to humanitarian work, raised me. Helping others has always been a part of our lives. We help others, which will always be a key value in our lives.
On the other hand, I have extensive education and knowledge that goes beyond the limits of conventional doctors. Through hard work and perseverance, I obtained three master’s degrees, a doctorate and four subspecialisations. This is where my love for people with extensive knowledge meets. I would also like to mention how I approach patients, my sense of medicine and my ability to combine therapies. Through training, I gained knowledge in various fields of medicine. For example, I completed training in mesotherapy in Paris, which I later connected with aesthetic, anti-ageing, and regenerative medicine. I am constantly improving myself because medicine is constantly advancing, so I think keeping up with all the innovations is very important. That’s why I visited six world congresses in just six months.
My years of experience have brought me to the point where I can confidently provide fully personalised treatment combinations for each patient
Also, I have the privilege of being a professor at the school of aesthetic medicine and an educator for various preparations and materials such as hyaluronic, botox, collagen stimulators, and regenerative medicine. I share my passion for medicine with many young people and am pleased they follow my work. Having support and satisfied patients gives you extra motivation and a desire to become even better.
Regarding patient requests, do you have strong opinions on what not to do, red lines that you don’t cross?
The most reputable and prestigious schools in Europe are those that deal with mesotherapy, and their success on the exam is uncertain if the professor notices the treatments performed. My view is that we achieve optimal results when we use minimal doses of substances. Certainly, the most successful treatment is the completely imperceptible one, which does not cause excessively pronounced cheekbones, mouth or raised eyebrows and does not change the natural appearance of the face. In aesthetic medicine, the key priorities are preserving the patient’s health and natural beauty without disturbing the facial anatomy. Personally, I don’t follow eccentric trends like “cat eyes” or “Russian lips”. Medical indications always guide me adapted to the patient’s needs, considering factors such as age, social status and professional obligations. I try to make patients look extremely beautiful and as natural as possible.
The popular practice of hyperdosing and over-increasing is not practised in my clinic. I prefer to take a gradual approach over time. If patients insist on such extreme interventions, I usually refuse them and recommend that they seek the advice of a psychologist to understand the reasons and desires for an extreme change in personal description. Such patients most often believe that by changing their physical appearance, they will also change their life and emotional status and become more attractive to themselves and others. However, such changes are usually superficial. The point is to achieve a balance between mind, body and spirit, and if one feels an extreme need for change, it is really important to consult with an expert.
You have assembled a team of top experts from Serbia and abroad in various specialities. How important is a unique, holistic, comprehensive multidisciplinary approach that sets your clinic apart?
In practice, I am most happy and truly proud when our patients are continuously happy and satisfied. Our primary concern is achieving exceptional aesthetic results and preserving our patient’s health and natural appearance. We know that the key factor in achieving this goal is our team of top doctors, including experts from various fields such as cardiology, endocrinology, nutrition, dermatology, anesthesiology and plastic surgery. All team members share the same philosophy: maintaining health is a priority, and aesthetic results result from that holistic approach.
Our team consists of experts from Greece, Japan, France and other countries, who are our collaborators, and we all have the same goal – preserving the health of our patients because we believe that a healthy body is the basis for achieving true beauty. This collaboration allows us to improve our expertise and constantly learn from different medical traditions.
We will continue to provide new services, treatments and healing methods in accordance with the latest developments in regenerative medicine
I will give you a concrete example so that you can better understand our approach. I will mention the use of hyaluronic fillers. When we apply high-quality fillers to a patient, they typically provide results that last a year, provided our instructions are followed. However, if the patient has a hormonal imbalance or a thyroid gland problem, the filler can be shortened to five to six months. We first focus on healing patients with appropriate therapy because we know that patient satisfaction and long-term results go hand in hand. The material’s durability is a consequence of the organism’s external and internal state balance.
In addition to our treatments, patients should use adequate and high-quality cosmetics and supplements and follow all our skin care instructions. Also, it is important to achieve the internal balance of the organism so that all our treatments have a long-term effect. We believe that achieving balance and equilibrium is key to patients’ overall health and beauty.
You often point out that you are happy that your colleagues are more successful or better than you. That’s not exactly a common attitude. Do you believe that a good team guarantees the safety of patients and that safe patients guarantee the clinic’s safety?
I believe that every sane person tends to associate with intellectually superior persons. There is always an opportunity to learn from those who are smarter than us. I feel proud because of the high professional reputation of my fellow doctors in their professions, which is often higher than my own. For example, our dermatologist is the president of the Association of Dermatologists of Serbia, and our cardiologist ranks general in the Serbian Army. Our doctors are recognised and well-known names both in the country and beyond. Therefore, patient safety and well-being are always our primary concern.
In my long career, I have never intervened or entered into situations where I would have questioned the satisfaction of the patients or the quality of the service provided. After patients see our doctors, they usually don’t feel the need to seek a second opinion from other doctors. Having such eminent colleagues to work with is a true blessing. I know patients can be completely safe and their health is not at risk. The collegiality and team spirit that exists among all of us enables not only a pleasant working environment but also outstanding results. Satisfied patients are the best indicator of our success, and I am truly satisfied because they feel safe with us.
As a doctor and professor, you give presentations in companies and speak at congresses and professional meetings. Do you cooperate with world clinics and hospitals? Do you receive patients from the region and the rest of Europe?
As a doctor, instructor, and educator, I have worked regularly in ten cities and countries for almost two decades. In my career, I had the privilege of attending numerous congresses and lectures to which I was invited. At the same time, my work in clinics allows me to meet patients who are known in public life and politics. They are looking for someone like me, who values a natural look as the highest value.
