Over fifty and considering a facelift? Have you started to notice wrinkles and fine lines you’d like to smooth out, or perhaps thought about removing persistent fat around your waist? If your reasons are well-founded, the medical specialists at Beverly Wilshire Medical Centre in Malaysia can help you both look and feel better. Ong Chin Huat sits down with Malaysia’s plastic surgeon and aesthetic doctor to ask some searching, non-superficial questions.
As an award-winning institution specialising in plastic surgery and aesthetic procedures, the Beverly Wilshire Medical Centre in Kuala Lumpur is often mentioned in discreet tones by models, actresses, socialites and ‘tai-tais’ who populate the capital’s fashionable circles.
Established in 2012, this haven for aesthetics and wellbeing has evolved into a leading multidisciplinary medical centre, encompassing aesthetic medicine, cosmetic surgery, anti-ageing treatments, dental aesthetics and hair restoration. These procedures attract not only Malaysians but also international visitors seeking to enhance their appearance.
Recently, the centre hosted a major event at its Kuala Lumpur premises to celebrate Malaysia Day. The day featured an array of activities – from a delicious lunch and free face-reading consultations by astrologers, to lucky draws, games, afternoon tea and complimentary medical and dental assessments.
The highlight was a well-attended panel discussion, ‘Is Plastic Surgery the New Self-Empowerment?’, featuring distinguished Malaysian plastic surgeon Dr M. Nasir Zahari, aesthetic medical expert Dr Wong Chee Hin, and moderated by PR supremo Ethel Da Costa of Think Geek Media.
Centred on identity, innovation and empowerment, Dr Nasir – who has been a part of Beverly Wilshire since its inception – emphasised that modern plastic surgery is both corrective and creative. “Patients want to look like themselves, only better. It’s about aligning identity with confidence,” he explained to a packed audience keen for insights into the latest advances in plastic and aesthetic medicine. Supporting his words, an extensive 2021 study revealed a 74% satisfaction rate for cosmetic surgery, directly associated with improved confidence and self-esteem.
Nonetheless, Dr Nasir cautions that plastic surgery is akin to a double-edged scalpel. “There are good and bad aspects to plastic surgery,” he warns. “Like any surgical procedure, it comes with risks, but those risks can be mitigated with expertise and experience.”
He notes how far the field has advanced, recalling the days when French surgeons pioneered liposuction amid widespread scepticism. “At the time, the medical community condemned it as nonsense. Today, liposuction is the most commonly performed plastic surgery worldwide.”
“Enhancement of facial or bodily features can change lives, but it’s imperative to manage patients’ expectations carefully. We cannot guarantee that looking a certain way will improve one’s quality of life. Beauty fundamentally begins from within.”
Dr Wong observes that aesthetic treatments have now become a mainstream element of modern self-care, increasingly common across society.
“People are incorporating aesthetics into their regular routines, with some clients visiting monthly to maintain their look and confidence,” says Dr Wong.
He further remarks that the concept of ‘prejuvenation’—proactive, prevention-focused treatments and lifestyle measures to maintain youthful skin and delay ageing—is rapidly gaining traction. “I’ve noticed increasingly younger patients at my clinic, including millennials, people in their early twenties, and even teenagers.”
Dr Wong is not surprised by this trend. “Social media’s influence is immense, with selfies, HD cameras, and video calls making everyone more concerned about their image. People want control over their appearance and the ageing process. Prejuvenation therapies such as chemical peels, laser treatments and radio-frequency applications serve this demand, as patients view them as a legitimate facet of self-care.”
He does, however, advise caution. “For some, once they’ve experienced the benefits, they crave further interventions and may develop unrealistic expectations. That’s when concern arises.”
Dr Nasir’s most common cosmetic procedures are facelifts, followed by breast augmentation, and then liposuction. He performs around fifteen to twenty facelifts each month, approximately ten breast augmentations, and between six and seven liposuctions.
Eighty per cent of his patients are women; ten per cent are men. Notably, over half his clients come from overseas to benefit from his expertise.
What is the ideal age for a facelift? Dr Nasir explains that it varies by ethnicity. “For Caucasians, the optimal time tends to be mid-fifties; for Asians, it’s typically in their sixties.” He asserts that a well-executed facelift can take ten years off one’s appearance.
