About Us
Meet Dr Chris and Iki: The Medical Team Behind Noaem Skin
We’re not your typical aesthetics clinic. We’re a GMC-registered doctor and GPhC-registered prescribing pharmacist who chose to bring genuine medical expertise to cosmetic skin health – because we believe you deserve better than the industry standard.
Dr Christopher Vary (MBBS, BSc Hons) and Iki Rhode (MRPharmS, BSc Hons, PGCert, IP) founded Noaem Skin in 2019 with a simple mission: provide evidence-based, regenerative treatments that enhance your natural beauty – never overdone, always ethical. Between us, we bring over 30 years of healthcare experience from hospitals, GP practices, and critical care settings. We’re not just aesthetics practitioners – we’re medical professionals who happen to specialise in skin health.
And yes, we’re also a husband-and-wife team raising a young family right here in Hove. This community isn’t just where we work – it’s home.
Why We Do Things Differently
Ethics Over Income
When we started Noaem Skin, we could have followed the industry playbook: give clients whatever they ask for, chase dramatic transformations, prioritise profit over patient wellbeing.
We chose not to.
In a world where cosmetic treatments are often overdone and facial features changed beyond recognition, we felt deeply uncomfortable. We couldn’t – and wouldn’t – comply with an approach that prioritised drama over natural beauty, or sales targets over patient safety.
Did taking this ethical stance put us at a disadvantage when starting out? Probably. But we’d make the same choice again in a heartbeat.
Our philosophy is simple:
- Your skin’s health comes first
- Natural results that make you look refreshed, not “done”
- Evidence-based treatments, not trends
- Honest advice, even if it means recommending less treatment (or none at all)
- Conservative approach that respects your natural features
If you’re looking for dramatic transformations or someone who’ll do whatever you ask without medical guidance, we’re not the right clinic for you. If you want a medical professional who’ll listen, assess properly and give you honest, expert advice – welcome home.
Our Evolution: From Injectables to Regenerative Medicine
We began focusing on traditional injectable treatments like Botox and dermal fillers. But as we worked with patients, we realised something important: the best aesthetic outcomes start with genuinely healthy skin.
This insight led us to evolve into a cosmetic skin health clinic, prioritising treatments that improve skin condition, texture and vitality before (or instead of) jumping to injectables.
When regenerative aesthetic medicine emerged – treatments that work with your body’s natural healing processes rather than just masking concerns – we knew we’d found the future of aesthetics.
Regenerative medicine allows us to help you achieve:
- Skin that looks naturally radiant, not artificially perfect
- Results that last because they’re built on genuine skin health
- Compliments like “you look well-rested” rather than “did you have work done?”
- Treatments that improve with time as your skin regenerates
This is why we evolved from Aesthetic BTN to Noaem Skin: Cosmetic Skin Health & Regenerative Aesthetic Medicine Clinic.
Meet Your Practitioners
Ms Iki Rhode BSc(Hons) PGCert MRPharmS IP
Prescribing Pharmacist | Skin Health Specialist
GPhC Registration: [Registration Number]
Qualifications: BSc(Hons) Pharmacy, PGCert, Member Royal Pharmaceutical Society, Independent Prescriber
Iki brings over 20 years of clinical pharmaceutical experience from hospital, community, and GP practice settings. Her background gives her something unique in aesthetics: deep scientific understanding of how skincare products and treatments actually work.
What makes Iki different:
- Understands ingredient chemistry at a molecular level (not just marketing claims)
- Can spot manipulated statistics and misleading product claims instantly
- Knows which formulations will actually deliver results for your specific skin
- Can prescribe medical-grade treatments when needed
- Approaches skin concerns with pharmaceutical precision
Iki specialises in:
- Advanced Facials with medical-grade technology
- Dermapen 4 Microneedling & Skin Remodelling
- Micro Infusion Facials
- Chemical Skin Peels
- Skin Tightening Treatments
- Select injectable treatments
- Synergistic Skin Therapies (her signature multi-modality treatments)
Patient perspective: “Iki’s pharmaceutical knowledge means she can explain exactly WHY a treatment will work for you – not just that it might. It’s the difference between guesswork and medical science.”
