Dr. Jitesh D. Shetty
Founder
Dr. Jitesh, a revolutionary Dermatologist, Cosmetologist, Hair transplant surgeon, and the Founder of Tvam Skin and Hair Clinic, is reinventing India's legacy in cosmetology. Dr. Jitesh, who has been practicing this art and his unique skills for the past two decades, is a much acclaimed antiaging expert and very popular in the country's film, television, and corporate world. He uses subtlety to disguise his magical face transformation skills using Botox and Fillers, keeping everyone guessing and wondering at the beautiful results and very often changing the lives of people.
The story of Dr. Jitesh and his stellar professional career is full of twists and turns with only one thing that remains unchanged, the destination, excellence and success in whatever he does. Born into an upper middle-class family in Mumbai, he completed MBBS, but ended up taking over the family business after the untimely demise of his father, built a lucrative business empire out of it, ensuring the financial security of his mother and two brothers, and then resumed pursuing his dream, completed his postgraduate studies, everything before he turned 28 years of age. He went on to become a globally renowned doctor. To further explore this exciting story for our readers, I recently got in touch with Dr. Jitesh. Below is an excerpt from the exclusive interview.
You have had a unique pathway to reach where you are today. What's the story of you becoming one of the bestCosmetologists in the world?
They say, `Man proposes, God disposes. Only the Lord knows what is best for us'. These wise words resemble the story of my life. I was born into an upper-middle class family in the great Metropolitan city of Mumbai, India. My family consisted of my father, a restaurateur, my mother, a bank employee, and two younger brothers, Jeevan doctor, Detroit (US) and Jairaj- owns a catering business in Mangalore, India.
I have to say that life was really good even back then. Being a brilliant student in school- Don Bosco High School, Matunga, Mumbai, I was always a division topper in academics and good in sports, debate and dramatics. I even went on to win the Best Student award amongst 136 Catholic Schools in Mumbai.
The year was 1986, and it was time for higher studies. I pursued medicine because I dreamed of becoming a top Cardiothoracic surgeon or Cardiologist and settling in the US. I had the privilege to study in one of the top Medical Colleges in India, The Kasturba Medical College, Manipal (Karnataka, India). KMC gave me my first foray into the international culture as 90 percent
of my classmates were foreign students from across the globe. I would say that it widened my vision and perspectives. Leadership always flowed in my veins. I was elected college President. My medical college career was always distinguished but little did I know that my life would take a sudden turn.
Right after my MBBS exams, I lost my dad to a heart attack. At 22 years of age, I was devastated and forced to put a break on my further education, as I had a family to take care of. My brothers were very young. I developed a family business of restaurants and expanded into residential flat construction and the glamor entertainment industry of discotheques. I opened the first discotheque, built an international class residential complex, and started a world-class.
I was wealthy at the age of 25 years, and life was rocking again! My once cherished dream of becoming a doctor was fading away in my mind amidst the business success, but my mother never let it go.
At my mother's insistence, I decided to pursue my postgraduate degree. I was qualified for a seat in Dermatology and took it reluctantly. Remember, at that point in time, there was no concept of Cosmetology in the field of Dermatology. It was mainly about Acne vulgaris and other skin conditions so that I used to be called the Pimple Doctor and even my fellow postgraduates often mocked me. However, their sarcastic smiles were wiped off their faces when I ended up with a Gold Medal in my outgoing year. There, I was on top of the world again!
As you rightly mentioned, Cosmetology was only an emerging segment back then. What motivated you to build a career in this specialty?
I strongly believed that Cosmetology was the future of Dermatology, and my interest in the field took me to London. I scouted for courses that would enable me to give a start to the world of Cosmetology in India. The field was nascent and only evolving, with hardly a handful of dermatologists practicing Cosmetology.
When did you venture on your own? How has been the journey and experience so far? What have been some of the professional milestones?
I started my own clinical practice in October 1999. I started my first clinic in my favorite town, Udupi, and got the distinction of giving Udupi its first Cosmetology clinic. I was also among the first doctors to introduce the concept of the Medical Spa in India.
People flocked to me from far and wide from a fantastic travel radius of almost 500 kilometers. I had film stars from Bangalore rushing to Udupi for the magical treatments. I introduced Aromatherapy, an ancient Indian beauty therapy I ironically picked up from London.
In 2000, I started my clinic in Lokhandwala, Mumbai, the new hub of Bollywood and the television world. Soon, I had almost the entire television industry at the doorsteps of TVAM, my grooming and makeover center. In the coming years, I was among the pioneers of treatments like BOTOX, the magical wrinkle treatment, Fillers that could lift sagging cheeks and augment lips, Laser Hair treatment, and FUE hair transplantation.
