In this sizzling issue, Grazia International’s Beauty Editor, Kaniz Ali talks extensively to Dr Saniyya on work, life and the power treatments!
Dr Saniyya approaches each face the way a master editor approaches a story: with intention, intuition and an unwavering commitment to authenticity.
The first doctor in her family and a graduate of the University of Liverpool, she built her career from the ground up, founding two thriving clinics in Leeds and Cheshire and launching the Aesthetica Medical Academy to mentor the next generation of practitioners.
A GP with a dermatologist’s precision and an artist’s instinct, she has transformed thousands of lives through full-face rejuvenation, advanced skin treatments and holistic aesthetic care.
Her work is quiet alchemy and her philosophy radical in its simplicity: beauty is never manufactured it is revealed. In an industry obsessed with perfection Dr. Saniyya is not following trends or templates.
Kaniz: Talk to us more about your background
Dr Saniyya: I was born and raised in Yorkshire. I was the first person in my family to go to university and also the first and only doctor in the entire family. My parents arrived in the UK from Pakistan with very little, yet they carried a deep belief in the power of education. They encouraged me to value learning, and their unwavering support helped shape my determination to pursue higher education. Coming from a background where no one had gone to university before, applying to study medicine meant navigating the entire process on my own without the benefit of prior experience. However, this was a goal I pursued with resilience and not getting a place to study medicine wasn’t an option for me. I pushed myself academically, took every opportunity available, and stayed focused on my ambition. Studying medicine at the University of Liverpool became the culmination of years of hard work and a milestone for both myself and my family. I then completed my Foundation Training as a junior doctor in hospitals across Yorkshire, gaining experience in general medicine, surgery, and A&E. During this time, I undertook my first aesthetics training course in 2016, which sparked a genuine passion for aesthetic medicine. I later took a year out of NHS training to fully focus on this interest, completing every training programme available to build my skills and expertise. Alongside this, I chose to complete GP training with a specialist interest in dermatology and pursued the dermatology diploma.
I have worked tirelessly to build my aesthetics clinic over the past nine years, pouring my passion, energy, and belief into creating a space where patients feel truly cared for. What began as a small vision has grown into something I’m incredibly proud of. Last year, I expanded into a second location, and becoming the founder of two clinics, Aesthetica Medical in Leeds and Cheshire is a milestone that reflects years of dedication, sacrifice, and commitment to my patients and my craft.
Alongside my clinical work, I also teach and run a training academy (Aesthetica Medical Academy), where I have the privilege of teaching and mentoring other medical professionals. Sharing my knowledge, supporting their development, and helping them build confidence in their skills has become one of the most rewarding parts of my career. What started simply as a passion for education has, over time, grown into an accidental entrepreneurial journey—one that has allowed me to create opportunities, build communities, and contribute to the field in ways I never initially imagined.
Kaniz: What inspired you to become a GP ?
Dr Saniyya: My inspiration to become a doctor began when my mum was diagnosed with cancer. From a young age, I sat beside her in countless appointments, watching the doctors who cared for her with such skill and compassion. I was in awe of the way they supported her—and ultimately helped save her life. Those experiences stayed with me, and they are what inspired me to pursue medicine with the hope that one day I could make that same life-changing impact for others. I chose to specialise in general practice because I wanted a career where I could care for patients as whole people, not just isolated conditions. I love the long-term relationships you can build with patients and the fact that no two days are ever the same.
Kaniz: What do you specialise in ?
Dr Saniyya: I now specialise in dermatology and aesthetic medicine, and full-face rejuvenation has become the treatment that truly defines my work. For me, it’s never just about altering a feature—it’s about seeing the whole person, understanding their story, and bringing harmony and confidence back to their face in a way that still feels completely like them. I take a deeply holistic approach, focusing on natural, balanced results and nurturing the skin’s health from within. What means the most to me is witnessing the shift in how someone carries themselves afterwards—the quiet confidence, the way they finally recognise their own beauty. That’s the part of my work that feels genuinely special.
Kaniz: What are your greatest strengths as a doctor ?
Dr Saniyya: I pride myself on compassion and the genuine care I offer every patient. My approach is deeply patient-centred, I want each person to feel truly heard, supported, and involved in every step of their treatment. My practice is grounded in strong ethical values and a sincere commitment to continually growing and learning. Above all, I’m dedicated to providing safe, evidence-based care that patients can feel confident in.
Kaniz: What are your greatest strengths as an aesthetics practitioner?
Dr Saniyya: My greatest strengths come from the way I see and connect with my patients. I take a truly holistic approach to every face, looking beyond individual features to understand the person in front of me and what will help them feel like the best version of themselves. My background in dermatology allows me to blend skin health with aesthetic artistry, and my meticulous, detail-focused technique ensures results that are natural and authentic. I put compassion, honesty, and patient-centred care at the heart of everything I do, making sure each patient feels heard, supported, and safe. I am committed to continuous learning and to practising ethically, always prioritising what is right for the individual. Ultimately, helping someone regain confidence quietly, subtly, and in a way that still feels like them is what drives me every day.
Kaniz: Talk to us about the services and treatments the clinic offers ?
