Jihene Baccar is one of those Tunisian women you love to meet, and before whom one cannot help exclaiming: "Ah! Here we are in the presence of a worthy heiress of Dido."
The mother of two grown-up children and an aesthetic physician for more than 15 years, she runs her personal life with the same rigour as her professional one. Her career reflects exemplary determination and a clear vision of her goals.
A Family Legacy: Founding Values
A Visionary Father, an Organising Mother
While she describes herself as a pure product of Tunisian upbringing, Jihene Baccar explains that she owes everything to her father, who always supported her: he encouraged her and her brothers and sisters to study and excel in their education. She also pays tribute to her mother, who was uncompromising when it came to organisation.
"Mum could not imagine us going to school without having made our beds before leaving, or having someone sort out our paperwork for us on the pretext that we were busy with our studies. That forced us, among us siblings, to organise ourselves and take on our responsibilities. Of course, our parents were always there to support and guide us. In fact, I have tried to pass the same values on to my own children. Thank God, I have succeeded."
Choosing Independence
Her parents' unconditional support allowed her to pursue her specialist studies at the National College of Aesthetic Medicine in Paris. At the time, however, she was already married and the mother of two young children. Her father had initially suggested she take one of the public-health posts then vacant. That option would have let her reconcile her professional and private lives without the slightest difficulty.
Nevertheless, Jihene knew what she wanted to do. Above all, she knew what she no longer wanted: "I wanted to exist in my own right."
The Early Days of Aesthetic Medicine in Tunisia
A Courageous Pioneer
Her family supported her, for the young mother she then was sacrificed a comfortable life to pursue her studies. What is more, she committed herself to a speciality that was only just beginning to be practised in Tunisia. Jihene Baccar is, indeed, one of the pioneers of this discipline. At 31, she opened her own practice.
Understanding Patients' Needs
"You have to understand that the patients who consult us are not ill. Even so, they feel an undeniable need to feel better. Some people find there is a gap between who they are and how they look. Tiredness, cigarettes and stress can also alter the image one would like to have of oneself."
Jihene identifies different kinds of request: rejuvenation (anti-ageing), a healthy glow, a touch of radiance. "We try to intervene without it being too visible, because we must be careful not to change the expressions of the face, a person's features or their identity. Not to mention pathological cases (burns, scars, cleft lips) — those are another matter."
The Art of Medical Communication
Sometimes patients come in with photographs of celebrities and ask to have the same features. "It is then up to the doctor to explain whether or not the procedure is feasible, while taking care not to hurt people's feelings."
As a result, you have to be very understanding, because every request reflects a need that often conceals something one should not laugh at. "Sadness, disappointment, a problem with one's self-image, family or personal worries. You no longer accept yourself, you no longer love yourself when you have a problem with your identity."
Reasonable Requests and Caring Support
"There are also very reasonable requests, where the person simply wishes to improve certain features. You should know that, as long as the person is doing it for themselves, the doctor will guide them on whether their request is feasible. The person knows what they want. Our role is to guide and advise them."
Jihene's approach reveals a deeply human dimension: "You have to be very generous of heart, ready to listen and comfort. Sometimes that is the most important thing, because psychological violence, very present in Tunisia, often lies behind the requests made by women who have been belittled and humiliated by the way men look at them."
Excellence Through Continuing Education
A Passion for Innovation
Doctor Jihene Baccar, who dislikes idleness, is passionate about her art. She also attends one seminar and conference after another to stay at the cutting edge of her discipline, which is constantly evolving. Mesotherapy, the injector pen, skin boosters and PRP are all new practices that our doctor has mastered to perfection.
A Commitment to the Future of the Discipline
"Life is a struggle," she tells us, "and nothing happens by chance. Today I am here, but I am campaigning for my profession to outlive me. I would like pioneering doctors to lay the foundations of a discipline built with people of integrity and honesty."
This forward-looking vision reflects her professional sense of responsibility: "It is very important for the image of aesthetic medicine: making sure that what we do does not disappear."
An Inspiring Woman
Jihene Baccar embodies that generation of Tunisian women who have managed to reconcile professional ambition with family responsibilities. Her career shows that, with determination and solid values, it is possible to become a pioneer in your field while remaining faithful to your principles.
Her humanist approach to aesthetic medicine, combining technical excellence with kindness, makes her a role model for new generations of practitioners. Ultimately, she proves that professional success finds its deepest meaning in the service rendered to others.
Jihene Baccar at a Glance
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Speciality | Aesthetic medicine |
| In practice for | More than 15 years |
| Specialist training | National College of Aesthetic Medicine in Paris |
| Opened her practice | At 31 |
| Techniques mastered | Mesotherapy, injector pen, skin booster, PRP |
| Personal life | Mother of two children |
