As a medical journalist, I recently made my way to Viva Aesthetic Clinic in Opera House to dig deep into one of the most persistent skin conditions many Mumbaikars quietly suffer from — psoriasis treatment in Mumbai. I introduced myself simply, wanting to understand how patients are treated, how the clinic operates, and what realistic results look like when the condition is managed under a specialist’s care. My conversation with Dr. Deepam Shah, the lead dermatologist here, was both enlightening and grounded in clinical honesty.
Dr. Deepam Shah: Qualifications, Experience & Clinic Setup
Dr. Deepam Shah heads Viva Aesthetic Clinic, a modern dermatology and aesthetic centre located at 25A, 27B, 27C, Ground Floor, Panchratna Building, Opera House, Mumbai. He is a board-certified dermatologist with an MD in Dermatology, a DNB in Dermatology & Venereology, and a Fellowship in Aesthetic Medicine (FAM). With more than a decade of clinical experience, Dr. Shah has treated thousands of patients with skin and hair disorders.
The clinic itself spans around 1,000 sq ft, equipped with advanced lasers and medical devices tailored for both aesthetic and clinical skin care. During my visit, I observed a clean, well-lit consultation room, a dedicated therapy space for phototherapy, and staff trained to handle both delicate skin conditions and aesthetic procedures. According to the clinic’s website, their philosophy under Dr. Shah is to treat the root cause of conditions (like psoriasis) rather than simply mask the symptoms.
Approaches to Psoriasis Treatment at Viva Aesthetic Clinic
At Viva Aesthetic Clinic, Dr. Shah follows a step-up approach to psoriasis care, starting with less aggressive remedies and advancing to systemic therapies or biologics if needed. Here’s a breakdown of what he told me during our interview:
- Topical Treatments: First-line therapy includes gels, ointments, and creams — such as corticosteroids, calcipotriol (a Vitamin D analog), tazarotene, or coal tar. These are prescribed to slow skin cell proliferation and reduce inflammation. Local side-effects like skin thinning or irritation are discussed with each patient.
- Phototherapy (Light Therapy): For moderate psoriasis, Dr. Shah recommends narrowband UVB therapy (NB-UVB) using calibrated medical devices at the clinic. For more resistant cases, PUVA (psoralen + UVA) might be considered, though used more sparingly due to its risks. He notes the side-effects: sunburn-like reactions, accelerated aging, and long-term risk of skin cancer with prolonged use.
- Oral Systemic Treatments: In moderate to severe psoriasis, he may prescribe medications like methotrexate, acitretin, or cyclosporine. These require regular blood monitoring due to potential side effects — for example, methotrexate can affect the liver, acitretin is highly teratogenic, and cyclosporine can stress the kidneys.
- Biologics: For the most challenging cases, Dr. Shah offers biologic therapy. These are injectable or infusible drugs that target specific parts of the immune system (e.g., TNF-alpha or interleukins). Before starting, patients are screened for latent infections like tuberculosis, because biologics raise infection risk.
Pros & Cons of Psoriasis Treatment
During our interview, Dr. Deepam Shah was candid about the benefits and trade-offs of managing psoriasis:
Pros:
- Tailored Care: His step-up approach means therapy is personalized to severity; not everyone is immediately placed on heavy drugs.
- Evidence-Based Protocols: Use of phototherapy and biologics reflects modern, globally recognized best practices.
- Long-Term Management: He emphasizes remission, not just short-term clearing; biologics can lead to significant sustained improvement.
- Holistic Support: He also addresses lifestyle triggers, stress management, and skin care routines, recognizing psoriasis isn’t only about physical symptoms.
Cons / Limitations:
- Cost: Especially for biologics, the financial burden can be very high.
- Safety Monitoring: Systemic and biologic therapies require frequent blood tests and follow-up.
- Time Commitment: Phototherapy demands multiple weekly visits, which may be difficult for working patients.
- No Permanent Cure: Psoriasis is chronic — even with the best treatment, relapses are possible if triggers return or therapy is stopped.
Approximate Cost Range in Mumbai
Based on Viva Aesthetic Clinic’s publicly shared data, here are approximate costs at Dr. Shah’s clinic:
- Consultation: ₹1,500–₹3,000, depending on the complexity of the case.
