| Who: Dr Hildegardt Raubenheimer, Cape Town based medical aesthetic practitioner Primary practice: Dr Hilla – Aesthetics. Artistry. Aligned, Century City Website: https://www.drhilla.co.za Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drhilla |
The pressure to be eternally young and beautiful is unrelenting. However, there are no quick and unrealistic fixes and this is core to the practice of Cape Town based Dr Hildegardt Raubenheimer (aka Dr Hilla). Dr Hilla is a medical doctor, with advanced postgraduate training in Aesthetic and Anti-Ageing Medicine, from South Africa and abroad. She has made a mark with her ethical, safety-led approach to facial aesthetics which is mindful of “advocating for natural, harmonious outcomes that preserve individuality and ethnicity rather than altering identity”. Her extensive experience in emergency and trauma and community medicine she is attuned to a deep “understanding of the human body and resilience” and of “emotional trauma and its lasting impact”. It is a holistic approach. She is also a visual artist, which enhances her understanding of aesthetics and beauty:
TCR: How has the surge of AI impacted on peoples’ expectations and how do you navigate delivering results which please your clients but at the same time are not realistic? What do you do when someone comes in and shows you an AI generated mock-up of what they could look like – an 80 year old looking like a 20 year old?
Dr Hildegardt Raubenheimer: The rise of AI has definitely shifted expectations. People are exposed to highly filtered, perfectly symmetrical faces daily, and it can create a sense that these results are easily achievable in real life. In practice, I focus on education and honesty. I explain what is biologically possible, what is safe, and what will age well over time. My goal is not to recreate a digitally altered version of someone, but to enhance their natural features in a way that still looks like them. When someone brings in an AI-generated image, I use it as a starting point for conversation rather than a blueprint. I acknowledge what they are drawn to, but I gently guide them toward realistic outcomes. Trust is built when patients understand that subtle, well-considered work will always outlast extreme or artificial results.
TCR: Can you talk about ethical and responsible aesthetic medicine? You have advanced postgraduate training in Aesthetic and Anti-Ageing Medicine Aesthetic and Anti-Ageing Medicine and are a member of the Aesthetic and Anti-Aging Medicine Society of South Africa. How do you deal with patients (or clients?) who just want a cosmetic makeover – without regard to health?
HR: Ethical and responsible aesthetic medicine is about placing the patient’s overall wellbeing above trends or quick fixes. It requires a strong medical foundation, ongoing education, and the willingness to say no when necessary. I do prefer the term patients, because it reinforces that this is still a medical space, not just a cosmetic service. When someone comes in wanting a complete transformation without considering their health or long-term outcomes, I take time to understand their motivation. Often there is something deeper driving that request. My role is to guide them, not simply comply. If a treatment is inappropriate or excessive, I will decline and offer alternatives that are safer and more aligned with maintaining natural harmony. Ethical practice is about balance, integrity, and doing what is right, even when it is not the easiest option.
TCR: Can you tell us about your practice in Century City? It was established in 2019 as Aesthetic Lab Cape Town -just before the pandemic – not an easy time to launch?
HR: Opening my practice in Century City in 2019, just before the pandemic, was definitely challenging. There was uncertainty, but it also forced me to build a practice rooted in resilience, adaptability, and strong patient relationships from the very beginning. The rebrand to “Dr Hilla – Aesthetics. Artistry. Aligned.” in 2025 was a natural evolution, reflecting a more holistic and intentional approach to treatment. I work with a small, highly skilled team of skin therapists who share the same philosophy of care. My clinic is more Boutique Style – where our focus is the level of individual attention and medical oversight. Every treatment plan is tailored, and nothing is rushed or standardised. There are lower barriers to entry in this field, which can be concerning, so I always emphasise qualifications, experience, and a strong ethical framework. Patients should feel confident that their safety and long-term outcomes are prioritised above all else.
TCR: Did your pivot from emergency and trauma medicine into aesthetic medicine have anything to do with the trauma that you have suffered? You are a GBV survivor. You grew up in an under- resourced community in Oudtshoorn and received bursaries to study. There was the trauma of losing your mom when you were two and losing you dad, just before your final matric exams. It looks like aesthetic medicine is emblematic of healing and enhancing natural beauty and wellness?
HR: My transition from emergency and trauma medicine into aesthetic medicine was not a sudden shift, but rather an evolution shaped by my personal and professional experiences. Having worked in high-pressure environments, I developed a deep understanding of the human body and resilience, but also of emotional trauma and its lasting impact. I am open about my journey, including being a GBV survivor, because it informs how I connect with patients. Growing up in an under-resourced community and experiencing loss at a young age has shaped my perspective on healing. For me, aesthetic medicine is not about perfection, but about restoration, confidence, and empowerment. It is about helping people feel more at home in themselves. There is a strong link between how we see ourselves and how we move through the world, and that is where this work becomes meaningful beyond the surface.
TCR: How do you juggle it all – a busy clinic and doctor on cruises, conferences, research?
HR: Balancing a busy clinic, working on cruises, attending conferences, and staying involved in research requires structure, but also flexibility. I have learned to be very intentional with my time and to build a strong support system within my team. Delegation is important, as is trusting the people you work with. I also prioritise continuous learning, which means conferences and research are not separate from my work, but part of it. There are definitely moments where it feels like a lot, but I am driven by purpose and curiosity. I make sure to create space to reset when needed, because burnout is real in this field. Ultimately, everything I do feeds into the same goal, which is to offer patients the highest standard of care while continuing to grow both personally and professionally.
✳ Cape Town based Dr Hildegardt Raubenheimer (aka Dr Hilla). Dr Hilla is a medical doctor, with advanced postgraduate training in Aesthetic and Anti-Ageing Medicine, from South Africa and abroad. Pic: Supplied.
