As an African American male, I have gone to seek counsel / advice / remedies from dermatologists. As an AA male, ingrown hairs (Pseudofolliculitis barbae) is a naturally occurring side effect of having naturally curly / kinky hair ... can't get away from it - at least I haven't figured out how, yet. That said, a skin doctor should know how to combat it, right?!?!
Over the years, I have gone to several dermatologists that were NON African American and advice has been wrong time & time again. It was more about putting a band-aid on it, rather than 'fixing / remedying' the issue. I chalked it up to not having personal experience / exposure.
This time around, I wanted to go to an AA doctor, logically that they would have more of an understanding of how 'our' skin / hair works. I jump online and start researching doctors locally and come across Dr. Tomas B. Day. He's AA and a graduate of an HBCU and his reviews seem to be stellar!!! Talk about a win/win! I just hit the motherload! ... or so I thought.
This is where my issue lies ... I have tried making an appointment for 7 months now. His answering system / service is as old school as Alexander Graham Bell. I NEVER get a person. Instead, I get a recording stating that they have phone hours at 2 & 3-hour intervals (Mon & Wed 8:30-11 and 2:30-4). What kind of BS is that? Anyway, when I call during these SPECIFIC HOURS, it says to 'call back during the operational hours mentioned' ... Ummm, I did JUST THAT ... and never get a human.
Well, there was that ONE time ('back at band camp ...' lol), however, where I was determined to get through so I kept calling and the phone was answered!!!! Yes, I got a human - HOWEVER ... the receptionist stated, "oh shoot! Someone's on here. I hit the wrong button" ... **silence** I reply, "hello. Is anyone there"? she replies and the convo begins. All I recall is how incredibly rude she was as if my calling inconvenienced her in some way. "HEY LADY, YOU took this job"! Now shut up and enter me in the system. Shoot! She was much worse than I am willing to share but trust me, there would have been an argument if we were face to face. Anyway - she messes up my date (by giving me three different dates - CRAZY, right?!!?) I pin her down to ONE and we should be all set (for 1 1/2 months later, mind you). I wait for paperwork, I fill it out and it's doctor day. We happen to be having a snow / rain storm but I am determined to see this dayum doctor. Besides it wasn't that bad where I lived. On my way there, I am trying to call to verify today's apt - 2 NO AVAIL. I travel to the other side of town and with the weather it took about 40 minutes to get there. I get there. NOBODY'S HOME!!!!!!!!! **I start counting ... 10-9-8-7...** I call the office again - get the machine which states in the most unprofessional of tones, "we are not here due to the storm. Feel free to call back & reschedule. If not, cool" ...
WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAT?!?!?! Did this chick just say, 'if not, cool..."?!?!?! Vexed doesn't even cover it ... &@#$! I just drove to the other side of the friggin globe for ur azz after trying to make this appt for 5 months (at this time) and not ONLY are you NOT open but the message was being changed while I was 'en route' ...
That said, I tried ... I really did. But the unprofessionalism of the front office (phone answering area) is sorely lacking in customer service skills and a supposedly great doctor lost a patient BEFORE even meeting ... DEUCES!!!!
UPDATE: So here we are, over a year later, and Dr. Day remains one of the most highly recommended derms around. 'OHHHH FINE!!! SHOOT'! I call and get a very pleasant person on the other end. She asks how I'm doing and the niceties that come with it. I now have an appointment a few weeks **fingers crossed** #we're back in business, baby!!!! read more