How These A-List Dermatologists Are Making New York City The Destination For Beauty Innovation

02.10.2023 - 11:27 / forbes.com / Martha Stewart

A-list stars including Olivia Ponton, Martha Stewart, and Kate Bock attribute their stunning complexions to NYC based dermatologist Dr. Dhaval Bhanusali. His non-celebrity patients, meanwhile, fly into town from all over the world for the sole purpose of an appointment with him and to experience his newest innovation: Aesthetica Skin Lab - at his Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery practice.

Dr. Bhanusali has teamed up with viral social media skincare educator Dr. Muneeb Shah on the Lab, and Dr. Shah also joined the practice this month.

I can tell you from personal experience that the Aesthetica Skin Lab is an oasis that’s relaxing and effective at the same time. From the moment you step inside the chic Hudson Dermatology and Laser Surgery space, relaxation sets in.

You are greeted with a serene setting that makes you forget about the stressors of day-to-day life. I walked towards the back through a hallway with panels and lighting meant to “transport” you into another world. Dr. Bhanusali and Dr. Shah want their patients to forget that they are in New York or at a doctor’s office at all, and that I did.

Aesthetica Skin Lab started as an option for their VIP patients and has quickly grown. The goal is to create bespoke, science-based facials after extensive skin testing and evaluation. The principles are rooted in science, and each facial is customized.

After comprehensive testing, they mix and max technologies, whether gentle exfoliation or advanced lasers, superficial and deep into the skin, and utilize procedures like electroporation, LED lights, and hyperconcentrated serums to get results patients not only see immediately, but also experience over the coming weeks and months.

Many of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit models, for example, like Katie Austin, Olivia Ponton and Sixtine were treated with the “Swimsuit” facial earlier this year.

Below are edited excerpts from my recent interview with Dr. Bhanusali and Dr. Shah about the Lab and how their practice is a destination more than a doctor’s office.

What makes HDLS so unique?

Dr. B: I think our uniqueness is mostly in the different worlds we work in- Clinical Medicine (I do a lot of scar treatments and hair loss work), Dr. Kiran Mian focuses on cosmetics, Dr. Aya Ahram and Dr. Tamara Lazic on medical dermatology, and Dr. Shah on a broad spectrum of things, including procedural surgery, skincare (including testing), device development, and digital health (AIRE, Skin Medicinals,etc).

Dr. S: HDLS has an incredible culture that I’ve really never experienced before. Coming together, we both look at HDLS as an opportunity to identify obstacles that stand in the way of our patients and the care that they need to get better. Once we identify those