S3, Ep6 – In conversation with Dr Wassim J Taktouk
31 March 2023
Amongst our guests on Life & Smile Dr Reena is always personally so inspired by the contrasting industries that she can explore and delve deeper into through these exclusive conversations in each episode. Often image, personal branding and self-confidence play major roles across each industry.
For Dr Reena as a dental expert, gum aesthetics are at the forefront of the specialist dental industry and therefore in this episode of Life & Smile the topic of aesthetics is brought into the spotlight.
In this exclusive episode Dr Reena is joined in discussion with one of the most recognisable names within the industry. As a renowned Cosmetic Doctor, Dr Wassim J Taktouk is the industry go-to, highly celebrated and passionate about maintaining incredibly natural results. We give you exclusive access behind the scenes of how he makes it work so effortlessly on a day-to-day basis.
Conversation Show Notes – The Recap
Dr Wassim J Taktouk joins Dr Reena fresh from a day in his clinic down in SW, just a short cab ride away from Harley Street. The conversation begins by rewinding to the beginning in the classic Life & Smile format. After moving back to the UK in 2005 from Sydney, Dr Wassim qualified as a GP and spent the following ten years serving in the Emergency Department at London’s Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.
He enjoyed the pace of urgent care, as it was fast-paced with slightly less extensive paperwork compared to other roles. However, after ten years, and not being the type of person who could easily switch off after work, he was ready for the next stage in his career.
At some point during this period, Dr Wassim describes being invited to attend a Botox course (joking about how he was initially mortally offended). Despite his initial reservations, he went ahead, trained further in Botox and fillers, and began treating family and contacts. Through word of mouth, he became busier and busier—this was before the power of social media, so growth was slower and more organic. Gradually, he was able to drop a day in A&E, then another, and before he knew it, the balance had shifted. His mindset had changed as well: he was now working with patients who were thrilled to see him in a specialty that was still relatively new. He began collaborating with key figures in the industry, building his database, and eventually launching his own clinic as a natural progression—a dream he had always held.
His impressive background has now established him as the ‘go-to’ expert for some of the most discerning faces in the industry. He’s gained recognition from international publications like Tatler, Vogue, ELLE, Harper’s Bazaar, ES, and The Guardian. He now works on his own terms, which is refreshing. For instance, he prefers not to have more than one person in the waiting room and carefully curates his appointment times. Dr Wassim schedules a full week, typically with five days of clinic and a day of teaching. However, he enjoys the flexibility of setting his own diary and maintaining full control.
As a regular face in the media, Dr Wassim has appeared on BBC’s The Truth About Cosmetic Treatments and ITV’s This Morning. When it comes to tips for being in front of the camera, he says people are either naturally comfortable or not. Dr Wassim admits that not over-preparing often helps, but also suggests meeting the person you’ll be speaking or featuring alongside beforehand, so when you’re in front of the camera, it feels more natural and less awkward. He emphasizes that ignoring the camera crew is vital—just be yourself and familiarize yourself with the people around you.
For his favourite treatments, his ‘bread and butter’ is Botox, which he has always loved. He also has a strong interest in fillers, particularly because of the instant gratification they provide. He’s always focused on skin quality as a whole—because if the skin isn’t glowing and healthy, the results won’t be as desired. That’s why he views laser resurfacing as key.
Dr Wassim is popular and renowned for his dedicated social media following. We’re in an era where digitalization and consumer demand for instant access have radically changed how we communicate and work. He shares how he was initially anti-social media at the start of his career and couldn’t imagine engaging with it. However, over time, he built up a loyal following. His aim isn’t to attract bookings (though he finds that it does), as he already operates a full patient list from organic word of mouth.
Dr Wassim uses social media because he enjoys it—rather than posting before-and-after cases (which he feels don’t align with his brand), he gives followers a behind-the-scenes look at his personality and lifestyle as an expert in the industry. It’s something his audience truly adores.
His speciality can be isolating, with no formal training, so he advises fellow professionals to get out there, attend conferences, and support one another. This sense of community brings countless benefits. Dr Wassim loves teaching and has launched his own academy, one of his proudest achievements. The mentorship program within the academy has been a game-changer, as having a mentor can often save an individual ten years’ worth of mistakes.
For his day-to-day routine, he allocates time to spend with his team, balancing his week between the clinic and teaching. He’s also become more disciplined in booking August off to spend time unwinding. This ensures he remains in top form, as he doesn’t ever want to reach a point where he no longer loves what he does, and what he’s become so celebrated for.
Episode Key Takeaways – The Best ideas
On mentors – I don’t currently have one, but I hope to be a mentor for others.
Know when to step off the treadmill – Sometimes, it’s important to pause or change course if things aren’t working for you.
Happiness drives performance – If you’re unhappy with what you’re doing, you won’t perform at your best—you’ll already be at a disadvantage.
Trust your inner voice – Learn to recognise when to listen to your intuition.
On filming – Just be yourself and strive to build familiarity with the people around you.
Focus on growth, not numbers – Don’t stress about the numbers—as long as they’re steadily increasing, you’re on the right track.
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