Women's leadership in dermatology and skin care holds paramount significance. Female leaders bring a plethora of diverse perspectives and insights, essential in a discipline predominantly catering to a female clientele. Their empathy, nuanced understanding of unique dermatological concerns, and innovative treatment methodologies significantly augment the quality and efficacy of dermatological services. Furthermore, women leaders in this domain serve as paragons, inspiring the next generation of female professionals, promoting gender diversity, and cultivating an inclusive environment that fosters comprehensive and patient-centric care. Dr Swetha’s Cosmoderm Centre stands as a beacon of excellence in the field of dermatology and skincare. Renowned for its state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge treatments, the centre offers a comprehensive range of services designed to address various dermatological needs. Under the expert guidance of Dr Swetha P, Founder of Dr Swetha’s Cosmoderm Centre with years of experience and a deep commitment to patient care, the centre has earned a stellar reputation for delivering exceptional results.

In a candid interview with us, she shared her experiences along with the latest insights from the industry.

What motivated you to foray into the field of healthcare and specialize as a dermatologist?

My father has always been my inspiration. As a dermatologist, he surrounded me with professionals from his field from a very young age. This had a significant impact on my childhood and inspired me to pursue a career in medicine. Over the years, I had the opportunity to closely observe his scope of work at his Medical Centre, where the fascination towards dermatology drastically evolved. My father once told me that dermatology involves treating patients with chronic conditions like itching, which may seem minor but can affect one’s mental health, leading to depression or worse. His words were my driving force and motivated me immensely. During my education in India and abroad, my curriculum included both practical aspects and theoretical subject matter, which helped me as a student to grasp the syllabus easily. I am grateful to my professors for this. After completing my education, I decided to start my clinic rather than joining a well-established hospital.

I faced many challenges due to my evident lack of experience in administration and business management, yet I am grateful to God and my well-wishers for helping me go through the process at ease. Throughout my profession, I have always upheld moral ethics and values and believed in providing loyal services to society. My father's important advice to me in my life and career was to focus on duty, be sincere and ethical with your patients, rewards will automatically follow. These were the foundations for my career and acted as guiding principles in my life. I solely believe in and engage in providing sincere care to my patients. I have barely focused on marketing or advertising my services. My reputation was shaped through word-of-mouth referrals and oral messages passed by my loyal patients. Now, recollecting all the phases in my career, all the obstacles I faced have taught me valuable lessons and have shaped me into who I am today.

What inspired you to create Dr Swetha’s Cosmoderm Centre? Describe the core concept behind the clinic and its primary areas of specialization.

My goal has always been to provide the best services and ethical care to all my clients. My priority is to offer them the best guidance and suitable treatments according to their specific needs while aiming to create a comfortable environment for all patients. My unique selling proposition focuses on promoting skin health through standardized technologies, ensuring better treatment quality while upholding ethical principles. At Dr Swetha’s Cosmoderm Centre, we believe in a different approach where minimal interventions, can bring significant and effective changes in skincare. I prioritize fair pricing for all our customers, aligning with the services provided, and recommend products of quality and efficacy rather than burdening customers with unnecessary expenses. I always urge my clients to invest wisely in products that enrich and benefit the skin, providing effective results.

What do you see as the most significant challenges you face when working with patients, and how do you approach overcoming these obstacles?

The major challenge especially in today’s era of easy access to all sorts of medical information to various concerns, it sometimes becomes challenging to explain the patients that 'one size doesn’t fit all'. However, with years of experience not only with the subject, but also with understanding the patient’s mentality helps me to gives them better clarity.

Also the younger generation of today, expect quick results. Hence convincing them about the actual physiological process comes again with explanation and displaying actual clinical stories.

Private practice isn't easy; it requires constant learning and confidence to uphold professional standards and patient expectations. In this role, your reputation hinges on every interaction, demanding precise knowledge and effective communication to maintain trust and deliver quality care.

What is your outlook on the future of Indian dermatology and cosmetology? Which emerging industry trends do you believe will have the greatest impact?

Currently, in urban areas, there's been a proliferation of dermatology centres opening almost every other day. However, there's concern about the lack of stringent regulations regarding who can operate these centres. Many centres are not led or supervised by qualified dermatologists; instead, individuals with brief cosmetology training present themselves as dermatologists. This poses significant risks, especially for patients who may not be well-informed about these distinctions. Patients often lose trust in medical professionals after experiencing multiple failed treatments at such centres. There's a pressing need for clearer regulations stipulating that only qualified dermatologists should lead these practices to ensure patient safety and prevent potential harm caused by inadequate treatments.

Dr Swetha P, Founder, Dr Swetha’s Cosmoderm Centre

Dr Swetha P is a dedicated dermatologist known for her commitment to ethical practice and sustained effort in patient care. She emphasizes quality treatment and maintaining high standards in dermatology. Her career is marked by a passion for providing effective skincare solutions and ensuring patient satisfaction through safe practices.