Pragmatically, there's been a radical shift in the way businesses are being run today, and women reigning the industries in innovators or leadership roles is the new paradigm shift. Be it fashion, interior designing, hospitality, academics, F&B, engineering or healthcare, more and more women have been establishing their presence in their respective industries. Dr. Madhavi Pudi, Dermatologist & Cosmetologist at Dr. Madhavi's Advanced Skin Hair and Laser Clinic, Hyderabad is one such prominent leader who has lived up to her dream of wanting to become an established doctor.

While appreciating the essence of `Women being Cosmetologists', Women Entrepreneur India engages an insightful conversation with Dr. Madhavi Pudi to know about her and her contributions towards enriching the cosmetology sector. Here are excerpts from the conversation.

Give Us A Brief Overview Of Dr Madhavi's Advanced Skin Hair And Laser Clinic. What Are Some Of The Important Features/Facets About Your Expertise As A Dermatologist And Cosmetologist?

Started in 2010, with a vision to bring affordable Skin Care to everyone, Dr.Madhavi's Advanced Skin Hair and Laser Clinic, Hyderabad is a clinical dermatology and skin procedures clinic and has further advanced to all clinical dermatology, trichology (diagnosis and treatment of hair and scalp conditions including hair fall and dandruff), nail disorders and all skin related cosmetic problems.

I'm an aesthetic dermatologist with specialziation in Scar treatment, Botox, Fillers, and all procedures to restore youthful appearance, and enhancing beauty. I started my practice when cosmetology had just begun getting popular in the country. I am fortunate to be among the group of doctors who developed the field in the state. Since, we are the forefront of the technology we are part of the revolutions & evolutions which occur in here. Hence, we are responsibly driving the evolution of the field forward. For example, melanocyte transfer and grafting used to be a niche technology. We have made it available to the masses.

I like to keep updating my knowledge, I am disciplined, systematised & hardworking personality, and hence I justify my work getting the best outcome of it. Receiving Gold medal in my MBBS is an example of success in initial days of my journey.

Take Us Through Your Early Education Journey. What Factors Motivated You To Venture Into The Field Of Healthcare And Eventually Pick Such A Niche Segment?

Having completed my schooling from KotakSalesian School, Vizag, I have an MBBS from Andhra Medical College, Vizag. Being a doctor has always been my dream ever since I was a child. The ability to heal patients and take care of people was a strong motivator. Cosmetology is not just skin deep. It involves a deep understanding of the patient, and their needs and motivations. I could make a real change in this segment. When I had just completed my PG, I wanted to work in one of the then well-established cosmetology chains as a doctor. However, fate had other plans for me. I shifted to Hyderabad, after marriage, and I was fortunate to do my DNB residency in Care Hospitals, Hyderabad in Dermatology.

My father always advised, `think big and you will become big'. This motto pushed me to start my own center and so I entrenched Dr Madhavi's Advanced Skin Hair and Laser clinic. Initially I did mostly clinical dermatology but after attending several seminars in India and abroad, I shifted focus on cosmetology work.

What Are Your Major Areas Of Expertise As A Dermatologist? What Are Some Of The Major Work Areas In The Said Field?

I am and continue to be a clinical dermatologist. Nothing is more satisfying than to see patients with critical conditions getting better. However, I find myself more occupied with cosmetic dermatology and aesthetic medicine. Most of my work concentrates around pigmentary disorders, Vitiligo, scarring especially scarring from acne, and old injuries. We use a combination of invasive and non-invasive methods using lasers, intralesional injections and Platelet rich plasma.

“I am and continue to be a clinical dermatologist. Nothing is more satisfying than to see patients with critical conditions getting better”

Interestingly, I have treated several male patients for balding. We have thus fine-tuned our regimens which include, medications, lotions, PRP and laser rejuvenation for the treatment of male pattern baldness. We also do FUE hair transplantation.

Performing advanced cosmetic procedures like Botox, fillers in the initial years of my practice was a bit challenging. I attended several national and international conferences for hands-on workshops in cosmetology which gave me vast experience where I was able to handle celebrity clients in very short span of my practise with good success rate.

How Do You Manage To Strike A Balance Between Your Work And Home Life? Are There Any Activities Or Hobbies That You Like To Indulge In When Not Working?

I believe that work is worship, and ama bit of a workaholic. I am grateful to have very understanding children who are mature beyond their years. They support me even when I am busy. I try to spend most afternoons with them at home, especially during the lockdown days. As for hobbies & activities, I like to indulge myself in watching movies. They relieve my stress levels. I am not a reader but I enjoy traveling to holiday destinations every once in a while with my family.

What Would Your Advice Be To Young Women Aspiring To Foray Into The Field Of Healthcare?

Healthcare, be definition needs a lot of care. The natural maternal instinct and compassion that come to a woman is an asset to women working in the field. It seems to be an extension of the same care we tend to give to our families. I feel that is why we are starting to see a domination of women in the healthcare sector. My advice for girls aspiring to my speciality is `just do it'. It is a very rewarding branch.

Dr. Madhavi Pudi, Dermatologist & Cosmetologist, Dr Madhavis Advanced Skin Hair And Laser Clinic

A MBBS from the Andhra Medical College (distinction in microbiology & pathology), Vishakapatnam, she carrying over 11 years' experience in Cosmetology and Dermatology is one of the most sought after Cosmetologist and Dermatologist in India.