Frequently Asked Questions

At DermcareMD in Kothrud, Pune, Dr. Neha Athalye uses a combination of microneedling with PRP, chemical peels, fractional laser, and subcision to treat acne scars — the approach depends on your scar type and severity.

Most patients see noticeable improvement in active acne within 4–6 weeks. Acne scar treatments typically require 3–6 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart for optimal results.

Yes. Dr. Neha Athalye evaluates hormonal triggers such as PCOS and prescribes targeted therapy including topical treatments, oral medications, and hormonal management for long-term acne control.

We treat bacterial infections (impetigo, boils), fungal infections (ringworm, nail fungus), viral infections (warts, herpes, shingles), and parasitic infections (scabies, lice) at our Kothrud, Pune clinic.

Dr. Neha Athalye uses clinical examination, dermoscopy, and laboratory tests such as KOH microscopy and fungal culture to accurately identify the causative organism and guide targeted treatment.

Yes. Along with effective medical treatment, we provide guidance on hygiene practices, lifestyle modifications, and preventive strategies tailored to your specific infection type to reduce recurrence.

Melasma is triggered by sun exposure, hormonal changes, and certain medications. Treatment at DermcareMD includes medical-grade depigmenting creams, chemical peels, laser therapy, and strict sun protection guidance.

Melasma is a chronic condition that can be effectively controlled but may recur with sun exposure or hormonal changes. A long-term maintenance plan with sun protection is essential for sustained results.

Dr. Neha Athalye selects the peel type based on your melasma depth and skin type — superficial peels for mild cases and medium-depth peels for resistant pigmentation, always combined with a comprehensive treatment protocol.

Hyperpigmentation is darkening of the skin due to excess melanin (e.g. dark spots, melasma), while hypopigmentation is lightening or loss of skin colour (e.g. vitiligo, post-inflammatory lightening). Both are treatable.

Yes. Dr. Neha Athalye offers multiple treatment options for vitiligo including topical calcineurin inhibitors, narrowband UVB phototherapy, and surgical melanocyte transplantation for stable vitiligo.

Treatment duration depends on the type and depth of pigmentation. Superficial hyperpigmentation may improve in 4–8 weeks, while deeper conditions like dermal melasma or vitiligo may require several months of consistent treatment.

Common triggers include allergens (dust mites, pollen), irritants (soaps, detergents), weather changes, stress, and certain foods. Dr. Neha Athalye helps identify your specific triggers through detailed evaluation and patch testing.

Eczema is a chronic condition that can be effectively managed but not permanently cured. With the right treatment plan — including topical medications, skin barrier repair, and trigger avoidance — flare-ups can be significantly reduced.

Patch testing involves applying small amounts of common allergens to your skin under adhesive patches to identify contact allergens causing your dermatitis. Results are read after 48–72 hours to guide avoidance strategies.

Psoriasis is a chronic autoimmune condition that cannot be permanently cured, but it can be effectively controlled with proper treatment. Dr. Neha Athalye uses a stepwise approach to achieve long-term remission and minimise flare-ups.

Scalp psoriasis is managed with a combination of medicated shampoos, topical corticosteroid solutions, calcipotriol scalp applications, and in moderate-to-severe cases, phototherapy or systemic medications.

Yes. Narrowband UVB phototherapy is highly effective for moderate-to-widespread psoriasis, helping to clear plaques and achieve remission. It is administered under medical supervision at our Kothrud, Pune clinic.

Fungal nail infections (onychomycosis) are treated with a combination of topical antifungal lacquers and oral antifungal medications. Treatment typically takes 3–6 months depending on the severity and the nail involved.

Ingrown nails occur when the nail edge grows into the surrounding skin, causing pain and infection. Treatment ranges from conservative management (proper trimming, antiseptics) to partial nail avulsion for recurrent cases.

A dark line on the nail (melanonychia) can be benign or indicate a more serious condition. Dr. Neha Athalye uses nail dermoscopy (onychoscopy) to evaluate the pattern and determine if further investigation is needed.

Common causes include androgenetic alopecia (genetic pattern hair loss), hormonal changes, nutritional deficiencies (iron, vitamin D, thyroid), stress, and autoimmune conditions like alopecia areata. Accurate diagnosis is key.

Yes. PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy stimulates hair follicles and promotes new hair growth. It is particularly effective for androgenetic alopecia and thinning hair, usually requiring 4–6 sessions for optimal results.

Dr. Neha Athalye performs trichoscopy (dermoscopic scalp evaluation) along with blood investigations for thyroid, iron, vitamin D, and hormonal levels to identify the underlying cause and create a targeted treatment plan.

Early detection involves regular skin examinations with dermoscopy — a specialised magnifying tool that reveals features invisible to the naked eye. Dr. Neha Athalye performs systematic full-body skin checks for suspicious lesions.

Warning signs include a new or changing mole, a sore that does not heal, a spot with irregular borders or multiple colours, and any rapidly growing or bleeding skin lesion. Prompt evaluation is recommended.