In 2007, I started PAN India expansion, starting from the South, as that's where my forte is. I started clinics in Bangalore and Mangalore. In 2010, I left another milestone behind when I founded arguably India's first organized Cosmetology Training Institute, the Indian Institute of Cosmetology(IIC), in Mumbai.
At 22 years of age, I was devastated and forced to put a break on my further education, as I had a family to take care of
Right after my MBBS exams, I lost my dad to a heart attack. At 22 years of age, I was devastated and forced to put a break on my further education, as I had a family to take care of. My brothers were very young. I developed a family business of restaurants and expanded into residential flat construction and the glamor entertainment industry of discotheques. I opened the first discotheque, built an international class residential complex, and started a world-class.
I was wealthy at the age of 25 years, and life was rocking again! My once cherished dream of becoming a doctor was fading away in my mind amidst the business success, but my mother never let it go.
At my mother's insistence, I decided to pursue my postgraduate degree. I was qualified for a seat in Dermatology and took it reluctantly. Remember, at that point in time, there was no concept of Cosmetology in the field of Dermatology. It was mainly about Acne vulgaris and other skin conditions so that I used to be called the Pimple Doctor and even my fellow postgraduates often mocked me. However, their sarcastic smiles were wiped off their faces when I ended up with a Gold Medal in my outgoing year. There, I was on top of the world again!
As you rightly mentioned, Cosmetology was only an emerging segment back then. What motivated you to build a career in this specialty?
I strongly believed that Cosmetology was the future of Dermatology, and my interest in the field took me to London. I scouted for courses that would enable me to give a start to the world of Cosmetology in India. The field was nascent and only evolving, with hardly a handful of dermatologists practicing Cosmetology.
When did you venture on your own? How has been the journey and experience so far? What have been some of the professional milestones?
I started my own clinical practice in October 1999. I started my first clinic in my favorite town, Udupi, and got the distinction of giving Udupi its first Cosmetology clinic. I was also among the first doctors to introduce the concept of the Medical Spa in India.
People flocked to me from far and wide from a fantastic travel radius of almost 500 kilometers. I had film stars from Bangalore rushing to Udupi for the magical treatments. I introduced Aromatherapy, an ancient Indian beauty therapy I ironically picked up from London.
In 2000, I started my clinic in Lokhandwala, Mumbai, the new hub of Bollywood and the television world. Soon, I had almost the entire television industry at the doorsteps of TVAM, my grooming and makeover center. In the coming years, I was among the pioneers of treatments like BOTOX, the magical wrinkle treatment, Fillers that could lift sagging cheeks and augment lips, Laser Hair treatment, and FUE hair transplantation.
In 2007, I started PAN India expansion, starting from the South, as that's where my forte is. I started clinics in Bangalore and Mangalore. In 2010, I left another milestone behind when I founded arguably India's first organized Cosmetology Training Institute, the Indian Institute of Cosmetology(IIC), in Mumbai.
We trained doctors from all over the country and even globally. Today, my students run several franchises of my clinic across the country.
In 2011, I delved into the field of FUE hair transplantation and associated with the famous Dr. Patrick Tracy (exphysician to the legendary Michael Jackson). As my expertise in the area grew, I received an invitation from the Kingdom of Bahrain to start a world class Skin and Hair transplant clinic in the royal country. I am blessed with a fantastic clientele from all across the Gulf. In the past years, there have been numerous awards and accolades, all of which have been possible due to my patients' love and adoration. Life is blessed.
What about the personal milestones?
In my personal life, the biggest and most special milestones have been the birth of my children. My first child Arjun was born in 2007, and I was awarded the coveted 'Priyadarshini Indira Gandhi Award' the same year. 2010, the year my second child Aishwariya was born, was also the year I realized one of my dreams The Indian Institute of Cosmetology.
What did the pandemic mean for you?
We thought it would be wise to close down most of our centers in the wake of the pandemic. In fact, when the pandemic hit us, I was on the brink of an international expansion to start clinics in Dubai, London, Spain, and Poland. However, the COVID scenario has put a cautious brake on all our plans.
Presently, we are content to run the iconic Mumbai clinic and the flagship Udupi clinic that boast of the latest technologies and innovative treatments (mostly based on organic remedies too) in each sphere concern-ing skin treatments, hair treatments, hair and weight loss. Our clinic has taken all the specific precautions needed to prevent COVID infection and spread.
Dr. Jitesh, a revolutionary Dermatologist
Cosmetologist, and Hair transplant surgeon, is reinventing the Indian legacy in cosmetology. Dr. Jitesh, who has been practicing this art and his unique skills for the past two decades, is a much acclaimed antiaging expert and very popular in the country's film, television, and corporate world. He uses subtlety to disguise his magical face transformation skills using Botox and Fillers, keeping everyone guessing and wondering at the beautiful results and very often changing the lives of people.
