What Lies Beneath.... Dr Kemi Fabusiwa

We think there’s a quiet power in the way Dr. Kemi Fabusiwa speaks about skin. As an NHS doctor, content creator and voice for inclusive beauty, she occupies a rare intersection  where science meets soul, and skincare becomes a language of self-understanding. Known to her community as Dr. Fab, she’s built a platform that makes dermatology approachable, empowering people to see skin not as a flaw to be fixed, but as a story to be understood.

In this conversation, we go beneath the surface to explore the layers that have shaped her — from cultural heritage and early beauty ideals to the evolution of her relationship with identity, confidence, and care. Dr. Kemi reflects on what it means to show up authentically in a world that often tries to define us, and how education, empathy, and representation can transform not just how we treat our skin, but how we see ourselves.

Here's What Lies Beneath, Dr Fab.

TSB - As a Black female doctor in the beauty space, what does representation mean to you both in medicine and in media?

Dr Fab - I’ve realised there are still very specific types of representation that are seen as acceptable. It’s wonderful that Zendaya is our new beauty standard; she’s talented, beautiful, and deservedly celebrated but darker-skinned Black women are still being excluded from the picture. We call it progress, but really, colourism just got better PR.

Even in dermatology, the imagery hasn’t caught up. I make a point of showing skin conditions on the darkest tones possible because that’s what’s missing. It’s not about tokenism, it’s about accuracy. When everyone can see themselves reflected, that’s when representation becomes real.

TSB - We see skin as more than just an aesthetic surface. How do you see skin as a reflection of identity, emotion, and experience?

Dr Fab -  For me, your skin shows how well you’re able to look after yourself, how kind you are to yourself. It’s the first to expose your stress, your hormones, your diet, and your sleep (or lack thereof). Skin tells the truth, even when we don’t. It’s emotional armour it protects you. Learning to take care of it isn’t vanity; it’s self-respect. When your skin is balanced, it usually means your life is finding its balance too or at least you’re trying.

TSB -  As someone who helps others feel comfortable in their own skin, what has your own journey to confidence and self-acceptance looked like?

Dr Fab - It’s still ongoing. As a Black woman, wearing wigs and leaning into certain beauty habits still feels like a protective shield one I’m not quite ready to take off yet. But confidence is layered like skincare: you build it step by step. 

My new focus has been taking better care of my natural hair - using products like The Steam Bar, nurturing my scalp, learning how to work with my texture instead of against it.  When I’m ready, I know I’ll feel more confident embracing my natural appearance.

On my page, I try to create an environment that feels body-positive and kind. Instead of saying “fix this” or “treat that,” I like to say “if you want to.”

TSB - Dermatology and skincare advice have often been Western-centric. How do you navigate or challenge that bias in your work and communication?

Dr Fab -  Small changes make the biggest difference. Around 90% of the imagery I use features Black skin — and what’s funny is that people of all skin tones still engage.

It proves that diversity doesn’t alienate; it just broadens who feels seen. Clinically, I also highlight how conditions present differently on darker skin and what treatments actually work. It’s not about being “inclusive” as a marketing angle - it’s about being honest and scientifically complete.

TSB -  You use social media to democratise skincare knowledge but it can also be a space that distorts beauty standards. How do you maintain authenticity and balance as a creator and clinician?

Dr Fab -  I’m a young Black woman from Croydon; that alone brings its own mix of rhythm, resilience, and humour. I carry all of that into how I create. A lot of doctors feel pressure to present as hyper-serious, but I don’t see the need. I can love the science and the aesthetics. I can talk about niacinamide and still make a good joke.

People trust you more when you show up as yourself. Authenticity isn’t a performance. And I think that’s what keeps my content human in a space that can feel very filtered.

TSB -  Do you have any cultural or family beauty rituals that have stayed with you -things that feel grounding or sacred?

Dr Fab -  Always use your African net sponge instead of a loofah. It’s more hygienic because it dries quickly, doesn’t trap bacteria, and lasts much longer. It also gives a thorough exfoliation without being harsh on the skin - think smooth, not stripped.

And always do your hair before washing your face. When you wash your hair afterwards, oils, conditioners, and styling products can run down onto your skin  and clog pores, especially around the forehead and jawline. Doing your hair first means you’re cleansing away any residue instead of sealing it in. It’s one of those small habits that quietly changes everything.

TSB -  There’s often a disconnect between clinical language and cultural nuance. How do you infuse empathy, accessibility, and inclusivity into your approach to beauty education?

Dr Fab -  Doctors love to make things sound more complicated than they are - we basically do the Jargon Olympics. I try to do the opposite. I explain things the way I’d talk to a friend: clear, simple, and slightly entertaining. 

Empathy starts with language. If people actually understand you, they’ll trust you and if they trust you, they’ll listen. Science doesn’t need to sound scary to be true.

TSB -  When do you feel most powerful or beautiful, and what lies beneath that feeling for you?

Dr Fab - When I feel seen. As Black women, invisibility is something we’ve all experienced. But more and more, we’re creating our own spaces, spaces where we don’t need to ask for permission or validation. That’s where the real beauty lies: in being unbothered, unfiltered, and fully visible.

TSB -  If you could redefine the future of beauty and wellness for women of colour, what would that world look like?

Dr Fab -  A world where we own the labs, the brands, and the conglomerates. Where we’re not waiting for investment, we’re the ones doing the investing. Where boardrooms aren’t diverse because of a quota, but because it’s our company. It’s about shifting from representation to ownership. Once that happens, everything else follows.

TSB -  What 3 things have you recently enjoyed?

1. Laser hair removal: essential if you deal with hyperpigmentation and ingrown hairs. This is a must beauty treatment

2. K-beauty products: I’m still in my Seoul skincare era. If my moisturiser isn’t from Korea, I’m suspicious.

3. My steam cap from The Steam Bar: turns wash day into a full self-care ritual. Honestly, it’s giving CEO of relaxation and I am noticing moisture penetrating into my hair better.