When philanthropy becomes the essence of our way of life, when it is sincere and comes from the heart, it is the most beautiful thing in the world – the opportunity to do good to others
Patients have different wishes and expectations. I often meet with patients who do not want any changes in appearance. On the other hand, I have patients who decide exclusively on regenerative medical treatments and do not want botox and fillers but to maintain the skin’s quality, structure and tone. I am proud to point out that I am one of the few doctors with the knowledge and skill to rejuvenate the skin naturally. My long-term experience of intensive and daily work has brought me to the point where I can confidently provide completely personalised treatment combinations for each patient.
We have available a wide range of materials such as growth factors, peptides, amino acids, vitamins, deep mesotherapy, PRP and various other techniques that provide a regenerative look. The results of my work are the high demand for my services in the country and abroad. My patients have full confidence in me, knowing they will receive an effective, fast, individually tailored treatment program to preserve their health and beauty. My passion and dedication enable me to achieve their goals and always strive to provide superior service.
Thanks to you, anti-ageing medicine has also become a “serious medicine” branch here. Does this mean that the trend is to rejuvenate the whole body, not just tighten the skin of the face and body, erasing wrinkles…?
Of course, the trend is to rejuvenate the entire organism, not just the skin of the face. In the field of regenerative medicine, my work has become recognisable in Serbia and beyond, which is particularly significant considering that well-known doctors are usually specialists in cardiology, gynaecology, neurosurgery, oncology and similar fields.
Through my long-term investment in myself and many interviews, lectures at professional meetings and adapting to new trends, I created a unique holistic approach that differs from other clinics and doctors. Our focus is to provide the best possible health care, where the patient’s health comes first, followed by aesthetics and beauty. Our goal is for patients to live a beautiful old age, preserving and improving their health.
Although we cannot stop the ageing process, we can slow it down and allow patients to enjoy a quality life during their senior years. More and more people realise that prevention is key and that preventing disease is much better than treating it. For example, regular health examinations and laboratory analyses, in cooperation with an adequate medical team, enable early detection of potential problems and take appropriate measures. Anti-ageing medicine is not only about using Botox or hyaluronic acid injections but is essentially a balance between body, mind and beauty. In conclusion, my work and engagement in anti-ageing medicine contribute to the comprehensive rejuvenation of the body, not just superficial skin tightening. Through a holistic approach that integrates health and aesthetics, I strive to provide patients with the best possible results and guide them towards health preservation and self-satisfaction.
In medicine, especially in these areas that are your speciality and specialisation, things change very quickly. Can we hope for new services, treatments and healing methods at the Ioanna Regen Clinic?
At the Ioanna Regen Clinic, we constantly follow the rapid changes in medicine, especially in the areas that are our speciality and specialisation. Our commitment to innovation is reflected through regular attendance at world congresses and educations, where we are able to follow the latest trends and the use of new materials in anti-ageing medicine that are constantly being developed. I am happy to announce that at the Ioanna Regen Clinic, we will continue to provide new services, treatments and treatment methods in accordance with the latest achievements in regenerative medicine.
We always focus on healing first, with appropriate therapy, because we know that patient satisfaction and long-term results go hand in hand.
Our focused research is aimed at rejuvenating organs, primarily the skin. Still, we will also devote ourselves to rejuvenating the gynaecological apparatus and the urological system and applying biological therapies in orthopaedics and traumatology for fast and effective wound closure. I especially want to emphasise the importance of biological therapies that use growth factors and stem cells, aiming to regenerate the liver, heart and other vital organs. This comprehensive branch of medicine aims at prevention but also can reduce problems if a defect has already occurred and help in tissue regeneration.
Therefore, I can proudly say that regenerative medicine is on the rise at the Ioanna Regen Clinic, including aesthetic and anti-ageing medicine and preventive approaches. We continue to develop and adapt to new trends to provide our patients with the latest and most effective treatment methods in the world of anti-ageing medicine.
We must also mention your humanitarian work, good deeds and the donations you give joyfully, with a full heart. Why is philanthropy important?
Philanthropy is extremely important for several reasons. First, it is deeply rooted in upbringing and strongly connects with Orthodoxy. It’s always important to share with others and be able to help. Helping is one of the most beautiful feelings we can experience. A person who is happy to help also feels happy when they are kind to him. Happiness and satisfaction must not be limited only to ourselves. Each of us can make other people happy because it is a great gift from God.
Philanthropy not only requires material donations but can also involve giving time and attention to others. The purpose is to listen, support others, and provide good advice and recommendations. Personal attention and care can be just as valuable as financial support. I realised that the more we give, the more we get, but that is not why I do philanthropy. It becomes part of our nature, rooted in our being and upbringing. That’s how I was raised from childhood, and that’s how I raise my child. I am teaching her to keep her belongings and later give them to children who have no parents or are without anyone. When a child is brought up that way, it is natural that he will continue on that path.
It is important to note that true philanthropy is selfless and has no interest. Unfortunately, we are witnessing that some organisations present themselves as humanitarian but work for personal interests, promotion or satisfying their own complexes. When philanthropy becomes the essence of our way of life, when it is sincere and comes from the heart, it is the most beautiful thing in the world – the opportunity to do good to others.
I am very happy and proud to have the opportunity to help children with special needs get an education both in the country and abroad. These children often have special health challenges such as blindness or disabilities. Also, I actively support the restoration of churches and monasteries because I want to contribute to preserving our tradition, faith and history. Being able to help those in need, sleep soundly and have a clear conscience gives me happiness and fulfilment. These experiences only need to be experienced to understand their true value.