Modern cosmetology has long gone beyond standard procedures. It has become a philosophy where the main goal is not to stop time but to maintain balance and harmony within oneself.
Yuliia Kovalenko, founder of the Vona aesthetic medicine clinics, speaks about biohacking, innovation, and a new culture of self-care where technology meets humanity and beauty merges with health.
Everyone talks about fighting aging, but you promote a different philosophy — balance and a preventive approach. When did you personally realize that youth is not about cosmetics, but about a system?
The moment I realized that youth is a system, not just cosmetics, came when I understood how important it is to act in time. Not to wait until deep changes appear, but to work ahead — that’s what true prevention is.
Injections, treatments, proper care — all of this works beautifully when there is balance. For me, youth is about a holistic approach: competent cosmetic support, regular treatments, enough sleep, calmness, and self-love. When these components work together, the result is natural, harmonious, and long-lasting.
What, in your opinion, is the main difference between Ukrainian patients and clients from Europe or the U.S. — in their attitude toward themselves or in their expectations from a doctor?
In my practice, I’ve noticed that Ukrainian patients are more oriented toward regular care — they’re used to “being at 100%,” investing time and resources into treatments, maintenance, and prevention.
In contrast, among European patients, there’s often a more situational approach — to “do one specific thing,” solve a particular issue, and not return to the cosmetologist too often.
Today, biohacking and personalized health programs are trending. How do you see the line between medical science and fashion? Where does the hype end and real effectiveness begin?
Fashion isn’t always about health or beauty. In our clinic, we focus on each patient’s individual needs: every product or supplement is prescribed only after a detailed analysis of the person’s health and specific requirements.
We don’t follow trends — we follow the principle: “give people what they truly need.” I view biohacking positively, as it’s a modern approach to increasing energy, performance, weight regulation, and overall well-being. But it’s important to treat new substances with caution and rely only on well-tested products.
I believe this field will continue to evolve, and one day we’ll discover that very “magic pill” for youth and beauty.
You’ve built a team that doesn’t just work with faces but is actually shaping a new culture of care. What matters most to you when selecting specialists — technical skills or shared philosophy?
For me, the most important thing is a shared philosophy. Technical knowledge is crucial, of course, but without a common understanding of care, ethics, and communication with patients, it won’t bring the desired result.
We’re building a culture where every specialist is not just a performer of procedures but a partner in transforming how people perceive beauty and health.
I also look for sincerity and kindness in my team. Patients often mention that “everyone here seems perfectly matched.” Some even think we recruit through agencies — but that’s not the case. If I see a highly qualified professional but feel a lack of sincerity, I won’t hire them. It’s vital that every patient feels they are in the hands of not only a professional but also a genuinely pleasant person.
If you look at the development of aesthetic medicine in Ukraine five years from now, how do you envision your Vona Clinic and the role of innovation in it? Will it still be about beauty — or about the future of humans as biosystems?
In the future, Vona Clinic will become not just a place for procedures, but a space for comprehensive care for a person as a biosystem. We’ll combine medical, aesthetic, and biotechnological solutions to help patients achieve harmony between their inner state and outer appearance.
Innovation will be the foundation of our practice. Even today, we use artificial intelligence to analyze skin conditions, but in the future, it will go much further — personalized approaches that take into account genetics, lifestyle, and cellular processes.
Our goal is to help people feel healthy, beautiful, and confident. We strive to become leaders in aesthetic medicine, offering not just treatments, but a holistic philosophy of care for the individual.
