Dr. Shanika Arsecularatne

1 September 2014 01:57 pm The youngest Sri Lankan to be certified in Aesthetic Medicine by the AAAM Dr. Shanika Arsecularatne, the youngest person to be certified by the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine (AAAM) in Sri Lanka, is very passionate about conveying the importance of Aesthetic medicine to Sri Lankans. It is an area of medical practice, which embraces multidisciplinary modalities dedicated to create a harmonious physical and psychological balance through non-invasive, minimally invasive and invasive treatment modalities, which are evidence-based. These modalities focus on the anatomy, physiology of the skin and its underlying structures, and are used to cure a wide variety of skin problems. This field has been gaining much prominence and recognition in the past few years, not only in Asia, but also throughout the world. Gaining her primary education from Holy Family Convent and Asian International School where she completed her Advanced Levels, she then went on to pursue her aspiration of becoming a Medical doctor. Fulfilling her dream, she returned to Sri Lanka to successfully pass the Sri Lankan Medical Council’s licensing exam to practice in Sri Lanka. “I did my internship at the Hambantota General Hospital in Surgery, Pediatrics and was a RHO in Radiology,” said Dr. Shanika reflecting on the start of her career. When I was doing my MBBS, I had a definite idea that I wanted to specialize in Aesthetic Dermatology due to the passion I had about the field and also due to my mother, Ramani Arsecularatne’s influence.” While pursuing her passion of becoming a Doctor of Aesthetic Medicine, Dr. Shanika also practices in Pediatrics in a leading private Hospital in Colombo. Having studied under many of the world’s leading specialists in Aesthetic Medicine she received the post Graduate Advanced Diploma from the American Academy of Aesthetic Medicine and is currently in the process of completing the Fellowship in Aesthetic and Anti- Aging Medicine. Dr. Shanika is on an upward trajectory to fulfill her aspirations while providing that benefit to Sri Lankans as well. “When I first began my career as a doctor, Aesthetic Medicine was not very popular, but now it is slowly gaining more recognition as people are looking for non invasive medical procedures. “The ability to enhance a person’s appearance and seeing them happy and confident is in itself a great reward “ explains Dr. Shanika. While working in Colombo and in rural regions, I have observed various skin disorders in newborns, teenagers, and in the aging population such as, disfiguring birth marks, acne and acne scars, pigmentation, surgical or traumatic scars and skin problems associated with aging and hormonal imbalances. Many do not consider seeking the help of a doctor involved in Aesthetic medicine due to the obscurity of the procedures and not having the necessary knowledge on the importance and ease of the procedures involved. “I’m now able to provide a definite solution that is absolute by using cosmeceuticals, oral medications and medically proven technologies—where most of these procedures and medicine are results of 5-10 years of thorough research. “Aesthetic medicine can also be used to help cure dermatological manifestations of other systemic diseases,” explained Dr. Shanika. Christell Skin Clinic will be Dr. Shanika’s latest venture in her endeavor of imparting the best in Aesthetic Medicine to the people in Sri Lanka. Slated to open soon, Dr. Shanika will partner with her mother Ramani Arsecularatne to provide consultations as well as treatments to patients. Being the youngest in the country to achieve the license to practice Aesthetic Medicine, a field fast becoming renowned for its ability to provide lasting solutions for aesthetic issues faced by many, Dr. Shanika is making strides in the field of Aesthetic medicine in Sri Lanka.