Balance instead of perfection: In conversation with dr. Frodo Gaymans

A conversation with Dr. Frodo Gaymans

There are still countless misunderstandings in the world of cosmetic treatments. Especially around fillers, stories often arise that have more to do with fear than facts. Recently published JAN magazine an insightful article in which Drs. Frodo Gaymans, cosmetic doctor at the clinic of the same name in Amsterdam-Zuid, shares a different perspective on this much-discussed treatment method.

Beyond stereotypes

What struck me about JAN's conversation with Dr. Frodo Gaymans is his sober vision of what fillers can really mean. “Many people think that fillers are meant to meet an ideal of beauty,” he says in the article. “However, applying fillers is about enhancing someone's own unique appearance.”

This approach touches on something fundamental in how we can look at cosmetic treatments: not as a way to become someone else, but as a subtle intervention to get back into balance with yourself. It is not about transforming into another, but about restoring what is already there - a refinement rather than a change.

The language of the face

What fascinates me about Gaymans' approach is how he reads a face like a story. He describes how small imbalances can lead to daily frustrations: people who are constantly told that they look tired while they have slept well, or faces that express anger at rest.

“That often seems disingenuous to others, but most importantly: it is very tiring for yourself,” JAN quotes him. It is this psychological dimension that is often overlooked in conversations about cosmetic procedures. Gaymans acknowledges that cosmetic treatments are not just about appearance, but about how we navigate the world and are experienced by others.

In his practice, he sees the impact of these small disturbances on a daily basis - how they can lead to constant social misunderstandings or even a sense of alienation from one's own reflection. By recognizing this dimension, he places cosmetic treatments in a broader context of well-being and quality of life.

Subtlety as a quality feature

It JAN article shows that Gaymans values natural results. Successful treatment is just one that no one notices. Or as he says about a client: “With a small adjustment, she really exudes charisma again, without anyone suspecting that she had fillers installed.”

This is an important distinction in cosmetic medicine: the goal is not change, but enhancement of what is already present. Not a new face, but a recognisable version of yourself that bears the tiredness and tension of life a little less visibly.

According to Gaymans, the art of fillers lies in respecting the natural architecture of the face. He compares it to restoration rather than renovation - it's not about building something new, but about restoring what has become out of balance due to time or circumstances.

The search for a skilled doctor

Another valuable insight from JAN's article concerns finding a suitable doctor for filler treatment. Gaymans emphasizes that a good doctor does not do “quick fixes”. A thorough treatment requires an extensive intake where the whole face is assessed.

“If you walk in as if you were coming to get a pastry, in my opinion, it's not pure coffee,” he warns. This note reminds us that cosmetic treatments, no matter how small they may seem, remain medical procedures that require care and expertise.

He advises potential clients not only to look at the portfolio or testimonials, but also at the depth of the intake interview. A doctor who takes time to understand what someone really wants to achieve, who asks questions about perception and self-image, and who also dares to advise against certain interventions when they are not appropriate - these are the characteristics of a reliable professional in this field.

A personal note

What touches me personally in this conversation is the recognition that outer appearance and inner experience of ourselves are often intertwined. Not out of vanity, but out of a deep human need to be recognized as who we feel.

The CEO who wants to stay sharp after long flights, the woman who seems tired while full of energy - these examples from the JAN article show the subtle but meaningful impact that our appearance can have on how we experience our daily lives.

Gaymans' approach seems valuable to me because it ignores superficial standards of beauty and focuses on restoring congruence - the sense that your appearance matches your inner experience. This is not a matter of vanity, but of authenticity: the ability to be yourself and to be recognized as such.

In a society where we are quick to judge cosmetic procedures, this conversation offers a more nuanced perspective. It shows that there is often a deeper desire behind choosing fillers: not to become someone else, but to be able to fully be yourself again.

This article is a reflection on the interview that JAN conducted with drs. Frodo Gaymans. For the full conversation and detailed information about filler treatments, I refer to the original article in JAN magazine.

Note: Like JAN, I would like to emphasize that this article is purely informative, without striving to stimulate filler treatments.

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