Dr Saniyya: At Aesthetica Medical, we offer a comprehensive range of medical aesthetics, skin, laser and hair-loss treatments. Our injectable portfolio includes botulinum toxin, dermal fillers, polynucleotides, collagen biostimulators, skin boosters and PRP. We have invested in some of the most advanced skin technologies, including radiofrequency skin tightening, microneedling, Hydrafacial and fractional lasers. In addition, we provide laser hair removal and body-tightening treatments. For hair loss, we offer PRP, polynucleotides, exosomes. Each tailored treatment plan is supported by medical-grade, prescription skincare and supplements to ensure a truly holistic approach.
Kaniz: What motivates you ?
Dr Saniyya: A big part of my motivation comes from knowing that I pushed myself and built everything from the ground up. I started with absolutely nothing, and to now be the proud owner of four businesses is something that still humbles me. That journey fuels my drive and reminds me how far hard work, resilience, and belief in yourself can take you. This keeps me striving for more. I’m also motivated by my parents, who shaped my values; my husband, who supports and pushes me to strive for more; my son, who drives me to set the best example; and my patients, whose trust inspires me to continuously improve and grow to provide the highest standard of care.
Kaniz: What do you enjoy most about being a doctor?
Dr Saniyya: What I enjoy most about being a doctor is the privilege of combining science, compassion, and human connection to genuinely make a difference in someone’s life. Growing up attending appointments with my mum, I saw firsthand the impact a doctor can have—not just on health, but on hope. Now, whether I’m supporting a patient through a medical concern, improving their skin health, or restoring their confidence through aesthetic treatments, that same sense of purpose drives me. I love being able to listen, to reassure, and to offer treatments that help someone feel healthier, happier, and confident. It’s an honour I never take for granted.
Kaniz: Where do you see yourself in 5 years time ?
Dr Saniyya: For me there’s no stopping. I see myself continuing to grow the clinics that I’ve worked so hard to build—possibly expanding into new regions, or even internationally—while still staying true to the heart and purpose behind it all. I hope to dedicate more time to mentoring and supporting other practitioners, helping them grow with confidence and integrity.
But equally, I see myself finding a better work–life balance. My goal is to continue growing with intention, heart, and purpose, while also allowing myself to slow down, breathe, and enjoy the life I’ve built.
Kaniz: How do you balance home life and work life ?
Dr Saniyya: Balancing home life and work life has been one of the biggest challenges. For years, I poured everything into building my businesses, and while I’m incredibly proud of how far I’ve come, becoming a parent recently changed everything. My son grounded me. He reminded me that success isn’t just about growth and achievement—it’s also about being present for the moments that matter. Now, I’m much more intentional. I create boundaries, I protect my time at home, and I allow myself to slow down when I need to. I’ve learned that it’s okay to lean on my team, to say no, and to prioritise myself and my family. Some days are still overwhelming, but I balance them with the knowledge that I’m building a life not just for myself, but for the people I love.
Kaniz: What sets you apart from other doctors?
Dr Saniyya: What sets me apart is my ability to blend medical expertise with true aesthetic artistry, while maintaining an unwavering focus on patient safety and natural results. I don’t just treat a face—I understand the person behind it. Being a GP has shaped the way I practise aesthetics in the most meaningful way. It taught me how to truly listen—how to understand a person beyond their symptoms or concerns, and how to create space where they feel seen, heard, and supported. My consultations go far deeper than skin or appearance; they’re about understanding someone’s story, their confidence, their worries, and what they genuinely hope to achieve.
That holistic, patient-centred approach is something I carry into every aesthetic treatment. My GP background has given me the empathy to connect with patients on a human level, the clinical judgement to keep them safe, and the emotional insight to guide them with honesty and care. It’s not just about treatments—it’s about building trust, empowering people, and helping them feel like the best version of themselves.
Kaniz: What’s the best advice you would give anyone who is looking to head into the world of medicine ?
Dr Saniyya: My advice is to work harder than you ever thought possible, keep tunnel vision on the goals that matter to you, and stay fiercely focused even when the path feels overwhelming. There will be setbacks, doubts, and moments that shake you—but you have to keep pushing. Medicine will test you in ways you never expect—long nights, moments of doubt, emotional exhaustion—but it will also give you purpose, strength, and a sense of fulfilment that is impossible to find anywhere else. Keep showing up. Keep believing in yourself, especially on the days when it feels the hardest. If you stay committed and resilient you’ll achieve things you once didn’t think were possible. If you lead with humanity, stay true to your values, and keep your passion alive, you will become the kind of doctor who makes a real difference in people’s lives. And that is the greatest privilege you will ever have.
Kaniz: What do you do in your spare time to switch off ?
Dr Saniyya: In my spare time, I switch off by travelling and exploring new places—it’s the one thing that completely resets my mind and inspires me. But most of all, I love spending time with my son and my family. Those moments, whether we’re away or simply together at home, bring me back to what truly matters and help me find balance outside of work.
Kaniz: If you could disappear for a month where would you disappear to ?
Dr Saniyya: I’d escape to an island like Zanzibar, switch my phone off completely, and just spend precious, uninterrupted time with my family. No work, no pressure—just space to reset, recharge, and enjoy the simplicity of being present with the people who matter the most.
CEO: Zahraa Saifullah
Editor in Chief: Nashmia Amir Butt
Creative Director: Kaniz Ali
Photography by OMJ
Make Up & Styling: Kaniz Ali
Hair by Iman Chana @ KANIZMAKEUP Team
Words by Kaniz Ali
