The way we think about our skin has considerably evolved over recent years, but there’s one group of specialists that have and always will be the centre of all things skin: Dermatologists.

With the arrival of a unique new clinic in Charlestown, melding together medical and cosmetic skin treatments, Hunter Coast Dermatology & Laser is here to change the local skin game.

Brought to you by three good friends and qualified dermatologists Dr. Rashi Malesu, Dr. Vivian Tng, and Dr. Jessica Bale, Hunter Coast Dermatology & Laser officially opened up to the public in March 2022 and has since brought a brand-new offering to Newcastle, unlike anything else in the area.

Having all completed some part of their extensive training here in Newcastle over the years, before officially settling down and calling our Newcastle home, the trio each has a huge love for the area and are passionate about providing a specialist dermatology service to locals.

“We are all dermatologists. We have trained together across different periods over the years. We all started working together in similar sorts of practices across Newcastle and collectively, we recognised a real lack of a dermatology practice that had a broad range of services that covered not just the medical aspect of dermatology but also the cosmetic side.

“We found with a lot of our medical patients, we still needed that more advanced technology like laser and LED light to get the results for our patients and it just wasn’t available. People were having to go to Sydney to get those same sorts of results. For us, it’s about having all of those services and being able to provide all of those services under one roof,” Dr. Rashi Malesu shared.

The trio, all Fellows of The Australasian College of Dermatology established the local business from a shared desire to service the dermatology needs of Newcastle and the Hunter region. Offering a comprehensive range of medical, surgical, cosmetic, and laser dermatology under one roof; this may just be Newcastle’s go-to answer for all things skin.

In addition to five or six years of university medical education, and several years as hospital doctors, Rashi, Vivian, and Jessica have all undergone four additional years of rigorous training in specialist medical and surgical dermatology. What this means is that your appointment at Hunter Coast Dermatology & Laser is overseen by some of the most highly qualified and experienced specialist dermatologists in the region.

“That truly is what distinguishes us as a practice is our advanced training, experience, and education. We can do the medical treatments as well as the other treatments in-house and be able to do those treatments appropriately and safely and getting realistic outcomes for our patients rather than over-promising and under-delivering,” Dr. Jessica Bale said.

So, what exactly can you visit Hunter Coast Dermatology & Laser for?

Medical Treatments

The team at Hunter Coast Dermatology & Laser are again, the specialists of the skin, so can work with patients on a broad range of medical treatments including but not only skin checks, skin cancer, acne, scar management, dermatitis & eczema, skin infections, psoriasis, autoimmune diseases, and more.

With many clients coming through with acne concerns, Dr. Jessica Bale shares how Dermatologists work with you to create a tailored approach to fixing your skin.

“To all of my acne patients, I say to them, this is not a quick fix. I can’t fix this in a week or two, this is a 12-month plan. I want your skin to be improving in three months, I want you to be able to visibly notice changes in six months, but the goal is for you to have clear or almost clear skin in 12-months.”

Surgical Treatments

In a first for Newcastle, Hunter Coast Dermatology & Laser will be the first practice in Newcastle to offer Mohs Micrographic Surgery, with Dr. Vivian Tng taking the lead. Having only been offered in Sydney prior, having this service available in Newcastle is going to be a huge gamechanger for our local community.

“It’s a specific technique where we actually process the tissue that’s cut out from the patient on the day. We keep going until the skin cancer is clear before we actually close. That way the patient actually knows that their skin cancer is clear before they even leave the building,” Dr. Vivian Tng said.  

Cosmetic Treatments

In addition to their medical treatments, patients can also visit Hunter Coast Dermatology & Laser in search of cosmetic services and treatments including injectable fillers, anti-wrinkle injections, anti-aging treatments, skincare advice, and skincare products.

“We really want people to know we are the specialists of the skin. We’re going to be looking at the skin and our patients as a whole. Looking at what’s their skincare regime, what is their lifestyle like, and really starting from the beginning and closing that loop. It’s a tailored treatment for every single client.” Dr. Rashi Malesu said.

Laser Treatments

Rounding out the Charlestown-based clinic's services is their range of laser and light treatments. Hunter Coast Dermatology & Laser boasts a range of lasers that can help with a range of skin conditions including pigmentation & sun damage; rosacea, redness & blood vessels; acne & acne scarring; and skin rejuvenation.

“The difference between HCDL and others is that everything that we do here is evidence-based. Our lasers are not generic lasers, we have the Cutera Excel V+; the most advanced in vascular and pigment laser technology and we have the Lutronic CO₂ laser, a superior laser resurfacing technology. We have invested in these technologies because we’re results-driven and we want to achieve the very best results for our clients.”

Elevating your experience at Hunter Coast Dermatology & Laser is none other than their incredibly bespoke and modern clinic fit-out which was designed by the local team at ELK Designs and created by local building company Insight Building.

From the open reception overlooking the surrounding area with views off into the ocean, the space boasts light wooden features and brass accents throughout. A visit to Hunter Coast Dermatology & Laser is sure to leave a positive impression on your skin and your understanding of skin as a whole.

“A big part of what we do here is actually educating patients on what they should and shouldn’t be doing with their skin. We are all so passionate about what we do, so we’re keen to pass on that information to our patients,” Dr. Jessica Bale said.

The Charlestown-based Hunter Coast & Dermatology Clinic should be your go-to for all conditions affecting skin, hair, and nails. Offering a collection of services and treatments covering medical, surgical, cosmetic, and laser, the highly-trained and incredibly friendly team at Hunter Coast Dermatology & Laser look forward to meeting you.