The year 2020 changed our habits, daily routines, and even our perspective on life with coronavirus. However, cosmetic surgery maintains its popularity despite all the changes in 2020. One may need cosmetic surgery according to their needs and desires. Fortunately, cosmetic surgery procedures have made it possible to enhance virtually any aspect of the way we look, empowering us to rediscover our inner and physical beauty.

Dr. Sana Farista is one of Mumbai's premier cosmetics & laser specialists over the last twelve years. She has developed her practice to create truly one-of-a-kind experiences for people looking to transform their lives. By enhancing their smile and beauty, maintaining their good oral health through a range of advanced non-invasive treatments option like laser dentistry, smile make-over, tooth whitening, lip & gum depigmentation (pinkening), implant, gum disease (pyorrhoea/periodontitis), and customize multi-disciplinary treatment. Women Entrepreneur India is delighted to engage in an exclusive interview with Dr. Sana Farista.

Tell us about the foundation journey of the company. What were the initial days like, and what were some significant challenges that you had to overcome in the early days?

I was born in a small town - Rajnandgaon, in Chhattisgarh. After my dental studies, I learnt Laser Dentistry from USA and Germany. Long ago, during my graduation times, I underwent extraction with my wisdom teeth in a conventional way; the pain, swelling, bleeding, difficulty, fear, and anxiety were eye-openers for me. And, as a budding dentist, I made up my mind to get into something that will offer my patients the best comfort, faster healing, less fear, and minimum postoperative complications. The first one from Rajnandgaon, my native, to learn lasers and have my laser unit way back in 2009. But I faced many rejections from the experienced practitioners of the time, however passion and knowledge regarding lasers helped me slowly clear off the reluctance from various minds. I then decided to take it on a large scale and started with awareness talks and short courses on lasers for patients and clinicians, which significantly impacted the practice, and today, in Chhattisgarh, there are at least 50 clinicians who accepted the change and incorporated the minimally invasive approach for treating patients.

Tell us about your expertise as a cosmetic and laser specialist in dentistry. What are some of the effective procedures that you hold mastery in?

Lasers are either alternative or used as an adjunct to conventional dental procedures; so basically, laser replaces the old techniques where blades, injections, and sutures/stitches were used. This wonder ray of light is uber effective and efficient to kill bacteria, reduce pain and inflammation, and perform both surgical and non-surgical dental treatments. In my practice, I have five different types of laser wavelengths, all suitable for a broad spectrum of dental treatment. So, I am specialized in smile designing/smile correction using lasers, let it be a gummy smile or a toothy smile, crooked smile or a gapped smile, slanting or a canty smile, extra display of gums during smile with teeth looking small and stout, giving a smile an unsightly look. Also, gums-related issues like bleeding gums, over contoured gums or gums at different levels, moving/mobile tooth or gums receding from its place, darkly pigmented gums and darkly tinted lips, reposition the lips for a perfect molar to molar smile. Additionally, laser surgical removal of some lumps or growth inside the oral cavity, removal of white patches, or management of reduced mouth opening. Also, mastered the art of Advanced Laser Dentistry ­ "Touchless dentistry."

“Lasers are alternative or used as an adjunct to conventional dental procedures”

Leading a firm from the front is often a time-consuming and challenging job. How do you manage to strike a balance between your work and home life?

I am a person who learns from my mistake. Yes, I committed errors, was single-minded, and focusing all my time and attention on my work. But the pandemic hit the hard reality out of everything; to survive, you need to build your immunity and gain sound health, and not only that, you need to give yourself time, give time to your family. I learned to balance myself.

What would your words of advice be to young women aspiring to foray into the field of healthcare? 

You will have failures; you have disappointments; there will be points where you would feel that you should give up; there will be times when you will start hating yourself, but remember all these things are a part of your journey to success. Except it, embrace it. There will be a day when you will sit on your chair, realize that there are not one, not two, not hundreds but many more who want to be like you, and you wouldn't be able to witness that if you didn't choose those hardships. Many will see you as a role model; many want their daughters to be like you and want their wives to be like you. So do it, don't give up.

Dr. Sana Farista, Director

With twelve years of experience, Dr. Sana Farista is felicitated with various awards among which International Awards of Excellence - IAE awards ­ London was awarded to her at London Parliament for Best Laser Surgeon 2018. Also, she is Listed in Top 100 Influential Women in India by Forbes India 2020.