My passion for dermatology started when I was quite young, and two incidences were the motivation for it. My first reason for choosing the career path of dermatology was my close relative. She was married to a psychopath who subjected her to domestic abuse, and at one point, he splashed boiling water all over her face, which deformed her pretty severely. She sought help from dermatologist to dermatologist, practiced all sorts of skincare routines on YouTube, spent lots of money on concussions, but to no avail. Eventually, she got recommended to a Dermatologic surgeon in New York who changed her entire look, at quite a fee, but it was worth it. The aftermath of her physical appearance was just so astonishing, and the happiness she was now experiencing could not be hidden. She gained so much self-confidence and self-esteem that she did not need to go out hiding behind a hijab after so many years of doing that. After this incident, I wished to pursue dermatology and help such people who are forced into low facial profiles by circumstances, maybe even charge a lower fee in the process for affordability to people from all walks of life. Nobody should be pushed into a lowly esteemed life like that.
My second reason was about myself. Between twelve to sixteen years, I struggled with mild to critical nodulocystic acne. It is a severe type of acne that affects the face, chest area, and the back. It is a combination of firm nodule lumps and cavities filled with fluid and lined by epithelium. My parents took me to the New York dermatologist who had treated my aunt, but he claimed to be only fluent in skin surgical practices, and not cream-based treatments. For a while, after that, we gave up on seeking treatment. Like my aunt, I survived by masking myself underneath an oversize hoodie and scarf. It was until one day when someone hurled insults at me and physically attacked me, confusing me for a thug. I dropped the hoodie-and-scarf idea and began to use layers of facial makeup to conceal the nodules, dark spots, and ripe comedones. My family was the only one that got to see my natural agonized face. At school, I began taking the furthest sit in the back and not contribute to scholarly discussions, yet I had always participated in debate matters. At lunch, I would sit all by myself because I did not need my friends asking about my changes, ridiculing, and showing pity for my situation. I cannot begin to put into words how self-conscious and depressed my acne turned me. By a ray of luck, I read an article online of a person who had battled a similar condition for thirteen years. He later got to know a dermatologist in Ohio who specialized in nodule and cyst acne to be precise. My parents and I got into contact with the person to confirm if he was a scam, but he linked us directly to the doctor, who confirmed she was capable of handling my case. We garnered enough cash and headed to Ohio and, believe it or not; I have the smoothest skin as of today. I underwent days of skin therapy and medicines, both tablets and application creams. My skin cleared out nice and slow. In a matter of ten weeks, I was back to my bubbly extrovert self, taking a hundred photos per hour, yet I had never put myself out on social media nor taken a selfie over the years. It made me desire, even more, to study the course and help people in situations like mine and any other skin concerns out there. I watch YouTube videos to acquire more knowledge on matters of the skin, the formation, the pores, the causes of acne, among other topics. These videos are a method of keeping me in touch with current data and statistics. It also makes me aware of my skin and to notice the tiniest of changes.
I intend to take on dermatology as my career in the future. It may be a long shot since I first have to pursue a bachelor’s degree in Biology as a whole, but after that, I will go ahead to study my passion for career for three years. I will work extra to succeed in my one-year internship then work my way up. I want to help people feel confident and to raise their esteem about their skin’s appearance. I would also like to restore the original facial and body appearances of people who have been hurt and deformed in some way or other to help them rid off their scars. I believe everyone should get to enjoy the feeling of stepping into the world as comfortable as they can be in their skin, they should take pictures if they are photogenic and post them on their social media walls without shame of themselves. I want to make dermatology a channel to make people feel better. The skin is the largest organ of the body, and as such, it should be in ship shape.