Beyond the Clinic: 10 Things You Might Not Know About Dr Preema Vig

From opening a clinic just weeks before lockdown to discovering a love of Muay Thai, singing lessons and dancing in Ibiza, Dr Preema Vig shares some of the experiences, passions and unexpected decisions that have shaped her life.

Most people know me as the founder and Medical Director of Dr Preema London Clinic on Park Lane in Mayfair, London. I qualified as a doctor in 1997 and have spent the past 23 years working in aesthetic medicine, a profession I feel incredibly fortunate to be part of.

But while my career has been an enormous part of my life, there is, of course, much more to me than Botox, dermal fillers and regenerative aesthetics!

Recently, while answering questions for an interview with Francesca White at Tatler, I found myself reflecting on some of the experiences that have shaped who I am, both personally and professionally.

So I thought I would share ten things you might not know about me.

1. I signed a ten-year lease on Park Lane just weeks before the world shut down

I have always believed in following my instincts, although I must admit that the timing of opening this clinic was rather extraordinary!

Having committed to a 2,810-square-foot space on Park Lane, exchanged contracts and paid the deposit on a ten-year lease, just four weeks later, the country went into lockdown.

It was an enormous leap of faith, and suddenly there was so much uncertainty about what the future might hold.

But I had a very clear vision of what I wanted to create: a medical aesthetics clinic built around trust, integrity, exceptional patient care and a genuinely supportive environment.

Looking back, I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved. We have built something very special, and I still feel a tremendous sense of gratitude every time I walk through the clinic doors.

2. I returned to work just six weeks after a life-changing attack

In July 2022, I experienced a serious attack that changed my life in ways I could never have anticipated.

Just six weeks later, I returned to the clinic.

That experience taught me an enormous amount about resilience, but perhaps more importantly, about vulnerability.

I think we sometimes associate strength with being able to cope with everything, when in reality, it is perfectly possible to be strong and vulnerable at the same time.

It also gave me an even greater appreciation for life and the importance of living in the present.

One of the positive things to emerge from that experience was our Empowerment Series at Dr Preema London Clinic, bringing people together to explore subjects such as personal safety, confidence, imposter syndrome and personal growth.

I feel very strongly that difficult experiences can sometimes become an opportunity to create something meaningful for others.

3. I invested in a treatment I cannot actually experience myself

This is one of life’s little ironies!

I am particularly excited about the evolving relationship between technology, mental wellbeing and aesthetic medicine.

One of the innovations I have introduced at the clinic is Exomind, a non-invasive technology using Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS), which has the potential to support mental wellbeing, from managing stress and improving sleep to supporting mood and mental clarity.

What makes this rather unusual is that I cannot undergo Exomind treatment myself because of the titanium plates in my face following my attack.

And I would absolutely love to experience it!

When I was considering investing in the technology, I had to make that decision knowing I would not personally be able to benefit from it.

But I kept coming back to the same thought: if a technology has the potential to make a positive difference to suitable patients, my team or even my own parents, why would I not want to explore it?

For me, innovation should never simply be about introducing the latest device. It should be about understanding the science, evaluating the evidence and considering whether something can genuinely make a meaningful difference.

4. I have been taking singing lessons for more than four years

And I have absolutely no intention of stopping!

I have always loved learning new things, particularly when they take me outside my comfort zone.

Singing lessons have been part of my life for more than four years now, and I have also been enjoying improvisation classes for around three years.

In fact, I love singing so much that I invested in a karaoke machine for the clinic, which makes a regular appearance at our team parties and celebrations. Fortunately, my wonderful team are always happy to join in, although I am not entirely sure they realised karaoke would become part of clinic life!

There is something wonderfully liberating about finding yourself in an environment where you are not the expert, where you can experiment, make mistakes and occasionally laugh at yourself.

I think it is so important to remain curious and continue exploring different sides of ourselves, whatever stage of life we are at.

After all, life would be rather dull if we stopped learning!

5. I went to Ibiza three times in one August

Yes, three times, and I enjoyed every minute!

Ibiza is one of my absolute happy places. I love the energy, the music, the people and that wonderful sense of freedom.

And that does not necessarily mean I am a raver!

I simply adore dancing. There is something about being surrounded by music, wonderful friends and people enjoying themselves that makes me feel completely at ease.

I work incredibly hard, and I love what I do, but I also believe very strongly in making time for the things that bring us joy.

We can become so focused on what we want to achieve next that we sometimes forget to appreciate what is happening right now.

