Dr. Laaksha Outlines Her Proven Holistic Treatment
In the realm of dermatology and aesthetic medicine, Dr. Laaksha Naidu Pala stands out as a distinguished expert. A gold medallist physician, clinical scientist, and global healthcare icon, she champions a unique, evidence-based approach to skin health. Moving beyond superficial treatments, Dr. Laaksha emphasizes diagnosing the root cause of conditions like hyperpigmentation, which can often be linked to internal health. In this insightful interview, with Rashmi Kumari of Neo Science Hub, she demystifies skin pigmentation, debunks common self-treatment myths, and outlines her proven holistic protocol that balances clinical treatment, personalized home care, and tailored lifestyle management for truly transformative results.
Dr. Laaksha, hyperpigmentation is a very common concern. What are the primary causes people should be aware of?
The causes are multifaceted. It’s not just sun exposure. We have to consider environmental factors, hormonal changes—especially in women with conditions like PCOS or during pregnancy—age, genetics, and skin injuries. This includes post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation from acne, chemical exposures, burns, or wounds. Crucially, it can also be a sign of an underlying medical condition, like thyroid issues, or a side effect of certain medications like steroids. The key is to understand the root cause; the treatment becomes easy once we know why it’s occurring.
Many people self-treat with serums and creams they see online. What is the risk of this approach?
This is a significant problem. People use products like Vitamin C, Kojic acid, or glutathione without a proper protocol. For instance, I had a male patient who used Vitamin C serum in the morning without sunscreen and became significantly darker. The serum interacted with the sun, worsening his pigmentation. Every skin type—dry, oily, mature, combination—is different. An ingredient that works for one person can be detrimental to another. Without knowing your individual condition, genetic profile, or any underlying deficiencies, self-medicating can cause more harm than good, even leading to liver toxicity in the case of random supplement intake.
So, what is the correct approach or treatment protocol for managing hyperpigmentation?
My treatment protocol is a holistic three-part balance that is 100% crucial for results:
1. 60% Clinical Treatment: This includes prescribed medications, pharmaceutical-grade cosmetic products, herbal formulations, or clinical procedures based on a proper diagnosis.
2. 40% Home Care Remedies: The specific serums, moisturizers, and sunscreens I prescribe for use at home. But note: even home remedies are not for everyone. A lemon juice pack, for example, is terrible for someone with broken skin or active acne.
3. 20% Diet & Lifestyle Management: This is non-negotiable. Diet modifications must be tailored to the individual—a diabetic, a renal patient, and a healthy person have completely different protocols. Stress management and sleep are also part of this.
If any one of these three pillars is missing, you will not get 100% of the desired results.
A troubling trend you mentioned is the sharing of prescriptions within families. Why is that so dangerous?
It is 100% wrong. A prescription is tailored to an individual’s specific health status. If a person has an unknown allergy, a hormonal imbalance, or a condition like diabetes, using someone else’s medication or diet plan can lead to severe adverse reactions. I’ve seen cases where a shared topical cream made an allergic reaction much worse. Your health profile is unique; your treatment must be too.
What is your final piece of advice for anyone noticing changes in their skin?
First, become alert. Any change in your skin or hair can be an early sign that something is happening internally. Prevention is better than cure, and certainly better than letting a condition become adverse. Do not use random products. Instead, consult a specialist to get the right diagnosis. Once you know the cause, we can choose the right product for you—because every product has benefits, but only if it’s the right choice for your skin. It’s always better to use the right product correctly than to use the wrong one and damage your skin forever.
