Today we’d like to introduce you to Dr. Nikki Hill.
Dr. Hill, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
During my residency, I started losing a tremendous amount of hair in a short period of time. I was studying for my boards, acting as chief of my residency, and managing the administrator’s task of a resident on a day-to-day basis. While I thought I was handling the stress, my hair started shedding and falling at an increasing rate.
I went on a search to find a dermatologist to help me understand why my hair was shedding at a rapid pace. It took me a while to find someone who specialized in hair loss disorders. During my search, I realized how my hair was a reflection of how I presented myself to the world and part of my identity. I felt the emotional changes associated with losing part of your identity involuntarily and at an alarming rate. These changes affected my confidence and my self-esteem. Once I found a dermatologist that could provide answers and help me with my hair loss, my mind was at ease. Along my journey to recovery, I understood how underserved hair loss disorders are amongst the dermatology community.
Every person will be affected or know someone who is affected by hair loss in their lifetime. Hair loss is prevalent. After my experience, I realized this is what I want to focus on. I started studying hair loss disorders and scalp conditions that can lead to hair loss disorders. I wanted to dedicate my career to this field and help those suffering from hair loss. After residency, I opened the Skin of Culture and Hair Center (SOCAH Center), located in Atlanta, GA in 2015. This practice provides dermatologic services, including skin and nail treatments with a focus on comprehensive medical, cosmetic, and surgical hair loss treatments.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The path has not been smooth however every twist and pothole has taught me a lot about myself and has prepared me to become an entrepreneur and to continue to get better every day. I’ve realized I am my worst critic while traveling on this path. I’ve learned one struggle is trying to be over every aspect of the business and not delegating responsibilities. I’ve also learned everything has a reset button and sometimes you have to realize you can’t force things to happen. Navigating people’s emotions and personalities continues to be a challenge and a blessing that teaches me something new every day. I’ve been amazed at how helpful people can be towards each other during times of need and how vulnerable patients can feel during an office visit. These interactions keep me on the path no matter how rocky of a situation I encounter.
Skin of Culture and Hair Center (SOCAH Center) – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
The Skin of Culture and Hair Center (SOCAH Center) is a comprehensive dermatology medical and surgical practice that focuses on making your brand ready for life’s everyday events. We specialize in and provide treatments for hair loss disorders and educate barbers, stylists, and trichologists about hair loss they may encounter on a daily basis. SOCAH Center was founded on the premise that scalp conditions and hair loss disorders are not treated for vanity. Hair loss disorders are medical conditions and should be regarded with such discipline and respect. When patients come to SOCAH Center we value them as patients and as customers. We pride ourselves on providing excellent customer service and making our patients feel comfortable at a time of vulnerability. What sets us apart is that we love to educate our patients by letting them know what is going on with their scalp and hair, and empowering them to be a part of the decision making for their treatment plan. We focus on the reason for the hair loss by obtaining an accurate diagnosis and providing specific and tailored treatment plans for each individual to optimize their results.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
My best quality is self-discipline. This has allowed me to persevere through difficult times. Self-discipline has given me the willpower to continue to work through doubt, pain, rejection when others doubted the vision. It’s helped me along my journeys, allowing me to work towards chamber orchestras, towards NCAA numerous All-Star and Division Championships, Olympic Trials in high jump. I trained by emailed workouts sent to me by my Atlanta coach at night after medical school classes in the snow in Boston. I’ve used my undergrad alma mater Clark Atlanta University’s “Find a way or make one” to keep me focused. I’ve used self-discipline to study when I really wanted to be hanging out, seeking out mentorship where one would expect to find it and from people not even knowing they were mentoring. I tried to be a sponge in every aspect of my academic, athletic and professional career. Of course, staying on the path took more than my own self-discipline and perseverance. I am indebted to my parents and family who have always been strong advocates of my academic journey. And I thank my fiance who has been there since medical school and has seen SOCAH Center develop from a concept to an operational business that is demanding and time-consuming and yet he continues to show patience and understanding every day. And my mentors, who were aware they were mentoring me…and those who didn’t.
Pricing:
- New Hair Appointment $250
- Socah growth shampoo $40
- Socah strengthening conditioner $40
- Scalp micropigmentation consult $80
- Scalp micropigmentation $150+ per hour
- Hair transplant consult $80
- Hair growth serum $55+
- Hair transplant $1500+
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Scalp exfoliation $60+
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Dandruff treatments $65
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Growth treatment $65+
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Hydration treatment $65+
Contact Info:
- Address: 2296 Henderson Mill Rd
Suite 300 Atlanta, GA 30345 - Website: www.socahcenter.com
- Phone: 404-474-2301
- Email: info@socahcenter.com
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