World of Aesthetics : Skin Series

Do you know which the largest organ of our body is? It is none other than the skin. While we need to take care of every part of our body, it is even more essential to take care of the largest organ of our body. Skin is the reflection of your internal health, and to help you take good care of your skin, Thane is blessed to have its own certified dermatologist Dr. Natasha Shetty.

A young and enthusiastic Dr. Shetty set out to explore the world of aesthetics after completing her primary medical education in Mumbai. She pursued a Diploma in Aesthetics from one of the premier institutions in the country and later completed her Masters in Clinical Dermatology from Wales in the UK. Studying abroad helped her understand the global aesthetic nuances and international standards of practice and patient care. Her constant drive to learn something new propelled her to do a Fellowship in Aesthetic Medicine from an American Academy, which helped her better understand the principles of Cosmetic Dermatology and kept her up-to-date with recent advances in the field.

After seeking education from abroad and gaining experience by working with renowned skin doctors, Dr. Shetty returned to India to start her medical aesthetics center, “Skin Series.” Just before coming up with her setup during the COVID-19 imposed lockdown, she disseminated her bounty of knowledge through online and telephonic consultations. However, she realized that the level of satisfaction in treating patients virtually is not the same as in-person. Therefore, she decided to start her clinic.

A state-of-the-art skincare clinic, Skin Series, which boasts of delivering high-quality standards and optimum results, focuses on treatment modalities and the overall experience from the moment they walk through the doors. Dr. Shetty and her team prioritize patient needs and comfort above anything else.

At Skin Series, which offers a complete skincare experience, this aesthetics doctor puts her education, practical knowledge, and global exposure in the field to help her patients educate and help her patients have better skin and, ultimately, a better lifestyle. Skin Series follows a straightforward motto of assisting people to become a better version of themselves both internally and externally. Through her medical aesthetics center, Dr. Shetty strives to raise awareness about medical aesthetics so that her clients understand the available resources and the right places to go for them.

She added, “We offer many treatment options through our carefully curated skincare menu. Our services include Laser Hair Reduction, Chemical Peels, Pigmentation Treatments, Tattoo Removal, Medical Grade Facials, Botox/Anti-wrinkle treatment, Dermal Fillers, Skin tightening, Microneedling with dermal infusions, Microneedling with PRP, Exfoliation, extraction, and infusion treatments, Vampire facelift, PRP for hair, GFC for hair, Profhilo and Skin boosters. These treatment options can either be used alone or in combination with others to ensure you reach your skincare goals. We also carry a wide range of retail skin care products to aid post-treatment care and maintain the results we achieve through our in-clinic treatments.”

Skin is a sensitive subject, so a skin specialist needs to be empathetic and patient. Dr. Shetty is the epitome of these soft skills, making her very approachable to all her patients. Every time a patient visits her, she makes sure that she goes deep into the root cause of the problem, studies the past, and then offers a solution. Dr. Shetty says, “I believe in a holistic approach where I consider lifestyle, diet, hormonal profile, and how they all affect the patients’ internal health and skin. It is important to understand that there is no shortcut to success, and when it comes to skin, I ensure that my treatments or solutions have a long-term benefit rather than short-term satisfaction.”

Typically it is seen that people visit dermatologists to get a fairer complexion. However, they must understand that fair is not always lovely. Dr. Shetty emphasizes, “Through Skin Series, we want to change how beauty and aesthetics are perceived in India. We want to hold the consumer’s hands through good skin days and the bad ones. We also want to educate and let India know that being brown is not our flaw but, in fact, our strength, especially when it comes to our skin.”

One of the most common skin problems is a pigmentary disorder – melasma which is caused by hormonal fluctuations and excessive UV exposure. ‘A big challenge with this condition is its recurring nature. It is important for the patient to understand both the cause and the nature of the problem so they know what to expect. We believe that counselling is an aspect of management which is just as important as treatment, adds Dr. Natasha.

Dr. Shetty shares, “We had a patient who had this problem. Before visiting us, she had consulted many doctors but to no avail. When she came to me, I studied her case and counselled her. We had long sessions, and finally, with the treatment solution that I offered, she was able to get rid of that gruesome problem.”

Dr. Natasha recalled another instance of a young patient who came in suffering from clinical depression due to a scar on her face. “In a case like this, counselling again becomes integral before we can move on treatment. Once the patient is on the same page as us and knows what to expect from the treatments, half the game is won. Skin treatments are all about personal touch and communicating appropriately”, she avers.

Though she quoted the examples of her female patients, Dr. Shetty says, “Men are getting more aware than before and are ready to undergo the necessary treatments. Aspirations to get good skin are increasing among men and women almost equally.”

Just like any other field of medicine, earning the confidence of patients is arguably the most valuable asset. Dr. Shetty mentions, “Being a first-generation and young doctor, it’s challenging to instill confidence. But fortunately, my communication skills and passion for aesthetics have perhaps helped me overcome this. Doctor shopping has become very common. Cognizant of this, I aim to spend a good amount of time with every patient so that I can make a difference in their life.”

Before signing off, Dr. Natasha, who believes that skin has a memory of what you do today will last long, offered some valuable tips that one can adhere to have nourished skin. She concludes, “Sleep, Diet, Food, Stress, and Physical Activity are some of the key pointers that one should keep in mind. Eight hours of sleep, followed by a balanced diet, including a good mix of fruits, vegetables, and nuts, reduced stress levels by performing yoga or meditation, and optimum physical activities can assist in having better skin. As far as possible, avoid processed sugar and substitute it with jaggery.”

The field of aesthetics is relatively new in India. While not too many institutions offer courses on aesthetics, it is a challenge to establish acceptability for this field. However, Dr. Natasha Shetty, in just a short period, has proved her mettle and paved her path. She started from scratch, and with utmost hard work, she has been able to impact the lives of others positively.