Good skincare beyond using many creams — Debbie Okokon - Punch Newspapers

Debbie Okokon is an aesthician and Medical Director of Doo Havilah Aesthetics. She tells TOFARATI IGE about her career, the beauty industry and other issues What was the original vision for your brand when you started, and how has that vision evolved over the past nine years? The original vision for the company was simple, and it was to help our melanin stars achieve flawless and healthy-looking skin. Over the past nine years, that vision has evolved into something much bigger: total wellness. We have come to understand that skin does not exist in isolation. What happens inside the body, our lifestyle, stress levels, hormones, nutrition and overall health can all reflect on the skin. So, our focus today is not just about outward appearance, it is about helping people achieve healthy, vibrant skin, restore confidence and age gracefully. For me, aesthetics is not about trying to make people look like someone else. It is about helping people become the best, healthiest version of themselves. You specialise in acne, hyperpigmentation and other complex skin concerns, particularly on melanin-rich skin. What are some of the biggest misconceptions people have about treating these conditions? One of the biggest misconceptions is that all acne and hyperpigmentation can be treated the same way. People sometimes expect one or two skincare products to solve everything. We hear things like, “Just give me the products that will clear my face in two days.” I understand the frustration. When you are dealing with acne or dark spots, you want results quickly. But, skin does not always work that way. Two people can have what looks like the same pigmentation but completely different causes; and the same applies to acne. Melanin-rich skin also requires careful consideration because inflammation can often leave behind pigmentation. If treatment is too aggressive, you may end up creating another problem while trying to solve the first one. That is why proper assessment matters. We need to understand the skin, identify the concern and its possible triggers, then choose the right treatment approach. Sometimes, that means professional treatment. And, at other times, it means a carefully selected home-care routine. Good skincare is not about using more products, it is about using the right approach consistently. Medical aesthetics is a rapidly evolving field. How do you ensure that the treatments and technologies you offer are safe, evidence-based and appropriate for your clients? Safety is one of our core values. We put our clients first, and everything else follows from that. That means we are very deliberate about where we source our products and supplies. Most of our products are obtained directly from the company or through verified third-party channels. This gives us greater confidence in what we are using on our clients. For most products, we also request the material safety data sheets, so we can properly understand what we are working with and the relevant safety information. Technology is another area where you cannot afford to stand still. We keep ourselves informed through current articles, webinars, podcasts and continued professional education. The aesthetics industry is constantly changing, and being a practitioner means accepting that learning never stops. Being informed and abreast of what is happening in the aesthetic world helps us make better decisions and, most importantly, helps us keep our clients safe. You have trained with institutions across Dubai, USA, Australia, South Africa and the United Kingdom. How have these international experiences influenced the way you practise medical aesthetics in Nigeria? These international experiences have influenced our approach to aesthetics in many ways. One major lesson has been the importance of being truly client-centric. It is not enough to perform a procedure well, you have to understand the person sitting in front of you. The experiences have also reinforced the importance of standardised protocols, ethical practice and empathy. At Doo Havilah, we try to combine international exposure and standards with an understanding of our Nigerian clients. Our clients have different skin types, lifestyles, expectations and concerns. So, while international training gives us knowledge and exposure, we still have to apply that knowledge thoughtfully to the people we serve here. How do you determine which procedure is appropriate for a particular client rather than simply recommending the latest or most popular treatment? Consultation is mandatory before these procedures are carried out. That 30- to 45-minute session tells us a lot about the client, and helps us determine how best to approach their skin or body restoration. We look at details that are important to the final decision, including health history, medication, lifestyle, facial features and facial structure. We also listen carefully to what the client actually wants to achieve. The fact that a treatment is popular does not automatically mean it is right for you. Wonders of nature: One of my personal experiences Dr. Edith F. Gibson’s Tropics Derma Institute Partners NOUN to Advance Tropical Skincare Science in Nigeria Stop altering babies’ complexion, dermatologists tell parents Two people can come in asking for the same procedure and leave with completely different recommendations. Treatment options and modalities are recommended based on the client’s individual needs, not simply