Why We Asked a PhD Researcher to come on board for our Acne Clinic

At No. 23 Skin, we believe acne deserves more than another repeat prescription. That’s why Dr Ketaki Bhate — who we believe to be the UK’s best acne dermatologist — sees patients at our Kensington clinic.

The Problem With “Just Try Another Antibiotic”

If you’ve been treated for acne before, this will sound familiar: a course of antibiotics, some improvement, then a relapse. Another course. Repeat.

It’s such a common pattern that Dr Bhate built her entire academic career around understanding it. She holds a PhD in Clinical Epidemiology from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, with her doctoral research focused specifically on long-term oral antibiotic use in acne and the resulting risk of antimicrobial resistance — work funded by a National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Doctoral Fellowship, one of the most competitive research awards in UK medicine.

In practice, this means Dr Bhate isn’t guessing at why a previous treatment didn’t hold. She has spent years studying the data on exactly this question, and uses that evidence to build treatment plans designed to actually last — not just calm things down for a few months.

A Global Research Background

Dr Bhate’s research training took her well beyond the UK. She completed research fellowships at the University of Pennsylvania, with earlier placements at Harvard Medical School / Massachusetts General Hospital and the Mayo Clinic in the United States — experience that shaped an evidence-first approach to skin health that’s still relatively rare in dermatology.

She continues to hold her substantive NHS consultant post covering skin cancer, acne, general dermatology, and skin surgery.

Recognised Internationally

Beyond the clinic, Dr Bhate is regularly invited to speak on acne management at international conferences — from Tokyo to Dubai — and has authored over 20 peer-reviewed publications in leading journals including the British Journal of Dermatology and JAMA Dermatology. She was also consulted by the BBC and Channel 4 for medical accuracy on factual programming about skin health.

What This Means for You

When you book a consultation with Dr Bhate at No. 23 Skin, you’re not just getting a prescription. You’re getting a clinician who has spent her career asking why acne treatments succeed or fail — and using that understanding to get it right the first time.

Book a consultation with Dr Ketaki Bhate No. 23 Skin, 23 Ansdell Street, Kensington, London W8 5BN

Helen

CoFounder
No. 23 Skin

02039411815

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