A career in transformation with Dr. Nakatsui
Known for his expertise in advanced skin treatments including hair transplants, injectables, and innovative procedures like radiofrequency microneedling, Dr. Thomas Nakatsui has built a reputation over the past 25 years as one of the top dermatologists in the city. Alongside his professional achievements, Dr. Nakatsui and his wife Melanie are deeply committed to philanthropy. Today, they continue their legacy of excellence in a stunning, newly renovated clinic that feels more like a luxury hotel spa than a medical facility. We spoke with Dr. Nakatsui about his career path, changes in the dermatology field, his love of the Arts, and the importance of solitude.
Tell us about how you came to be one of the top cosmetic dermatologists in Edmonton.
During my dermatology residency at the University of Alberta, I worked with Dr. Groot, one of the city’s top dermatologists. Initially, I was considering a career in the United States but I was thrilled when Dr. Groot invited me to join his practice in 2000. At that time, I made my mark by specializing in innovative hair transplant techniques. When Dr. Groot retired, we took over the practice. We renovated the space—it’s bright, open and beautiful, and we also expanded by taking over the space next door. The side I’m on is predominantly medical and surgical, while the other side is more focused on spa aesthetics which offers lighter treatments like manicures, pedicures, and waxing.
I mostly work on the medical side, focusing on hair transplants and other treatments. I specialize in injectables like Botox and fillers, laser treatments, and advanced procedures like scar treatments, rejuvenation, and thread lifting. I handle a lot of the more advanced treatments, but my nurses also perform many of the rejuvenation treatments here—whatever they can do, I encourage them to do. I’m always here when they need me.
Tell us about some of the changes you’ve seen in the cosmetic dermatology world since your career started.
I’ve been in the field for 25 years and there have been some major changes. Some things have stayed quite similar, though. For example, we were doing carbon dioxide laser resurfacing for skin rejuvenation years ago, and it’s still considered the gold standard. However, nowadays, there’s more of a push for non-invasive treatments that have less downtime. People want to get back to their normal routines as quickly as possible, so this has driven a shift toward treatments with faster recovery times.
A big change has been the rise of fractionated treatments, where energy is delivered to small, targeted areas of the skin rather than the whole surface. This approach helps with faster healing. You may not get as dramatic results, but the advantage is less downtime, which makes a big difference for patients who don’t want to take extended time off.
One of the biggest advancements I’ve seen is radiofrequency microneedling. This technique uses tiny needles that go into the skin, and while they’re in, they emit energy. What’s great about these treatments is that they focus on stimulating collagen from underneath the skin, rather than just resurfacing the skin’s surface. We still do treatments from the top down, but now we’re also focusing on what’s happening beneath the surface. New technologies are constantly coming out, and my job is to figure out which ones are effective and which ones aren’t. It’s an exciting time because we have so many options to offer patients now.
Can you share some of your top springtime skin tips with us?
When taking care of your skin, especially in spring, the number one tip is sunscreen. It makes such a profound difference. We see it all the time with our patients—people who have speckling, uneven skin tone, and broken blood vessels; a lot of that is due to sun exposure from when they were younger. They never knew that spending time in the sun without protection would lead to those issues later on. But now we know how important it is to protect your skin. Even for me, I didn’t use sunscreen as much when I was younger, but I definitely do now.
Another thing I recommend is using vitamin C creams, which are antioxidants. One of my favourite products is an illuminating enzymatic peel. It’s simple and easy to apply—if I only use one product, that’s the one I go for. I also use a new product called Creme 47, which has 47 different ingredients. It’s great because I can just put one product on in the morning and another at night, and I’m done. It’s nice and simple. No need for multiple steps like toners or different serums. Men especially appreciate this because they’re less likely to stick to a complicated regimen, but something easy like this works well for anyone.
You and your wife Melanie are recognized award-winning philanthropists in our city. What causes are you feeling called to support these days?
A lot of our time goes to the Lois Hole Hospital. We’re very involved with the Royal Alexandra Hospital Foundation, doing everything we can to support their efforts. My wife and I faced some challenges when we were trying to conceive. We had a stillbirth during our first pregnancy, and after that, we were very worried about our next pregnancy. We had to go to the Royal Alex for special ultrasounds to make sure everything was okay. Thankfully, everything was fine, but it was crucial for us to have a place that made us feel safer and reassured. We know how important it is for others to have access to that same kind of support, especially when the government can’t always fund everything that’s needed. Every little bit we can do to help make services available to people who otherwise wouldn’t have access to them means a lot.
Outside of your successful business, what brings you the most joy?
Melanie and I love to support the Arts, especially the Edmonton Opera. When it comes to relaxing, I like to stay active. I play pickleball at the Royal Glenora, and my daughter coaches there, which is great. I also try to swim at the Mayfair pool whenever I can. Staying active is one way I relax.
But the most important part of relaxation, for me, is carving out time with no responsibilities. If you’re constantly tied to your phone or work, it’s hard to truly relax, so, I try to make time where—no matter who calls, unless it’s something life-threatening—I just don’t answer. I take time to sleep as long as I want, wake up when I want, and decide if I want to go out or stay in.
Even though I love spending time with friends—seeing them a couple of times a week—I also love having time when it’s just me, where no one else is around. Honestly, I think I could handle 10 days of complete solitude, just to recharge. It sounds like a dream!
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