While less common than in lighter skin types, skin cancer does occur in Indian patients and is often diagnosed at a later stage. Regular dermoscopic screening is recommended, especially for those with multiple moles or sun-damaged skin.

Yes, absolutely. All consultations for sexually transmitted infections are conducted in a completely private and confidential setting. Patient privacy is our highest priority.

Dermatologists are trained to manage the skin and genital manifestations of STIs including genital herpes (HSV), genital warts (HPV), syphilis, molluscum contagiosum, and related conditions.

Genital warts (caused by HPV) can be treated with cryotherapy (freezing), electrocautery, topical medications, or a combination, depending on the size, number, and location of the warts.

Yes. Dr. Neha Athalye selects peel type and strength specifically suited for Indian skin types, minimising the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation while achieving effective results.

A series of 4–6 sessions spaced 2–4 weeks apart is typically recommended for optimal results. The number depends on your skin concern — mild dullness may need fewer sessions, while deeper pigmentation or acne marks may require more.

Superficial peels have minimal downtime — mild redness and peeling for 1–3 days. Medium-depth peels may involve more visible peeling for 5–7 days. Sun protection is essential during recovery.

Both use fine needles to stimulate collagen. Medical-grade microneedling uses an electronic device with adjustable needle depth for precise treatment, while dermaroller is a manual roller suited for milder concerns and surface-level rejuvenation.

A topical numbing cream is applied before the procedure to minimise discomfort. Most patients describe the sensation as a mild prickling. The treatment is well-tolerated and takes about 30–45 minutes.

For acne scars, 4–6 sessions spaced 4–6 weeks apart are typically recommended. Results are progressive, with visible improvement in skin texture and scar depth building after each session.

Botox results typically last 3–4 months. Regular maintenance sessions help sustain the effect. Over time, some patients find they need fewer treatments as the muscles become trained to relax.

Yes. Dr. Neha Athalye uses only FDA-approved hyaluronic acid fillers, which are biocompatible and reversible. All treatments are performed with precision to ensure natural-looking, safe results.

Botox relaxes muscles to smooth dynamic wrinkles (forehead lines, crow's feet), while dermal fillers add volume to restore lost fullness in areas like cheeks, lips, nasolabial folds, and under-eyes.

Yes. Dr. Neha Athalye customises laser parameters specifically for Indian skin types to minimise the risk of post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation while achieving effective results.

The number of sessions depends on the concern: laser toning for pigmentation typically requires 4–6 sessions, fractional laser for scars needs 3–5 sessions, and laser hair removal requires 6–8 sessions for optimal results.

Fractional laser creates thousands of microscopic treatment zones in the skin, stimulating collagen production and skin renewal while leaving surrounding tissue intact for faster healing. It is effective for scars, wrinkles, and skin resurfacing.

At DermcareMD, every mole is first assessed with dermoscopy to rule out any suspicious features. Safe removal is then performed via surgical excision with meticulous wound closure, and tissue is sent for histopathological analysis when indicated.

RF (radiofrequency) cautery uses controlled radiofrequency energy to precisely remove skin tags with minimal bleeding and scarring. It is a quick, office-based procedure performed under local anaesthesia.

Yes. Multiple warts can be treated in a single session using cryotherapy (liquid nitrogen) or electrocautery, depending on the size and location of the warts. Follow-up sessions may be needed for resistant warts.

A skin biopsy is a minimally invasive procedure where a small sample of skin is removed for microscopic examination. It is needed when clinical examination alone cannot confirm a diagnosis — for example, in persistent rashes, suspicious moles, or blistering diseases.

The procedure is performed under local anaesthesia, so you feel only a brief pinch during the injection. The biopsy itself is painless. Mild tenderness at the site resolves within a few days.

Histopathology results are typically available within 5–7 working days. Dr. Neha Athalye discusses the findings at a follow-up consultation and uses them to guide your treatment plan.

Dermoscopy uses a specialised magnifying device to examine skin lesions in detail invisible to the naked eye. It significantly improves diagnostic accuracy for moles, skin cancers, hair disorders, and nail conditions.

No. Dermoscopy is completely painless and non-invasive. The dermatoscope is simply placed on or near the skin surface. The examination takes only a few minutes and requires no preparation.

Trichoscopy is dermoscopy applied to the scalp and hair. It allows Dr. Neha Athalye to evaluate hair follicle health, diagnose conditions like alopecia areata and androgenetic alopecia, and monitor treatment response.

Dermatosurgery at DermcareMD includes mole excision, cyst removal, wart removal, skin tag removal, scar revision, punch grafting for vitiligo, and nail surgery for ingrown nails and nail tumours.

No. All dermatosurgical procedures at DermcareMD are performed under local anaesthesia in a sterile clinical setting. You remain awake and comfortable throughout, with minimal downtime afterwards.

Recovery is typically quick — most procedures involve only mild tenderness for a few days. Suture removal (if needed) is done within 7–14 days. Detailed post-operative care instructions are provided for optimal healing.