Sham Al Zahabi is a Syrian-Egyptian scientist, chemist and entrepreneur whose career sits at the intersection of skin science, aesthetics and business.

Long before becoming known as the founder of DAO, Al Zahabi studied chemistry, worked in cosmetics research and development, and focused her postgraduate research on skin science and cosmetic formulation. She later turned that academic background into a growing aesthetics and wellness business with operations across Egypt, Qatar and Dubai.

Profile Snapshot

Name: Sham Al Zahabi

Nationality: Syrian / Egyptian

Profession: Scientist / Chemist / Entrepreneur

Known For: DAO Derma, skin science, aesthetics and beauty entrepreneurship

Education: Chemistry at the American University in Cairo; postgraduate research in cosmetic formulation; research experience at the University of Cambridge

Business: Founder of DAO

Other Ventures: DAO Academy / DAO Qatar

Industry Focus: Dermatology, aesthetics, skin science, wellness and professional education

From Chemistry to Skin Science

Al Zahabi’s professional story began in science rather than social media or celebrity culture.

She studied chemistry at the American University in Cairo, where her academic work developed into a deeper interest in cosmetic formulation, skin biology and the science behind beauty products.

She later gained practical experience in the Research & Development Cosmetics Lab at Eva Pharma, working closer to the formulation side of the beauty industry and learning how scientific research translates into products used by consumers.

Her postgraduate work continued into cosmetic formulation and nanotechnology, including research into delivery systems designed to improve how active ingredients interact with the skin.

That academic path later took her to the University of Cambridge, where she joined research examining skin, collagen and ageing at the cellular and biochemical level.

The Decision to Build DAO

Moving from laboratory research into entrepreneurship was not the obvious next step.

Al Zahabi had initially imagined a future closer to academia, scientific consulting or research. Building a clinic meant entering a different world: clients, teams, operations, financial decisions and the responsibility of turning scientific knowledge into a real service business.

That transition eventually led to DAO Derma.

The idea behind DAO was to approach beauty through a broader understanding of skin, health and wellbeing rather than treating aesthetics as something completely separate from what happens beneath the surface.

Building DAO Derma in Egypt

DAO developed into a multidisciplinary aesthetics and wellness business in Egypt.

Its network includes locations in New Cairo and Alexandria and brings together dermatologists, aesthetic specialists, therapists and nutrition professionals.

The clinic’s services span dermatology, injectables, regenerative aesthetics, skin treatments, hair and scalp care, body treatments, nutrition and diagnostic services.

This expansion matters because DAO grew beyond a founder-centered beauty concept into an operating clinic structure supported by medical professionals, specialists and several service categories.

DAO Qatar & DAO Academy

Al Zahabi’s business interests later expanded beyond Egypt.

Her professional work includes DAO Qatar as well as DAO Academy, an education platform connected to dermatology and aesthetics.

DAO Academy adds another layer to her career. Rather than limiting the business to consumer treatments, it extends the DAO identity into professional learning and knowledge sharing within the aesthetics industry.

That direction is closely connected to Al Zahabi’s scientific background: education and research remain part of the business even as its commercial footprint grows.

Expanding DAO to Dubai

A major regional expansion came in November 2024 with the opening of DAO Clinic Dubai.

The Dubai clinic was launched through a partnership involving Al Zahabi and Sima Ganwani Ved, founder and chairwoman of Apparel Group.

The clinic broadened DAO’s multidisciplinary approach across dermatology, aesthetics and wellness, with services spanning laser treatments, regenerative procedures, nutrition, hair therapies, scar management and other areas.

The Dubai expansion represented an important step in Al Zahabi’s evolution as a founder. DAO had moved from a clinic built around her scientific interests into a regional business capable of entering new markets through strategic partnerships.

Science Before Celebrity

Al Zahabi grew up in the public eye as the daughter of Syrian singer Assala Nasri, but her professional identity developed in a very different field.

Her career has been shaped by chemistry, skin biology, research, aesthetics and entrepreneurship rather than entertainment.

That distinction is important because much of her professional work has focused on building an identity independent of her family name.

Her move from scientific research to clinic founder became one of the clearest ways she established that independent professional path.

A Different View of Beauty

Al Zahabi has also spoken publicly about the pressure women face around physical appearance and the importance of self-worth beyond external beauty.

That perspective fits closely with the philosophy behind DAO, where aesthetic treatments increasingly sit alongside wellness, nutrition and health-oriented services.

Her scientific background gives that message a different context from conventional beauty marketing. The discussion begins with skin function, biology and wellbeing before moving toward appearance.

L’Oréal Paris

Al Zahabi has also appeared in a documented initiative with L’Oréal Paris.

The brand featured her in its official Lesson of Worth series, presenting her as a chemist, skin expert and founder of DAO Derma while focusing on self-belief, ambition and women’s sense of worth.

The collaboration connects her scientific and entrepreneurial identity with a major international beauty brand without reducing her public role to traditional influencer marketing.

From Scientist to Regional Founder

The clearest way to understand Sham Al Zahabi’s career is not as a celebrity who entered beauty, but as a scientist who gradually moved toward entrepreneurship.

Chemistry led to cosmetics research. Research deepened her interest in skin. That interest became DAO Derma. DAO then expanded into clinics, education and new regional markets.

That progression explains the professional authority she has built around her name far better than celebrity proximity alone.

Offers & Creator Codes

Famousi brings together current public offers, creator codes and other available opportunities connected to Sham Al Zahabi, DAO or her documented business activities when they are available.

Offers, codes and terms may change over time. Readers should check the current details before using an offer.

Discover Sham Al Zahabi on Famousi

Learn more about Sham Al Zahabi through her Famousi profile.

Follow her work in skin science and aesthetics, the growth of DAO across the Middle East, DAO Academy, documented industry relationships, new business developments, related stories and current opportunities as they become available.

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