Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights.
Welcome to a new era of wellness, a term that is no longer defined by simple treatments, such as massages and facials, but rather a holistic concept that, these days, means a 360° approach to how we look and feel. What's more, the appetite for 'deep dives' into the culture of wellness has become a top reason as to why people travel in 2025, with wellness tourism reported as one of the fastest growing sectors in the industry.
The 2024 Wellness Tourism Initiative report, by the Global Wellness Institute, pinpoints a 'diagnostic boom in wellness travel' as a major trend for this year. This surge, says the report, reflects "a growing preference for tailored and proactive health approaches among travellers. Many health and wellness operators now offer comprehensive diagnostic assessments alongside traditional wellness activities, enhancing the overall visitor experience."
The report continues: "These offerings empower individuals to gain profound insights into their health status and make informed lifestyle choices while indulging in the rejuvenating benefits of travel. As travellers increasingly prioritize preventive healthcare and holistic well-being, the diagnostic booms in wellness travel are set to continue to reshape the tourism industry by seamlessly blending medical expertise with luxury hospitality."
When it comes to the wellness scene in London, this couldn't be truer. The city has witnessed a growth in state-of-the-art clinics and wellness hubs, of late, that are offering personalised, cutting-edge treatments all with diagnosis at their heart. The luxury club Surrenne, at the five-star hotel The Emory, for instance, is focusing on longevity with functional diagnostics ranging from cardiovascular and hormone tests to microbiome mapping. While the The HVN in Knightsbridge puts personalisation as its priority and offers everything from acupuncture to aesthetic treatments.
In fact, the field of aesthetics has grown to become one of London's big draws for wellness travelers, with a host of expert names working out of Harley Street and from their own clinics across the capital. Perhaps unexpectedly, luxury hotels are also catching on to the trend with big name properties offering the latest in skincare by partnering with well-respected aesthetic doctors to offer guests scientific-led treatments.
The Corinthia hotel in Whitehall, for instance has collaborated with The London Regenerative Institute, which has opened up at its ESPAlife spa. Founded by renowned plastic surgeons Mr Tunc Tiryaki and Dr Steve Cohen, the clinic offers restorative aesthetic treatments that enhance longevity.
While at The Lanesborough Club and Spa, guests can book in for 'advanced aesthetic' treatments, such as Soft Wave or Exosome facials, with Dr Galyna, an award-winning aesthetic doctor and wellness expert.
Dr Aswin Soni, a UK and US trained plastic and reconstructive surgeon (and the founder and owner of The Soni Clinic in Ascot) is the expert at hand at The Langham's Chuan Spa. Known for championing 'gentle rejuvenation' when it comes to anti-ageing treatments, his client-list is full to bursting with A-listers, who arrive for his 'light touch', undetected at the luxury hotel via a private entrance to his consulting room.
Having studied at Imperial College, London, and trained in plastic surgery at Cornell in NYC, John Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore and Royal Marsden Hospital in London, Dr Soni brings a medical approach and advanced know-how to his procedures, which vary from polynucleotides injectables to dermal fillers, with a focus on natural-looking and subtle results.
"It's not about changing how anyone looks," he says. "It's all about enhancing. A big part of my job is the consultation. I never give an opinion on what I think needs to be changed because it is not about me. I listen and ask questions and then we come up with a plan that is bespoke for each of my clients."
Being based in a central London hotel, many of Dr Soni's clients are, in fact, frequent travelers (as well as high profile names), and he has adapted his approach to treat the effects that long-haul travel can have on their skin.
"Patients who travel a lot have more dehydrated skin in general, as there is lower humidity on planes which leads to skin dryness," he says. "Dehydrated skin leads to more fine lines and wrinkles, issues with pores, and changes to the texture and quality of skin."
He continues: "I always tell my clients to use a hydrating moisturiser when they are flying and, if they can, to take a hydrating sheet mask to use on board. AlumierMD Aqua Infusion Mask is my secret must-have when I am flying. You simply apply it like a moisturiser, but it infuses the skin with deep hydration."
London's current spike in wellness offerings has been described in a recent issue of Harpers Bazaar as 'the rise of the superclinic' with the "new generation of luxurious cosmetic centres here to cater for a discerning consumer for whom tweakments are as normal as a dental check-up."
Dr Soni agrees that the landscape in the capital city has changed. "It certainly feels like an exciting time to be working here," he says. "What's more, the narrative within the aesthetic industry has aso evolved over the past few years. Patients no longer want a 'quick fix' but are focusing on long term skin health and quality. It feels more holistic, rather than surface level. As providers, we are not just thinking about what patients will look like in the next few months but, instead, it's more about the next few years."
"A big development of late has been regenerative injectables, with collagen biostimulators, such as Sculptra by Galderma, and Plinest HPT polynucleotides by Dermafocus, at the forefront of this movement. The worlds of aesthetics and wellness have truly merged."
An 'alternative' to filler, Sculptra is a regenerative injectable that helps stimulate your own natural collagen production to smooth facial wrinkles and improve skin tightness, revealing a 'refreshed-looking' you. Dr Soni explains: "After the age of 20, we lose about 1% of collagen per year. Sculptra is the first and original poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA-SCA) facial injectable that targets fine lines, wrinkles, sagging, and other signs of ageing due to collagen loss; gradually helping restore skin structure and volume."
Also in demand, says Dr Soni, is Dermafocus -- a combination injectable which combines HPT polynucleotides with a skin booster. "You get regenerative effects from polynucleotides; which includes collagen & elastin stimulation; as well as hydration from hyaluronic acid; so it is an all-round winner."
"At times, the aesthetics industry has had a bad rep," says Dr Soni. "That is mostly down to bad practitioners and horror stories when things go wrong. But just like with any true luxury experience -- including travel -- it is all about a personalised finessed approach you can say the same for skincare. My advice is to choose your practitioner wisely."
"At the moment there is so much innovation going on within the world of skincare and London is at the heart of that. Many science-backed brands are really innovating and researching at an incredible rate. As trends change towards collagen stimulation，and health quality skin，certain brands staying ahead，innovating thoughtful innovative peptides，unique antioxidant formulations，pioneering approaches sunscreen。is industry rise one forefront science -- rockbed wellness industry，you like。After all，if look good，feel good。"