LaserDerm Clinic
Dr. Osigbeme Awudu and Dr Andrew Nnadi are still trying to come to terms with the huge success notched by LaserDerm Clinics, a facility they both established to help women achieve their dream of keeping the glow in their skin, writes Azuka Ogujiuba
Nearly everyone crave for a glowing skin even as ageing process takes its inevitable toll; but it happens to be a dream too difficult to accomplish for many. So, LaserDerm, a general practice medical aesthetic clinic based in Lagos was borne out of the desire to offer top quality skin care treatments to the public.
Operated by United Kingdom-based Nigerian doctors with over 15 years experience, it offers modern and innovative take on aesthetic and cosmetic services. Nnadi, one of the directors who works currently as general practitioner at The Clinic MK, Milton Keynes, UK, said: “There are several reasons we think it’s a good idea this service is being offered by fully qualified and reputable doctors, some of which are simple things like knowing what is safe to treat and what not to. Some of these procedures are potentially dangerous. For example, we hear of people being treated with lasers by individuals who are not medically qualified, which to us is a major source of concern.”
Awudu adds that their medical training coupled with years of practice have given them the expertise “to recognize if a skin lesion is benign or needs referral for further investigation or treatment. Likewise, being able to correctly diagnose skin disorders helps you know what to safely treat or what products to safely recommend. At LaserDerm safety is a huge priority of ours which is essential especially when dealing with skin of colour and thus we have a policy to always send the skin lesions excised for histological analysis.”
Equipped with FDA-approved NdYag Laser amongst several other cutting edge equipment, the centre is equipped to tackle several conditions from permanent hair removal to skin rejuvenation, and from removing unsightly facial and leg thread veins to correcting signs of sun damage, shave bumps, keloids, skin pigmentations and other skin imperfections as well as controlling acne.
Awudu said he noticed at his 16,000 patient practice in the UK, dermatology made up more than 20 percent of all clinical presentations and while there are several text and literature on managing various presentations, information on treating people with skin of colour was insufficient. Along with his long time colleague and friend Nnadi, it triggered a desire for more knowledge acquisition in this subject area, a journey which has taken them far and wide including United States and Caribbean Islands.
The years of study and practice have paid off well and in Awudu’s UK skin clinic in Milton Keynes which was set up about two years ago, he has fast gained a reputation as the go-to place for black patients, and reputedly having high client satisfaction rates in the process. A similar trend is already being noticed at LaserDerm in Lagos even though the clinic is still in its infancy. Of this, Nnadi said: “It’s really down to knowledge, professionalism and maintaining high standards similar to what obtains in other parts of the world.”
Knowing the degree of skepticism that now defines many women’s perception of body enhancement procedures following the complications that resulted in the death of some prominent Nigerian women, it may require some real convincing to get them to give this a try. But Awudu dispelled notions that the procedures were fraught with risks. “When you start explaining to some of them the initial reaction is apprehension, but when they check up all that you have been saying as authentic, they are relaxed and ready to go in for any procedure,” adding that “a detailed no hassle consultation is always offered before any procedure is embarked upon”.
“No two people are the same and thus we at LaserDerm treat each and everyone as an individual, taking time to understand each person’s desires and wants while being open and realistic about what is achievable. Being doctors our very ethos is about placing our clients first above any financial gains and that means being honest and true about what can be treated safely. Thus we sometimes decline to treat certain clients or where possible, refer them to more suitable treatment centers either locally based or abroad, each time explaining the reasons behind the decision. I find it’s an aspect of our practice clients find surprising, but very happy about. You gain their trust and to us that is invaluable. “
Awudu is an NHS principal and senior GP partner at the Hilltops Medical Centre in Milton Keynes, UK. He is also the co-founder of an aesthetic and laser skin clinic called LasaDerm also based in the UK. He is fully registered and licensed medical practitioner with both the Nigerian Medical and Dental Council and the UK General Medical Council having completed his GP training several years ago at the Oxford Deanery. “I have a special interest in dermatology and non-invasive skin treatments and amongst other qualifications,” Awudu said. He has also qualified to become a member of the British Association of Cosmetic Doctors.
His friend, Nnadi, who is also a director of the clinic also flaunts an impressive resume. He is a fully registered and licensed medical practitioner with both the Nigerian Medical and Dental Council and the UK General Medical Council. He is also a member of the Royal College of Surgeons, England, as well as a member of the Royal college of General Practitioners having completed both postgraduate training under the Oxford Deanery.