Howard Ng, CEO of Beverly Wilshire, notes that the growing demand for aesthetic medicine across Asia has strongly influenced Malaysia. “Thailand was a pioneer in aesthetic medicine and plastic surgery, and South Korea is another leader. Singapore is roughly six to eight years ahead of Malaysia in socio-economic norms and the acceptance of aesthetic and plastic procedures,” he adds. Beverly Wilshire is poised to move to new premises at KL Wellness City in mid-2026.
“KL Wellness City, located in Bukit Jalil—a Kuala Lumpur suburb—will be a landmark integrated healthcare and wellness hub, uniting medical care, hospitals and specialist centres, wellness services, residential living and commercial activity within a cutting-edge environment. The ambition is to establish it as a premier health and medical destination for both domestic and international clients seeking world-class treatments and holistic wellbeing,” confirms Ng.
Drawing on his extensive experience, Dr Nasir (above) spends half his time on plastic surgery, thirty per cent on reconstructive procedures (such as cleft lips, burns, and breast reconstruction after cancer), and the remaining ten per cent on aesthetic treatments like Botox and fillers.
He emphasises the importance of cultural sensitivity: “We all have our own identity shaped by culture and race, and this diversity in beauty standards is healthy. Part of my role is to help patients accept themselves and avoid distortions. Some Asians aspire to a sharper, higher nose, while some Caucasians wish theirs were subtler—there is beauty in every race and culture, and there’s no need to adhere to a single standard.”
With unrealistic expectations perpetuated by the media, it’s unsurprising that some individuals feel inadequate. Dr Nasir recounts patients who believe their nose shape cost them a job, or others facing marital pressure due to perceived body flaws. “Our challenge, as plastic surgeons, is to fulfil patients’ wishes whilst remaining grounded, steering clear of being drawn into fantastical desires.”
He shares stories of women seeking breast augmentation who later report experiencing unwanted attention. “It is vital to discuss honestly what plastic surgery can and cannot achieve. It may boost self-esteem and confidence—yes, it could help with career or relationships—but you must consider if that’s genuinely what you want for yourself, not just to please others. Surgery will not bring lasting happiness or inner peace if the motivation is solely to satisfy others’ expectations.”
Regarding breakthroughs, Dr Wong spotlights innovation in the aesthetics market—especially new laser technologies and injectables. Seventy per cent of his work now involves injectables, with biostimulatory treatments proving most significant.
“Recent launches include exosomes, polynucleotides and polymer injectables like PPLA (Poly-L-Lactic Acid), PDO (Polydioxanone), PCL (Polycaprolactone) and CaHA (Calcium Hydroxyapatite)—all stimulate the body’s own collagen for natural, subtle results. The current trend favours long-term, natural outcomes over quick fixes.”
[LtoR] Dato Francis Ng, Sereena Lee (Miss Universe Malaysia 2023), and Ethel Da Costa.
With aesthetic clinics now ubiquitous in Southeast Asia, countries like Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia and Vietnam are seeing unprecedented growth. “Over the past decade, the number of clinics has tripled or quadrupled,” notes Dr Wong.
“Fifteen years ago, there were only thirty to forty aesthetic doctors; now there are up to eight hundred LCP-certified practitioners. Treatments are more advanced, safer, less painful, and require less downtime. Aesthetics has become mainstream and accessible, with neighbourhood clinics open to all.”
Dr Wong is confident this trend will continue to grow in the coming years.
Dr Nasir foresees future innovations reminiscent of science fiction. “Three-dimensional printing in plastic surgery is advancing rapidly; it’s now possible to create patient-specific models for surgical planning, enhanced by AI to determine ideal facial proportions.”
Robotic surgery represents another fast-growing frontier. “The era of human surgeons may soon end!” Dr Nasir jokes. “Remote robotic procedures have already debuted in the US and offer greater precision and reduced risk.”
Tissue engineering is also transforming the field. “Surgeons can harvest tissue, cultivate it on animals, and grow organs fit for human transplantation. Within a few years, technologies like AI, 3D printing and tissue engineering will enable us to tailor features—like choosing a nose design—and implant them robotically. It’s no longer pure science fiction.”
For further information about Beverly Wilshire Medical Centre, please visit www.beverlywilshiremedical.com.
Lead image: [L-R] Ethel Da Costa, Dtr Nasir, Dr Wong, CEO, Howard Ng.
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