Debbie Okokon on Skincare and Building Confidence

Debbie Okokon is an aesthetician and Medical Director of Doo Havilah Aesthetics. She spoke with TOFARATI IGE about her journey, the beauty industry, and other important topics.

What was your original vision for your brand, and how has it changed over the nine years?

The original vision was simple. We wanted to help our melanin stars achieve flawless and healthy skin.

Over the past nine years, the vision has grown into something bigger: total wellness.

We learned that skin does not exist alone. What happens inside our bodies, our lifestyles, stress, hormones, nutrition, and overall health all show on our skin.

Now, we focus not just on looks but on helping people achieve healthy skin, restore their confidence, and age gracefully.

For me, aesthetics is not about making people look like someone else. It is about helping them become the best and healthiest version of themselves.

You focus on acne, hyperpigmentation, and other skin issues, especially for melanin-rich skin. What are some big misconceptions about these treatments?

One big misconception is that all acne and hyperpigmentation can be treated the same way. People sometimes think one or two products can fix everything.

We hear things like, “Just give me the products that will clear my face in two days.”

I get the frustration. When dealing with acne or dark spots, you want quick results. But, skin does not always work that way.

Two people can have similar pigmentation but different causes, and the same goes for acne.

Melanin-rich skin needs special care because inflammation can leave behind pigmentation. If treatment is too harsh, it can create new problems while trying to fix the first one. That is why proper assessment is important.

We need to understand the skin, identify the issue, and find the right treatment. Sometimes, that means professional help. Other times, it means a carefully chosen home-care routine.

Good skincare is not about using more products. It is about using the right approach consistently.

Medical aesthetics is always changing. How do you ensure that the treatments you offer are safe and suitable for your clients?

Safety is one of our core values. We always put our clients first.

This means we are careful about where we get our products and supplies. Most of our products come directly from the company or trusted third-party sources. This gives us confidence in what we use on our clients.

For most products, we ask for safety data sheets so we can understand what we are working with and the safety information.

Technology is another area where we cannot stay still. We keep updated through articles, webinars, podcasts, and ongoing education. The aesthetics industry is always changing, and as practitioners, we must accept that learning never stops.

Being informed helps us make better choices and keeps our clients safe.

You have trained in Dubai, the USA, Australia, South Africa, and the UK. How have these experiences shaped your practice in Nigeria?

These international experiences have changed our approach to aesthetics in many ways.

One major lesson is the importance of being truly client-focused. Performing a procedure well is not enough; you have to understand the person in front of you.

These experiences also reinforced the need for standard procedures, ethical practice, and empathy.

At Doo Havilah, we combine international standards with an understanding of our Nigerian clients.

Our clients have different skin types, lifestyles, expectations, and concerns. So, while international training gives us knowledge, we must apply it thoughtfully to our local clients.

How do you decide which procedure is right for a client instead of just suggesting the latest popular treatment?

Consultation is a must before any procedure. That 30- to 45-minute session tells us a lot about the client and how to approach their skin or body needs.

We look at important details like health history, medication, lifestyle, and facial features.

We also listen carefully to what the client wants. Just because a treatment is popular does not mean it is right for everyone.

Two people can ask for the same procedure and get different recommendations. We suggest options based on individual needs, not just because something is trending.

The right choice could be an advanced procedure or a simpler treatment. Sometimes, waiting is the best decision. That is why consultation is so important.

What have you learned about achieving great results and building long-term client trust and referrals?

Consistency is one of the biggest lessons I have learned in nine years.

You can have great results once, but if your service quality keeps changing, people will notice.

Consistency in our services, recommended treatments, and results helps keep clients and encourages referrals.

People remember how you treated them, if you listened, and if you were honest about treatments that were not suitable. Long-term trust is built one client and one experience at a time.

You studied Philosophy before moving into medical aesthetics. What inspired that shift, and how has your Philosophy background helped you in business?

The inspiration came from a simple desire: to look and feel beautiful. That was where my journey started, but I grew to love aesthetics deeply.

It became more than beauty; I began to see the link between appearance, self-esteem, confidence, and how people feel about themselves.

I believe in aging gracefully, feeling confident in your skin, and living a healthy life. Those beliefs pushed me further into this field.

My Philosophy background has helped me a lot. It taught me logical thinking, curiosity, and the desire for continuous learning.

When something is unclear, I want to understand why. When faced with a problem, I break it down until I see what is causing it. This helps me both in administration and in clinical practice.

Sometimes, a challenge seems complicated because we have not asked the right questions.

There is growing concern about unsafe cosmetic procedures and untrained practitioners. What should Nigerians look for when choosing a medical aesthetician or clinic?

I would focus on three things: reputation, knowledge, and empathy.

First, reputation. A reputable practice has something to protect. They have spent years building their name and should take that seriously.

Second, knowledge. You need a practitioner who understands what they are doing and knows how to assess whether a procedure is suitable for you. Don’t hesitate to ask questions.

A good practitioner should explain what they recommend and why.

Third, empathy. This is often overlooked, but an empathetic practitioner will put you first. Your safety and comfort should come before making a sale. If someone recommends every treatment without assessing you, it should make you think. Your health is not a place for experiments.

As a woman leading a specialized aesthetics business in Nigeria, what challenges have you faced in building your brand?

On the operational side, electricity is a big challenge. The costs are high, and the power supply is unstable.

Then, there are high import costs and inflation. Sometimes, it feels like you work just to pay bills in Nigeria.

Staffing is another issue. Finding the right people with the right mindset is a huge blessing for any business. But, it is not always easy to find and keep those people. You can have great systems, but if the people running them don’t have the right attitude, it affects everything.

How have we dealt with these challenges? We show up every day. You learn to adapt, solve problems, and focus on what you can control.

There have been tough days, but I have learned not to let difficult times convince me that the future can’t be better.

What legacy do you hope to build through your work?

I want the brand to become a one-stop wellness center. Beyond skincare, I want us to look at the bigger picture because healthy skin connects to what happens inside.

We are always watching the industry and looking for advanced procedures that can help people maintain healthy lives while reaching their aesthetic goals.

When I think about legacy, I see it as more than the size of the clinic or treatments we offer. The legacy I want to leave is one of hard work and determination. I want people to see that it is possible to keep showing up, learning, and improving, even when conditions are tough. There will always be challenges and things you cannot do today. But, I don’t think today’s limitations should define the future's outcome.

Nine years ago, we aimed to help our melanin stars achieve better skin. Today, we are thinking bigger, and I believe there is much more to come.