Dr Christopher Vary MBBS BSc(Hons)
Medical Doctor | Injectable Specialist
GMC Registration: [Registration Number]
Medical School: St George’s, University of London (2012)
Specialty Background: Anaesthesia & Critical Care
Dr Chris is a fully licensed UK medical doctor with a background in anaesthesia and critical care – two of the most procedure-intensive medical specialties. This training gave him exceptional precision, safety protocols, and understanding of facial anatomy.
What makes Dr Chris different:
- Medical doctor training means he understands complications, contraindications, and safety at the highest level
- Anaesthesia background = exceptional needle technique and patient comfort
- Critical care experience = calm under pressure, meticulous attention to detail
- He critically appraises all drugs and equipment (only medical-grade products make the cut)
- He’ll tell you the truth, even if it means less treatment revenue
Dr Chris specialises in:
- Botulinum Toxin (Botox) treatments
- Dermal filler procedures
- The Complete Noaem Eye Protocol (his signature regenerative treatment)
- Polynucleotide injections
- Skin booster injections
- Medical assessment and treatment planning
Patient perspective: “Having a doctor administer injectables isn’t just about credentials – it’s about knowing he has the medical knowledge to handle anything, keep me safe, and achieve genuinely natural results.”
Why Medical Expertise Matters
The aesthetics industry has a problem: almost anyone can offer treatments after minimal training. The result? Inconsistent results, safety concerns, and the “overdone” look we’ve all seen.
Here’s what medical qualifications mean for you:
With a Doctor & Pharmacist |
Can prescribe medical-grade treatments |
Comprehensive understanding of contraindications |
Years of anatomy, physiology, pharmacology training |
Regulated by GMC & GPhC (strict standards) |
Can manage complications immediately |
Evidence-based practice (proven science) |
With Non-Medical Practitioners |
Limited to cosmetic-grade products |
May miss important medical concerns |
Training measured in days or weeks |
Variable regulation |
Must refer out in emergencies |
May follow trends over evidence |
We’re not saying non-medical practitioners can’t do good work. We’re saying that when you choose medically-led care, you get the depth of knowledge, safety protocols, and ethical standards that come from years of medical training.
Our Approach: What to Expect
- Thorough consultation – We listen more than we talk
- Medical assessment – Not just cosmetic evaluation, but skin health analysis
- Honest advice – We’ll tell you what we’d recommend for a family member
- No pressure – Take time to think. We’re here when you’re ready.
- Skin health first – Address underlying issues before cosmetic concerns
- Conservative approach – Start subtle, you can always do more
- Evidence-based – If science doesn’t support it, we don’t offer it
- Natural results – Enhance your features, don’t change them
- Long-term thinking – Build genuinely healthy skin, not quick fixes
- Proper aftercare – Detailed instructions and products
- Follow-up – We check results and adjust if needed
- Ongoing support – Questions? We’re available
- No upselling – We recommend what you need, not what makes us money
Our Clinic
Located on Portland Road in Hove, our clinic is:
- ✓ Purpose-built medical treatment suite
- ✓ Clinical-grade equipment and products
- ✓ CQC-compliant standards (even though not required)
- ✓ Calm, professional environment
- ✓ Easy parking nearby
- ✓ Serving Brighton, Hove, and across Sussex
We’re proud to be part of the Hove community. You’ll see us at the local coffee shop, walking the kids to school, or enjoying the beach. We’re not a corporate chain – we’re your neighbors who happen to be medical aesthetics experts.
Why Patients Choose Us
4.8/5 on Google
Here’s what real patients say:
“Iki and Chris are amazing. I wouldn’t trust anyone else with my temperamental dry skin. They have completely transformed my life.”
“From the first consultation I have felt at ease and totally invested in the treatments and products Iki recommends. Time, attention and detail is very thorough and tailored to my skin’s needs. The results I have received are incredible.”
“Dr Chris is also an absolute master with the needle. Again, very honest and thorough in assessing your skins needs with absolutely no pressure to have any treatments unless really needed. Highly recommend.”
“I had the retinol treatment with Iki and also bought some skincare products to use at home. Iki was wonderful throughout! She was extremely attentive to what I wanted to achieve at our initial consultation, very accommodating with appointments, and always super careful when applying the treatment.”
Ready to Experience Medical-Led Aesthetics?
Whether you’re dealing with specific skin concerns or simply want to maintain healthy, radiant skin as you age, we’d love to meet you.
Book a consultation and discover the difference that genuine medical expertise makes.
Questions before booking?
Call us: 01273 457 746
Email: [email protected]
We look forward to welcoming you.