Dr Susana Fontana

MD GPST MICGP PGDip of Aesthetic Medicine. PGDip of Nutrition and Food. Dip. in Dermatology

Medical Director & Founder of Hazel Clinic | Dermatology & Aesthetic Medicine

Dr Susana Fontana is the Medical Director and Founder of Hazel Clinic, a doctor-led dermatology and aesthetic medicine clinic in Blackrock, Dublin. With medical training and professional experience spanning Venezuela, Spain and Ireland, she brings a broad clinical perspective to the assessment and treatment of skin concerns, as well as to aesthetic medicine.

Her approach combines medical knowledge, dermatological experience and a considered approach to aesthetic treatments, with a focus on individual needs, natural-looking results and the long-term health of the skin.

Dermatology and Aesthetic Medicine

Dermatology and aesthetic medicine are central to Dr Fontana’s clinical practice. She has experience in the assessment and management of skin conditions, alongside a range of medical aesthetic treatments designed to support skin quality and address individual aesthetic concerns.

Her dermatological experience includes mole mapping, cryotherapy, skin biopsies and minor surgical procedures. She has also worked extensively in aesthetic medicine, performing treatments such as dermal fillers, anti-wrinkle injections, chemical peels, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), mesotherapy and skin boosters.

Dr Fontana believes that good medical care begins with understanding the individual patient. Every recommendation should be guided by clinical assessment, appropriate evidence and a clear understanding of the potential benefits, limitations and alternatives available.

For her, aesthetic medicine is not about changing someone’s identity or pursuing every available treatment. It is about taking a thoughtful, individualised approach to helping patients achieve results that feel appropriate to them, while respecting their natural features.

A Patient-Centred Approach to Medical Care

At Hazel Clinic, Dr Fontana is committed to providing honest, personalised medical advice in a professional and welcoming environment.

She believes that patients should feel informed and confident in the decisions they make about their skin and appearance. This means taking the time to understand their concerns, explaining suitable options clearly and recommending treatments only when they are considered appropriate.

Not every patient needs a treatment, and not every concern requires an aesthetic procedure. Where a simpler approach or an alternative option is more appropriate, this should be part of the conversation.

Dr Fontana values transparency, realistic expectations and evidence-informed decision-making. Her aim is to ensure that patients understand the reasoning behind each recommendation and feel comfortable making decisions that are right for them.

Medical Training and Professional Background

Born and raised in Maracaibo, Venezuela, to Italian parents, Dr Fontana completed her medical degree at the University of Zulia between 2004 and 2011.

After graduating, she moved to Barcelona, Spain, with her husband to continue her professional development. She completed a four-year specialist training programme in General Practice, during which she developed a particular interest in dermatology and aesthetic medicine. She subsequently undertook two years of further study in aesthetic medicine at the University of Barcelona.

Recognising the importance of nutrition in overall health, Dr Fontana also pursued further education in Human Nutrition and Food. In 2017, she obtained a Diploma in Dermatology from the Catalan Society of Family and Community Medicine.

During her years in general practice, she cared for patients across different stages of life, managing a broad range of medical conditions and developing an approach grounded in attentive listening, clinical judgement and continuity of care.

Dermatology Leadership and Clinical Experience in Spain

From 2018 to 2021, Dr Fontana served as Chair of Dermatology within the Catalan Society of Family Medicine. In this role, she contributed to dermatological education, research activities, professional congresses and the training of general practitioners with an interest in skin diseases.

She continued working in primary care, where she gained extensive experience assessing patients with diverse clinical needs and varying degrees of medical complexity. Her responsibilities included mole mapping, cryotherapy, skin biopsies and minor surgical procedures, strengthening her practical experience in the recognition and management of skin concerns.

Alongside her dermatological work, Dr Fontana practised aesthetic medicine for four years in a plastic surgery and aesthetic clinic in Barcelona, collaborating with experienced plastic surgeons.

Her work included dermal fillers, anti-wrinkle injections, chemical peels, platelet-rich plasma (PRP), mesotherapy and skin boosters. This experience helped shape her approach to aesthetic treatments, with an emphasis on individual assessment, appropriate treatment selection and results that complement rather than overpower a patient’s natural features.

From Barcelona to Dublin: Founding Hazel Clinic

Following several years of professional experience in Spain and the arrival of her first daughter, Dr Fontana and her husband moved to Ireland, drawn by the country’s culture, quality of life and professional opportunities.

She subsequently founded Hazel Clinic in Blackrock, Dublin, with the aim of bringing together dermatological care and medical aesthetic treatments within a doctor-led clinical setting.

Today, Dr Fontana leads the clinic’s commitment to personalised care, professional standards and thoughtful treatment planning. Her vision is to offer patients access to considered dermatological advice and aesthetic medicine in an environment where their concerns are listened to, their options are explained clearly and their individual needs remain central to every decision.

For Dr Fontana, the relationship between doctor and patient is built on trust. That trust comes from clinical knowledge, honest communication and the understanding that the right treatment is not necessarily the most extensive one, but the one that best serves the individual patient.

Qualifications

• Medical Doctor (MD), University of Zulia, Venezuela

• General Practice Specialist Training (GPST)

• Member of the Irish College of General Practitioners (MICGP)

• Postgraduate Diploma in Aesthetic Medicine

• Postgraduate Diploma in Nutrition and Food

• Diploma in Dermatology, Catalan Society of Family and Community Medicine

Book a Consultation at Hazel Clinic

Whether you are seeking advice about a skin condition or considering an aesthetic treatment, an individual consultation is the first step towards understanding your options.

At Hazel Clinic, Dr Susana Fontana and the team believe that good care begins with listening, a thorough assessment and clear, realistic advice. Treatment recommendations are guided by the patient’s concerns, clinical needs and the options considered appropriate for them.

Hazel Clinic — Doctor-led dermatology and aesthetic medicine in Blackrock, Dublin.

Book a consultation to discuss your skin concerns and receive personalised medical advice.