For me, Ibiza is a lovely reminder to do exactly that.

6. I have recently taken up Muay Thai, although my tennis elbow has other ideas!

I have always enjoyed keeping active, and Reformer Pilates has been a regular part of my routine for years. When I am in London, I usually attend four classes a week.

More recently, I decided to try something completely different and started learning the fundamentals of Muay Thai.

I am thoroughly enjoying it, although my tennis elbow occasionally has other ideas about my enthusiasm!

For me, staying active is about much more than physical fitness.

I enjoy the discipline, the challenge and the satisfaction of learning something new.

It is also a wonderful reminder that we should never feel limited by what we already know or what we have always done.

There is something rather exciting about being a beginner again.

7. I am perfectly happy telling a patient they do not need treatment

After 23 years in aesthetic medicine, this is something I feel more strongly about than ever.

I am naturally curious and love exploring innovations in injectable aesthetics, particularly the developments we are seeing in regenerative treatments such as Profhilo Estructura, Sunekos y polinucleótidos.

But just because something is new or attracting attention does not necessarily mean it is right for a particular patient.

I have never believed in treating someone simply because they have booked an appointment or because a treatment happens to be fashionable.

Sometimes I recommend a different approach, and sometimes the most appropriate advice is to do nothing at all.

Many of my patients have been coming to me for ten, fifteen and even twenty years. That level of trust is something I value enormously.

My philosophy has always been to help people look and feel like the very best version of themselves, while still looking entirely like themselves.

And knowing when to say no is an important part of that.

8. I think dermal fillers have been rather unfairly pushed out of the spotlight

This might surprise people, particularly given my enthusiasm for regenerative aesthetics.

There has been a great deal of excitement around potenciadores de la piel, polinucleótidos and other treatments designed to improve skin quality, and I think many of these developments are wonderful.

But I also believe we should be careful not to overlook established treatments simply because something newer has come along.

Rellenos dérmicos, for example, still have a very important place in aesthetic medicine when used appropriately.

We are seeing more patients experiencing facial volume loss following significant weight loss, including some taking GLP-1 medications.

In certain circumstances, carefully placed dermal filler may be more appropriate than a treatment primarily focused on skin quality.

This is why I place such importance on a thorough consultation and an up-to-date medical history, even for patients I have known for many years.

People’s circumstances change, and understanding the whole picture allows us to make safer, more informed decisions together.

For me, it is never about choosing the newest treatment. It is about choosing the right treatment for the individual.

9. I am fascinated by spirituality, manifestation and the importance of being present

Over the years, I have become increasingly conscious of how important it is to live in the present.

I practise gratitude every day, and I genuinely believe that appreciating the little things can make an enormous difference to how we experience life.

I am also very interested in spirituality, manifestation and personal growth.

Recently, I attended a beautiful retreat that included yoga, sound baths and meditation. It was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with myself and explore some of these interests more deeply.

I love meeting people from different backgrounds, hearing different perspectives and remaining open to new ideas.

Whether it is medicine, spirituality, travel or simply understanding ourselves a little better, I believe there is always something new to discover.

And I find that incredibly exciting.

10. My greatest professional achievement is not what you might expect

People sometimes assume that opening a medical aesthetics clinic on Park Lane, appearing in respected publications or receiving industry recognition must be the defining moments of my career.

And of course, those are all things I am enormously proud of.

But when I think about what success really means to me, it is something much more personal.

I have built a business around my values, surrounded myself with people I genuinely care about and created an environment where patients feel safe, understood and looked after.

My team really is my work family. We support one another, celebrate one another and bring a great deal of positivity into the clinic.

I also treasure the relationships I have built with patients over the years. Some have been coming to see me for two decades, and that continuity and connection are incredibly special.

After 23 years in aesthetic medicine, I still absolutely love what I do.

I love my team, I love seeing my patients, and I genuinely look forward to coming to work.

For me, that is success, and I feel incredibly blessed.

And one final thought…

If there is one philosophy that has become increasingly important to me, it is this:

Live for today, with no regrets, and unapologetically.

Life has taught me that we cannot control everything that happens to us, but we can choose how we move forward.

I intend to keep learning, laughing, travelling, dancing, challenging myself and appreciating every moment.

And, of course, continuing to do what I love: helping my patients look and feel like the very best versions of themselves.

Written by Dr Preema Vig, Founder and Medical Director of Dr Preema London Clinic
Park Lane, Mayfair, London