Dr. Najjia Ashraf is a seasoned Consultant Dermatologist, Cosmetologist and laser therapist. In her quest for knowledge, she set out on an overland journey to Europe and validated herself by acquiring MSC in Clinical Dermatology from St John’s Institute of Dermatology, King’s College London. She has made numerous TV and radio appearances where she gave health-related tips and advice on live calls. Her journey does not stop here. She attends many national and international conferences, workshops and seminars to accentuate the need for improvement of usually neglected skin, nail and hair care. Bol News sat down with her to discuss skincare.
“Pakistanis spend Rs 101 Billion per year on personal care products: survey”
What is the difference between dermatology and cosmetology?
A dermatologist is an MBBS doctor who has special and long-term education in the skin and treats skin diseases like fungus, acne, eczema, losing hair and many more. A dermatologist can diagnose a large number of skin diseases including skin cancer. They can also deal with cosmetic issues related to hair, nails, and skin. They also perform surgeries to improve skin health.
Meanwhile, a cosmetologist is an expert in applying cosmetic procedures, therapies, and treatments to beautify one’s outer appearance and implementing cosmetic treatments to people’s hair, skin, and nails.
What problems does a dermatologist face in Pakistan?
Firstly of course the mushroom growth of quacks. A large number of people, especially in the rural areas of the country, are treated by these ‘experts’. Normally people prefer quacks over qualified registered dermatologists because they are cheap, easily available, and above all, they know the art of luring their patients.
Moreover, they customise their method of treatment keeping in view the financial position of their patients. They master the art of trapping a patient to the extent that when they mishandle any case, the patient considers it his bad luck. Unfortunately, some rich women have also joined the group of quacks and they are using social media very smartly to attract customers. Teenagers in a bid to look beautiful go to them and after ruining their faces come to a dermatologist making their job difficult.
Moreover, some skin treatments require more time and the patient at times gets fed up with the lengthy treatment process and abruptly stops treatment. In such cases, the problem is aggravated and becomes problematic even for dermatologists.
Is there any specific age group more prone to skin diseases?
Not at all, Even a toddler can suffer from skin disease. Skin conditions in babies and kids may include rashes, hives, warts, acne, birthmarks and more. These conditions may be caused by infections or various other reasons. Treatment varies from anti-itch creams to pain relievers to antibiotics, depending on the condition. However, teenagers are especially more conscious about diseases like acne or eczema so they along with women who are ready to get married are the main customers of dermatologists.
According to a rough estimate, I can say that 98 per cent of women visit skin specialists and that includes both skin diseases and beauty tips. But the problem is that most of them visit skin specialists without prior research so instead of going to a qualified registered doctor they land in the clinic of a quack that somehow became popular on social media.
Moreover, there are a fairly large number of women who believe that if the dermatologist is not good-looking she cannot be a good one because she fails to take care of her own beauty. Such notions are based on a lack of knowledge.
How to combat the issue of quacks?
It is impossible to eradicate quackery but some serious efforts can be made to curb this menace. Though there are laws against quackery, it’s not being implemented in letter and spirit. Media can play a very important role in this regard by telling people not to believe in claims that a “secret” or “miracle drug” will work wonders on a wide variety of ailments, not to buy medical devices, bracelets or other products without first consulting your doctor or other appropriate health professional.
Have you ever received a patient who was a victim of a quack?
Yes, many. Once a woman came to me with some sort of carbuncle on her belly. After a series of treatments by the quacks, she was asked to go to a cancer clinic for a biopsy. She came to me with tears in her eyes. After a thorough inspection, I gave her some ointment and antibiotic tablets and asked her to come after a week or so. On her second visit, there was a marked improvement and her swelling was reduced to a mere spot. What I mean to say is that in this profession, experience and exposure to scientific developments are keys to success.
How to select a good dermatologist?
Before going to a skincare specialist one must get proper referrals from friends and relatives, conduct thorough research about the credentials of the dermatologist, consider the dermatologist’s Experience, read patient reviews and things like that. They should never ever go to a dermatologist keeping in view the number of followers on social media.