because something is trending. The right answer could be an advanced procedure or simpler treatment; and sometimes, the best decision is to wait. That is why consultation is so important. What have you learnt about the relationship between excellent results and building long-term client trust and referrals? Consistency is one of the biggest lessons nine years in this business has taught me. You can have an amazing result once. But if the quality of your service, treatment and client experience keeps changing, people will notice. Consistency in the services we provide, the treatments we recommend and the results we work towards is what helps retain clients and encourages referrals. People remember how you treated them, whether you listened, whether you were honest when a treatment was not suitable for them, and whether the result matched what you promised. Long-term trust is built one client and one experience at a time. You studied Philosophy before moving deeply into medical aesthetics. What inspired that transition, and how has your background in Philosophy influenced the way you approach your business? The inspiration initially came from something quite simple: wanting to look and feel beautiful. That was where the journey started, but along the way, I discovered that I had fallen deeply in love with aesthetics. It stopped being just about beauty, and I began to understand the deeper connection between appearance, self-consciousness, confidence and how people feel about themselves. I believe strongly in ageing gracefully, feeling confident in your own skin and living a healthy life. Those beliefs pushed me deeper into this field. My background in Philosophy has also helped me tremendously. It taught me logical reasoning, curiosity and the appetite for continuous learning. When something is unclear, I want to understand why. When there is a problem, I like breaking it down into smaller parts until I can see what is actually creating the problem. That has helped me both administratively and clinically. Sometimes, a challenge looks complicated simply because we have not asked the right questions. There is growing concern about unsafe cosmetic procedures and poorly trained practitioners. What should Nigerians look for when choosing a medical aesthetician or aesthetics clinic? I would look at three things: reputation, knowledge and empathy. First, reputation. A reputable practice has something to protect. They have spent years building their name and should take that responsibility seriously. Second, knowledge. You want a practitioner who understands what they are doing, understands the skin and knows how to assess whether a procedure is appropriate for you. Do not be afraid to ask questions. A good practitioner should be able to explain what they are recommending and why. Third, empathy. This is often overlooked, but an empathetic practitioner will put you first. Your safety, comfort and health should matter more than simply making a sale. If someone is willing to recommend every treatment you ask for without properly assessing you, that should make you pause. Your face and your health are not places to experiment. As a woman leading a specialised aesthetics business in Nigeria, what have been some of the most difficult challenges you’ve faced in building the brand? On the operational side, electricity is a major challenge. The cost is high, and the erratic power supply makes things even more difficult. Then, there are high importation costs and inflation.Sometimes in Nigeria, it feels like you are working just to pay the bills. And, there is staffing. Having the right people with the right mindset and intentions is one of the biggest blessings a business can have. But, finding and retaining those people is not always easy. You can have the best systems in the world, but if the people operating those systems do not have the right attitude, it affects everything. How have we overcome these challenges? We show up every day. You learn to adapt, solve problems, and don’t get distracted by what you cannot control. There have been difficult days, but I have learnt not to allow a difficult season to convince me that the future cannot be better. What legacy do you hope to build through your work? I want the brand to become a one-stop wellness centre. Beyond the skin, I want us to keep looking at the bigger picture, because healthy skin is connected to what is happening within. We are constantly watching the industry and looking out for advanced procedures and approaches that can help people maintain healthy lives while achieving their aesthetic goals. When I think about legacy, it goes beyond the size of the clinic or the number of treatments we offer. The legacy I want to leave is one of hard work and determination. I want people to see that it is possible to keep showing up, keep learning and keep improving, even when the circumstances are not perfect. There will always be limitations and things you cannot do today. But, I don’t believe the inability of the moment should define the outcome of the future. Nine years ago, the vision was helping our melanin stars achieve better skin. Today, we are thinking much bigger, and I believe there is still a lot more ahead. Tofarati Ige Tofarati Ige, the Lifestyle Editor, has over 10 years experience in entertainment and lifestyle journalism. He is a music, film, arts and fashion critic. An author of two books, he also has interests in poetry and spoken word..

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