Too old. Too tired. Too many wrinkles. Not enough Botox. Apparently, there’s always something wrong with your face these days. But at Gdańsk’s Aesthetic Beauty Concept, they’re not buying it. We met the woman behind the clinic, Gabriela Szynaka who studied psychology, isn’t afraid to turn clients away and reckons the beauty industry needs to stop making women feel like walking renovation projects. We talked Instagram pressure, ageing and why looking in the mirror shouldn’t feel like a bloody performance review.
YOU STUDIED PSYCHOLOGY. ARE YOU REALLY TREATING MINDS, NOT FACES?
Often, yes. Women arrive carrying stress, exhaustion and pressure, not just skin concerns. Before asking what treatment they want, we ask what brought them here.
WHICH BEAUTY STANDARD HAVE YOU STOPPED BELIEVING IN?
That women must look younger. I want someone to look in the mirror and say, “That’s still me.”
Photo by Adalat NaghiyevHAS THE BEAUTY INDUSTRY BECOME OBSESSED WITH FIXING PEOPLE?
Absolutely. Too often, women are convinced they’re problems needing solutions. I refuse to build relationships on fear.
WHAT IF INSTAGRAM DISAPPEARED TOMORROW?
Women might finally breathe! Popular treatments aren’t necessarily the right treatments.
WHAT BEST REPRESENTS YOUR CLINIC’S PHILOSOPHY?
Surprisingly, no treatment at all. It’s the consultation. Understanding comes first, technology second.
Photo by Adalat NaghiyevHAVE YOU EVER REFUSED A CLIENT?
Many times. Sometimes the most responsible thing you can say is, “Not today.” Trust matters more than sales.
WHAT ARE WOMEN REALLY ASKING FOR WHEN THEY SAY THEY WANT TO LOOK YOUNGER?
Usually, they want to look less tired, feel energised and recognise themselves again.
WHAT HAS THIS BUSINESS TAUGHT YOU ABOUT WOMEN?
They’re more exhausted by being judged than by ageing. Too old, too young, too natural, not natural enough. The expectations never end.
Photo by Adalat NaghiyevIF BEAUTY HAD NO MIRROR, HOW WOULD WE RECOGNISE IT?
Through someone’s smile, their calmness and the confidence to stop hiding.
FINISH THIS SENTENCE: PEOPLE THINK BEAUTY IS… Looking younger. But real beauty is freedom. Freedom from fear, judgement and the belief that you’re never enough.
Photo by Adalat NaghiyevAfter our chat, one thing was clear: this is a woman who’d rather tell you the truth than sell you a new face. And after all that talk about ageing naturally and ignoring beauty standards, I somehow ended up having a little tweak myself. Purely for journalistic research, obviously. Did I leave looking ten years younger? Probably not. But I did leave wondering why I hadn’t done it sooner.