What drew you to dermatology?
The skin is the largest organ of the body. It's the first thing you see when looking in the mirror and the first thing people see on you. The effect of a skin condition on your mental health is often overlooked.
It's often also a "window" to what's happening inside the body.
Also, dermatologists are few and far between, and when I started practising I realised that there is definitely a need for more. Every other patient has something they are not happy about with their skin.
What do you do at work each day?
I treat any diseases of the skin, hair and nails in children and adults, do minor surgical procedures as well as all cosmetic procedures, including the injection of fillers and Botox. We combine medical and surgical treatment with cosmetic procedures.
What are the most popular procedures you do at your practice? And what are the new big trends in the industry?
The most popular treatments are Botox and fillers. There is also growing popularity of procedures like platelet-rich plasma and micro-needling as well as chemical peels.
How did lockdown affect the way you work and your practice?
With everyone being at home most of the time, a lot of people have actually found the time to do all those procedures they've been putting off without having to worry about down time. So there has been a steady influx of patients.
In the rooms, we've had to change the way we work, such as working strictly by appointment, limiting the number of people in common waiting areas to ensure social distancing, and sanitising frequently and in between patients.
What are your lockdown takeaways?
That we should never take life/health for granted. We all need to take care of each other in some way.
What did you want to be when you were a child?
Growing up, my mother instilled the idea of being a nurse in me. I guess it's what she had wanted to do.
But I developed the love for health and taking care of sick people.
In school I did very well and thought being a doctor would make my parents even prouder.
What advice do you have for SA's recent graduates and matriculants?
Never give up on their dreams. Covid has made life seem so unpredictable, you literally don't know what's going to happen the next day. Don't stop planning and dreaming about your future.
Work on your goals every day that you're given and never be complacent.
There will still be life after Covid.
