My Story

My interest in dermatology began long before medical school. As a teenager, I struggled with persistent acne, and as someone with skin of colour, breakouts often left behind post-inflammatory redness (erythema), dark spots (hyperpigmentation), and at times, scarring. Those marks lingered far longer than the acne itself, shaping how I felt about my skin and, at times, about myself.

Like many people, I didn’t understand acne back then. I was heavily influenced by trends—new skincare products, restrictive diets, and quick fixes that promised results. I spent years trying to “fix” my skin, often at significant financial and emotional cost. There were periods when I felt deeply self-conscious and avoided social situations altogether, particularly during flares of cystic acne. Confidence didn’t come easily.

Those experiences stayed with me. They were a major reason I chose to pursue dermatology training. I came to understand that while many skin conditions are not life-threatening, their impact on self-esteem, mental health, and quality of life can be profound.

Today, my goal is to share evidence-based dermatology and skincare education in a way that is clear, accessible, and free for everyone.

I have a particular focus on skin of colour and men’s skin health, areas that remain under-represented and under-taught—even within formal dermatology training.

Education is another core passion of mine. Dermatology is a highly competitive specialty, and I remember clearly what it felt like to doubt whether I was “good enough” to apply. I wasn’t the top student in my class. I failed medical exams along the way. I was even told that I shouldn’t pursue dermatology because I wasn’t a native English speaker and wouldn’t be able to appreciate its nuances. Despite this, I persevered.

I am now a dermatologist and I hope that by sharing my journey, and lessons learned, I can help others who may see themselves in my story believe that they, too, belong here.