- Topical Medication: ₹500–₹2,500 per month.
- Phototherapy (NB-UVB): ₹1,500–₹3,000 per session.
- Oral Systemic Drugs: ₹500–₹5,000 per month (depending on drug and monitoring).
- Biologics: ₹30,000 up to ₹1,50,000+ per dose, depending on the drug and plan.
These costs reflect the psoriasis treatment in Mumbai at a specialist-led, evidence-based clinic — though actual costs may vary based on the patient’s specific regimen and required monitoring.
Other Dermatologists in Mumbai Offering Psoriasis Treatment
To give a fuller picture, I looked into two other dermatologists in Mumbai who are known for managing psoriasis.
Dr. Rinky Kapoor – The Esthetic Clinics
Dr. Rinky Kapoor is a highly respected dermatologist and co-founder of The Esthetic Clinics in Mumbai. She holds an MD in Dermatology, DDV, and has fellowship training in laser and cosmetic dermatology from the National Skin Centre (Singapore) and Stanford University.
- Pros: She brings strong expertise in both medical dermatology and laser therapies, making her a powerful choice for patients who may need phototherapy plus other advanced modalities.
- Cons: As her clinic is very high-profile and uses advanced technology, treatment costs may be on the higher end.
- Cost Range: According to psoriasis clinic listings, her consultation may range from ₹1,500–₹2,500, and full treatment courses (including laser or systemic treatments) can total to ₹40,000–₹1,00,000 depending on the plan.
- Precautions / Aftercare: She emphasizes strict monitoring when systemic or laser therapies are used, and counsel on lifestyle triggers (stress, diet), as well as routine follow-ups for long-term disease control.
Dr. Sneh Thadani – Skin Soul, Navi Mumbai
Dr. Sneh Thadani is a dermatologist based at Skin Soul Clinic in Nerul, Navi Mumbai, known for treating moderate to severe psoriasis with systemic and injectable therapies.
- Pros: Personalized care with a focus on patient comfort and tailored biologic or systemic therapy.
- Cons: For patients based in South Mumbai or central areas, traveling to Navi Mumbai for frequent treatment (e.g., for biologic injections or monitoring) may be inconvenient.
- Cost Range: According to her clinic, psoriasis injections cost approximately ₹12,000 to ₹20,000 per dose, depending on the biologic prescribed.
- Precautions / Aftercare: She closely monitors labs, screens for infections, and helps patients manage side effects. Her aftercare also involves skin-care routines and stress-management advice to minimize relapses.
Precautions & Aftercare Advice Shared by Dr. Shah and Others
In my discussion with Dr. Deepam Shah , he emphasized several critical precautions and aftercare practices that are common in expert psoriasis clinics:
- Pre-treatment Evaluation: Before starting any systemic or biologic drug, patients undergo blood tests, liver function tests, and infection screening (like TB).
- Lifestyle Management: Stress reduction (through mindfulness or counseling), a balanced diet, and identifying personal triggers are integral.
- Skin Care Routine: Regular moisturizing, gentle cleansers, and avoiding scratching are essential to prevent flare-ups (Koebner phenomenon).
- Adherence: Staying consistent with medications, phototherapy schedules, or injections is critical for long-term control.
- Monitoring: Frequent clinic visits, lab tests, and follow-ups ensure that side effects are managed and the disease remains under control.
My Observations as a Medical Journalist
Spending time at Viva Aesthetic Clinic and talking to Dr. Deepam Shah, I was struck by how seriously he treats psoriasis — not as a cosmetic annoyance but as a chronic immune-mediated disease demanding a structured, evidence-based plan. His step-up model ensures that patients are not overtreated, while also offering the most advanced therapies when necessary. The clinic’s setup is comforting and professional, not cold or overly clinical, and the care team seems well-versed in both medical management and emotional support.
If you’re living with psoriasis and want to understand what psoriasis treatment in Mumbai really involves — or just want someone to walk you through real, science-backed options — drop me a line and I can help you figure it out.
Viva Aesthetic Clinic
Timing: 10:30am to 8pm (Monday – Saturday)
📍 Colaba
Timing: 7.30 to 9 pm (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday)
Phone: 93245 89084 | 022 3573 1556
Email: clinicvivacosmetic@gmail.com /
Mail: shahdeepam@yahoo.co.in