Awards & Recognition:
•Indo- American Chambers of Commerce, New York and Indian Achievers Forum.'Indo American Leadership Award, 2022'.
•Certificate of Excellence Award 2022 By AICL, India(Risk Management Company)
•Leadership in Health Care, Skin and Hair Nutrition, 2021- 2022, Eminent Research Survey, US
•International Excellence Awards 2020, Madrid,Spain forExcellence in Dermatology, Cosmetology & Hair Transplant, conferred by The President of Spain.
•Most Admired Dermatologist, Cosmetologist & Hair Transplant Specialist of the Year 2019-2020, conferred by Eminent Research- US
•'Global Award for Customer Satisfaction' conferred in Dubai, 2013
•League Extra ordinaire Award conferred in Dubai by International Business Community in 2013
•'Arch de Excellence Award' conferred by the Association of Film artistes, India in 2013
•Gem of India Award- 2010
•Leading Professionals of the World Award by International Biological Center, CAMBRIDGE in 2010
•Hind Rattan Award by International Friends organization, India in 2010.
•Young Entrepreneur Award, 2008
•Man of The Year Representing India, 2008 by American Biological Society
•Rajiv Gandhi Award conferred by the Governing body of Chennai in 2008
•Mother Teresa Award for Social work by the Governing body of Chennai in 2008
•Priyadarshini Indira Gandhi Award conferred by the Government of Karnataka in 2007
In 2011, I delved into the field of FUE hair transplantation and associated with the famous Dr. Patrick Tracy (exphysician to the legendary Michael Jackson). As my expertise in the area grew, I received an invitation from the Kingdom of Bahrain to start a world class Skin and Hair transplant clinic in the royal country. I am blessed with a fantastic clientele from all across the Gulf. In the past years, there have been numerous awards and accolades, all of which have been possible due to my patients' love and adoration. Life is blessed.
What about the personal milestones?
In my personal life, the biggest and most special milestones have been the birth of my children. My first child Arjun was born in 2007, and I was awarded the coveted 'Priyadarshini Indira Gandhi Award' the same year. 2010, the year my second child Aishwariya was born, was also the year I realized one of my dreams The Indian Institute of Cosmetology.
What did the pandemic mean for you?
We thought it would be wise to close down most of our centers in the wake of the pandemic. In fact, when the pandemic hit us, I was on the brink of an international expansion to start clinics in Dubai, London, Spain, and Poland. However, the COVID scenario has put a cautious brake on all our plans.
Presently, we are content to run the iconic Mumbai clinic and the flagship Udupi clinic that boast of the latest technologies and innovative treatments (mostly based on organic remedies too) in each sphere concern-ing skin treatments, hair treatments, hair and weight loss. Our clinic has taken all the specific precautions needed to prevent COVID infection and spread.
Dr. Jitesh, a revolutionary Dermatologist
Cosmetologist, and Hair transplant surgeon, is reinventing the Indian legacy in cosmetology. Dr. Jitesh, who has been practicing this art and his unique skills for the past two decades, is a much acclaimed antiaging expert and very popular in the country's film, television, and corporate world. He uses subtlety to disguise his magical face transformation skills using Botox and Fillers, keeping everyone guessing and wondering at the beautiful results and very often changing the lives of people.
Awards & Recognition:
•Indo- American Chambers of Commerce, New York and Indian Achievers Forum.'Indo American Leadership Award, 2022'.
•Certificate of Excellence Award 2022 By AICL, India(Risk Management Company)
•Leadership in Health Care, Skin and Hair Nutrition, 2021- 2022, Eminent Research Survey, US
•International Excellence Awards 2020, Madrid,Spain forExcellence in Dermatology, Cosmetology & Hair Transplant, conferred by The President of Spain.
•Most Admired Dermatologist, Cosmetologist & Hair Transplant Specialist of the Year 2019-2020, conferred by Eminent Research- US
•'Global Award for Customer Satisfaction' conferred in Dubai, 2013
•League Extra ordinaire Award conferred in Dubai by International Business Community in 2013
•'Arch de Excellence Award' conferred by the Association of Film artistes, India in 2013
•Gem of India Award- 2010
•Leading Professionals of the World Award by International Biological Center, CAMBRIDGE in 2010
•Hind Rattan Award by International Friends organization, India in 2010.
•Young Entrepreneur Award, 2008
•Man of The Year Representing India, 2008 by American Biological Society
•Rajiv Gandhi Award conferred by the Governing body of Chennai in 2008
•Mother Teresa Award for Social work by the Governing body of Chennai in 2008
•Priyadarshini Indira Gandhi Award conferred by the Government of Karnataka in 2007