“If you can’t handle the complication, don’t do the treatment”

Dr Sherif Wakil reflects on his journey into aesthetics, his love for energy-based devices and why he feels a responsibility to constantly achieve more

He is a cosmetic and sexual aesthetic doctor, international trainer and founder of SW Clinic, Royale Academy of Aesthetic Medicine and the International Association of Aesthetics Gynaecology and Sexual Wellbeing (IAAGSW), so what is it Dr Sherif Wakil loves most about the aesthetics specialty and how has he got to where he is today?

It was through his love of art
and fine detail that he became interested in aesthetics. Dr Wakil said, “I fell in love with aesthetics straight away. When I first graduated in medicine, from Cairo University in Egypt, I worked as a resident in A&E for a short period of time and was fascinated by very fine detail, like scarring to the face for example. I wanted to learn how to make everything perfect. I love to paint and sculpt in my spare time and I think this reflects in my work today; you have to have a very artistic eye when working in aesthetics.” Dr Wakil trained in both gynaecology and plastic surgery before moving to the UK and explains that there wasn’t much scope for either fields when he moved in 2001. As a result of this, Dr Wakil trained and worked at the Royal London Hospital as a spinal surgeon, something which he notes gave him an exceptional amount of experience and confidence. “Over the eight years whilst I worked here, I was dealing with severely injured patients who required a lot of delicate, precise work. I learned so much but I knew I always wanted to go into aesthetics. All of my weekends and evenings were spent at training courses and workshops in this area and I would also work at clinics, performing filler and toxin treatments, trying to learn as much as I could,” he notes. It was the development in the industry that allowed Dr Wakil to introduce gynaecology and andrology into the aesthetics arena, something that had not been seen before
in Europe. Dr Wakil had heard about the aesthetic gynaecology market coming to the fore in the US in 2010, thus deciding to go stateside and undertake extensive training in this area. His experience in
America led him to meeting Dr Charles Runels, the inventor of the O-Shot and the P-Shot, which are sexual rejuvenation treatments using platelet rich plasma (PRP). Dr Wakil reflects on working alongside Dr Runels, “When I heard about the merging of aesthetics and gynaecology, I knew this was the magic combination I had been searching for. I learned a lot from my training in the States and from that I was
the first to launch the O-Shot and P-Shot treatments into Europe in 2014.” Following this launch, Dr Wakil also introduced his own trademarked protocol, The O Concept™, a variety of tailored treatments for both men and women with sexual dysfunction; something that Dr Wakil has said has created attention across the globe. “The treatment can encompass a number of different modalities such as PRP, lasers, radiofrequency or injectables with specific sequence and dose parameters. I ask them to fill out a questionnaire, and do a thorough consultation explaining all options, from that will decide what is most suited to their needs.” Following this, Dr Wakil also notes the development of
energy-based devices, which he believes help him do the job he does today, “Energy-based devices have improved dramatically in terms of quality, results and ease of use. As far as aesthetic gynaecology is concerned, I could not do what I do without them. In a lot of cases we can achieve almost surgical results with non-surgical treatments. It’s fantastic yet I do believe there is always more research to
be done to use the devices to reach optimal results.” He continues, “When I first started doing sexual aesthetic treatments, a lot of my peers didn’t understand it. I would say, ‘I am working to help restore people’s confidence’. I am working with patients who have no sexual relationship with their partner and their whole mental wellbeing is off because of this sexual dysfunction. By performing a treatment that is designed for them, you are helping them to perform better in many aspects of their lives. My patients often tell me that I have helped to restart their lives and that, to me, is priceless.”
He also advises those starting out in the specialty to make sure they are highly trained in complications. He explains, “Practitioners should only start a career in aesthetics if they are really passionate about helping people and have an artistic eye. If you can’t handle the complication, don’t do the treatment
and don’t take on anything that is beyond what you are not trained to do. A lot of my colleagues are offering complication training and I would advise every practitioner to enrol
in these types of courses.” Dr Wakil explains that although he is proud of what he has achieved so far, he is always striving for more. This month he is running his second world congress and exhibition
at the Royal Society of Medicine, IAAGSW, and as well as that wants to continue his
international training, in which has trained more than 800 doctors. Dr Wakil concludes,
“I am hungry for new knowledge and education; I feel very responsible for making
changes in the industry and I want to leave a legacy behind.”

Is there anything you would have done differently?
I came up with a quote that I always say to myself, ‘In my 40s I am trying to resuscitate every single minute I killed in my teens’. I wish I could tell my younger self to learn something new every day!
What technological tool best compliments you as a practitioner?
The human body! Regenerative and functional medicine using PRP, stem cells and fat cells from your body to be part of your treatment is fascinating.
What’s the main piece of advice you would give practitioners?
Training. I also never speak negatively about people because I think it will always
come back round to you. I always try to spread the positive karma.
What’s the best piece of career advice you have ever been given?
Winners concentrate on winning and losers concentrate on winners. I don’t give attention to anything that is happening outside of my goals and don’t get involved in the politics of aesthetics unless it is related to regulation, which impacts everyone.